When the trucks stopped, they could hear the roaring sound of the sea.
Everyone was driven out again, now preparing to board the ship. It should be heading toward Shadow Island. At this moment, everyone's eyes were still covered, and they had no idea what was around them. The unknown danger made it even more terrifying.
When the black cloth covering their eyes was removed, they were once again locked in a large room. Aside from some swaying, it was no different from the previous place.
Three meals a day were still the same kind of food. Those who had not eaten before gradually began to eat more. Here, if you did not eat, no one would coax you. The only one who would starve to death was yourself.
Tetsuya had been calculating the time. Although there were no windows and no way to see outside, the only thing he could hear was the sound of seawater hitting the ship's hull. He could now confirm that he was being escorted to a Shadow Island in the deep sea. To increase the chances of Haunter finding him, he tore off another piece of his pant leg and stuffed it into the vent.
From the pattern of the Shadow Team grunts delivering food, it was still possible to judge the time.
---◓---
About three days later, the ship docked. This time, their eyes were not covered again.
The one carrying everyone was a giant ship. Behind them was the vast sea, stretching endlessly. In front of them was a solitary island. It was impossible to judge its size. Looking out, there were only towering ancient trees, lush and dense, along with several raised hills.
At the entrance of the island were three rows of wooden houses, surrounded by iron fences, enclosing a very large area. Inside the fences, about twenty to thirty Mightyena were being trained.
At this moment, more than a dozen people walked over from the island. They had clearly known that people would be "delivered" today. Of course, on such a deserted island, supplies would also be transported over at intervals. At the same time, Pokémon would also be raised here for the Shadow Team. Most of the Pokémon raised and trained here had extremely strong wild instincts and terrifying lethality.
"Sō, long time no see. This year you have to bring me something good. I can't be at the bottom again in the competition three years later!" Among the dozen people, the one leading them said to Kurusaki Sō, the leader escorting this group.
Because there were five "Shadow" sub-islands, after three years they would all gather at the main Shadow Island. The island masters of each sub-island would naturally bring the ten strongest from their own island.
After arriving at the main island, there would of course be a competition. This competition also evaluated the performance of these "island masters". Therefore, strong individuals would receive special care from these island masters. If they died in the wilderness, it would directly affect their performance evaluation three years later.
"Sōhahaha! My brother, Raven, with our many years of friendship, how could I not take care of you!? Besides, we are all under Yamamoto-sama. We share honor and disgrace!"
After speaking, Sō got off the ship first and pulled Raven aside.
Sō said to Raven, "First register the list of this kid, as well as the Pokémon taken from them."
The handover of information for a hundred people was not something that could be done quickly, and some of them also had Pokémon. The Shadow Team naturally had their own methods for handling these Pokémon and would definitely not suffer losses themselves.
Then the two groups of Shadow Team members began the handover.
What Sō had to explain to Raven was naturally Tetsuya.
"Is there anything else to instruct, Sō?" Raven asked.
Sō pointed at Tetsuya in the crowd and said, "Remember that Tetsuya in the crowd was personally captured by Yamamoto-sama. At the age of eight, he killed two of our elites. You must report his performance here to Yamamoto-sama at all times. It seems that he intends to train him. As subordinates, we must not go against his will. Otherwise, well… you know very well his methods."
Sō speculated on Yamamoto's thoughts and gave Raven a hint. Raven nodded and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Sō. Since Yamamoto-sama wants to 'train' him, I will definitely lend a hand!"
'Moreover, at only eight years old, he already has such ability… In three years, he will surely help me achieve a good result!'
"Raven, you're a smart man, I won't say more. Have the supplies from this shipment taken down, and also your favorite good 'wine'." Sō gave a meaningful look.
"Rahaha, you totally understand. Staying on this island is driving me crazy! I really want to leave here as soon as possible. The treatment on the main island are much better than here."
After Raven finished speaking, he began ordering the unloading of supplies from the ship. Of course, for this kind of physical labor, Machoke was sufficient, and Tauros pulling carts also directly transported the supplies back to the warehouse.
The hundred captured people were escorted into the iron enclosure. Each of them was a tender child. Although the Mightyena had been called aside by Raven and his subordinates, their saliva was still dripping.
Such a giant ship would come once every six months, delivering supplies to this island. At the same time, it would take away those who were eliminated to be trafficked, and also transport the Pokémon captured on the island to the Shadow Team's own Black Market for sale.
When Kurusaki Sō and the giant ship were preparing to leave, some people finally realized that they were about to be left on this island. A few of them tried to run toward the ship.
"T-Take me away from here! Waaah! I d-don't want to stay here!"
"I want to leave… I want to leave!"
'…'
For a moment, the scene became difficult to control. Tetsuya only retreated far behind. This was simply seeking death. With these children who had no strength to truss a Caterpie, and without Pokémon in their hands, there was no need for the grunts to act. Just a few Mightyena would be enough to suppress this so-called "rebellion".
Sō gave Raven a look.
Raven nodded. "Rahehe! Mightyena, use Crunch on the one at the front!"
As soon as the words fell, one of the most robust Mightyena shot out like a like a bullet. The boy at the front was about eleven years old, relatively strong among this group.
Even so!
The Mightyena pounced fiercely, and the boy was directly knocked to the ground.
At that moment, the boy's pupils widened.
"D-Don't… don't kill, don't kill…!"
Before he could finish speaking, the Mightyena's sharp teeth had already bitten through his throat. Blood instantly gushed out like a fountain. The terror on his face remained, completely frozen…
These children had never seen such a scene before. They immediately froze in place, not daring to move. The remaining Mightyena had already surrounded those who had run out, frightening them into trembling even more.
Raven beckoned to the Mightyena, then pointed at the dead boy on the ground and said, "Today you get an extra meal!"
Immediately, twenty to thirty Mightyena rushed forward and began tearing at the boy's body. Soon, it was already in pieces…
The ones who had just run out huddled together, trembling. After seeing such a scene once, they did not dare to look a second time.
After the Mightyena finished eating, the life that had just been full of vitality had now become a pile of broken bones.
"Sōhohoh~! Raven, I leave them to you!"
Sō laughed loudly, boarded the ship, and left. Watching the giant ship gradually move farther away, many people's eyes were filled with desolation.
At this moment, Raven walked to the front of the group and looked over these newly arrived children from top to bottom.