Fumino Tosh's pupils constricted suddenly, and all color drained from his weathered face, leaving only a deathly pallor that teetered on the edge of collapse.
The composure and shrewdness he took so much pride in crumbled the instant he heard the name "Fumino Alec."
He really had lost contact with his son!
Since yesterday afternoon, no matter how many times he called, the only response was the cold, automated prompt that the phone was turned off.
At first, he thought his son was just playing and ran out of battery, then he guessed maybe the signal was poor in some remote area.
But now, hearing his son's name from this group of people claiming to be Team Rockets, all his delusions were shattered, and a terrifying thought exploded in his mind!
They kidnapped my son!
"You beasts!" Fumino Tosh's body trembled violently, every bulging muscle speaking of a father's terror and fury. "What did you do to my son?!"
He began to struggle wildly like a maddened lion, ignoring Sneasel's sharp claws sinking into his flesh, wanting only to lung forward and tear the people in front of him to shreds.
"What the hell are you going crazy for?!"
Laic clearly had no patience; he strode over and ruthlessly kicked Fumino Tosh in the abdomen.
With a heavy thud, Fumino Tosh curled into a ball, his stomach churning so violently that he nearly vomited bile.
"Roar—!"
Inside the training room, the Ampharos, Electivire, and other Pokémon saw their master being humiliated. Electricity flashed in their eyes as violent energy condensed instantly, and they roared, ready to charge.
Ariel reacted even faster. His eyes turned sharp, and he pressed the dagger held against Fumino Tosh's neck downward.
The icy blade easily sliced through the skin, and a thin line of crimson blood trickled down the edge, leaving a startling mark on Fumino Tosh's rough neck.
"Ugh..."
The Pokémon's movements came to a screeching halt. They could feel their master's life being directly threatened, and they let out anxious, low growls from their throats, but they didn't dare take another step forward.
The last glimmer of hope in Fumino Tosh's eyes was extinguished.
He knelt dejectedly on the cold floor, as if all his strength and spirit had been drained in an instant; he seemed to have aged years in a moment.
A cold sneer rose in Ariel's heart.
He never would have thought that his decision to simply package up that arrogant rich brat Fumino Alec and hand him over to Jenny for convenience would produce such a marvelous effect.
Seeing Fumino Tosh's soul-crushed appearance, he was clearly certain that his son had fallen into the hands of Team Rockets.
It made sense; after that kid Fumino Alec was taken away by Jenny, his communication devices were surely confiscated immediately. At this moment, he was likely in some small dark room receiving a 'lesson of love and justice,' crying as he wrote his self-reflection.
This information gap was a godsend of a bargaining chip.
"It's very simple if you want your son to live," Ariel's voice echoed in the empty training room, devoid of any warmth. "Obediently recall all your Pokémon."
He paused, as if giving the other man time to think, then added: "Don't worry, we're only after money, not lives."
The same words and the same threat, but this time, the effect was worlds apart.
Fumino Tosh looked up, his bloodshot eyes staring fixedly at Ariel. After struggling for a moment, he finally yielded.
Under the extremely unwilling and worried gazes of his several Pokémon, he reached out with a trembling hand, took out his Poké Balls, and recalled them one by one.
"Is this... enough?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Laic stepped forward and roughly snatched the Poké Balls from his hand.
"Old geezer."
He cursed contemptuously and skillfully pulled a specialized metal box from his pocket, tossing the Poké Balls inside. With a 'click,' the box was completely locked.
This device could completely isolate internal and external signals, ensuring that the Pokémon inside could not use their own will to force the Poké Balls open.
Having confirmed that Fumino Tosh had completely lost his ability to resist, this operation was considered a complete success.
"I've done everything I could," Fumino Tosh's voice was hoarse and weak. "What do you want? Can you release my son now?"
His words were like a stone dropped into the ocean, met with no response.
Laic ignored him and dialed a number. After a few brief instructions, he gave Ariel a look, indicating that the people from Mauville Corporation would arrive shortly.
"Mauville Corporation?" Fumino Tosh was stunned when he heard the name, then as if understanding something, a look of unbelievable fury erupted in his eyes. "Team Rockets... you're actually in league with Mauville Corporation!"
Laic crouched down and patted Fumino Tosh's shock-filled face, his tone full of mockery: "If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for offending people you shouldn't have when your own strength is so lacking."
"What do you mean?" Fumino Tosh's teeth chattered. "The ones who came to our shop a few days ago to talk about an acquisition... were they from Team Rockets?!"
Laic didn't answer directly, but his playful smile said everything.
Before long, several employees wearing Mauville Corporation uniforms arrived.
They moved quickly and were well-trained. Carrying professional Electric Shackles and Poké Ball blocking devices, they efficiently brought Fumino Tosh under complete control and took over all his Poké Balls.
"We'll leave things here to you," Laic nodded to the lead employee. "Let's go."
Ariel put his familiar mask back on to cover his face and turned to follow Laic's lead.
"Where is my son!"
Behind them came Fumino Tosh's heart-wrenching roar, a sound filled with despair and rage.
Ariel's pace didn't falter, but as he stepped out of the training room door, he left behind a faint sentence.
"We didn't kidnap your son."
"If you want to find him, go ask Jenny."
The voice wasn't loud, but it reached Fumino Tosh's ears clearly.
Fumino Tosh froze completely, his mind going blank for an instant.
Jenny?
Wasn't that The League's police?
He was stunned for a full three seconds before he suddenly reacted, a towering rage from being toyed with instantly overwhelming his reason.
"You dare play me?!"
The angry roar echoed through the empty Gym for a long time... Ariel didn't look back, disappearing into the night outside the Mansion with Laic.
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