No one argued. With that decided, the group made their way out of Glimwood Tangle and began the long journey toward Circhester.
By the time they arrived, the difference was obvious.
Circhester was far larger and far more crowded than many of the other towns in Galar. The city was already one of the most populated urban centers in the region, and with two gyms under construction, one for Rock and one for Ice, the place was growing even faster. On top of that, its famous hot springs attracted a constant flow of travelers, merchants, workers, and wealthy visitors, giving the entire city a strange mix of luxury, industry, and cold northern grit.
As soon as Enzo stepped into the city proper, he began scanning the streets.
"All right," he said. "We split up for thirty minutes," Enzo replied. "Nothing more. Spread out, ask questions, look for signs of Nero, Surge, or anyone causing chaos. Then we meet back here."
He pointed to a nearby landmark so there would be no confusion.
"Thirty minutes," he repeated. "No disappearing. No drinking. No setting anything on fire."
Ronnie raised a hand. "Can I negotiate if I find another mushroom guy?"
"No," Enzo said immediately.
Viper smirked. Proton adjusted his coat. Anna still looked tired, but at least the cold air seemed to be helping with her headache.
Without wasting any more time, the group broke apart and moved into the busy streets of Circhester, each of them chasing their own line of inquiry while the city pulsed around them with noise, steam, and life.
Thirty minutes later, the group reconvened at the agreed meeting point, standing beneath the cold northern wind with the same tired irritation written across their faces.
Enzo looked from one to the next.
"Well?"
Proton answered first.
"I did not find anything useful," he said calmly. "No direct trace of Nero. Nothing concrete. But I did notice something strange."
Enzo focused on him immediately. "What did you notice?"
"Several people were asking around about missing relatives," Proton explained. "At first, I assumed it might be unrelated. Cities lose people all the time. But the number of them, the urgency, the way they were asking... it did not feel normal. Not all at once like that."
Enzo narrowed his eyes. "You think it could be connected to Nero?"
Proton gave a small nod. "It is possible."
Enzo then turned to Anna.
"What about you?"
Anna looked a little apologetic. "I did not find anything either. Sorry. I tried. Other than worried families asking about missing people, I found nothing."
Enzo gave her a small nod. "It is fine."
Enzo turned to Ronnie and Ratchet next. "What about you two?"
Ronnie blinked. "Nothing, sorry, boss, but no one would talk to us..."
Seeing how dirty and ugly the pair looked, Enzo thought it was understandable.
Then he looked at Viper.
The veteran had been quiet for a moment, his eyes narrowed in thought.
"I may have something," Viper said, capturing everyone's attention.
"What is it?" Enzo asked quickly.
"I overheard some of the construction workers talking," Viper replied. "They mentioned strange noises coming from below the site, but they brushed it off as if it were normal."
"Tunnels?" Enzo repeated, intrigued.
Viper nodded. "There's a sewer network—old underground routes running beneath the area where the gyms are being built. Apparently, construction has exposed parts of it."
Proton picked up the explanation. "It's not exactly abandoned. It's more like it's poorly frequented—filled with addicts, criminals, and drifters. It's the kind of place people avoid unless they have a reason to be there."
Enzo was already thinking ahead.
"That sounds promising," he said, then turned to Proton. "Do you know where the entrance is?"
Proton nodded at once. "Actually, yes. It's on the south side of the Rock Gym construction zone. I found it while I was searching."
Enzo frowned. "And you didn't mention it?"
"It didn't seem important at the time," Proton replied, unashamed.
Enzo rubbed his temple and exhaled slowly. "Fine. Take us there."
Without wasting another second, the group followed Proton through the busy streets of Circhester toward the construction district.
The area was massive.
Workers moved about everywhere beneath floodlights and scaffolding; machines roared in the background, and the entire zone buzzed with industrial energy. Galar clearly intended to make its future stadiums greater than those in any other region, pouring money into that vision from every possible angle.
Sticking to the edges of the site, the group circled around the southern side of the unfinished Rock Gym until Proton finally slowed down and pointed ahead.
"There."
Half-hidden behind stacked materials and a partially collapsed maintenance barrier was a dark opening descending into the earth.
Enzo studied it for a moment, then nodded.
"All right. Stay sharp."
They moved inside one after another, and the atmosphere changed instantly.
The cold city air was replaced by damp, underground rot.
The tunnels were humid and foul-smelling, shrouded in darkness, with only scattered construction lights and the occasional sliver of pale light from above providing any shape to the passageways. Water dripped from the ceiling, and each footstep echoed oddly. The corridors twisted in directions that made them feel endless, as if the entire underground network had no intention of letting anyone leave once they had ventured too far inside.
Proton released Muk without being told.
The sludge Pokémon oozed forward with apparent comfort, making it clear that this disgusting underground maze was much closer to its natural habitat than theirs.
They advanced cautiously.
At first, there was nothing.
Only the sound of dripping water, distant machinery above, and the unpleasant squelch of Muk moving ahead of them.
Then Enzo stopped.
He had heard something.
The meaning wasn't entirely clear yet, but it was enough to make the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
Proton heard it next. Their eyes met for a brief moment.
Then the sound came again.
Crying.
Not just one voice, but several.
Then a muffled scream.
"Move," Enzo commanded.
The group immediately increased their pace, then broke into a run, following the echoing sounds through the tunnels. Muk surged ahead, while Ratchet muttered curses under his breath. Anna stayed close behind Proton.
After several turns, the corridor suddenly opened into a wider underground chamber.
And there, they found him.
Several girls with green hair were tied up against the far wall, trembling, crying, and staring in absolute terror at the scene around them.
A massive Hydreigon lay stretched across the middle of the chamber like a living barricade, one eye half open in lazy vigilance.
And atop the terrifying dragon, completely unconscious and sleeping with the calm confidence of a man who feared nothing in this world, was Nero.
For a second, no one said anything.
Then Enzo let out a slow breath.
"Bingo."
Hydreigon's eye snapped fully open.
The three heads lifted almost at once, and the creature's entire body tensed with immediate hostility. A low growl resonated through the chamber, deep enough to vibrate the walls.
No one moved.
Enzo raised one hand slightly.
"It's fine," he said quietly. "Do not rush him."
Hydreigon did not care.
Its heads fell lower, making it clear that one more wrong move could turn the entire chamber into a bloodbath.
So Enzo reached for the safest option.
He released Deino.
The little dragon appeared in a burst of light, looked around, sniffed the air once, and then immediately froze.
A familiar scent.
The happy Pokémon let out a joyful cry and ran forward without hesitation toward the much larger dragon.
That changed everything.
Hydreigon's hostility weakened almost instantly. The fierce tension in its posture loosened just enough for Enzo to see an opening.
The large dragon leaned down, sniffed its child, and let out a softer rumble.
Enzo moved.
Slowly and carefully, he stepped closer, climbed partway onto Hydreigon's side, and reached toward the sleeping executive.
"Nero."
No response.
He tried again, slightly firmer.
"Nero. Wake up."
Still nothing.
Then Enzo grabbed his shoulder and shook him once.
That was a mistake, Nero woke like a killer.
His hand shot out instantly, grabbing Enzo's wrist, while his other hand moved with frightening speed toward a hidden blade. The knife flashed in the dim light and was already moving when Viper stepped in and caught his arm mid-strike.
For a brief moment, everything was still. Then Nero blinked, his eyes sharpening as he recognized who stood before him. He relaxed his grip.
"What on earth are you doing?" Nero asked, his voice a mix of grogginess and concern. "You could have hurt yourself!"
Enzo chuckled a little and eased onto the ground, his heart racing. "Well, good morning to you, too!"
Nero sat up slowly, one hand pressing against his head. "My skull feels like it got split open with a hammer."
"That would explain why you're sleeping on a Hydreigon in a sewer," Viper said.
Nero looked ready to respond with something vicious. Then his eyes shifted, and he saw the girls.
For a moment, he just stared.
Then a flicker of recognition crossed his face, followed by irritation and something dangerously close to embarrassment.
"...Ah."
One of the tied-up girls let out a terrified sob.
That seemed to bring the situation fully into focus for him.
Nero closed his eyes for a second, as if fighting the urge to kill someone—perhaps himself, perhaps everyone else.
Then he opened them again and spoke in a flat voice.
"They saw my face..."
The girls froze, and panic erupted instantly. The prisoners began begging all at once, promising they would not tell anyone, swearing they had seen nothing, that they did not know who he was, that they would disappear and never speak of this again.
Enzo stepped in before Nero could say anything worse.
"They do not know who you are. At best, they can describe an older man with a terrible temper. That is not enough to create a real problem. Killing them now will only turn this mess into something worse."
Nero said nothing.
Enzo continued telepathically.
"We've already caused enough chaos in Galar. People are missing, and workers are talking. One of Ronnie's Pokémon ate someone. Surge is in a hospital, and if bodies start turning up, the entire region will go into a panic."
Nero's expression darkened, not because he disagreed, but because he knew Enzo was right.
A long silence followed.
Finally, Nero nodded.
"Fine."
The girls looked like they had just been given their lives back.
Nero raised a finger, and instantly, everyone fell silent.
"Do not misunderstand," he said coldly. "You are alive because of him. If any of you speak carelessly, even if I hear the slightest whisper about what happened here, I will find you. And if I do, your families will suffer before you do. Is that understood?"
Every single one of them nodded frantically.
Nero made a small gesture.
"Untie them."
Proton and Ronnie acted quickly, slicing through the ropes that bound the girls. They scrambled to their feet, tears streaming down their faces as fear gripped them, stumbling over one another in their frantic rush to escape.
Within seconds, the chamber fell silent.
Too silent.
Enzo exhaled and glanced back at Nero, who was rubbing his face as if trying to physically erase his choices.
Then Nero reached into his coat and tossed something to him.
Enzo caught it—it was his TR device.
The moment Enzo touched the screen, it came alive, illuminating his face with a glow that quickly shifted from curiosity to concern.
Missed calls.
So many missed calls.
All from Leni.
"Oh no," Enzo murmured, a sense of urgency washing over him as he dialed back immediately.
Leni picked up almost instantly, his voice laced with palpable tension. "Boss, finally! I've been in quite a bind here."
Enzo felt an unease settle in. "What's going on?"
There was a brief silence that added to the gravity of the situation.
Then, Leni's frustration broke through. "What do you mean? What's going on? Yesterday, you told me to put a ten-million bounty, dead or alive, on Ronnie's sister. Since this morning, my TR device hasn't stopped buzzing with images of women with green hair—dead women, Enzo! What exactly do I do with that?"
Enzo shut his eyes slowly, his heart sinking.
Oh no...
He pressed his fingers to his temple and let out a quiet breath to regain his composure. "Leni," he said, already feeling the weight of the situation, "we need to take that bounty down."
"Take it down?" Leni echoed, incredulous. "Boss, do you realize how many images I've received? How many people are already involved?"
Enzo paused, grappling with the implications. His heart raced as he considered the chaos that had unfolded from his earlier decision. "I know it's a difficult situation, and I sincerely apologize. Something unexpected happened, and it took me a moment to understand the ramifications of what I told you."
Leni's tone softened but remained tense. "What do you want me to say to the Brokers? They already cashed in two million just to get this bounty posted. That's two million down the drain."
The thought made Enzo wince. "I will cover that two million," he replied decisively. "But I need you to remove the bounty as quickly as you can. Please. And once again, I'm sorry for this."
There was a slight pause before Leni answered, his voice now tinged with concern. "...Boss, are you okay?"
Enzo surveyed the room, taking in the various expressions around him. Nero was nursing a serious hangover atop Hydreigon, the girls had just rushed off in tears, Ronnie stood tall next to his unsettling new mushroom, and Ratchet still looked as if he needed support for emotional trauma. Anna and Proton waited patiently for his response.
"I think I'll be okay," Enzo finally replied. "But it's a lot to process. I'll update you later."
Leni let out a heavy sigh. "All right, I'll handle it."
"Thanks," Enzo exclaimed, before he wrapped up the call.
As silence enveloped the chamber once more, Enzo stared at the dark screen in his hand, reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions he had just experienced. After a few moments, he lowered the device, shaking his head.
Next time I feel like drinking, please slap me as hard as you can," Enzo pleaded miserably.
Nodding his head in calm agreement, Proton accepted the violent future task without a single ounce of hesitation.
"Okay," Proton replied simply.
Taking a moment to collect himself, Enzo let out a long breath and straightened his posture.
"All right. We're done here."
He glanced at the others for a moment before continuing.
"I still have things to finish in Galar."
This statement made Nero shift slightly.
"I will be heading back to Kanto," the executive said. "I left several matters unresolved last night, and by now, there are likely quite a few people wondering where I disappeared to."
Viper nodded slightly. "I'm going back with him."
Enzo looked at him, surprised. "You are?"
"Yes," Viper replied. "I need to start preparing the island again. The next batch of Team Rocket recruits is coming." His eyes narrowed in thought before he added, "If you want to place anyone there, just let me know. I can handle the logistics."
This made Enzo pause.
Actually, that was useful.
"All right," he said. "I'll need at least one spot."
Then he thought a moment longer.
"But it would be better to keep two open, just in case."
Viper smirked faintly. "Noted. I'll keep that in mind." That seemed to settle the matter.
Viper began moving first, clearly ready to leave, and Nero followed after him. After only a few steps, the older man suddenly stopped.
He turned back.
"One more thing," Nero said.
Enzo looked at him. "What?"
Nero's expression shifted slightly, and when he spoke again, his voice was lowered so the others wouldn't hear clearly.
"Did we find her?"
Enzo frowned for half a second.
"Find who?"
Nero gave him a flat look, clearly unimpressed by the pretense.
"You know who," he said quietly. "Ronnie's sister."
That nearly broke Enzo's composure.
He had to physically hold back a laugh that was trying to escape his throat, instead, he forced his expression under control and replied with a small smile. "No. We didn't find her."
"But," Enzo said, a smile breaking through, "who knows? One day, we might. If we do, you'll be the first to know!"
For a moment, Nero looked at him, and to Enzo's surprise, a genuine smile surfaced on his face.
Nero nodded slightly, as if he was embracing that idea. He moved a step closer, placing a hand thoughtfully on Enzo's shoulder.
"Thank you for yesterday," Nero said warmly. "I haven't enjoyed myself like that in years."
Enzo was shocked, not just by the words but by the undeniable sincerity in Nero's voice.
"Even if I only remember a fraction of it, I know it was a crazy night," he replied. "So thank you for being a part of it."
Nero let out a soft chuckle, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Take care of yourself," he advised. "And if anything comes up, you know how to reach me."
Enzo nodded firmly. "Absolutely, I know."
With that, Nero removed his hand from Enzo's shoulder and turned away for good. Viper gave the group one last glance, then followed him out without another word.
Enzo stood alongside Anna, Proton, Ronnie, and Ratchet, a moment of silence hanging in the air.
Enzo exhaled slowly, then his expression sharpened.
"All right, everyone," he said, "it's time to work."
This immediately captured their attention.
"We have money now," Enzo continued, "and it's time to put it to use. The market is in complete disarray right now, which means opportunities are everywhere, and I have no intention of letting this chaos go to waste."