"As long as we don't run into a small group of them, our three mid-stage Normal-level Pokémon should always be able to escape.
The ones sent out to capture Pokémon are usually just low-level grunts. At most, their Pokémon are around the low-to-mid Normal level. Even if their bodies have been modified, they won't be that much stronger. Relax, Icarus!"
Seeing that Icarus was still hesitating, Aze immediately began persuading him again.
"Good morning! Aze, Icarus!" Just as Icarus was still thinking, the sleepy-eyed Ashu finally arrived.
"Icarus, are you worried about safety? Don't worry—I've got your back. And I have good news too. My Butterfree has also broken through to the mid-stage of the Normal level!
It even awakened a bit of Psychic-type power. It's not very strong, but it can still restrain ordinary people for a few seconds with psychic force.
Even if we encounter a modified trainer, my Butterfree should be able to immobilize them briefly. That should be enough for us to seize an opportunity!"
Ashu immediately explained the situation when he saw Aze persuading Icarus.
This news greatly boosted Icarus's confidence.
"Alright… let's go then."
In the end, Icarus decided to try it. After all, 100 merit points was already the highest reward among three-star missions. All they needed to do was record a video from a distance to confirm the presence of Team Rocket. Refusing such an opportunity didn't make sense.
"Haha, good! Let's go!"
Seeing Icarus nod, the other two smiled with satisfaction. Among them, Aze secretly glanced at Icarus's sturdy physique.
Of course, Icarus didn't notice this. In his mind, this was simply a difficult and dangerous mission.
After making their decision, the three headed toward the inner forest.
Along the way, the wild Pokémon they encountered in the outer area were dealt with in turns by Weepinbell, Graveler, and Butterfree.
According to Aze, this was to observe everyone's strength after their recent breakthroughs so they could coordinate better later.
Icarus and Ashu both agreed, so the Bug- and Normal-type Pokémon they encountered along the way suffered greatly.
Normally, experienced trainers at the Normal level wouldn't bother dealing with such weak Pokémon when passing by. Only poor beginner trainers came to hunt them.
But today, these three mid-stage Normal-level powerhouses swept through the area like unstoppable forces.
What surprised Icarus the most was that Aze seemed to have completely forgotten about their previous conflict. Along the way, he kept praising Weepinbell's strength.
"Am I just being overly suspicious?" Icarus wondered briefly.
"Icarus, your Weepinbell's Vine Whip is really powerful! I feel like my Graveler and Butterfree wouldn't be able to beat it!"
After Weepinbell easily defeated five Weedle, Aze immediately praised him.
"No, Aze, you're praising me too much. Your Graveler is also very strong. That Rock Throw attack is incredibly powerful!
And Ashu's Butterfree using Psychic power is impressive too. It really shows its Psychic-type potential."
Although he didn't fully understand Aze's sudden friendliness, Icarus still returned the compliments politely.
Soon, the three of them reached the boundary of the inner forest.
Their relaxed attitudes immediately disappeared.
"Alright, Icarus—let your Pidgey scout ahead. Search the area and return every ten minutes. Do a carpet-style sweep."
As soon as they entered the inner forest, Ashu, acting as the captain, gave his orders.
"Okay. But I want to ask something. Is our mission today only to search for Team Rocket? Nothing else?"
Icarus nodded, but finally asked the question that had been on his mind the whole time.
"Yes. Today we focus entirely on searching for Team Rocket.
Anyone can accept this mission, but if someone submits confirmed information first, everyone else's missions will automatically be canceled.
So we need to move fast, right, Aze?"
Ashu explained before turning toward Aze.
"Huh? Oh—yes, exactly. I received the mission at the Pokémon Center and told Ashu right away. Ashu was still thinking about it at first, but then you called too, Icarus, so we decided to take it."
Aze had been lowering his head and fiddling with his belt. When Ashu suddenly addressed him, he looked startled before quickly agreeing.
"This belt… I must not have fastened it properly this morning. It's a bit loose. Sorry about that."
He quickly explained his distracted behavior.
"Alright. Pidgey, go!"
Although Icarus felt suspicious, he didn't show it on the surface. He nodded and gave Pidgey the command.
The three of them followed behind from a distance.
"Something feels off… Aze has been touching his belt a lot today."
Perhaps it was his experience from his previous life, but Icarus began paying closer attention to Aze's behavior.
Sure enough, after careful observation, he noticed that Aze touched the lower-left side of his belt every so often.
And after doing so, he would secretly observe Icarus and Ashu's reactions.
Although he tried to be discreet, it was obvious he lacked experience. Icarus still noticed it.
After all, Icarus had lived in the lower levels of society in his previous life. Even if he wasn't particularly important back then, he still understood some basic survival instincts.
"Looks like I need to stay cautious," he thought.
On the surface, he continued searching with the others calmly.
After a while, Aze's hand touched his belt again.
Just then, Pidgey returned within a few minutes.
"Pi~ Pidgey!"
As soon as it came back, Pidgey reported its discovery to Icarus.
It had seen a man wearing a black protective suit ahead, with a small "R" on it. The man was cutting the tail off a dried Rattata.
"What a coincidence…"
Aze's earlier belt-touching flashed through Icarus's mind again. His vigilance toward Aze instantly rose to the highest level.
If he had only been suspicious before, now he was almost certain.
Aze was likely an insider for Team Rocket.
As for Ashu, he probably had no idea.
"Good news. Pidgey says it spotted a man ahead wearing black clothing with the letter 'R', and there's a Koffing beside him."
Icarus's mind raced before he finally decided to reveal the discovery.
If he pretended not to notice, Aze would realize that he had been exposed. At that point, Aze might call for more Team Rocket members to avoid leaking the information.
For now, if something happened, they would only be facing a single Team Rocket grunt.
Even if Aze joined him, it would still only be two enemies.
Of course, that assumed their main fighter—Ashu—wasn't eliminated by a trap first.
As for directly accusing Aze of being part of Team Rocket, Icarus dismissed that idea immediately.
Ashu and Aze were clearly good friends. Without solid evidence, Ashu would definitely side with Aze.
The previous incident with the Arbok had already proven that.
(End of Chapter)