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Jacob wanted to see Maximo?
Jett's frown deepened as he studied Jacob intently, his mind racing with doubt and confusion. Why would Jacob want to meet with Maximo? Wasn't he supposed to be a member of the Patrol Team? What possible business could he have with someone like Maximo?
Despite the countless questions swirling through his mind, Jett didn't dare voice any of them. In his current precarious situation, with his life hanging in the balance, he knew he had no choice but to comply with whatever Jacob demanded of him.
However, there was a significant problem—Maximo wasn't even in the country. As the notorious leader of the Mike Group, Maximo had long been targeted with substantial bounties by the Pokemon Association. He had fled China years ago and had been living abroad ever since, carefully avoiding capture.
Jett steeled himself and delivered the disappointing news. "Boss isn't currently in China. If you truly want to meet with him, you could come with us. I can arrange safe passage and take you to his location."
Upon hearing that Maximo had fled the country, Jacob felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. He had hoped to use this opportunity to establish a connection with the Mike Group through Jett, but it seemed that plan would have to be abandoned.
As for traveling abroad with Jett, Jacob would have to be completely insane to consider such a thing. Numerous dangerous individuals overseas already wanted him dead. If Jacob dared to leave China's borders, it would be like walking willingly into a carefully laid trap—essentially a suicide mission.
Even with his Champion-level Iron Valiant at his disposal, there were other Champion-level trainers operating in foreign territories who would pose serious threats.
This Jett clearly harbored malicious intentions and was attempting to lure him into a deadly trap. Jacob's expression turned ice-cold as he regarded the poacher, recognizing that even in this desperate situation, the man was still trying to manipulate him. "Since that's the case, I can only express my regrets. Alakazam, Aerodactyl—attack!"
Seeing Jacob's intention to have Alakazam launch an assault, Jett felt panic surge through him. In his desperation, he called out frantically, "Wait! Jacob, please spare my life! I can offer you substantial amounts of money!"
If Jacob succeeded in capturing him alive, given his high-ranking position within the Mike Group and the numerous crimes he had committed over the years, it would certainly mean a death sentence. His only hope now lay in begging for mercy.
Despite Jett's desperate pleas, Jacob showed no intention of calling off Alakazam and Aerodactyl.
Aerodactyl spread its powerful wings, and brilliant light erupted from its body as it launched directly into a devastating Brave Bird attack.
Simultaneously, Alakazam used Teleport to reposition itself before unleashing a precise Psycho Cut.
Both Pokemon coordinated their assault, targeting Jett's Braviary with overwhelming force.
"Protect!" Jett immediately commanded his Braviary to activate its defensive move.
Braviary quickly raised a shimmering barrier of light in front of itself, attempting to shield its body from the incoming attacks.
"BOOM!"
The thunderous impact echoed through the mountainside as the combined assault from the two Heavenly King-level Pokemon completely shattered Braviary's protective barrier.
The Electric-type Pokemon was sent flying backward from the tremendous force. Witnessing this devastating display, Jett's face turned ashen with fear.
"Stop." Only then did Jacob casually instruct his two Pokemon to halt their attack. This demonstration served a dual purpose—it significantly weakened Jett's combat capabilities while eliminating any thoughts of escape, and it also provided an unmistakable show of overwhelming force.
Jacob's lips curved into a slight smile. "Money is certainly valuable, but there are limits to everything. Continue the attack, Alakazam, Aerodactyl!"
"I have a treasure! I possess a valuable treasure!" In his mounting panic, Jett shouted desperately. "Please stop immediately!"
"Hold on..." Jacob observed the man's obvious desperation and gestured for Alakazam to pause its advance. He was curious to learn what treasure Jett claimed to possess. "Speak up. What exactly is this treasure you're referring to?"
"You must promise me that if I surrender this treasure to you, you will guarantee my freedom." Jett was an experienced criminal who understood negotiation tactics. Rather than immediately handing over his bargaining chip, he attempted to establish terms with Jacob.
"Do you honestly believe you're in a position to negotiate with me?" Jacob asked with an amused smile. "Tell me what this treasure is."
"No." Jett recognized that this treasure represented his only hope for survival—his final trump card. He stubbornly refused to yield, addressing Jacob with determination. "You must agree that once I hand over the treasure, you will release me. Otherwise, I won't give it to you under any circumstances."
Jacob's smile widened slightly as he studied Jett carefully. "I'm beginning to think you haven't fully grasped the gravity of your situation. Do you truly believe you have any leverage to negotiate with me?"
"Then what exactly do you want from me? I'll surrender everything I possess—I only ask that you spare my life." Jett's eyes remained resolute despite his desperate circumstances. "If you refuse to agree to my terms, then you might as well arrest me now. If I present this treasure to the Association instead, perhaps they'll offer me a chance at redemption."
Observing Jett's brave facade in the face of certain doom, Jacob's expression grew more amused. "We're both intelligent individuals here. Do you seriously think a simple verbal promise carries any weight? Even if I were to give you my word, could you truly trust me to honor it?"
"I can." Jett met Jacob's gaze directly and spoke with conviction. "You are, after all, one of China's most prominent scientific geniuses. You have a reputation to maintain and honor to uphold."
Listening to Jett's attempt at flattery, Jacob chuckled softly. "Very well. I give you my word. Now hand over this treasure you've mentioned."
Jett gritted his teeth, his face contorting with obvious pain at the thought of surrendering his most valuable possession. Finally, he turned to the Gengar hovering beside him. "Come forward, Gengar. Retrieve that treasure from your dimensional storage."
Gengar was one of Jett's ace Pokemon, possessing Quasi-King-level strength. Throughout the entire confrontation, its attention had remained focused on both Alakazam and Aerodactyl, ready for potential combat. Upon hearing its trainer's command, Gengar opened its mouth wide and produced a small, ornate box from within its ghostly form.
"Alakazam, please retrieve it for me." Jacob maintained extreme caution, refusing to give Jett any opportunity for a surprise attack. He directed Alakazam to approach Jett's position, take possession of the box, and then immediately Teleport back to Jacob's side.
"Whoa, hold on there, Alakazam. That item could potentially be dangerous. Move further away and open the box over there first. Be extremely careful." Jacob took several steps backward and addressed his Psychic-type Pokemon with obvious concern.
Even though Alakazam had come to respect and trust Jacob throughout their partnership, hearing these words caused its eyebrows to twitch with mild irritation. The Pokemon genuinely wanted to give Jacob a piece of its mind. Some people appeared human on the outside, but their behavior suggested otherwise.
Alakazam carefully opened the box with its psychic powers. Seeing no immediate danger or suspicious activity, Jacob confirmed it was safe before directing his attention to examining the contents.
"Life Orb—S-rank item. When held by a Pokemon, although HP decreases slightly each time an attacking move is used, the move's power increases by fifty-two percent."
The Life Orb was an incredibly popular item in competitive battling, renowned for its ability to significantly boost move damage. It was also considered the most direct and brutal damage-enhancing item available, as virtually any offensive Pokemon could benefit from holding one.
In this world, Life Orbs were extraordinarily precious items, with even the lowest quality variants being classified as B-rank.
A B-rank Life Orb typically increased move power by approximately fifteen percent.
An A-rank Life Orb boosted move power by roughly thirty percent.
An S-rank Life Orb enhanced move power by an impressive fifty percent.
Jacob recalled seeing news coverage of an A-rank Life Orb that increased move power by twenty-eight percent. The final auction price had reached an astounding eight-figure sum.
That had been merely an A-rank Life Orb. For an S-rank Life Orb like the one before him, the potential value would be virtually unimaginable, likely reaching nine figures or beyond.
Such an incredibly valuable item was definitely not something that a mere subordinate like Jett should have been able to acquire through normal means.
"Where exactly did you obtain this item?" Jacob couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer.