A total of nine people, just right to be divided into three groups.
"Yes!" Nanmu immediately nodded in agreement.
Just as Natsuhiko was pondering how to leave the center of this vortex and find an opportunity to slip away, an ordinary member respectfully jogged over and said to Natsuhiko:
"Lord Zhenwu, Lord Campfire has called a temporary meeting, please come over."
Natsuhiko raised his eyebrows and said, "I know."
Then, he instructed Nanmu to keep the newly formed three groups under control and followed that person.
In the crowd.
Lance, who looked harmless, watched Natsuhiko's departing back, a hint of puzzlement appearing in his eyes.
That back... looks somewhat familiar.
...
...
In a small cave within Flame Valley.
Campfire, Nether Fire, and other top cadres and leaders of the Magma Team gathered here.
They stood around a gray-white stone platform with different expressions.
Natsuhiko, wearing an ordinary member's outfit, appeared quite mismatched among them.
"You can listen in too." Campfire said to Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko silently stood at the lowest position, lowering his head to look at the patterns on the gray-white stone platform.
Once everyone was confirmed to be there, Campfire went straight to the point.
"Is the item in hand?"
The few people beside the stone platform exchanged glances, all knowing what Campfire was referring to.
However, the time spent in the Alternate Space was too short, and it's too large, finding that item is really difficult.
With a carpet-style search, whether in the hands of Wild Pokémon or those League Trainers, Magma Team has already lost quite a few people.
But, standing to Campfire's right, Nether Fire slowly extended his hand, placing an ominous red fragment with sporadic golden patterns onto the stone platform.
As the stone appeared, the temperature within the cave suddenly increased.
Original Groudon's shell fragment!
With lowered eyes, Natsuhiko saw the item and immediately recognized it.
"Very good." Campfire nodded satisfactorily, "It's small, but it will suffice."
Putting away the stone, Campfire scanned the people present, his tone growing heavier.
"Orders have been given, be ready to leave at any time. The Leader's message just arrived; the information blockade against the League wasn't thorough enough, their reinforcements might arrive anytime, won't be able to stall those guys for long, hurry up and pack."
Those guys?
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko was stirred internally.
Referring to... are there insiders within the League belonging to the Magma Team or some faction?
Such high energy?
"When necessary, some small characters should be abandoned." Campfire said unemotionally.
And no one had any expression or objection to her words.
Ordinary members, even the more outstanding ones among them, are to be sacrificed as needed.
"That Volcarona..." someone asked.
Campfire raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a smile.
"I'll go meet it."
That Volcarona is very strong, extremely strong, and if it can be captured, Campfire is confident she can dominate among Magma Team's three top cadres.
The three top cadres of the Magma Team aren't harmonious.
A qualified Leader absolutely needs a scenario not where everything is harmonious under their command; such a Leader won't last long.
What he needs is balance, a balance of surface harmony and private strife among the three.
Just as Giovanni, leader of Rocket Team, never stops competition among subordinates, Magma Team's three top cadres also have considerable competition between themselves.
And this Volcarona represents an opportunity for Campfire to overshadow the other two.
Even if it's very strong, she wants to give it a try.
Standing at the lowest position listening to Campfire's words, Natsuhiko's eyes flickered beneath his hood.