Tentacool do live in groups—but the number gathered before them was far beyond normal.
"Brock, have you heard about the maritime hotel being built at Yuding Pier?" Sam asked calmly.
"Yes, I've heard of it," Brock replied.
The Maritime Hotel project was well known. Yumachi Pier planned to turn it into a landmark attraction to boost tourism.
"If I remember correctly," Sam continued, "the location chosen for the maritime hotel was originally the natural habitat of the Tentacool."
His tone was calm—but his words were anything but.
"What? That's impossible!" Brock exclaimed. "Isn't it Alliance law that Pokémon habitats can't be destroyed?"
"Hah." Sam sneered coldly and didn't answer.
Brock's body stiffened.
He knew Sam was right.
The Alliance did have laws—but whether they were enforced depended entirely on local authorities. For the sake of development and profit, turning a blind eye to habitat destruction was all too common.
"Sam… are you saying that the Tentacool and Tentacruel gathered together to attack the maritime hotel and reclaim their home?" Brock asked quietly.
"Who knows?" Sam replied indifferently. "After all, even humans who lose their homes can do anything."
In Brock's view, the Tentacool were simply retaliating against the maritime hotel.
But Sam knew better.
Tentacool and Tentacruel from the entire surrounding sea area had gathered here. A mere hotel was no longer enough to satisfy their rage.
Their target wasn't just the construction site.
It was the city behind them.
They wanted the humans who destroyed their home to experience what it meant to be homeless.
---
Horsea's injuries weren't severe—just exhaustion. By the time Sam and Brock reached the Pokémon Center, its condition had almost fully stabilized.
"Brock, what's wrong with you?" Ash asked, noticing Brock's distracted expression.
"Sam discovered something unusual at the pier," Brock said honestly, recounting everything Sam had told him.
"Sam, is what Brock said true?" Misty asked anxiously, her worry for Horsea still written across her face.
"There shouldn't be any mistake," Sam replied. "I think Horsea was trying to warn us."
"No!" Misty suddenly stood up. "We have to stop this! I don't want to see humans—or those innocent Tentacool—get hurt!"
"I'm going too, Misty!" Ash said immediately. "Hurting Pokémon like this is unforgivable!"
"Let's go together, Sam," Brock said firmly.
At that moment, a mechanical voice echoed in Sam's mind.
> Ding! Main Mission Triggered:
The Giant Tentacruel Invasion
Objective: Repel the enraged Tentacool swarm
Rewards: Based on completion level
Minimum: C-rank
Maximum: SSS-rank
Sam was stunned.
This was the first main mission he had ever received.
"Sam, hurry up!" Ash urged.
"Coming." Sam didn't have time to analyze the mission and immediately followed them toward the pier.
---
When they arrived, it was already too late.
Sam frowned as he looked out at the sea—and what he saw made even him feel shaken.
One.
Two.
Ten.
Dozens.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
Countless Tentacool and Tentacruel covered the surface of the ocean, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Even though Sam had been mentally prepared, the sight was overwhelming.
This was his first time witnessing a mass Pokémon riot.
"Don't panic! Don't be afraid!" a shrill voice shouted.
A short, ugly old woman sat atop an armored vehicle, holding a loudspeaker.
"Those are just weak jellyfish!" she shouted. "As long as everyone works together to drive them away and allow the maritime hotel to be completed, I promise a generous reward!"
Granny Silver.
The moment Sam saw her—the true culprit behind this disaster—his eyes turned icy.
A murderous intent quietly surfaced.
If it weren't for Granny Silver's greed, for destroying the Tentacools' habitat, none of this would have happened.
"Bring out the money," Granny Silver ordered.
To stir up excitement, a large box filled with stacks of thousand-yuan bills was brought forward and displayed openly.
"Whoever defeats the most Tentacool today gets this entire box!"
The Trainers at the pier immediately erupted.
"Seriously?! That's real money!"
"Hahaha! Don't get in my way—this box is mine!"
"Get lost! I'm taking that money—no one's stopping me!!!"
At that moment, the ugliness of human greed was laid bare.
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