"Don't waste time. Once you go out, you can't come back in. Who will carry them if you don't go out? Just hold on."
"...I'm sorry, Kashiwagi. I'm really sorry. It's us who have dragged you down. Ah, take this with you!"
"Okay, let's go."
Recalling in his mind the face that showed a mixture of unwillingness and guilt when he parted with Narihiro, Kashiwagi carried the hammer he picked up near the exit, turned on the headlight and breathed evenly.
He knew that Cocodola might not be able to defeat the armored rhinoceros. He also knew that even if he couldn't be defeated, the armored rhinoceros might not kill Cocodola.
Based on the comprehensive prediction, there is no need to look back, and there is no need to do such dangerous things.
But he came back anyway.
Speaking of which, he has always felt that he is actually very selfish. All the means of doing good to others are just disguises, for utilitarian purposes such as being gregarious, staying together to keep warm, and obtaining benefits.
therefore.
Of course, I came back to gain the favor of Coco Dora, and to adhere to the principle of repaying kindness...
Kashiwagi kept clarifying his intention in his heart, convincing himself like a hypnosis.
If not, facing that armored rhinoceros with scarlet eyes, you might be tempted to run away, right?
"Kill him!"
Shibata's shout suddenly sounded, and the armored rhinoceros also rushed over.
Rumble——
The ground shook as he ran, and countless small stones were shaken up and flying everywhere.
The armored rhinoceros just wanted to complete its mission as soon as possible, so he simply obeyed Shibata's idea and knocked the man in front of him away to stop Shibata's nagging mouth.
In this mine, which is invaded by falling rocks everywhere, there is not much room for dodge. It is extremely difficult to avoid the charging of the armored rhinoceros.
But you only need to hide once.
Just once.
Kashiwagi took two steps back and stood behind the pile of rocks on the far left. These things could not block the charge of the armored rhinoceros, but they could block its sight to a certain extent.
Even ground-type Pokémon cannot see through rocks and sand.
bring it on.
He took a deep breath and looked directly at the crazy Shibata and the armored rhinoceros, lowering his gaze and charging forward with his horn.
There is nothing to say, there is only success, there is no failure.
Bang!
The moment the pile of rocks was smashed into pieces by the ferocious beast, Kashiwagi suddenly turned on the headlights that had been adjusted to the brightest in advance, and rolled to the right regardless of whether it hit the armored rhino's eyes!
"Woo!"
Severe pain came from his left arm and left rib, as if he had been hit by a bullet.
But Kashiwagi understood that he had escaped, and the pain came from the gravel knocked away by the armored rhinoceros. From this point of view, it was enough to prove how terrifying the opponent's sprint was.
And when he stood up, he felt burning pain in his worn right elbow and shoulder.
Hold it!
Take advantage of victory!
Kashiwagi turned around and looked at the armored rhinoceros that hit the wall diagonally behind him. Shibata on his back urged the armored rhinoceros to turn around and try again.
"Eat shit!"
He yelled and threw the hammer in his hand. Shibata didn't even have time to react before he was hit by the hammer and fell to the ground. He didn't know where it hit and screamed in agony.
This guy's headlights were never turned off from beginning to end, so the target shouldn't be too obvious!
"Hum!"
The armored rhinoceros became panicked when its back was empty. As soon as its huge body took a step back, it accidentally stepped on Shibata's leg.
“Ah—my feet!!”
There was another scream.
The armored rhino's movements froze, and it was already a bit clumsy and didn't know what to do.
Purpose achieved!
Kashiwagi ran to where Cocodola was without hesitation.
Pokémon are also creatures in nature, so he never mythologizes them. Even if he understands Pokémon, he can find ways to "battle" them.
To capture the thief, capture the king first.
Since the armored rhinoceros is Shibata's helper, he will definitely not ignore him.
"Let's go!"
Kashiwagi quickly picked up the semi-conscious Kokodora on the ground, and surprisingly found that it was not heavy.
He turned around and ran forward, passing the armored rhinoceros who was trying to rescue Shibata as quickly as possible. The latter noticed that he was fleeing and immediately had the intention to pursue him.
"Hum——"
"Shut up!"
Kashiwagi took out another ball from his pocket and hit it hard on the ground.
Bang!
The terrifying flash of light engulfed the entire cave in an instant!
"Hum!?"
The armored rhinoceros was suddenly stabbed in the eye, and his eyes were so white that he couldn't see anything clearly. In panic, he started running wild, charging Shibata and letting out continuous screams.
"Don't - let me go - ah! Help..."
"Huh...huh..."
Kashiwagi ran with his head down and ran twenty or thirty meters in a few breaths. He hurriedly turned his head and looked behind him. He saw the armored rhinoceros crashing crazily and Shibata who was gradually falling silent. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I didn't stupidly use the flash bomb Chenghong gave me earlier. It was so powerful that it directly caused confusion in others.
This product has never been used before, could this be the reason?
Kashiwagi shook his head, chased away distracting thoughts and ran hard.
To be honest, at this time, he was on the run. Even if Kokodora was unwilling, it was an objective fact that it would be more convenient to put it away with the Poké Ball.
When the other party is unconscious, the possibility of breaking free is not high.
but……
Just forget it.
What if my previous guesses were wrong and it was a Pokémon arranged by Team Quicksand?
What if Kokodora would rather die than enter the Poké Ball? If you don’t know that most Pokémon have strong beliefs and will never look back if they are sure of one thing.
Thinking so much is useless, why not run faster!
Kashiwagi suddenly threw off the mask on his face, trying to absorb more oxygen to further increase his running speed.
Going uphill is really life-threatening.
Fortunately, until the white light symbolizing the exit appeared in front of him, there was no sound of chasing behind him. The moment he rushed out, fresh air rushed in.
The wind blowing over the sand also became cooler.
"Ha ha……"
Kashiwagi was breathing heavily, and the strong sunlight made it difficult for him to open his eyes. He almost managed to keep himself from falling to the ground.
He ignored the surprised sights and cries around him, took out the jade and threw it to the middle-aged examiner, "Token!"
The middle-aged man took it and glanced at it casually, then turned to look at the injured Kokodora, frowned and said: "Did you bring out the Pokémon inside?"
"No, it should be wild..." Kashiwagi shook his head.
"How is it possible-"
The middle-aged man's words came to an abrupt end because a Galar crying mask suddenly flew out of the cave, ran to him and shook his head at him.
He immediately changed his mind, "——Someone take him and Cocodora to the hospital! Hurry!"
Immediately, men carrying a stretcher came forward, carefully invited one person and one Pokémon up, and carried them away.
Kashiwagi glanced at the Galar crying mask and whispered to Cocodora next to him: "We are safe, don't worry."
When he said this, he couldn't help but slowly relax.
Although the journey in the mine was short, it was extremely thrilling, especially when I turned back to save Cocodola. Looking back now, I really feel like I was dying.