Thump! Thump! Thump...! The rhythmic pounding grew louder and louder in Sato's ears. When he arrived at the Counterfeit Item Factory, he saw a group of people skillfully operating specialized machinery, smashing Tentacool's "Red Agates" one by one.
"Red Agates" were not actual gemstones, but energy-storage organs within Tentacool's bodies.
Once the workers shattered the Red Agates with the machines, a thick red liquid flowed from the cracks and was eventually poured into boilers for processing.
On the other side of the boilers, freshly processed counterfeit Evolution Stones were transported out from time to time.
Crystal-clear and containing several droplets like tiny bubbles, each "Water Stone" gleamed like a work of art despite the factory's dim lighting.
Sato sighed inwardly. No wonder even Trainers from deeply established families had fallen for it. Aside from their own carelessness, the technique itself was indeed impressive.
However, Aida Sha's use of Tentacool's "Red Agates" as raw material was an unforgivable sin!
Under cover of Gengar's Space Barrier, Sato brazenly passed by everyone and thoroughly searched the entire Counterfeit Factory, discovering that half the machines had stopped operating.
Sato guessed that Tarou Furuta's capture had left them unable to obtain more raw materials, so they naturally could not keep the whole factory running.
Soon, Sato walked to the relatively quiet residential area of the factory. Before he could enter a room, an old man with a gloomy face and anxious expression walked out.
Aida Sha! In an instant, Sato recognized the man before him. This saved him the trouble of searching any further.
"Drapion!"
A red light flashed, and the massive Drapion abruptly appeared in front of Aida Sha, frightening him so badly that he nearly fell to the ground.
But that was all...
Aida Sha's next actions were extremely practiced. He stepped back,