Gavin laughs at the response, the sound deep and rich but edged rough by a smoke-scarred throat.

No intervention was intended, but as things go south Gavin's priorities shift. This was a large job for one person alone, and Asher Baran's already proved himself capable enough for the role of a grunt.

Dhelmise returns to his side in a muted flash, and with a click of the underbosses tongue it summons SHADOWS to HOLD a few of the targets in place. Tendrils of inky void snare their victims, and a shimmering FAIRY LOCK from a Klefki attached to Gavin's belt ensures that none can teleport inside to catch them off guard.

Gavin remains calm, even as Asher Baran begins to panic.

"You're the one who investigated the place," Gavin points out, sounding more amused than hurried. "You tell me. What have you seen that's worth Rocket's time?"

He's not too worried about the truck; his Aerodactyl had been sent to tail it, and if the prehistoric shadow Pokémon had yet to send up the alarm, that meant they weren't in immediate danger. He is more concerned about the authorities, but only marginally so.

A Claydol is sent out, spinning ominously at his side. He clicks his tongue, and the eerie Pokémon IMPRISONS its move set; now, they'd be able to TELEPORT out with their stolen contraband. At least, Gavin would. He's not sure what the kid's plan is for extraction, so he decides to ask.

"How do you plan on getting out?"

His brow arches at the figures.

"Likely a clerical error; no way they'd guard 5 mil with this lot."

He'd picked this warehouse in particular because it wasn't a difficult job, after all. Whatever was inside was no doubt worth a look, but not so valuable as to have the League's best on guard.

"If they're rangers, the records might be mixed with whatever used to be held here. Rangers typically deal with Pokémon; money and contraband's officer territory."

They don't have time to crack open the boxes and check, though, so...

"Claydol has TELEPORT. Dhelmise can PHANTOM FORCE, but that's not good long-distance. Had you not considered an extraction plan?" He clicks his tongue in disapproval, but palms another pokeball. A Beheeyem is released. "This one can TELEPORT, too. They'll know where to go. You're going to make sure these goods get transported; I'll handle interference."

He wasn't an enforcer underboss without reason, after all. He was viciously offensive. Outside, he hears his Aerodactyl ROAR.

With another PHANTOM FORCE from his Dhelmise, Gavin vanishes.

Gavin's eyes narrow.

"Do you expect Rocket to hold your hand?" His tone cracks like a whip. "You were told to use your judgement."

DIG was a viable solution to extract an individual and their Pokémon, but not for the rapid transport of goods. Had he decided to only take something small, that would have sufficed, but Gavin does not offer this knowledge.

Further discussion is spared by his disappearance, and he doesn't deign to engage the red-haired stranger in conversation. He lets his Pokemon do the talking, sending out an Alolan Sandslash upon spying the Dragonite. The shadow Pokémon's BLIZZARD cuts through the air as Dhelmise tanks the DRAGON RUSH and retaliates with ANCHOR SHOT.

Gavin folds his arms and leans against one of the unopened crates, looking unimpressed. He does not interrupt the tirade.

Only when he is certain that Asher Baran is done does he speak.

"You could have grabbed whatever you wanted. You could have taken nothing at all." What part of test hadn't been made clear? "Part of that test was to judge your ambition, and your ability to curb that ambition."

It's a lesson he'd had to learn in Kanto: know when to quit.

"Yes, I've had plenty of experience with younger recruits." Less so as an underboss, but Kanto had been full of youths conscripted into the crime syndicate against their will, or those who'd signed up with nowhere else to go. "The contents of the warehouse and what was gained were of no consequence to me. What I've gained is insight." He lights up a cigarette, puffing on it. "Your attitude may get you into trouble with others; I'd suggest working on it."

"No, I do not get along with everyone." Quite the opposite. "But I've learned when to hold my tongue, and when to watch it. Rocket is an organization of criminals, not all of them with patience."

They couldn't mess with him now that he was an underboss, but Kanto was never far from his mind. Scars mark his skin, including a visible scar on his brow sustained from talking back to the wrong man. Things were different, now, but some Rockets had legendary tempers.

Not Gavin. He remains calm throughout.

"They may not kill you, but one can take a lot of pain before a life is ended." And with Pokemon that could heal, that could be extended further. The memories that plague him then are not pleasant, and he brushes them aside. "Most of us are civil, but we are many."

What else has he learned about Asher Baran?

"Stubborn, arrogant, and too much sass." He smirks. "But persistent, all the same, and with some skill in infiltration and extraction. Good enough, for a grunt."

He'd have partners more forthcoming than Gavin had been, in the future, and jobs less risky than this.