Team Rocket has legitimate businesses in every region.
For many people, it's difficult to associate these lawful enterprises with an inter-regional evil organization.
These ventures comply with regulations, leaving the League Association without a reason to shut them down.
Even though the Association has repeatedly tried to eradicate all suspected enterprises, these stubborn operations cling like parasites. In the end, the burden is left to the next president with a headache.
In Johto, Hoenn, and other regions, there are always rumors about Team Rocket reforming, but they all turn out to be baseless.
Without that one and only leader, Team Rocket loses its soul.
Therefore, whether it's the International Police or League prosecutors, there's only one person they need to watch out for: Giovanni.
---
August 6th.
Johto Region, Violet City.
Silver brushed aside his bangs, set down the report in his hand, and sighed wearily:
"I envy the prosecutors in Donghuang... No Team Rocket files to deal with."
His assistant chuckled:
"Low crime rates in Donghuang mean prosecutors there are probably even busier."
Silver paused.
"Well, when you put it that way... makes sense."
"The remaining active Team Rocket members have been arrested."
The assistant set a cup of coffee on Silver's desk and smiled:
"Once this busy period is over, Mr. Silver, you could take a vacation to Donghuang."
"The Great Wall? I heard it was built to repel legendary Pokémon."
Silver took a sip of coffee, pondered for a moment, and frowned:
"I heard the investigators say... a lot of people got hurt?"
"Yeah."
The assistant nodded and sighed:
"Poison, tear gas, explosions... and those sneaky minimized Grimers."
"I don't know where they learned those tactics. They seem even trickier than the original Team Rocket!"
The assistant slammed the table in frustration.
Silver frowned, sipping his coffee in silence.
"In any case," Silver said, "continue investigating Giovanni's whereabouts in Johto. The moment he's found, eliminate him immediately."
The assistant snapped to attention and saluted: "Yes, sir!"
---
New Island, Team Rocket's Underground Base.
Dim overhead lights.
A cold-faced woman with short purple hair handled documents, her round glasses reflecting cold data.
The communication line showed 'Connected.' She reported meticulously: "Commander Snake has submitted the list of newly promoted squad leaders. No abnormalities at the base."
The operations room was silent. Suddenly, the line crackled.
"You've worked hard, Matori."
Just hearing that raspy, magnetic voice lifted Matori's fatigue.
In a fervent tone, she replied:
"Serving you is my honor, Master Giovanni!"
"Have you heard the recent rumors within the base?"
The man paused. "About the formation of a special squad."
"Yes." Matori adjusted her glasses. "The Poison Gas Squad and the Assassination Squad."
"Assassination?" The man chuckled.
"I'm not that foolish."
He coughed violently, the sound chilling.
"Master Giovanni!"
"It's nothing... I've seen the promotion list..."
He caught his breath, pausing briefly.
"One more thing."
"Please speak," Matori said respectfully.
"I need you to invite someone."
"Is this related to... the Three Executives?" Matori asked cautiously.
"No, it's a young man."
His voice was low and amused.
"Someone who can go a few rounds with Lance..."
---
Lu Ye stared blankly at the compensation bill in front of him.
"This... this is what I have to pay?"
Pointing at the bill, his finger trembled.
The receptionist who had come back with Haunter smiled awkwardly: "Your Haunter used the beginner field, but the moves it used were way too powerful. According to the customer guidelines, you only need to pay for the field repairs."
"Squirtle~!"
Hearing the phrase "powerful moves," Squirtle scratched its head shyly.
Aw, it wasn't that big a deal. You're embarrassing me.
"Haunter!"
Haunter grinned and nodded.
It only took half an hour to master Water Pulse, so not too bad.
Haunter & Squirtle: o(*≧▽≦)ツ
Watching the two smug Pokémon high-fiving, Lu Ye's eyebrow twitched.
"Both of you, reflect on your actions!"
The receptionist left with the 5,000 Pokedollars payment.
Lu Ye sighed and reluctantly nodded.
"A mere five thousand... I can handle that!"
He didn't dwell on it, pulling out his system Pokédex to scan Squirtle.
Sure enough, several new moves had appeared.
Lu Ye rubbed his forehead.
"Is it just me, or do my Pokémon grow differently than others?"
Without much training, their strength shot up like a rocket.
Squirtle had only been on the team for a week, and it already learned three new moves.
Water Pulse made sense; Granny Wu mentioned Squirtle's strong aura affinity, and the TM from Misty was a perfect match.
Blasting the training field apart was probably because of that.
"But can someone explain Bite and Protect to me?!"
Haunter and Squirtle exchanged glances and scratched their heads simultaneously.
"Eevee!"
The little one strutted over, glanced at Squirtle, and its tail glowed with icy white light—Iron Tail!
Lu Ye froze.
"Wait, you're serious?!"
Before he could blink, Squirtle reflexively withdrew into its shell.
With a thud, the shell hit the ground, a pale green barrier unfolding.
"Eevee!"
Eevee cried out, and with a crack, Iron Tail shattered half the barrier!
Lu Ye's face went pale.
"A move strong enough to break Protect with Iron Tail..."
A cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
What kind of Pokémon am I sleeping next to every night?!
The last move, Bite, was likely thanks to the Black Glasses boosting its Dark-type energy.
Probably learned while fighting Haunter for dinner.
"Squirtle?"
Peeking out of its shell, Squirtle was surprised it held up against Iron Tail.
Next second, it stood up, hands on hips, gazing at the sky.
I'm awesome.jpg
Lu Ye stroked his chin.
Learning these moves wasn't bad for Squirtle.
Even if his wallet took another hit, seeing Squirtle's excitement made it worth it.
"Fine," Lu Ye sighed.
"As long as you're happy!"
Bzzzt—
His phone buzzed. Big Brother Dayou was calling.
As soon as Lu Ye answered, Dayou's excited yell came through:
"Lu Ye, we're about to hit the jackpot!"