Natsume ended the call with Giovanni and stepped out of the room.
The trio immediately swarmed him, eager as ever.
Though they currently reported to the Executive, Boss Giovanni was still Team Rocket's leader.
They had to make a good impression.
"So? Did Boss Giovanni praise us, meow?" Meowth's eyes sparkled.
"He must've been blown away by our plans, ohohoho!" Jessie covered her mouth with a dramatic laugh.
James wiped his brow. "Did we… have any plans?"
"Don't say it out loud, idiot!" Jessie and Meowth snapped in unison.
Watching their usual antics, Natsume nodded solemnly.
"Boss Giovanni praised you as Team Rocket's finest. He expects even greater things from you!"
The trio grinned foolishly before snapping to attention, saluting sharply.
"Understood!"
Natsume sighed inwardly.
Across generations, these three had split up, reunited, and stuck together through it all.
This wasn't just friendship—it was family.
If possible… he'd prefer they not get blasted off this time.
Not that it mattered much.
Their durability rivaled Ash's.
"Focus on securing funds for now," Natsume instructed, handing Meowth a business card. "I'm staying near Sandgem Town."
Meowth clutched it like treasure.
"Come find me if you need anything."
The trio froze, then clenched their fists, tears welling up.
"Thank you, Executive! (｀Д´)"
No matter how tough things got, the Executive always had their backs.
Even if they never caught Pikachu, never became the ultimate villains…
As long as their Mentor stood with them—
That was reason enough to keep going!
Watching Natsume leave, the trio huddled together, whispering.
"Hey… the Executive seems pretty close with Ash. Should we try getting along with the twerp too?"
"Idiot, James!"
Meowth smacked the back of James' head.
"Even if the Executive doesn't need Pikachu, catching it proves our worth, meow!"
"But… the boss banned stealing Pokémon now," James muttered.
"Moron!" Jessie barked. "We'll just borrow Pikachu and return it later!"
"The Executive has tons of underlings. We need to stand out—got it?!"
"Ohhh!" James gasped. "So that's how we rise through the ranks!"
Their eyes glazed over as fantasy took hold.
[A shadowy figure looms, patting Persian's head.
"James, I entrust you with the new regional card line. Jessie, you'll star in Hollywood's next blockbuster—starting today!"]
The trio grinned like fools.
"Feelin' good~~"
"Wobbuffet!"
...
Natsume stepped out of the estate and looked up at the sky.
The reason he paid so much attention to the Trio...
Sure, they were loyal and decent at making money.
But the real reason?
…They were pretty much his only subordinates.
"At this rate, I'm just a commander without an army."
Natsume rubbed his chin.
Well, Matori could sort of count as his half-Secretary. She was pretty useful.
After contacting Giovanni, he'd been granted authority over Team Rocket's Sinnoh branch.
If things really escalated... at least they'd be somewhat helpful.
Under the sunset, flocks of Starly flew over the forest.
The woods stretching between Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town technically belonged to the James family estate.
A pang of bitterness shot through Natsume's heart.
Suggested Title: "If I Can't Catch Pikachu, I'll Just Inherit Billions Instead!"
"Gengar."
Natsume called out, "Bring out the Rotom Bike. We're riding back!"
"Gengar~!" Gengar pulled a foldable bike from its pocket, standing eagerly beside Natsume while curiously leaning in to watch.
"Next time, you can try assembling one yourself."
Natsume casually remarked as he worked. "It's pretty simple."
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, nodding enthusiastically.
The quiet forest was filled with the cawing of Murkrow.
Then, birds scattered in alarm.
"Rotom Engine, activate!"
"Beep... Acceleration Mode, Rotom!"
A Bidoof, clutching a Berry, stared dumbfounded at the speeding bike's taillights—trailing sparks and lightning—before its Berry dropped with a plop.
...
Chat Group:
"Who are the Sinnoh Pokédex holders?" Gold asked curiously.
"I've heard Professor Oak mention it."
Blue Oak, still using respectful terms for his grandfather, thought for a moment before answering.
"Pearl, Diamond, and Platinum, I think... Why?"
"Nothing much." Gold rubbed his nose. "Just remembered I left a hatching Munchlax with one of them."
"They say Pokédex holders are drawn to each other."
Green said with a smile. "Isn't Natsume-sensei in Sinnoh right now? Maybe he's already met them."
"I'm traveling in Sinnoh too!"
Ash grinned. "Just visited Professor Rowan, heading to my first Gym now!"
"The closest one to Sandgem Town is Oreburgh Gym."
Brock's 'babysitter' instincts kicked in.
"The Leader, Roark, specializes in Rock-types like me. Shouldn't be too hard if you play to type advantage."
"No problem!" Ash clenched his fist, eyes blazing. "Pikachu and I will take down Oreburgh Gym for sure!"
Blue Oak facepalmed, sighing silently.
Using Pikachu against a Rock-type Gym...
Just when he thought the kid was improving.
"Say hi to Leader Roark in Oreburgh City for me."
Steven chuckled. "Picked up some nice rocks for my collection last time I was there."
Ash: "Got it!"
The group chat buzzed incessantly.
Natsume stopped his bike, scanning the messages before pausing in surprise.
Good grief, classic Pikachu vs. Rock Gym!
I can confirm—this isn't reverse typing. Ash's Pikachu's Thunderbolt is super effective against Rock!
Natsume-sensei: "@Ash, you're already in Sandgem Town?"
"Uh, actually, I'm in the forest near Sandgem Town, but..."
Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder, glanced around the shadowy woods before laughing awkwardly.
"I think... I'm lost."
...
Deep in the quiet forest.
A blue-vested young man walked toward them, Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"Gotta find the way out before dark."
Ash muttered before suddenly brightening. "Oh! I can use the Starly I just caught to scout ahead!"
"Go, Starly!" Ash threw a Poké Ball.
"Starly!" The bird flapped its wings, but the moment it took off, a Thunderbolt shot from the trees—knocking it down instantly.
"Starly!"
Ash shouted, gripping his Poké Ball tightly. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
"Hmph. So it wasn't wild..."
A gray-haired young man stepped from the shadows, his gaze sharp as he studied Ash's Starly.
"But if this is the kind of weak Pokémon you catch... your judgment as a Trainer is lacking."
"What did you say?!"
"Calm down."
The young man—Paul—took a step back, raising a hand. "Let me explain something to you."
"Even among the same species, Individual Values vary. No amount of training can change that."
"So," Paul narrowed his eyes, "if you want to be a strong Trainer, you need an eye for quality Pokémon."
"As for the weak ones..."
He paused, shoving a hand in his pocket. "They're useless. Release them. Keeping them just wastes resources and space."
"You can't judge lives just by numbers!"
Ash clenched his fists, shouting. "Pokémon aren't that simple!"
"Oh?"
Paul smirked, pulling out a Poké Ball. "Fine then..."
He tossed it, releasing his own Starly.
"How about a 3v3 battle? Your Starly against mine." His tone was pure challenge.
Ash gritted his teeth, fists trembling—before finally declaring:
"...I refuse!"
"Hah?"
"Even if I want to fight..."
Ash's eyes burned with resolve.
"My Starly is hurt. I won't force it to battle!"
"Starly..." The injured bird lifted its head, wings singed, staring at Ash with determination.
Paul frowned. "You're kidding me..."
He didn't take the bait?
This guy... might be more troublesome than I thought.
"A minor injury like that can be fixed with items."
Paul exhaled sharply before throwing something at Ash. "Here!"
Ash caught it, blinking in surprise.
"Hyper Potion?"
"You don't even carry healing items as a Trainer?"
Paul scoffed. "Use it. Then we'll see if your Starly can fight."
Ash rushed to Starly's side. The bird nodded firmly, flapping its wings with a cry: "Star!"
"Did I misjudge it?"
Paul muttered. "No... that Starly's potential is mediocre at best. I can win this!"
"Go, Starly!" Ash yelled. "Wing Attack!"
"Hmph. Counter with Aerial Ace!"
Paul looked up—then froze, voice hoarse.
"...What?"
In a single move, Ash's Starly struck with blinding speed—knocking out its opponent instantly!
...
"Gengar, do you hear battling?"
Under the dusk-lit sky, the Rotom Bike had switched from speed mode to a two-seater.
Natsume pedaled leisurely, Gengar clinging to his back while Togepi sat in the front basket.
Crunching over twigs, they rode through the petal-strewn woods.
"Gengar!" Gengar nodded, tiny arms wrapped around Natsume's waist.
"Togepi doo-ee~! ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ"
Togepi pointed ahead.
"Oh, that way?"
Natsume adjusted course. "Well, it's toward the exit... Might as well check it out!"
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