Silas felt a slight sting at losing a Shiny Pokémon, but his expression remained calm.
After heading to the service hall and updating his ID card, his status officially changed.
From this day forward ,he was a Platoon Leader.
'According to the rules, I can now lead a team to establish new Team Rocket branches…'
Silas thought quietly.
'But since I'm directly under Archer, there's no need for me to take unnecessary risks outside.'
With that realization, the dissatisfaction in his heart faded slightly.
.....
Residence
Silas returned to the residential area of Team Rocket's base and entered his single dormitory.
The room was simple.
Basic furniture.
Dark-toned decorations.
Nothing excessive.
"This is just the squad leader's standard room…"
"Now that I've been promoted, I can move into a better apartment."
Still, he wasn't in a hurry.
His custom mask hadn't arrived yet.
Silas quickly began arranging a suitable environment for his Pokémon.
In one corner, he installed a portable water pool.
Then he carefully placed the Sea Incense into it.
"CRAA…"
"SHAAA…"
The moment Crawdaunt and Sharpedo entered the water, both let out comfortable cries.
A gentle, strange energy flowed into their bodies.
Warm.
Soothing.
Silas watched their reactions and nodded slightly.
"Worth it."
That expensive item hadn't been a waste.
At the same time, he casually flipped through recent news on his Pokédex.
[Senior Investigator Lance launches another Championship challenge]
[Prodigy Cynthia dominates the Sinnoh region's younger generation, now heading to Hoenn for the Ever Grande Conference]
Two headlines caught his attention.
But before he could read further-
knock knock
A staff member stood outside, holding a small, delicate box.
Silas ignored the man's attempts to flatter him, showed his ID, and took the package inside.
.....
The Mask
Inside the box was the mask.
Silas examined it carefully.
Thin as a cicada's wing.
Flawless craftsmanship.
"…Impressive."
He slowly placed it onto his face.
A cool sensation spread across his skin as it adhered perfectly.
Not a single gap.
Standing before the mirror Silas paused.
Completely different.
Even at close range, it would be nearly impossible to detect.
Every detail pores, texture, even tiny imperfections were perfectly replicated.
"As expected of Team Rocket…"
....
Training
Over the next few days, Silas remained inside the base.
After updating his rank, he moved into a better apartment and chose to stay there.
There was no need to rush around.
Especially since Archer had already assigned a mission three days later.
Inside the quiet room, Silas sat at his desk.
Books spread out.
Notes scattered.
His pen moved rapidly across the page.
At the top of the paper, Three words were written:
Pokémon Training Plan
His team had grown too quickly.
Honchkrow's evolution.
Crawdaunt's breakthrough to Elite level.
Everything had progressed at a rapid pace.
Now he needed direction.
....
Crawdaunt
Crawdaunt was his first true ace.
And the strongest in his team.
A frontline attacker.
Reliable.
Explosive.
"Adaptability increases STAB damage…"
Silas muttered while writing.
"But it also increases stamina consumption."
"Abilities are mostly passive… but some Pokémon can actively control them…"
"Like Norman's Slaking…"
He paused briefly.
Then continued writing.
"Crabhammer training must be prioritized."
"It's Crawdaunt's signature move."
The plan was still rough.
But the direction was clear.
.....
Sharpedo
Next was Sharpedo.
High attack.
High speed.
An assassin.
"Its focus remains unchanged."
"Speed Boost… and biting techniques."
Simple.
Efficient.
Deadly.
....
Umbreon
Umbreon had been with him for a long time.
Originally ranked third in strength.
But now she had been overtaken.
Honchkrow's evolution had changed things.
His level had surged.
Residual energy from the evolution still remained.
Even so Silas still valued Umbreon greatly.
"The team's tank…"
He wrote.
Umbreon consumed specialized Pokeblock cubes and supplements regularly.
Her physical durability was the strongest in the team.
Combined with Synchronize ,she could disrupt enemies effectively.
Then came her moveset:
Substitute.
Protect.
Toxic.
Attract.
Yawn.
Wish.
Silas paused.
Then wrote one final line.
"As long as she doesn't fall…"
"she can drag the enemy to death."
.....
Honchkrow
Finally Honchkrow.
The biggest change in his team.
Originally, Murkrow had been trained as a support Pokémon.
But after evolution everything changed.
His Ability shifted.
His mindset changed.
His role completely transformed.
From support to core attacker.
"That means a full adjustment…"
Silas muttered.
His previous Pokeblock cubes were no longer suitable.
A new formula had to be created.
Custom-made.
"As for moves…"
"Roost still needs to be learned."
"A move tutor would be more efficient."
He continued writing.
"Add bird Pokémon bone powder to his diet…"
"Enhance physical strength…"
"The Pokeblock cube formula must also be adjusted…"
"Increase Flying-type ingredient ratio…"
Silas leaned back slightly.
Looking at the plan his eyes were calm.
Focused.
Everything was moving forward.
Step by step.
<><><><><><>
(End of chapter)