Lorelei nodded thoughtfully at Nozomi's words.
Indeed, just as he had said, it would be far more promising to pursue the path he described than to become a Pokémon Prosecutor.
For a prosecutor, promotions depended first and foremost on merit, and only then on strength. The process was complex and cumbersome—and even at the very top, one merely oversaw a single regional branch of the Prosecutor Department.
In contrast, becoming an Elite Four member prioritized strength above all else. The path was more straightforward—if one had enough power, one could rise. And in terms of authority, an Elite Four member wielded far greater influence than the head of the prosecutor's office.
She realized that in her eagerness to recruit him, she had forgotten that Nozomi's strength had long since surpassed the need for such a bureaucratic identity.
For weaker Trainers, becoming a Pokémon Prosecutor was indeed an appealing and stable career. But for someone like Nozomi, whose power had already reached extraordinary levels, aiming for an Elite Four position was clearly the better choice.
At least in Lorelei's opinion, if Nozomi expanded his team—once he gathered six main Pokémon and a few solid backups—he would be fully qualified to challenge for the title of Steel-type Elite Four.
"Well then," Lorelei said with a small smile, "since that's how you feel, I won't press the matter further. But if you're not interested in becoming a Prosecutor, would you consider being my associate instead?"
"Associate?"
"It's the official term," she explained. "In practice, it means being my assistant. The League formally recognizes this position, and it offers more freedom than the Prosecutor role. If you agree, you'll receive a generous monthly stipend and have enforcement authority. In cases like Lt. Surge's—when evidence is solid—you could arrest suspects directly and coordinate with the local Officer Jenny units and Pokémon Prosecutors for joint operations."
Lorelei's voice was calm, composed, and persuasive.
There was, however, one detail she left unsaid—normally, an associate answered directly to the Elite Four member who appointed them, with limited independence. But Lorelei didn't actually intend to treat Nozomi as a subordinate. She was using the position as an excuse to grant him both authority and favor, and she saw no reason to mention that aloud.
"If it were anyone else, I'd refuse," Nozomi said after a pause. Then he glanced at Lorelei. His gaze made her heart skip for an instant before he suddenly smiled. "But since it's you—I accept."
For reasons she couldn't quite name, Lorelei exhaled softly, as though a weight had lifted from her chest.
"In that case, I'll be on my way," Nozomi said. "You still have a lot to handle, and I've got my journey to continue. If you ever need my help, you have my contact information."
Lorelei nodded, visibly pleased. Nozomi's agreement to become her associate brightened her mood considerably.
"I'll be sure to reach out," she said with a warm smile.
The following day, news of Lt. Surge's exposure as a Team Rocket Executive spread throughout the entire League.
Alongside it came reports that Chakra, one of Team Rocket's three senior Beast Executives, had been captured. Both stories dominated the headlines across newspapers, forums, and news broadcasts.
It was a triumph unlike any the Pokémon League had achieved in recent years. As the two central figures of the operation, Lorelei and Nozomi instantly became household names—not only across the Kanto Region, but also the Sevii Islands and even Johto.
Yet while Lorelei was already a well-known member of the Elite Four, the mysterious name Nozomi drew even more attention.
There were no interviews, no official statements about him—only a single photograph of him standing beside Lorelei during the raid. To those following the story, the young Trainer's identity was an enigma wrapped in legend.
Pallet Town – Professor Oak's Laboratory
"Well, would you look at that…" Professor Oak murmured, gazing at the newspaper photo of Nozomi standing shoulder to shoulder with Lorelei.
It felt like only yesterday that the boy had come to collect his first Pokémon. And now, in barely over a month, he had accomplished something that would take most Trainers a lifetime.
Cerulean City
A group of Trainers who had once fought alongside Nozomi against Team Rocket—and had just finished clearing the Cerulean Gym together—gathered around a television, eyes gleaming with pride.
From this day forward, they could proudly say they had fought alongside Boss Nozomi!
"To celebrate Boss Nozomi defeating Team Rocket, I say we feast tonight!" one Trainer shouted.
The proposal was met with loud cheers of agreement.
Pokémon Tech Academy
Giselle stared at the online headlines and the photo of Nozomi beside Lorelei. She let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Looks like apologizing back then was the right choice," she murmured.
But even as she said it, an unfamiliar ache welled up in her chest—a faint, sour feeling she couldn't quite name.
Indigo Plateau – Prosecutor Department Office
Inside a small office, a young man clenched a newspaper in trembling hands, his expression twisted with fury.
"Damn it… how is that guy so strong—and even connected with Lorelei now?!"
But his anger quickly gave way to dread.
He remembered how, during a past mission, he had pinned his own mistakes on Nozomi, causing the latter to take the blame and leave the Prosecutor Department in disgrace.
Would Nozomi still remember that?
At the thought, his blood ran cold. His body went limp as he slumped into his chair, a look of utter despair crossing his face.
Viridian City – Viridian Gym, Team Rocket Headquarters
Giovanni sat in silence, a newspaper spread across his desk. Before him stood Sachi, sweat dripping down her face and splattering on the floor.
Yet she dared not even lift a hand to wipe it away.
"Chakra captured. Our equipment confiscated by the League. The Vermilion Gym uprooted. Over three hundred of our elite operatives arrested."
Giovanni's voice was low, almost too calm.
"And this… is the result you bring me, Sachi?"
The tone betrayed no emotion, but anyone who knew Giovanni could hear the suppressed fury beneath it.
"Boss Giovanni…" Sachi began, her voice trembling. She wanted to defend herself—but what excuse could she possibly give?
That her strength was inferior to Nozomi's and Lorelei's? That would mean admitting incompetence.
That they were ambushed? That would imply Giovanni's plan had been flawed—an even worse idea.
Bad luck? That would be suicidal.
No matter how she spun it, every excuse only dug her grave deeper.
Fortunately, Giovanni was not a man who lashed out over a single failure.
He glanced at her coldly.
"I don't want to see this happen a second time."
His voice carried a quiet, lethal warning.
Sachi understood immediately—if she ever failed again, there would be no forgiveness. Team Rocket was no charity.
Still, she bowed deeply, voice trembling but sincere.
"Yes, Boss Giovanni. It will never happen again!"
Her heart pounded with both fear and gratitude. Giovanni had given her another chance—and in Team Rocket, that was more mercy than most ever received.