Chapter 40: Gary, Remember to Come Save Me
"Master Ball…"
Sorrel frowned. "According to records, it's a top-tier, mythical-grade device capable of ignoring a Pokémon's will entirely and capturing it with 100% certainty… I can't believe it truly exists."
Natsuko shook her head and explained to Ash and the others,
"Actually, that so-called one-hundred-percent capture rate is somewhat misleading.
The Master Ball, developed by Silph Co. as the most advanced Poké Ball, does indeed have an extremely high success rate.
During tests on ordinary Pokémon, it did achieve true one-hundred-percent capture.
But when used on legendary Pokémon, the rate drops to around eighty percent."
"What? I remember people saying it was a guaranteed capture device! It was even hyped up to several million per ball!" Verity said, shocked.
"Well… hype, you know…"
Natsuko gave an awkward smile.
"Regarding legendary Pokémon, the main reasons for failure come from two factors:
First, the trainer's survival rate. When throwing a ball at a legendary Pokémon, the trainer might get killed before they can even throw it.
Second, hitting the target. Even though the Master Ball's inner locking material is hyper-adaptive, under extreme heat, lightning, or city-destroying psychic attacks, it can still shatter instantly.
So the so-called guaranteed capture of legendary Pokémon requires at least one condition:
the user must be able to suppress the legendary Pokémon briefly.
Because this issue couldn't be avoided, the Master Ball was eventually discontinued."
Ash folded his arms, lowering his head in thought.
In that moment, the aura of a future World Champion seemed to flash upon him again for a brief moment.
"So—knowing all this, yet still wanting to obtain a Master Ball… who would that be~?"
Natsuko's face went pale as she spoke a name that haunted her like a nightmare.
"Giovanni…"
"That world-class, top-ranked criminal!" Sorrel's expression changed drastically.
"A person who can never be ignored, that's for sure."
Ash smiled bitterly.
In every timeline, Giovanni was always the top villain.
Strength, strategy, influence, charisma—he was a top-tier villain in every aspect.
"I thought Red had completely shattered his confidence… I didn't expect him to come back again…"
Ash shook his head helplessly.
Natsuko continued, pale-faced:
"He led Team Rocket to seize Silph Co. again and ordered the Master Ball laboratories to restart operations.
To increase efficiency, he's using various Pokémon as live experimental material.
Our staff members have no choice but to obey…"
"What!? How can they do something like that!"
Verity gasped in horror.
Ash's expression hardened.
"That definitely sounds like something he would do. Now that we know about it, there's no way we can ignore it!"
"Ash!"
Sorrel suddenly tensed and called out, "This is no longer something you can handle!"
"Yeah~ I know."
Ash lowered the brim of his cap.
"But to abandon suffering Pokémon… that's impossible for me. Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu nodded firmly.
"Don't act impulsively. Charging in blindly will only make things worse."
Sorrel warned.
Ash smiled.
"Relax, I won't be reckless. I'm calling for top-tier reinforcements."
"Top-tier… reinforcements?"
Everyone blinked.
"Mm. The strongest."
Ash nodded. Then he turned to Sorrel and Verity.
"Souji, Haruko, I need your assistance."
The two exchanged glances, then nodded solemnly.
"Alright, Ash, just tell us what to do." Sorrel replied seriously.
"I'll help too!" Verity clenched her fists.
"Then we split up into three groups."
Ash laid out the plan calmly:
"Sorrel, you head to Celadon City and notify the police.
Verity, you escort Natsuko and take the back roads toward Vermilion City.
As long as either of you reaches the police, the situation here will be secure."
"What about you, Ash?" Sorrel asked anxiously.
"I'll sneak into the building and try to rescue the Silph Co. employees."
Ash grinned.
"Sorry, but let me play the hero this time.
Besides, if no one holds Team Rocket down, won't they just escape?"
"No! That's way too dangerous!" Sorrel objected instantly.
"He's right, Ash! Don't do anything rash!" Verity shook her head. "I know you're strong, but only compared to regular people. You're dealing with terrorists!"
Ash laughed at himself.
"I know. I don't think I can handle everything. That's why I'll be calling for backup."
"And… this backup is?" Souji asked seriously.
Ash shook the Pokédex in his hand.
"Viridian City Gym Leader, known as the Breeder, former Indigo League Champion—Mr. Green Oak!"
Hearing the legendary name, Sorrel visibly relaxed.
Right. A champion who has literally saved the world—
just hearing his name was reassuring.
"You're really sure you'll contact him?" Sorrel asked hesitantly.
"Relax. I haven't become Pokémon Master yet. I won't die before achieving that."
Ash laughed.
"I believe in Ash!" Verity said immediately.
"I understand. Then let's follow this plan."
Sorrel stood and nodded.
"Time's tight. You two go first. I'll contact the backup."
Ash waved goodbye as the three parted ways.
Hands in pockets, Pikachu on shoulder, Ash bought a bottle of soy milk from a stand near the park, straw in his mouth as he entered a phone booth.
"Hello~ moshi moshi~" Ash said casually once the line connected.
"Why the hell are you calling my mobile?"
Gary's arrogant voice came through.
"Hey~ Gary boy, are we brothers or not?" Ash asked suddenly.
"What!? Gross! What's wrong with you—"
Gary shot back instantly.
"So? Are we or are we not?" Ash pressed.
"…Yeah…"
After a moment of silence, Gary's reluctant answer came through.
"Yes…"
Ash smiled happily.
"Great~ Then let me tell you some good news: I'm… about to die~"
"H A H ! ?"
Gary's voice jumped an entire octave.
"What's wrong with you!? What happened!? Say it! NOW!"
Ash kept his tone light.
"Well, it's like this…
Saffron City… Silph Co…
…Team Rocket… this and that…
I can't just ignore it, right?
So if, within one hour,
you fail to contact Green and get that big guy to come save me,
then I'm probably gonna die…"
"What the hell!! Why are you only telling me NOW!? DON'T YOU DARE GO!
I'll call Green right now—stay alive!!!"
Gary shouted anxiously.
"If I don't go, what if Team Rocket gets away?"
Ash took a deep breath.
"Hehe~ I'm heading out. Remember to send someone to fish me out~"
Click.
The line disconnected.
Gary listened to the beeping busy tone, completely stunned.
"Ash, you idiot!! What are you trying to prove!? Right—call—right now—"
Clutching his phone, Gary didn't waste a second.
He immediately switched into emergency-call mode—
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Every 100 powerstones = 2 bonus ch.
Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.