Chapter 41: The Infiltration Begins
Saffron City.
Behind Silph Co., at the cleaners' entrance.
Ash crossed his arms and looked serious.
"Pikachu, are you ready?"
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu nodded vigorously.
"Alright, I'm starting now."
Ash rubbed his hands nervously.
"Pika!"
Pikachu made a face like a hero marching bravely toward certain death.
Ash then took out Pikachu's Poké Ball and inched toward Pikachu with trembling hands.
Right at the moment of contact, Pikachu's ears shot straight up.
"Pi!"
Its fur bristled and it unleashed a sudden burst of electricity.
Sparks crackled.
Ash stood his ground without making a sound, nearly getting zapped into a walking X-ray image.
When the voltage faded, Ash exhaled a black puff of smoke.
He pulled out some Salveyo-weed juice and sipped it like he had practiced this routine many times.
"Pikachu, this won't work. I can't disguise myself as a cleaner if I'm walking in with a Pokémon."
Ash shook his head helplessly.
"Pikaaaa…"
Pikachu pouted, feeling wronged. It was allergic to Poké Balls after all…
Ash looked into Pikachu's big expressive eyes and sighed.
"Alright, alright… I'll think of something else."
He began spraying his hair with hair styling spray while he brainstormed.
Right then, a Rocket Grunt pushing a garbage bin appeared before them.
"You are…?" the clueless grunt asked.
Ash and Pikachu exchanged a glance and both gave the same devilish smile.
Ash: "Heh-heh."
Pikachu: "Pika~"
Lightning crackled across the floor.
The grunt stiffened as if struck by a taser and collapsed instantly.
"This works. I won't need the cleaner outfit anymore."
Ash casually stripped the poor grunt down and took the uniform.
Now wearing a black combat suit and white cap, he admired himself in a reflective surface and saluted:
"By order of the Team… Rockets."
(The kind of order that you better obey if you want to live.)
He already looked suspiciously convincing.
"Pika pika…"
Pikachu gave him a look.
His role-playing skills were terrifyingly good.
"Heheh."
Ash folded his own clothes neatly and scratched his nose.
"Gotta say, this uniform's made of nice material… stylish, too. Giovanni really does spend money where it counts."
He opened the garbage bin, added a foam pad, and Pikachu hopped inside on its own.
Ash shut the lid, put on a relaxed expression, and whistled his way into the building.
Behind him, the poor grunt lay discarded amid garbage bags.
Passing through the back corridors, Ash paused at the elevator.
"Oh no… I forgot to ask Ms. Natsuko where everyone's being held…"
He stared blankly at the elevator buttons.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
A voice sounded behind him. Ash instantly bowed.
"Sorry, I'm the trash guy…"
The newcomer seemed to be a squad captain. His uniform looked slightly higher-ranking.
He glanced with mild disgust at Ash's garbage bin and spoke impatiently.
"You're done taking trash, right? Go to the cafeteria and deliver the researchers' meals to the twelfth floor. They're detained there.
The boss is in the basement reviewing today's results. Move quickly."
"Yes, thank you."
Ash bowed deeply.
Good grief, was this guy an undercover agent from the ?
His intel was perfect.
Once the "undercover agent" walked away, Ash quickly took the elevator up to the twelfth floor.
The brightly lit hallway was empty except for two guards standing outside one room.
Honestly, researchers were hopeless… with only two guards, they could have dog-piled them and escaped.
"What are you doing?"
The guards stared as Ash pushed a garbage bin toward them.
"Meal delivery!"
Ash answered confidently.
The guards recoiled in disbelief.
"You're delivering meals in a garbage bin? Come on, even hostages deserve some bare-minimum dignity…"
Ash didn't blink.
"Hostages don't get to complain. You two want some?"
He made an inviting gesture.
The two guards shook their heads rapidly.
No way!
"Don't be shy!"
Ash didn't give them time to react. He flipped open the lid.
"Pikachu!"
Lightning exploded through the corridor.
The two guards dropped like medium-rare steaks sizzling on a pan.
"Mmm… smells good."
Ash nodded approvingly.
"Pika!"
Pikachu flashed a cute victory sign.
"Alright then."
Ash looked at the door and didn't hesitate—he kicked it open.
The heavy door slammed against the wall.
A group of lab-coat researchers jumped in fright.
"You Rockets are insane!"
The bespectacled middle-aged man in front yelled,
"We've done your experiments, the Master Ball is complete, and our room wasn't even locked. Was kicking the door necessary?"
Ash froze for a second.
That was awkward.
He cleared his throat.
"Well, everyone, I'm simply a passing ally of justice. I'm here to rescue you."
The researchers stared at the destroyed door.
"Don't mind the details."
Ash waved it off.
"Team Rocket is currently in the basement. Take the elevator to the first floor and run out the back door.
My companions have gone to alert the police. Once outside, meet them as soon as possible."
Fortunately, their leader was quick to adapt.
He stopped worrying and raised his voice.
"Everyone, don't panic. Follow the escape route!"
The researchers nodded quickly and rushed out.
Ash followed and escorted them all the way to the back exit.
Once he confirmed their safety, he finally exhaled.
"Whew… I might actually be good at undercover work."
He adjusted his cap and looked toward the elevator.
"Pikachu, overload it."
"Pika!"
Pikachu nodded, aimed at the elevator's mechanism, and discharged a burst of electricity.
Sparks flew and the elevator system died instantly.
At that moment, deep in the basement, Giovanni lifted his head.
"Boss, we have an intruder. The elevator's been destroyed!"
A Rocket captain ran into the lab in panic.
Giovanni toyed with the Master Ball in his hand and smiled faintly.
"Interesting. Besides Red, there's someone else bold enough to try this.
Take the stairs. Let's meet him."
He gathered the lab documents, pocketed the Master Ball, and led his men toward the stairs.
At the main hall's staircase, Ash had changed back into his regular clothes.
Pikachu, Gengar, and Dragonair, his three strongest partners, stood at his side.
"Everyone, remember. The moment they appear, take them down."
Ash's eyes sharpened.
"Gary… I really hope you've already called Green to save me."
…
Meanwhile, at Mt. Silver, two figures sped through the sky toward Saffron City.
Charizard and Moltres streaked across the sky like two red comets.
"No wonder you took an interest in him. His brain works exactly like yours."
Green Oak, in his black jacket, rolled his eyes at the figure beside him.
The young man riding Moltres, wearing a red cap, smiled softly.
"Yes. His temperament is indeed very similar to mine."
Green sighed.
"Honestly, Giovanni is practically half a teacher to both of us…"
Whether it was Green who sought the truth of the world, or Red who personally defeated Giovanni, their growth had both been influenced by him.
Red closed his eyes briefly in reflection.
"Yes… defeating him was something he taught me himself."
"But I won't hold back."
Green's voice was firm.
Red smiled faintly.
"Neither will I."
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
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Every 2 review after 100 ps = 1 bonus ch.