Inside the Celadon City underground base.
"So this base has already been exposed?"
Around the round table in the conference room, Damian and the others were in the middle of a meeting.
On the projector screen in front of them, Giovanni was connected via remote call.
"I'm terribly sorry, boss. This was my failure."
Ariana was filled with shame.
She'd secretly laughed at Archer before over the failed S.S. Anne incident operation.
And now, a huge problem had blown up on her side instead.
The Celadon City base was one of Team Rocket's large bases—its importance went without saying.
But this time, there was clearly no saving it.
As the one managing the base, Ariana obviously couldn't dodge responsibility for its exposure.
Not to mention, the other intruder was the one who'd slipped away from her hands.
"At a time like this, there's no point saying that.
Pull out as quickly as possible.
Once we've safely withdrawn from Celadon City, then we'll talk about punishment."
Giovanni's voice was calm.
"Yes."
Ariana sat down, frustrated and bitter.
"Damian, what do you intend to do?"
Through the feed, Giovanni's gaze settled on Damian.
"First we need to figure out who the Indigo League is sending."
Damian tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, not a trace of worry on his face.
"According to intel, Lorelei has already left Indigo Plateau."
"So we're looking at at least one Kanto Elite Four as the floor, huh?"
"That's right. So it's best to pull back as soon as possible.
We can't rule out the possibility that Bruno might be with her."
Giovanni nodded.
He had a few people bought off inside the Indigo League, so he was in the loop on that much.
"Boss, if it's just one Elite Four, do we really need to be this cautious?"
Gladion's sharp brows creased slightly.
He didn't quite get it.
"Besides, this is the south side of Celadon City. There are tons of people around.
The League isn't going to go completely overboard here… right?"
That was his main confusion.
This base was located in Celadon City's southern district.
The south side of Celadon was mainly used to host travelers and visitors—there were crowds here day and night.
If a big fight broke out in an area like this, it would be no joke.
But after he finished speaking, he noticed Ariana giving him a very creepy, very strange look.
That made Gladion mentally run back through what he'd just said.
Was there something wrong with it?
"Gladion, you don't understand Kanto.
And you definitely don't understand the Kanto Elite Four."
Giovanni let out a low chuckle, his magnetic voice half‑amused, half‑mocking—not at Gladion himself, but at the idea.
"The Kanto Elite Four have long been known as the world's strongest Elite Four.
Do you know why that is?"
Gladion fell silent.
He didn't know much.
Kanto was where the Pokémon League's headquarters were, so it wasn't exactly shocking that the Kanto Elite Four had that title.
But from the sound of it, there was more to the story.
Sitting at Damian's side, Caitlin was just as curious.
"Nothing too complicated.
Even Lorelei, who's ranked last among the Kanto Elite Four, is a Champion‑tier Trainer—and not a weak one among Champion‑tier, either."
"!!!"
Gladion's pupils shrank.
Caitlin's expression shifted in shock as well.
In other words, the entire Kanto Elite Four were… Champion‑tier?!
"And that crazy woman Lorelei hates evil with a passion.
When it comes to wiping out Team Rocket, there's nothing she won't do.
If she has to pay a price to destroy this base, she'll be thrilled to."
Ariana added in a low, gloomy tone.
She absolutely loathed Lorelei—over the years, she'd been chased all over the map by that woman.
But what could she do?
Lorelei was just that strong.
So even if civilians got caught in the crossfire, that Ice‑type Elite Four, Lorelei, wouldn't bat an eye?
Gladion's brows knit even tighter.
Was that really something an Elite Four—someone meant to protect the peace of a region—should be doing?
"By now, the south side is probably already under Celadon PD's supervision, and I'd bet they'll start evacuating civilians soon."
Damian made his own prediction.
He had no doubts about the Indigo League's speed and efficiency.
"Ariana, head over there yourself.
Back up all the base's data, then wipe the original database completely—delete everything."
"Yes!"
Ariana stood and answered solemnly, then hurried out of the conference room.
"Damian, you want to clash with the League?"
Giovanni had picked up on Damian's thinking.
"Of course.
This is a rare opportunity—we might as well have some fun."
A smile tugged at Damian's lips.
"Don't get carried away.
If Lance shows up, things are going to get very troublesome."
Giovanni reminded him.
Compared to Lorelei, Lance was the far trickier opponent.
Giovanni might not like Lance, but the man's strength was undeniably monstrous.
"Think of it as a preview of the Kanto Elite Four's power.
We're going to fight them sooner or later anyway.
I'll just test their level in advance."
Damian's grin took on a thick streak of malice.
If Lance really came, Damian would actually welcome it.
He'd wanted to personally try the Kanto Elite Four's strength for a long time now—especially since he'd gotten Shadow Mewtwo.
Even if all the Kanto Elite Four showed up, he was confident that, while two fists couldn't beat four hands, getting out safely would still be no problem.
With a Psychic‑type legend like Shadow Mewtwo, you couldn't ask for a better partner for rushing in—or bailing out.
"As long as you know what you're doing."
Seeing that, Giovanni didn't say much more.
He trusted Damian to have his own calculations.
Though he himself was turning something over in his mind:
Should he join the Celadon City battle as Giovanni, the League‑recognized figure?
It would be a perfect "performance" in front of the Indigo League—and a great way to pave the road for climbing higher within it later.
Once the call with Giovanni ended, Damian looked over at Caitlin and Gladion.
"For this battle, Caitlin, Gladion—so long as you can keep yourselves safe, you two can cut loose."
He addressed them calmly.
"Think of it as a trial for yourselves—a chance to experience a real battlefield."
Compared to regular special training or friendly spars, a full‑on clash between factions had a completely different atmosphere and environment.
But that kind of battle could massively improve a Trainer's combat sense and push their Pokémon's growth hard.
"Yes!"
Gladion answered with all seriousness, eyes blazing with fierce fire.
He would get stronger.
"I'm actually looking forward to this."
A faint, beautiful smile curved Caitlin's exquisite features as she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear, the motion elegant and natural.
A trial of war and flame… with the world‑famous strongest Elite Four as the opponent.
That was exactly what she wanted.
"Clashing with the Indigo League…
The old me never would've even imagined it.
The Kanto Elite Four, huh?"
Caitlin murmured softly.
Once upon a time, she'd only had her own little world.
Even leaving the Sinnoh Region hadn't changed that.
But now, she was going to stand directly opposite the Kanto Elite Four themselves.
That was just… perfect～
Caitlin could feel her heart beating faster and faster.
This was the kind of life she ought to be enjoying.
These were the trials she ought to be facing.
As long as she could throw herself into the battle with everything she had, even losing would be completely worth it.
~~~
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