Chapter 110

As a holding group, Team Rocket has legally established companies in each Region. For many, it's challenging to link these legitimate businesses with the villainous organization that spans multiple regions. However, these companies constitute Team Rocket's legitimate front, operating within the bounds of the law, and the Alliance Association has no grounds for an embargo. These entities continuously provide resources to fuel Team Rocket's activities. Despite the Alliance's repeated attempts to eliminate suspected businesses, these stubborn entities, like tenacious pests, persist for the next generation of board chairmen to handle.

In regions like Johto and Hoenn, there have been persistent rumors regarding the resurgence of the sinister 'Team Rocket,' but these speculations have ultimately proven unfounded. Without an exceptional and unrivaled leader, Team Rocket loses its core and can't make significant moves. Therefore, both Interpol and the Alliance's prosecutors focus their attention on one primary target: Giovanni.

...

August 6th.

In Violet City, Johto Region, Falkner pushed aside the bangs falling over his forehead, placed the report he had been reading on the desk, and let out a weary sigh.

"I really envy the prosecutors in the East," he lamented. "They don't have to deal with Team Rocket-related paperwork."

His assistant, standing nearby, smiled and remarked, "Well, Orient has a lower crime rate. That means prosecutors there might have more work."

Falkner paused for a moment, considering the statement. "You might be right," he conceded.

"The remnants of the recently active Team Rocket have all been apprehended," the assistant reported, preparing a cup of coffee and setting it on Falkner's desk. "Once this is over, Mr. Falkner, you could consider taking a vacation to Orient."

"The Great Wall, I've heard about it," Falkner mused. "But it was erected to safeguard against legendary Pokémon."

He took a sip of coffee, furrowing his brow. "I heard from an injured investigator... Many people were hurt."

"Yes," the assistant nodded, sighing. "Poisoning, tear gas, Self Destruct... and Minimize, which is hard to guard against."

"I wonder where they learned all that," Falkner pondered. "I even find it more challenging than the original Team Rocket."

The assistant slammed the table in frustration. "In any case..."

Falkner interrupted, "In any case, we'll continue investigating Giovanni's presence in Johto. If we locate him, we'll apprehend him immediately."

The assistant snapped to attention and saluted. "Yes!"

...

In Xindao, Team Rocket's underground base, dim lighting cast a cold atmosphere. A stern woman with short purple hair meticulously processed documents while a round mirror reflected cold data.

The communication line displayed a 'connected' status, and the woman reported in a precise tone, "Viper Instructor has provided the list of Small Captain promotions, and there are no anomalies detected within the base."

In a hushed war room, the communication line suddenly rang.

"Thank you for your dedication, Matori."

Upon hearing the deep, gravelly voice on the other end, Matori felt her fatigue melt away.

Matori responded with near fanaticism, "It is my privilege to serve you, Master Giovanni!"

"Have you heard any recent rumors circulating within the base?" the man asked.

There was a brief pause on the other end before the man continued, "Regarding the formation of specialized units."

"Yes," Matori adjusted her glasses. "There are mentions of a Poison Gas unit and an Assassination unit."

"Assassination?" The man's voice carried a sly tone.

"I wouldn't be so reckless," Matori assured.

Suddenly, the man coughed vigorously, the sound akin to a bellows inflating and deflating.

"Master Giovanni!"

"It's nothing... I've seen the promotion list," the man wheezed, taking a moment to catch his breath.

"There's one more matter."

"Please, go on."

"I need you to extend an invitation to someone."

Matori asked cautiously, "Is it related to the Three Executives?"

"No, it's a young individual."

The man's voice dropped lower, filled with amusement.

"You could say it's a chance for you to engage in a few rounds with... this young individual."

...

Luke stared in disbelief at the invoice before him.

"Is this... the amount I need to pay?"

With trembling fingers, Luke pointed at the bill.

The receptionist who returned with Haunter wore a cheerful smile as she spoke:

"Haunter provided training in the Primary Rank venue, but their moves displayed formidable power beyond our expectations."

"According to the customer's instructions, you'll only need to cover the venue's maintenance fee."

Squirtle, upon hearing the mention of its impressive move, bashfully scratched its head.

"It's alright; there's no need for such praise. My apologies," Squirtle thought to itself.

Haunter, too, smiled and nodded in agreement.

Despite the half-hour effort invested in mastering Water Pulse, Haunter and Squirtle both recognized there was room for improvement.

Haunter and Squirtle shared a playful exchange of expressions: o(*≧▽≦)ツ

Luke's eyebrows raised, and he clapped his paws together as he addressed them firmly, "You two need to take a moment for self-reflection!"

The receptionist left with a compensation of 5,000 yuan.

Luke sighed and gave a reluctant nod, thinking, "A mere five thousand yuan is still manageable."

He chose not to dwell on it, instead opting to scan Squirtle using his system Pokédex, revealing several additional moves.

Rubbing his temples, Luke wondered, "Is my Pokémon's growth rate the same as others?"

Despite minimal training, Luke observed his Pokémon's rapid growth in strength, akin to a skyrocketing ascent.

Squirtle, having been on the team for less than a week, already had three new moves added to its list.

Luke had a basic understanding of Water Pulse, which aligned with Grandma Wu's comments regarding Squirtle's strong Aura innate talent, making it an ideal fit for Misty's Move Secrets.

He contemplated whether the training ground had accelerated Squirtle's progress.

Confused about Bite and Protect, Luke glanced at Haunter and Squirtle, who exchanged perplexed glances while scratching their heads.

Eevee, then, approached lightly and glanced at Squirtle before its tail emitted a white light - signaling Iron Tail.

Squirtle instinctively retreated into its shell, creating a light green barrier that shielded it.

Eevee's Iron Tail struck the barrier, causing it to crack.

Luke was taken aback, exclaiming, "Iron Tail can break through Protect?"

A bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead as he pondered the curious nature of his Pokémon.

Among the three new moves, the last one was Bite, which happened to align well with the 'Black Glasses' item, enhancing Dark Type energy.

Luke assumed Squirtle must have picked it up during mealtime disputes with Haunter.

Squirtle poked its head out of its shell, surprised that it had managed to withstand Eevee's Iron Tail. It quickly stood up, placed its hands on its hips, and looked up at the sky.

It broke my awesomeness·jpg

Luke couldn't help but smile as he considered that while his wallet had taken another hit, seeing Squirtle's excitement was well worth it.

"Let's forget about it," Luke resignedly shook his head. "As long as you're all happy!"

Just then, his phone vibrated, and it was Damien on the line.

Eagerly, Damien exclaimed, "Brother Luke, it's time to post the video!"