Chapter 269: Help Me!

"I want to report a crime!"

A disheveled female secretary burst into the Saffron City Police Station, so frantic she didn't even know where her shoes had gone.

"And you are…?"

The officer looked confused. She looked familiar—wait, wasn't she the secretary of President Silph from Silph Co.?

"Team Rocket! Team Rocket has invaded Silph Co.! They've taken President Silph hostage!" the secretary cried out.

"What?!"

At the Indigo Plateau, Goodshow received a call from the Saffron City police chief. His gray brows immediately knitted together, his expression darkening.

Team Rocket… Had they really grown this lawless? Taking over the entire Silph Co. building?

They clearly had no regard for the Kanto League anymore!

Goodshow immediately contacted Lance and the others to begin planning a counterattack against Team Rocket.

"Saffron City's evacuation has begun. The Kanto League is moving fast."

At the top floor of Silph Co., President Silph sat bound in a corner, sighing miserably.

Karen stepped into the room and spoke to Giovanni, who sat casually in the president's chair. She'd tried to disguise herself and sneak out for a little shopping trip…

But the streets were nearly empty. Clearly, the League had begun mobilizing—the first step in any operation like this was to evacuate civilians.

"Isn't that exactly what we wanted?" Giovanni replied flatly. That secretary? They'd let her go on purpose.

"Fine, Boss. I'll fight at full strength, but let me be clear—I'll retreat if things get desperate."

Karen shrugged, speaking frankly.

Dylan had personally approached her, offering a Rainbow Wing in exchange for her full cooperation in this battle.

She'd hesitated but eventually agreed. Originally, she'd planned to bail—Team Rocket Kanto Division was clearly going down.

But she'd found no clues on this trip, and Will had ended up in jail…

She couldn't return to the organization empty-handed. The Rainbow Wing would at least make up for her failure.

"Of course. As agreed, your own safety comes first," Giovanni said calmly, his voice as smooth as ever.

"I don't get why you're so dead-set on going head-to-head with the League," Karen said, glancing at him. "But I have to admit—it's kind of fun."

She had to give it to him. She respected Giovanni's strength and leadership.

"Where's that Aizen guy?"

"Out for a walk," Zinnia replied lazily, scrolling through her phone.

Karen glanced at her again, curiosity flashing in her eyes. She was very intrigued by the two "reinforcements"—Aizen and Zinnia.

And where was Dylan?

He was, of course, at the Rota Gym. He still had work to do. Thankfully, with Yellow and Silver around, most challengers were easy to handle.

So he had more time on his hands lately.

"Tch~ Silver's improving fast, huh."

Watching Silver's Golbat defeat a challenger, Leaf rested her chin on her hand, visibly impressed. As expected of her little brother.

"He's got talent. And a lot of battle experience," Dylan nodded. Silver really was Giovanni's son—his progress had been rapid.

He was easily on par with Yellow. In fact, with pure battle experience factored in, Silver was probably stronger—at least when Yellow wasn't using her "cheats."

"Mmhm~ So, when's the League making their move?"

Leaf blinked her big, bright eyes at Dylan.

He had specifically called her back. She'd already been undercover in Silph Tower, tracking Team Rocket's movements.

But she hadn't expected Dylan to pull her into something this big.

"Tomorrow. So I'll have to trouble you a bit, Leaf."

Dylan smiled. Goodshow had already informed him that all outside reinforcements had arrived at Indigo Plateau.

"Tch~ Let me just say, if I get exposed, don't blame me. This stuff is so annoying."

Leaf pouted. Why did she, a cute girl, always have to play guys? And sometimes even do identity swaps?

"You won't. Plus, I'll leave Ice Dragon and the others with you—you'll be fine."

Dylan trusted her completely.

"Heh heh heh~ So, is there a chance I'll get to fight you this time?"

Leaf giggled, but her face quickly lit up with excitement.

Last time in Hoenn, she only got to watch Aizen show off. This time, things would be different, right?

"We'll see what happens. No script this time."

Dylan chuckled.

"After all this is over in Saffron, I've got a reward for you."

"Eh? Really?"

"Of course. Would I lie to you?"

"Hehehe~ Sweet!"

Leaf beamed, excited and curious about what the reward might be.

Her joy was obvious, and Dylan couldn't help but smile as he took out his phone. Someone in the Gym Leader chat was tagging him.

Officer Jenny: Attention all members. The League will launch a large-scale operation against Team Rocket in Saffron City tomorrow. Who wants to join?

Everything was ready. The city was completely surrounded.

Jenny didn't know if there were any moles in the chat, but it didn't matter. Saffron was fully locked down now.

Civilians had been evacuated, especially near Silph Tower. Not even a Pidgey could fly out.

So Jenny sent the message to the group.

Officer Jenny: This is a great opportunity for all of you to show your dedication. Time to wipe out Team Rocket once and for all.

Celadon Gym – Erika: I will not stand idly by in the face of evil! Count me in! (Charge.jpg)

Pewter Gym – Flint: My strength's kinda… never mind, I'll just stay out of the way. (Facepalm.jpg)

Officer Jenny: Don't sell yourself short, Gym Leader Flint. You're more than capable of taking down grunt-level Rocket members. Just follow along. (YouCanDoIt.jpg)

Cerulean Gym – Violet: Is it true, Jenny-sis? Can we go too? We can't fight, but we'll totally cheer and spam 666! (Excited.jpg)

Officer Jenny: Violet… maybe just stay home and wait for good news. (Smile.jpg)

Cerulean Gym – Lily: (Crying.jpg)

Cinnabar Gym – Blaine: Ahaha~ This is a big one, huh. Us old folks will sit this one out.

Viridian Gym – Giovanni: Officer Jenny, when do we begin? As a proud Gym Leader of the League, I, Giovanni, vow to fight evil with all my might! Team Rocket? I'll crush them with my own hands! (ThunderousJustice.jpg)

Rota Gym – Dylan: +1

Saffron Gym – Sabrina: (TiltedHead.jpg)

Officer Jenny: As expected from Gym Leaders Giovanni and Dylan! You two really are Kanto's finest! (Gratitude.jpg)

Dylan couldn't help but laugh. Classic Giovanni—still putting on a show, even now.

But it had been Dylan's idea. Giovanni originally planned to face the League under his real identity.

Dylan had persuaded him to wear a disguise—if he didn't die in Saffron, there might still be hope down the line.

Giovanni had seriously considered it, probably for Silver's sake.

As for his stand-in? Look no further than the master of disguise himself—Petrel.

Leaf still needed Ditto to assist her transformations, but Lambda? He could mimic someone better than the original—on his own.

With Lambda as his double, Giovanni could say, without exaggeration, that he had given his all in the "fight" against Team Rocket.

A storm was coming.

The next morning, Saffron City felt like a ghost town—eerily silent.

In the distance from Silph Co., League personnel were gathered.

The Kanto Elite Four, several Gym Leaders including Dylan, and the outside reinforcements Goodshow had brought in.

Steven, Wallace, and Cynthia—old acquaintances. But Dylan's gaze landed on the one furthest to the side.

She wore a sleek black tailored suit, matching black leather shoes, and had tanned skin. Her long black hair was voluminous, and she wore blue gloves on both hands—elegant and sharp.

She was Geeta, the top Champion of Paldea and also the Chairwoman of the Paldea League.

"Didn't think President Goodshow would bring her in."

Dylan was a little surprised to see Geeta. Goodshow had mentioned he'd invited three powerful reinforcements.

Dylan had assumed Alder from Unova, but Geeta? That was unexpected.

As for why there were four people when only three were invited—well, Wallace had tagged along with Steven.

According to Wallace, how could such a thrilling and dramatic battle be complete without him, the graceful former Hoenn Champion?

Justice-driven Wallace had vowed to bury this evil organization with his own hands!

Ever since the incidents with Team Magma and Team Aqua, Wallace had zero tolerance for criminal organizations—especially since Aizen was here too.

"Hehehe~ The time's about right. Let's begin the assault."

Agatha, acting as the overall commander from the rear base, chuckled in her raspy voice.

Tactics? Who needed tactics? Did they realize how many Champions were here?

A total of nine Champion-level trainers! Even excluding herself, who was staying behind to command, that was still eight Champions!

In a situation like this, why bother with strategy? Just storm the place!

With Agatha's order, the League trainers began moving toward the Silph Co. building.

"The Rocket boss and their top execs are confirmed to be inside. We're going straight in."

Lorelei adjusted her glasses, a cold gleam in her eyes, and took the lead toward the building.

"Dylan, what's the plan?" Steven turned to ask.

"Split up. Silph Co. is huge. If you run into Aizen—uh, the other one—be careful," Dylan replied after a moment's thought.

"Got it."

"When this is over, come hang out in Rota. My treat."

Dylan smiled at them.

"And Champion Geeta—thanks for what you did last time."

Dylan looked at Geeta. Her presence truly exuded grace—no wonder she was Paldea's League Chair.

"You're too kind, Gym Leader Dylan." Geeta offered a faint smile, her voice magnetic and composed.

"Let's talk later. First, let's wipe out this evil known as Team Rocket."

Dylan nodded to them and then led Lillie toward the building from a different direction.

"Let's split up too. Wallace, stay alert."

The three foreign Champions—Steven, Cynthia, and Geeta—exchanged looks and agreed to separate. With their level of power, there was no need to stay together. Each of them could turn the tide alone.

"? Steven, what's that supposed to mean?" Wallace gave his close friend a baffled look. Why single him out for a warning?

What danger could he be in? He was still a Water-type Champion, okay?

Other than Aizen, was there anyone in Team Rocket who could take him down? Don't make him laugh.

Come on, with this many Champions raiding a single organization—what could possibly go wrong?

As long as Dylan held off the other Dylan, Team Rocket was toast. Wallace would crush them with ease.

They were going to win!

Steven and the others split up as well. Lance soared on Dragonite straight toward the top floor of Silph Co.

Meanwhile…

"Well, well~ Wallace, long time no see."

Seventeenth floor of Silph Co. Wallace's face turned pale as he stared at the elegant figure draped in a white coat before him—Aizen.

No way. Why was his luck this terrible?!

"Ever since we parted in Hoenn, I've missed you dearly, Wallace. I never expected fate would bring us together again in Kanto."

Dylan lowered his head with a faint smile, a Poké Ball enlarging in his hand.

"Don't come any closer!"

Wallace took two steps back.

Cynthia, save me! Steven, save me! Dylan, save me!!!

Wallace's hand beneath his white cape furiously tapped at his communicator.

Damn it, this was all Steven's fault with his jinx of a mouth—how did he end up running into the boss right away?!