Chapter 75: Team Rocket Elite Trainer—Athena!
Chapter 75: Team Rocket Elite Trainer—Athena!
Time passed quickly.
In just three days, Hikaru had completed most of his theoretical research on Riolu's evolution into Lucario. All that was left was to observe Riolu's development and gradually supplement the paper.
Of course, Hikaru didn't plan to hand over all his findings to Ayame at once. Instead, he decided to share them bit by bit.
Even so, Ayame was stunned by his progress.
Unbelievable.
Her team had spent months painstakingly researching Eevee's evolution process, and yet, Hikaru's pace rivaled theirs.
Did this kid have a cheat code to life?
Not only did the gods open a door for him, but they also paved him a golden road straight to success!
Regardless, Ayame felt that taking Hikaru as her student was the best decision she'd ever made.
---
In Water City, with the provincial championship fading into memory, the number of tourists dwindled.
"It seems some ill-intentioned people are still looking for me," Hikaru muttered.
As the championship winner, he expected to draw attention when walking the streets, but surprisingly, no one seemed to recognize him.
After leaving the hotel, Hikaru noticed two men radiating faint red auras—courtesy of his Malice Detector ability—lingering near the entrance.
Thanks to the Morph Mask, however, they didn't even glance his way as he passed by.
"It's time to leave Water City…"
Hikaru had stayed behind for a few days, hoping the red-haired girl might return.
He still hadn't activated the Rare Pokémon Guidance trait, a red-tier ability that promised to lead him to a valuable Pokémon.
He wondered what kind of Pokémon it would guide him to.
The system was unlikely to lead him to a Pokémon already owned by someone, so whatever it was, it would definitely be available for him to capture.
---
With a thought, he activated the trait.
A red light flashed, and Hikaru felt a mysterious connection forming.
It was as though a Pokémon somewhere far away was waiting for him.
The sensation pointed south—to the ocean, far from his current location.
"Looks like I need to head to the coast next," Hikaru mused.
With the national tournament months away, this was the perfect opportunity to explore the world where humans and Pokémon coexisted.
Water City had left a positive impression on him, especially since it was where he encountered the second Legendary Pokémon of his life.
The first had been Articuno, though he had only seen it from a distance.
"Time to set a new goal: meet every Legendary Pokémon. Better yet, ride on all of them!"
---
Meanwhile, at the Water City Lodge, two low-level Team Rocket members were nervously reporting to their superior.
"You lost him?!" a raspy voice barked over the phone.
The two lackeys exchanged frightened glances, their faces pale. One of them stammered, "We were watching the entrance the whole time, but somehow, he just vanished!"
There was a long silence on the other end of the line.
"Useless! You couldn't even keep track of one kid! Get back here!"
Relieved, the two lackeys quickly hung up the call, their backs drenched in sweat.
---
Team Rocket offered excellent benefits. Even its low-level members were given decent Pokémon like Pidgeotto, Koffing, and Ekans.
However, its penalties were equally severe.
From the moment someone joined Team Rocket, their family's information was logged in the organization's database.
Betrayal wasn't an option.
This ruthlessness was one of the reasons Team Rocket had managed to thrive even under the strict laws of the Pokémon League in Huaxia Country.
The organization had infiltrated key industries across the nation—gyms, Pokémon Centers, and other sectors critical to the community.
While the league had the strength to launch a massive crackdown, doing so would require a nationwide effort and cause significant upheaval.
Moreover, Team Rocket's members rarely committed overtly illegal acts. Without concrete evidence, the league could only turn a blind eye.
What complicated matters further was the league's limited knowledge of Team Rocket's upper echelons.
They knew of a few high-ranking members, including their Elite Trainers, but the organization's true structure remained a mystery.
---
In a desolate town, under a withered tree, a shadowy figure stood against the gloomy sky.
"This white flame… it has an unquenchable property," rasped a voice as the shadowy figure examined a piece of charred wood.
The once-bright surroundings suddenly dim, as if black paint had been splashed across a white canvas.
"Caw!"
The sudden shift was caused by a Murkrow, which used a simple Haze move to shroud the area in darkness once again.
Leaning against the withered tree was a man cloaked entirely in shadows.
"David," came a voice from above, sharp and commanding. "What are you planning? Your name isn't even on the league's radar yet!"
Descending on a Honchkrow, a striking woman with a fiery presence landed gracefully before him.
---
The man was David, one of Team Rocket's Elite Trainers and an expert in Pokémon genetic research.
The woman, Athena, was another Team Rocket Elite Trainer, well-known to the league.
"I need that Charmeleon," David said, his tone fervent. "It's perfect—its physique, its mastery of moves, that white, unquenchable flame… Even its use of Fairy Wing is unheard of for a Fire-type!"
Athena frowned. "Are you insane? That kid just won the provincial championship! Do you think we can make someone like him disappear without consequences?"
"Then we'll lure him into a secret realm," David replied without hesitation.
"You're underestimating him," Athena snapped. "He's not just some random trainer. His ability to hide is extraordinary."
"That's your problem," David retorted dismissively. "Figure it out. Capturing his Charmeleon will be critical for my research."
Without waiting for a response, he vanished into a cloud of black mist.
"Damn it," Athena muttered through clenched teeth.
---
Left alone, Athena sighed and pulled out a satellite phone to report to Giovanni, Team Rocket's leader.
After relaying the situation, Giovanni's deep voice came through the line:
"This task is yours, Athena."
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To Be Continued...
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