The 3 Cadres of Team Rocket

A massive freighter cut through the endless expanse of sea, its towering chimney spewing thick, white smoke that rose straight into the sky like a solitary column in a desert.

At the front of the cargo ship's deck stood a young man clad in black with dark hair. His hands rested on the railings as he leaned forward slightly, his loose garments fluttering in the sea breeze. The moist air of the open sea was invigorating.

Beside him perched a black bird-shaped Pokémon with piercing eyes fixed on the horizon.

The young man and the Pokémon were Aoki and Murkrow.

After the most recent trial, Aoki's performance satisfied Shadow, and as per their agreement, Shadow took Aoki off the trial island ahead of schedule.

This freighter was a Team Rocket cargo ship that delivered supplies to the trial island every month. With Shadow's permission, Aoki boarded the ship heading back to the mainland.

Having left the trial island once before in his previous life, Aoki couldn't help but notice the difference this time. Unlike before, he could now see the ship's route clearly.

Aoki observed that the trial island was located on the boundary of the seas separating the Kanto and Johto regions.

"How does it feel? Even though it's been less than a month since you left, doesn't it feel like you've been away from the civilized world for ages?"

As Aoki and Murkrow gazed out at the vast sea, a gravelly voice sounded from behind.

Shadow had stepped out of the freighter's cabin and now joined Aoki at the railing, leaning on it casually.

"Master Shadow," Aoki greeted respectfully.

Shadow waved his hand, signaling Aoki to relax. Although Shadow held a high position within Team Rocket, he cared little for formalities. He believed in strength above all else—those with power earned privilege.

Although Aoki's strength wasn't yet fully developed, his potential had caught Shadow's attention. For reasons of his own, Shadow treated Aoki with a degree of leniency.

"There's not much of a difference to me," Aoki replied calmly. "I've always been an orphan. Surviving in society or on the trial island is the same—if you're weak, you'll be beaten. This world thrives on survival of the fittest."

Shadow paused, visibly taken aback by Aoki's words. Then, a genuine smile spread across his face.

"It seems we've had similar experiences," Shadow murmured, his eyes unfocused as if lost in thought.

A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the howl of the wind and the rhythmic crashing of waves against the ship.

After a moment, Shadow returned from his reverie, chuckling to himself. "The past has a way of haunting you, no matter how far you go."

Aoki smiled faintly, offering no further comment.

Despite Shadow's fearsome reputation as Team Rocket's enigmatic leader—a man known for his ruthlessness—Aoki had noticed a different side to him during their interactions. Beneath the intimidating exterior, Shadow sometimes seemed more like an unconventional mentor.

"This is an Alliance ID I had someone prepare for you," Shadow said, producing an identification card. "All the information is fabricated, and unless someone as powerful as the Elite Four conducts an in-depth check, it won't raise any red flags."

Shadow handed the card to Aoki, who took it with a sense of surprise. To have Shadow personally arrange a valid Alliance ID was unexpected.

"With this ID, you can live freely in the open without drawing suspicion," Shadow continued. He then retrieved a thin, lifelike mask from his pocket. "This is a human-skin mask crafted by one of Team Rocket's experts. It's undetectable unless it's cut or burned. It matches the identity on your Alliance card."

Aoki accepted the mask, marveling at its craftsmanship. With the ID and mask, even someone familiar with him might not recognize him face-to-face—provided his Pokémon didn't give him away.

To maintain his anonymity, Aoki decided to assign his Pokémon to separate identities. Murkrow would remain associated with his Team Rocket persona, while Slowpoke would become part of his Alliance identity.

Though this duality would be challenging to maintain, it offered him a unique opportunity. With careful planning, Aoki could rise within Team Rocket while simultaneously infiltrating the Alliance, much like Koga, the Poison-type Elite Four member, had done in the past.

Using resources from both factions, Aoki could accelerate his growth, achieving strength at an unprecedented pace.

"This ship will reach Vermillion City in about half an hour," Shadow said. "Once there, you can disembark. Take this emblem to the Team Rocket base near Rage Lake in Johto and deliver it. Someone will contact you."

With that, Shadow stretched and walked back into the cabin, leaving Aoki on the deck.

"Vermillion City," Aoki muttered, gripping the ID and mask in his hands as Shadow's figure disappeared. His thoughts churned.

It was no wonder the trial island had remained hidden from the Alliance. Vermillion City, under the control of Lt. Surge, one of Team Rocket's three top executives, undoubtedly played a role in concealing the island's existence.

Team Rocket's three major executives—Lt. Surge of Vermillion City, Sabrina of Saffron City, and Koga of Fuchsia City—were key figures in Giovanni's network. Each served unique roles, making them invaluable assets.

Koga's cunning and infiltration skills allowed him to climb the ranks and become an Elite Four member in Johto, securing a critical foothold for Team Rocket within the Alliance.

Sabrina, known as the Psychic Queen, was unmatched in one-on-one battles. Her Psychic Pokémon were nearly invincible in direct confrontations.

Lt. Surge, however, specialized in commanding large-scale battles, making him a formidable general in Team Rocket's operations.

Together, these three executives represented the backbone of Team Rocket's covert operations, and their influence ran deep within both regions.

As the freighter neared its destination, Aoki's resolve hardened. With his new identity and tools, he was ready to navigate the dangerous waters ahead.