Chapter 143 — Is the Kanto League a Pushover?

In the secret underground base of the Viridian Gym.

"After this is over, you can choose to leave Team Rocket and start your new lives."

Giovanni calmly addressed the three Team Rocket executives - Sabrina, Koga, and Lt. Surge - whom he had gathered.

He had already decided to relocate headquarters to the Johto region, where the Three Beasts led by Archer had already established a foothold.

One had to admit that among the evil organization leaders across all regions, Giovanni was the most magnanimous.

He knew Team Rocket would struggle to maintain its position going forward.

If the three continued as Team Rocket executives, life in Kanto wouldn't be easy for them.

When things went wrong, he simply let them go free - parting on good terms.

"Eh? But Boss, I don't know what I'd do if I left Team Rocket."

Lt. Surge scratched his spiky head worriedly.

He had joined Team Rocket after Giovanni saved his life and he was won over by Giovanni's leadership qualities.

"After all these years, you've more than repaid the favor of me saving you. Stay or go, it's up to you."

Giovanni said flatly.

"I've been thinking about becoming an actress lately, but after this incident, I'll probably become a wanted criminal. Can I still achieve that dream?"

Sabrina flicked her long hair and asked with crossed legs.

She had recently watched the movie "Detective Pikachu" starring Rosa and was inspired.

She also wanted to become an actress.

"Seven seven three" However, Sabrina's dream seemed difficult to achieve, as this operation would surely expose her identity.

She would become a wanted criminal.

Unlike Koga and Lt. Surge.

Sabrina joined Team Rocket because in her childhood she couldn't control her psychic powers running wild.

She was feared by her peers and even her parents.

Just like Caitlin.

The difference was that Caitlin later received guidance from Cynthia.

While Sabrina was invited by Giovanni to join Team Rocket, giving her an environment where she could train her psychic powers.

Over the years, Sabrina had accomplished many great deeds for Team Rocket, so if she were to leave, she wouldn't feel any guilt.

"Whatever happens, we'll do our best to cover your retreat, Leader."

After pondering for a moment, Koga said:

"But Leader, Mewtwo... it's still not complete?"

If that were finished, they probably wouldn't need the three executives to take action, right?

"It's a shame, but we're just a bit short. I'll have to rely on you this time."

Giovanni expressed his regret.

He had been looking forward to bringing out Mewtwo to scare the hell out of that bastard Lance.

...

...

Viridian City.

"Champion Lance, the civilians have been completely evacuated."

The Jenny squad captain saluted Lance.

Using many psychic-type Pokémon, they spent an entire night with almost their entire Jenny clan mobilized.

They finally managed to get the civilians out of the danger zone.

"Team Rocket must have noticed by now. Who knows what tricks they're planning."

Lance said coldly.

Moving so many people at once - Team Rocket would have to be blind not to notice something was wrong.

Lance actually wanted to launch a surprise attack.

But the Pokémon League President absolutely refused, giving strict orders that civilians must be evacuated before any action could begin.

"Be careful, we still don't know how much power Team Rocket has hidden."

Elder Agatha walked over leaning on her cane, her wrinkled face occasionally revealing an eerie darkness.

"Agatha, you're really boosting morale here. With the entire Kanto League mobilized this time, how could Team Rocket possibly gain any advantage?"

Karen crossed her arms under her chest, making her assets even more prominent.

But the surrounding male trainers, even Brock, didn't dare steal a glance.

Afraid of being turned into ice sculptures by Karen.

Indeed, besides the Elite Four, the Gym Leaders and high-ranking trainers from the League were also participating in this operation.

Under pressure from Silph Co., the Kanto League was serious this time.

"My, how lively."

A carefree voice rang out.

Then they saw a man with an unrestrained demeanor, accompanied by several beautiful women, walking towards them, looking around like tourists.

"That man..."

As a fighting-type expert, Bruno could immediately sense the tremendous power hidden beneath Red's rebellious demeanor.

"I believe I said this was Kanto League business?"

Lance focused his gaze on Bede and Klara, the two Galar Elite Four members.

"Don't worry, Champion Lance, we're just here as observers."

Klara said calmly, not at all intimidated by Lance:

"Of course, as members of the League, if you find yourselves in danger, we'll certainly step in to help."

"Danger? Who do you think you're talking about?"

Lance's lips curled up high, looking every bit like an anime dragon king.

Even though he used flying-types...

"Sir, would you like me to gouge out your eyes?"

Noticing Red's gaze lingering on her G-cup, Karen smiled coldly.

Red raised an eyebrow slightly.

Damn, I just accidentally glanced once, I wasn't staring. Is that really necessary?

Besides, what man wouldn't steal a look or two?

If you really don't want people looking, you could get surgery to make them smaller.

"If Miss Karen has the ability to gouge out my eyes, you're welcome to try."

Red said with a smile.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

The moment Red said this, Marnie, Serena, and the other women immediately put their hands on their Poké Balls.

"Everyone calm down, calm down!"

"It's just a little joke, we shouldn't be like this with a big enemy ahead!"

The good-natured Brock and the mature-beyond-her-years Misty quickly stepped in as peacemakers.

Finally, the atmosphere settled down.

At this point, Agatha stepped forward and spoke:

"Lance will lead the vanguard, Bruno and Karen on the flanks, while I'll monitor the perimeter to prevent any escapees. The other trainers led by the Gym Leaders will conduct guerrilla operations. Is that clear?"

Though Lance was Champion, Agatha was the true commander, her experience far surpassing Lance's.

"You won't need to lift a finger. I can handle this alone."

Lance called out Aerodactyl, mounted it, and flew into the sky.

The others began to move according to Agatha's orders.

"Control your temper,"

Agatha said calmly as she passed by Karen.

"You mean Zacian?"

Karen asked.

Indeed, Karen admitted she had lost her composure earlier.

After all, this was the first time she'd encountered a man who dared to stare at her chest for more than three seconds.

"No, I mean those girls."

Agatha said flatly:

"They were really ready to attack you."

"...Young calves aren't afraid of tigers."

After a moment of silence, Karen said coolly.

To this, Agatha just gave a mysterious smile and said nothing more.

Her intuition told her.

Those girls' abilities were no less than Karen's.

...

...

"Hyper Beam!"

Lance commanded coldly from atop Aerodactyl in the blue sky.

In his view, this Viridian Gym, which was actually Team Rocket's secret base, was a complete disgrace to both the League and himself.

Dark purple destructive energy gathered in Aerodactyl's mouth, shooting down as a laser.

Like cutting through a watermelon, it penetrated the gym's ceiling, splitting it in two!

With the vanguard Lance firing the first shot, this battle between the Kanto League and Team Rocket officially began!

BOOM!!!

One Hyper Beam created a massive three-meter-wide gash down the middle of the now split Viridian Gym...

"Hmm?"

Lance's contemptuous expression changed as his eyebrows rose, noticing a figure rapidly approaching him in the sky.

Then Lance saw it was a Crobat, carrying a middle-aged man in a black suit with its feet, flying up to face him.

Who else could it be but Giovanni?!

"Hey hey~ Starting off so intense, jumping straight to the main event?"

Red, standing at the outer perimeter with the women, couldn't help but laugh.

"You sewer-dwelling trash, you dare show yourself before me?"

Lance sneered.

This was the man who had brought such shame to him as a prosecutor!

"Heh~ What's there to fear from the League's lapdog?"

Giovanni shot back.

"Big talk, but let's see if you can still act tough after you're behind bars!"

Lance laughed coldly and threw out a Poké Ball.

Two Dragonair emerged into the sky.

Dragon Rush duet!

These two Dragonair were mainly Lance's support Pokémon.

Because when it came to weather control and agility, Dragonair was even superior to Dragonite.

That's why Lance hadn't evolved these two.

But even so, they were absolutely Champion-level.

"A lapdog is still just a lapdog, is this all you've got?"

Giovanni also threw out a Poké Ball.

Calling forth a Rhydon.

In the next instant, Rhydon spread its arms and charged straight at them.

Take Down!

One against two!

But Rhydon stood immovable as a mountain, blocking the Dragon Rush from both Champion-level Dragonair!

"How is this possible!?"

Everyone from the Kanto League - whether Elite Four members Karen and Bruno, Gym Leaders Brock and Misty, or other high-ranking League trainers.

They were all dumbfounded.

He blocked it?

Giovanni, just a Gym Leader, had blocked an attack from Lance, who was not just a Champion but at the peak of Champion-level.

Though Giovanni was renowned as the strongest trainer in Kanto, locals believed he was only at Elite Four level like Pryce.

Yet now... facing Champion-level 1.6 peak Lance, he wasn't at a disadvantage at all!?

"Alright everyone! Let's deal with the other Team Rocket members!"

Erika, the Celadon City Gym Leader, called out to the other Gym Leaders.

Agatha was the commander-in-chief, while she was the deputy.

Though Erika wasn't top-tier as a Gym Leader, she possessed excellent strategic wisdom.

"Miss Erika, watch out!"

Brock suddenly shouted, calling out Onix to form a huge shield blocking a Raichu's Thunder Wave.

Erika was caught off guard, but with Onix blocking her view, she couldn't see what had happened.

"Lt. Surge, what are you doing?!"

Brock demanded of the Raichu's trainer.

"Now now, young man, don't be so tense. I just wanted to take a hostage."

Lt. Surge shrugged nonchalantly as others looked on in shock.

Meanwhile, Koga had knocked out his own daughter Janine.

Sabrina had successfully ambushed Elite Four-level Gym Leader Pryce.

In just a brief moment, the Kanto League had lost a major player.

"Is the Kanto League a pushover?"

Klara exclaimed.