Chapter 45: Team Rocket Expansion
"Report!"
Renjiro stumbled into the examination room, his body swaying as he held onto the door frame, panting heavily. His bloodstained clothes, torn and tattered, clung to him as if barely holding together.
For a moment, there was utter silence in the room.
Then, whispers broke out like ripples spreading across a pond.
> Who is this beggar? Where did he come from?
Look at all that blood—so disgusting!
Teacher, kick him out! He's disturbing us!
How can someone like him even show up for the exam?
Students in pristine uniforms shrank back, their eyes wide in a mix of disgust and curiosity. But the noise died down quickly as the invigilator's sharp voice echoed through the room.
"Silence! Focus on your papers."
The chatter ceased, and all attention shifted back to their desks—except for one pair of eyes.
"It's him!" Li Mengxue blinked, her heart skipping a beat. Her gaze locked onto Renjiro at the door, surprise flickering in her beautiful eyes.
She had heard from her father that Renjiro was severely injured during a battle, and they feared he wouldn't make it to the exam. But here he was—battered, bruised, but unbroken.
A male invigilator walked down from the podium, concern hidden beneath his professional demeanor.
"Student, please show me your ID card," he said firmly. There were only two minutes left before the exam began. As long as Renjiro entered before the bell, he wouldn't be considered late.
Renjiro fished out his ID card from his pocket and handed it over, his fingers trembling slightly from fatigue and pain. The invigilator swiped it through the verification machine.
A robotic voice announced:
> "Ding! Examinee: Renjiro; Shuangyang City No. 11 Middle School; examination center: Shuangyang City No. 9 Middle School, Room 7; seat number: 04."
The moment the announcement sounded, the students' attitudes shifted dramatically.
> Renjiro… Is that really him?
Is he the one who defeated that junior trainer everyone talks about?
He looks like him… but how did he end up like this?
Maybe he fought someone on the way here. That's hardcore.
Wow… even on the day of the exam, he still finds time to battle!
Respect for the strong ran deep in their world. Where moments ago they saw a nuisance, now they saw a warrior.
"Go in quickly. The exam is about to start," the invigilator urged, returning Renjiro's ID card without any more questions.
Renjiro nodded, forcing himself upright as he limped to his seat. Despite the pain, his spirit burned bright—this was only the beginning.
---
The English exam lasted ninety minutes.
For Renjiro, who had a solid grasp of English thanks to his previous life's studies, it was a breeze. He completed the paper in about an hour, reviewed it, and decided to hand it in early. As he left the room, a few heads turned, watching him with a mix of admiration and wonder.
Outside, the air felt fresher. Renjiro sat down on a flower bed, letting his weary body rest. His mind, however, was elsewhere—on Team Rocket's expansion plans.
---
Elsewhere in Shuangyang City, in a small restaurant hidden in a narrow alley, a group of men gathered around a table littered with empty plates and beer bottles.
"Wei-ge," one of them spoke up hesitantly, addressing Zhang Xuewei, the man at the head of the table. "You said you completed all the tasks Boss Giovanni gave you. Why haven't you handed out our first mission yet? I feel uneasy taking this money without doing anything."
The others nodded in agreement. Although the ten of them had recently joined Team Rocket under Zhang Xuewei's leadership, they hadn't yet done any work. Still, Zhang Xuewei had transferred 10,000 alliance coins to each of them as their first month's salary—generous, almost too generous.
Zhang Xuewei took a long drag from his cigarette, exhaled slowly, and narrowed his eyes at the man who spoke.
"Why feel uneasy? If there's work, Boss Giovanni will give it to us. Your job is to stay loyal and be ready. Remember—Boss Giovanni doesn't treat his people unfairly."
Since meeting Giovanni and joining Team Rocket, Zhang Xuewei's life had changed overnight. No longer scraping by delivering packages, he now had wealth, respect, and men who looked up to him. And he owed it all to the mysterious leader who had given him this opportunity.
"Of course, Wei-ge," another chimed in quickly. "We know a good boss when we see one. You can count on us."
"Exactly! We're lucky to have Boss Giovanni looking out for us," added a third.
Zhang Xuewei nodded in satisfaction. They weren't wrong—where else could they get paid so well without lifting a finger?
Suddenly, the familiar "beep beep beep" of a QQ notification sounded from his phone.
Zhang Xuewei's eyes widened as he checked the message.
"Quiet, all of you!" he hissed. "Boss Giovanni is contacting me!"
Instantly, the room fell silent. Even though they knew the boss couldn't hear them, the weight of the moment was clear.
On the screen was a friend request from the ID Giovanni.
Heart pounding, Zhang Xuewei accepted. Almost immediately, a message appeared.
> [Giovanni: Well done. I'm aware of the recruitment progress.]
Zhang Xuewei's respect deepened. The boss really was watching over them.
"See?" Zhang Xuewei said, holding up his phone. "Boss Giovanni knows everything. Think twice before questioning him."
His recruits nodded, chastened.
Zhang Xuewei quickly typed his reply.
> [Zhang Xuewei: I wouldn't dare neglect anything you instruct, boss.]
> [Giovanni: Good. Soon, I'll transfer funds for you to recruit ten more members. Try to include junior trainers this time.]
Reading the message, Zhang Xuewei felt both excitement and a growing sense of pressure. If stronger members joined, would his position be secure?
> [Zhang Xuewei: Don't worry, boss. Leave it to me. I'll find the best candidates.]
> [Giovanni: When recruitment is complete, I'll arrange a training camp to strengthen your team. Be ready.]
> [Zhang Xuewei: Yes, boss! Thank you!]
Then, as before, the account disappeared, leaving no trace of the conversation.
---
Back on campus, Renjiro tucked his phone away and leaned back against the tree. His body ached, but his mind was racing. The Rocket plan was moving faster than he anticipated, and soon his small force would become a real power within the shadows of Shuangyang City.
This was just the beginning.
---