Chapter 46: It Hurts

"You've all seen what Boss Giovanni has arranged!"

Zhang Xuewei raised his phone high, showing it to the group surrounding him. The screen displayed an important message — instructions directly from Giovanni.

"We need to recruit ten more Team Rocket members!" he declared, his voice filled with urgency and determination.

"I see. I see."

"Don't worry, Viagra. Leave this to us."

"Yeah, Wei Ge, you just focus on resting. Leave everything to us."

The enthusiasm in the room surged. Each of them wanted to step forward and take charge of this mission. After all, this was their chance to prove themselves.

Zhang Xuewei glanced at them and nodded, his expression softening slightly.

"Alright, I'll leave this task to you all," he said. "But remember—there's one condition. The people you recruit must be loyal. Loyal to Team Rocket. Loyal to Boss Giovanni."

His gaze swept over them one by one, ensuring his words sank in.

"Understood, Wei Ge!" the group answered in unison, their fists clenched with resolve.

Seeing their reaction, Zhang Xuewei felt a rare sense of satisfaction. His purpose in sharing this directive was clear: to have them take responsibility for this task while he focused on something just as critical—strengthening himself.

The Rockets were still in their infancy. He was a founding member, and this status gave him precious time to solidify his position.

It's all coming together.

After logging out of his system account, Renjiro leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face.

We have people. We have money. We have Pokémon. But what we're missing is a secret base.

In the world of Pokémon, Team Rocket was known for its countless hidden bases scattered across regions. Yet, right now, they didn't even have one.

Renjiro decided: after the college entrance exam, he'd scout out a remote location where they could build a proper Team Rocket base — somewhere suitable for training, research, and staying off the radar.

Just then, a soft, familiar voice called out.

"You're here."

Renjiro turned at the sound, and there stood Shu Wan, holding two cups of milk tea.

She smiled gently and handed one of the cups to him.

Renjiro took it without hesitation, his usual guard lowered in her presence.

"How come you're out so early? How did your exam go?" he asked as he took a sip of the milk tea, its sweetness calming him.

"You know my level. I should score above 130 without much trouble."

Shu Wan sat beside him, her posture relaxed but her eyes filled with concern.

Her gaze dropped to the torn fabric of Renjiro's clothes. Through the rips, she could see scars and bruises that hadn't been there before. His injuries were hidden beneath his usual calm demeanor, but they were impossible to ignore at this distance.

"Your injuries…" she whispered, taking another sip of her milk tea to hide her trembling lips. "How did you get hurt like that?"

Renjiro glanced at his arm and shrugged, trying to act casual.

"I ran into a Pokémon hunter yesterday," he said, downplaying it. "We fought. I got a little hurt, but it's nothing serious."

He waved it off as if the deep gashes and purpling bruises were just scrapes from a playful scuffle.

But Shu Wan wasn't convinced. Her eyes reddened, glistening with tears that she stubbornly held back.

"A little hurt?" she repeated, voice breaking. No ordinary fight would leave someone in that state.

"Hey, hey — don't cry!" Renjiro panicked at the sight of tears. He could face danger without flinching, but a girl crying? That was beyond him. "If someone saw this, they'd think I bullied you!"

"You are bullying me!" Shu Wan burst out, and with that, the dam broke. Silent tears turned into sobs.

Renjiro was at a complete loss. He awkwardly patted her back, murmuring, "Alright, alright, stop crying… it's okay."

Shu Wan wiped at her cheeks, trying to calm herself. Her eyes, now red and puffy, locked onto his.

"It must hurt so much…" she said softly.

"It doesn't. Really." Renjiro smiled, trying to reassure her. "Just minor injuries. I'll be fine in a few days."

Without thinking, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair. The warmth of his palm sent a flush up Shu Wan's cheeks.

This idiot… finally showing some affection.

Trying to steady her racing heart, Shu Wan lowered her head.

"Renjiro… where do you want to go for college?" she asked, pretending to be casual.

"Me?" Renjiro tilted his head, then answered, "Probably Imperial University. What about you?"

"Imperial University…" Shu Wan echoed, tucking the name away in her heart. "I haven't decided yet. I guess I'll wait for the results before I choose."

Before Renjiro could say more, two students hurried past, voices filled with excitement.

"Come on! There's a battle at the training ground!"

"Really? Who's fighting?"

"I think it's someone from Eighth Middle School versus someone from Eleventh!"

Every year, after the first part of the exam, students flocked to the training ground for friendly — and sometimes fierce — Pokémon battles during the break.

Renjiro glanced at Shu Wan.

"Wanna go watch?" he asked, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips.

Shu Wan nodded, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten.

"Sure. Let's go."

Together, they made their way toward the training ground of Ninth Middle School, blending into the crowd that was eager for action.

---

As they approached, the noise grew louder — cheers, commands, the distinct cries of battling Pokémon.

A boy in a blue school uniform stood at one end of the field, his Charmeleon roaring with fiery determination. Opposite him, a girl with a confident smirk directed her Pidgeotto, its wings slicing through the air.

Flames and gusts of wind clashed, filling the air with heat and turbulence. The crowd roared, each blow drawing reactions — gasps, cheers, or groans.

Renjiro watched with keen interest. Even in these informal matches, he could tell which trainers had potential. He analyzed their tactics, noticing the mistakes, the hesitations, the moments of brilliance.

"You're really into it," Shu Wan said, watching his focused expression.

"I'm always into Pokémon battles," Renjiro replied with a small smile. "You can learn a lot by observing."

The match ended with Charmeleon's final Flamethrower overwhelming Pidgeotto, the girl recalling her Pokémon with a sportsmanlike nod.

The crowd began to disperse, their excitement lingering in the air.

Renjiro and Shu Wan walked back slowly, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the school grounds.

"Thanks for coming with me," Renjiro said quietly.

Shu Wan glanced at him, heart softening at his sincerity.

"Anytime," she replied.

In that moment, amidst the chatter of students and the calls of distant Pokémon, Renjiro felt something he hadn't in a long time — peace. Even if just for a little while.

But deep down, he knew this peace wouldn't last. The path he'd chosen — Team Rocket, secret bases, battles in the shadows — would lead him to darker places.

Still, as he glanced at Shu Wan, her smile bright in the sunlight, he promised himself: I'll protect this, no matter what.

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