Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"A talking meow?"

Upon hearing this, Lijia looked over curiously, then smiled and shook her head.

"There are cats like this? But you must be mistaken."

"This Meowth is a Pokémon that recently came to help the trainer tend to the garden near the gym. It's very diligent, but it can't talk; it's just an ordinary Meowth."

As if to confirm Lijia's words, the cat seemed to have overheard their discussion.

He stopped what he was doing and turned around.

With a little mud on its face, it showed a very natural and honest smile, raised its paw and waved, and let out a cry.

"Meow~"

The sound is normal, just a normal meow.

Xiao Zhi looked at it more carefully.

This cat seems to be...

It was much rounder than the Team Rocket Meowth he remembered.

Its fur is also shinier, giving the impression that it's well-fed.

“That’s true,” Ash nodded, dispelling his doubts, and smiled at Rika, “The Meowth I know isn’t this… well, plump.”

After saying that, he followed Lijia and Xiaoxia, pushed open the exquisite wooden door, and entered the Yuhong Dojo.

Until the dojo doors closed gently, no more voices could be heard outside.

Meow Meow seemed to have all her strength drained away in an instant, collapsing onto the dirt with a thud, supporting her body with a small shovel, and frantically fanning herself with her other paw.

"Meow...that was close! I almost got recognized by that brat!"

"Luckily, the cat ate a lot at the Alliance, and in a moment of inspiration, it even learned the normal meow sound..."

101. It's second to none among birds!

On the other side of the Yuhong City Dojo, next to a slightly messy flower bed.

Meow Meow finally found Musashi and Kojiro weeding.

The two were awkwardly operating a creaking machine.

A homemade lawnmower that looks like it could fall apart at any moment.

As for why the trio is here...

Let's rewind a little.

Following the chaotic events on the St. Anne.

Team Rocket on the ship was almost completely wiped out, including the trio.

Faced with interrogation by league staff, the Rockets members on board demonstrated exceptional professionalism—

After all, he's a villain.

They had simulated this scenario during their basic training with the Rockets.

Most people insisted that they were just ordinary crew members on the St. Anne.

They expressed complete ignorance of the Rockets and everything that happened on the ship.

Some key personnel could even squeeze out a few tears of relief, saying things like, "We've survived this ordeal," or "The alliance is here, and justice has finally been served."

His acting skills are top-notch.

But the alliance members are not so easily fooled.

They took the most direct approach to dealing with these people who claimed to be crew members but whose identities were questionable.

Didn't you insist that you were a crew member with proper work experience?

Okay, then let's investigate.

We will thoroughly investigate your past work records, employer evaluations, social relationships... everything we can find out.

Check this.

Most of the Team Rocket members who tried to impersonate crew members to get away with it were actually not clean.

They were quickly exposed and identified one by one after a thorough investigation.

However, the files of Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth are unique and peculiar.

Records show that they did indeed work in multiple locations across the Kanto region and other areas.

My work experience ranges from restaurant kitchen staff, construction site laborer, gardening assistant, amusement park extra, cargo ship hauler, supermarket promoter, Pokémon grooming assistant...

The sheer breadth of industries and the variety of jobs involved are astonishing.

Such a dubious resume naturally attracted the special attention of the alliance.

They thought finding out their crimes was a sure thing, but every time the investigators contacted these former employers or colleagues...

When trying to uncover any clues about them as "Team Rocket," the feedback was surprisingly consistent.

Ah! You mean Musashi/Kojiro/that very capable cat?

They are really good at their work!

The voice on the other end of the phone often carries a nostalgic tone and a string of praises.

Then came the turning point of unification.

[They were doing it, and then, for some reason, one day they just disappeared.]

As for whether he had ulterior motives?

Both sides stated that nothing was missing from their side.

The three of them aren't bad people.

What left the investigators speechless was that several former employers even added quite earnestly.

If we can find them, could you please help us transfer the wages that haven't been settled yet?

Although they left without saying goodbye, they did a really good job, and we can't owe them the money they're owed.

During their time under surveillance, the three men's behavior further solidified their image as "struggling, miserable working-class people."

They showed an almost frightening enthusiasm for the simple working meals provided by the alliance.

They ate so quickly and efficiently that not a single grain was left.

That pure and intense craving for food doesn't seem like something that can be faked.

Ultimately, faced with these three "work experience" records that were completely innocent, and even tinged with bitterness, they were able to understand the situation.

And given their completely normal state of affairs, the alliance officials in charge of the matter reached a unanimous conclusion after discussion.

These are probably three incredibly unlucky laborers... poor souls who worked on a ship and got caught up in the incident.

Keeping them... is a waste of food and resources.

So, after a routine warning and lecture, Musashi, Kojiro, and Meowth were released.

......

When the three of them contacted Sakaki via an encrypted line.

Sakaki, who was preparing to use his connections and spend money to get people out of trouble, had an even more interesting expression on his face.

Because his resume was too "clean and harmless," the league released him as an innocent employee...

He didn't know whether to call it some kind of unusual talent or the ultimate stupidity.

As for the three people asking for instructions on the next steps...

He's really starting to feel numb.

He's useless at everything!

We let you guys board a ship to earn some bonuses, but in less than two days, the ship is gone!

Although this matter had little to do with them, he still felt something was off!

"……never mind."

Sakaki rubbed his temples and simply said:

"You can decide for yourselves."

They then unilaterally cut off communication.

After the three received instructions to make their own judgments.

They also got caught up in a collective brainstorming session.

Putting aside other things.

The phrase "judgment by oneself" expresses how much the leader trusts them!

After all, it's a cat with a near-perfect understanding of human language.

This shows that the leader believes in their abilities and loyalty.

Don't give them rigid instructions; let them contribute to the organization freely based on the actual situation!

The three began to consider how they could contribute to the organization and to their leader.

In the end, it was because Musashi bought a bottle of perfume that she had bought with the savings of the three of them.

Upon learning the price, Kojiro and Meowth exclaimed, "This is much faster than robbing us!"

The direction has been decided.

The three of them came here and started working while gathering information.

.......

"Musashi! Kojiro! I've found you, meow!"

Meow came running over, panting.