Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

Page 131

...Well, their workload is definitely heavier now.

The Rockets have a very formal organizational structure; they're not a makeshift team.

There is naturally performance pressure in work.

— Essentially, the Rockets are a large, multi-regional publicly traded company that provides its employees with comprehensive social benefits.

—The Rockets will give a signing bonus and collect a joining fee when you join the team. After you become a member, you will have to pay a monthly fee and an annual gift. The Rockets headquarters will provide you with resources such as salary, equipment or Pokémon.

—Distinguished subordinates can participate in the hospitality events, tea parties, and encouragement sessions hosted by the Rockets.

Anyway...

The Rockets are so professional it's almost unbelievable.

"That was just an accident!" Kojiro retorted, his face flushed.

"Our mission progress is none of your business." Kosaburo put his hands in the pockets of his flashy shirt, striking a nonchalant pose.

A hint of arrogance, befitting an elite member, lingered in his eyes. "As for this newcomer we brought..."

Kosaburo's gaze swept over Cross, who had been standing silently behind them, his face gloomy and his eyes burning with suppressed rage.

"...His potential is beyond the imagination of a third-rate group like yours."

Cross's very presence carried an aura of menace that kept strangers at bay, which made Musashi and the others subconsciously restrain themselves, though they still continued to verbally spar with each other.

However, none of them realized that amidst the heated argument, a deeper and more hidden force was quietly spreading in the shadows.

The source is right under Kroos's feet.

That shadow, no different from any other shadow under the lamplight, belonged to him.

Marshadow, the mythical Pokémon lurking in the shadow of Cross, has begun its operation.

Its body rippled slightly in the absolute darkness.

Like an undercurrent beneath the water.

An invisible and intangible spiritual force, yet carrying the aura of shadow, spread silently and extremely slowly outwards, like an ink droplet dropped into still water, with Cross's shadow at its core.

This force is not a brutal spiritual shock, but rather more like an "assimilation" and "immersion".

Like the finest spores, it quietly attaches itself to the edges of the minds of every Team Rocket member in the command room, seeping into the most unguarded gaps in their spirits.

Although it's not listed on Marshadow's ability panel.

However, Marshall does indeed possess the power to manipulate people's hearts.

Both humans and Pokémon can be controlled by Marshadow.

Marshall's goal is not simply to seize control, as that would be too obvious and easily arouse suspicion, especially from the Goldenrod Gym.

Marshall could sense Sabrina's departure, but the Saffron Gym Leader still had powerful psychics.

Even though this superpowered individual is far less powerful than Sabrina.

But Marcia remained cautious.

Well... if she hadn't discovered that Sabrina had run away, she wouldn't have come to Goldenrod City.

Of all the powerful humans, Sabrina is the type that Marshall hates the most—her natural counter.

Marshall's aim is to subtly distort and guide these people, planting the seeds of obedience deep within their hearts without their awareness, twisting their judgment, and causing their thinking to involuntarily gravitate towards the direction Marshall desires at crucial moments.

Musashi was still grumbling about how Yamato and Kosaburo had stolen the "lucrative job" that originally belonged to them.

Kojiro echoed, but a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of confusion occasionally flashed in his eyes.

The meow paused slightly as it licked its paws, seemingly pondering what it had been thinking about to say.

Even as Yamato and Kosaburo refuted the claims, the underlying suspicion and unease they harbored about Boss Sakaki's true intentions in assigning this mission were subtly amplified by this shadowy force...

Each of them has their own different plans and ideas.

These ideas and plans can interfere with each other, leading to unexpected results.

The argument continued.

But a subtle change, like a virus, has been silently sown and sprouted in the command center of Team Rocket's base.

Cross kept his head down, the shadows obscuring most of his face, making it impossible to see his expression.

Marshall's power resonated with the burning flames of anger within him.

He clenched his fists, a cruel yet gleeful smile curving his lips.

Ash... and those two damn gym leader bodyguards... just wait.

After he has completely taken control of and used the Rockets' resources to arm himself, he will definitely make them pay the price!

However, chatting and joking around is just chatting and joking around.

The Rockets members here do not have a dominant position.

Whether it's Musashi, Kojiro, Amado, Kosaburo, or Cross... they all come here essentially to serve as subordinates to the base's leader.

After Naz left.

The Team Rocket members here are finally about to make their move.

This is Golden City, after all; the people in charge here can't be some nobody.

This is different from the game center in Rainbow City, which is the headquarters of Rainbow University.

It's actually quite difficult for the Rockets to do anything significant there.

But Golden City is different.

Sabrina, the leader of Goldenrod City, is also a collaborator of Team Rocket.

They also turn a blind eye to the Rockets' activities.

of course.

That's what they say, but in reality, they still don't dare to offend Natsume.

Now that Natsumi has left...

So, according to some tacit understanding, the Rockets can begin their operation.

Amidst the intense anticipation of the crowd, the person in charge of the base finally emerged.

"Everyone, I apologize for taking up some of your time."

The speaker was Bichons, the top executive of the Rockets.

This is the highest level within the Rockets' internal normal system, second only to Giovanni.

The highest-ranking cadre among cadres.

He is also the purest member of Team Rocket, a genuine bad guy.

It can be roughly seen that he is a robust middle-aged man.

She has short, light-colored hair, a round face, and a noticeable double chin.

He wore a yellow mask with red eye patterns and a bird-beak-like protrusion.

The Rockets wore a red vest over their uniform.

The red diagonal stripe on the mask, in particular, gives it a mysterious and sinister feel.

"Now I will begin to announce the objectives and plans for this operation."

After Bishas finished speaking.

The iron gates around the hall where many Team Rocket members were located began to close.

The action plan has begun, and it cannot be revealed by accident.

Once these iron gates are closed, the inside and outside will be completely sealed off.

Ordinary radios could no longer transmit intelligence.

At the same time, everyone will begin to monitor each other to prevent any mole from leaving.

"The purpose of this gathering is related to the Shiruff Company."

"It is said that Silph Corporation is researching the strongest Poké Ball, the Master Ball."

"Our objective is to seize samples and research data."

"The so-called Master Ball is a Poké Ball that is theoretically guaranteed to catch Pokémon."

"If we get this, it will definitely be a great help to our Rockets' business."

"Therefore, I hope everyone will do their utmost in this operation."

"The organization will remember those who make outstanding contributions."

Although Bissas didn't specify what kind of reward there would be, the Rockets have always been very generous to their internal staff.

These words also motivated the members below.

There was nothing they could do; they had been locked up here for far too long.

LOL.

They were told that there was an operation in Golden City that required them to come, but after arriving, they were kept locked up in the base and not allowed to leave.

They didn't dare to wander around, for fear of being spotted by Naz.

After waiting for so long, we've finally made it through.

As they were talking, Bishas glanced at Cross and noticed something unusual.

He's the Rockets' top executive, after all; he's no dud.

However, although Bishas saw the problem, he did not intend to solve it.

how to say?

...What does the Rockets' situation have to do with his son, Bisharts?

Probably that's it.

However, they cannot defect until they have gained sufficient strength.

After all, it would be really difficult to survive without Sakaki's protection.

If Giovanni hadn't beaten Sabrina...

Then the Rockets can forget about operating normally in Golden City.