You can actually do that?
After listening to Luo Yuan's advice, Koga realized how limited his thinking had been.
For years, he'd viewed League duties as separate from Team Rocket's work—handling League matters during the day and Rocket matters at night, keeping the two entirely distinct.
This rigid separation had left him exhausted.
But Luo Yuan's insights illuminated a new perspective: League work and Rocket work were both just work.
Why not outsource the tasks he couldn't conveniently handle for the League to Team Rocket instead?
Koga's thoughts began to expand. Even small, innocuous Rocket tasks—like gathering non-classified information—could be handed off to League officials under the guise of their duties.
By acting as a middleman, he could save himself a ton of effort while still completing both sets of assignments.
It was perfect.
The burdens that had been weighing down Koga's shoulders suddenly lifted as if they'd never existed.
Now he understood why Luo Yuan, despite joining Rocket after him, had risen to become its second-in-command while he remained a mid-level officer.
"I get it now!" Koga exclaimed, his expression one of enlightenment, as though he'd just achieved mastery over a profound truth.
He cheerfully ended the call and immediately went to work reorganizing his tasks.
"Sigh, being Rocket's second-in-command is no easy job," Luo Yuan muttered to himself as he poured a glass of milk, taking a long sip.
Still, it was a relief that Lance hadn't burdened Lorelei with additional work. At least he respected his elders enough to avoid that.
---
Southern Kanto Sea
Rocket's New Island Base
Compared to the New Island base Luo Yuan had seen in the past, this one was far more expansive.
To ensure the island's safety, fog generators had been installed, shrouding the island in perpetual mist to evade detection from League satellites.
Whirr...
A hovercraft descended from the skies, its downdraft flattening the grass around the landing pad.
As the craft touched down, Luo Yuan and Sabrina stepped out, flanked by two rows of saluting Rocket grunts. Their boots met the solid ground of New Island.
Waiting for them at the base entrance was Matori.
"Really? Did it have to be this elaborate?" Luo Yuan asked as he walked alongside Sabrina and Matori. He'd never been one for pomp and ceremony.
"I'm here to welcome Sabrina," Matori replied with a dramatic eye roll. She quickly moved to Sabrina's side and began chatting with her in a hushed tone.
"...."
Luo Yuan blinked. So much for being the center of attention.
Sabrina, noticing his expression, covered her mouth as she chuckled softly.
Luo Yuan didn't mind. He had plenty of chances to turn the tables later.
Matori, however, caught an ominous vibe from Luo Yuan's glance, sending a chill down her spine.
Before she could ponder it further, Luo Yuan strode ahead into the base.
---
The New Island base was one of Rocket's largest research hubs. Including staff, security, and their families, over 5,000 people lived and worked there.
Such a massive operation was only possible because Rocket owned several Kanto- and Johto-based corporations, as well as investments in hotels and amusement parks, providing consistent annual revenue.
Otherwise, just covering salaries would have bankrupted the organization.
"Where's Blaine?" Luo Yuan asked, turning to Matori, who had returned to her usual professional demeanor.
He was here primarily for Mewtwo's Mega Evolution Stone Y.
"Blaine is still in the lab," Matori replied. "He's been waiting for you."
To be precise, Blaine was waiting for Mewtwo.
Since Mewtwo stayed with Luo Yuan, there wasn't much difference between waiting for the Pokémon and its Trainer.
Following Matori, Luo Yuan entered the laboratory. Blaine, already informed of their arrival, greeted him with a complicated expression.
Years ago, Luo Yuan had forcibly recruited Blaine, making him the main reason Blaine was stuck working for Rocket again.
But at the same time, without Rocket's research facilities, Blaine wouldn't have been able to stabilize the Mewtwo cells in his body.
If those cells hadn't been neutralized, his survival would have been far from guaranteed.
Luo Yuan, oblivious to Blaine's inner turmoil, greeted him cheerfully. "Long time no see, Blaine!"
"It has been a while," Blaine replied, pushing aside his mixed feelings and leading Luo Yuan into another lab.
From a secure safe, Blaine retrieved a small box.
Opening it, he revealed a shimmering stone radiating multicolored light.
"This is..."
"Yes, Mewtwo's Mega Evolution Stone. Dr. Xebo and I created it after extensive research. It allows Mewtwo to Mega Evolve into its Y form."
Developing the stone had required extensive resources, including several evolution stones from other Pokémon species.
Its value surpassed that of any ordinary Mega Evolution Stone.
Luo Yuan nodded, picking up the stone. It felt no different from a standard evolution stone in his hand.
"Shall we give it a try?" Luo Yuan asked, glancing at Matori.
Already anticipating his intentions, Matori led the group to the base's combat training grounds.
---
The training ground had been cleared out in advance.
Luo Yuan released Mewtwo from its Poké Ball.
The Psychic Pokémon emerged, holding a book in its hands. Even inside its Poké Ball, Mewtwo hadn't stopped its intellectual pursuits.
Realizing it was outside, Mewtwo looked around, pausing briefly on Blaine before turning to Luo Yuan.
"What is it?"
Though it had returned to its birthplace and seen one of its creators, Blaine, Mewtwo's demeanor remained calm. Its vast study of philosophy and theology had left it with a deep, almost transcendent peace.
Luo Yuan studied Mewtwo, thinking that if it ever decided to renounce everything and attain enlightenment, he wouldn't be surprised.
"Let's try this!" Luo Yuan said, tossing the Mega Evolution Stone to Mewtwo.
Using its psychic abilities, Mewtwo caught the stone, turning it over in its hand.
Luo Yuan then activated his psychic connection with Mewtwo, synchronizing their energies.
With a flick of the Key Stone on his wrist, the synchronization triggered a response from the Mega Evolution Stone in Mewtwo's grasp.
Brilliant light enveloped Mewtwo's body, its form shifting rapidly.
Within seconds, the light dissipated, revealing Mewtwo in its new, Y-shaped Mega Evolution form.
---
...
If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.
Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into something beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!
If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:
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Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.
Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.
– Syr ✨