Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

After greeting Gengar, Luo Yuan began studying his new companion.

Gengar's texture felt somewhat like a semi-firm silicone doll. The feel was better than Charmeleon but slightly inferior to Dratini.

Luo Yuan's focus, however, was on examining Gengar's unique abilities.

First, as a "Ghost Pokémon," Gengar could merge into any shadow it encountered. This ability was exceptionally useful—perfect for ambushing enemies with near-invincibility.

With Dragapult for head-on battles and Gengar for ambushes from behind, Luo Yuan was confident that even the most seasoned trainers would fall into his trap.

Another ability he noted was Gengar's storage capacity.

Gengar's body functioned like a spatial storage bag, holding a large volume of items and allowing him to retrieve them anytime.

"From now on, you'll be in charge of our portable storage," Luo Yuan said, patting Gengar on the shoulder.

He had long wanted to rid himself of that heavy backpack. Although his physique, strengthened by the Rocket boot camp, was above average, he still found the weight tiring.

Now that he had Gengar, he could finally give his shoulders a rest.

"Gaa~?"

Gengar felt like he was being put to rather strange use.

But his cheerful nature kept him from thinking too much about it. He promptly floated over to Dratini and continued to tease it.

Dratini was startled a few times at first, but once it grew used to Gengar's antics, it stopped being afraid.

Eventually, it even nudged Luo Yuan to release Charmeleon so the three Pokémon could run out to the suite's outdoor pool and play.

Leaving the trio to their antics, Luo Yuan opened his laptop and carefully reviewed the dossier Amai had sent him on the S.S. Anne.

The S.S. Anne, a world-renowned luxury cruise ship, had eight levels in total.

The captain's quarters were located at the front of the sixth floor, while the ship's security staff patrolled the lower levels from the third floor.

This time, Hoenn's elite, Drake, was assigned to transport the Mega Stones and Key Stones, staying in a standard ocean-view room on the fourth floor with his team.

"Hoenn League really is stingy; even an Elite doesn't get a suite when on assignment."

The cruise's cabins ranged from interior cabins to ocean-view rooms, balcony cabins, and luxury suites.

Luo Yuan, who always enjoyed top-class accommodations on his trips, felt that Drake's situation could only be described as 'frugal.'

Comparing the treatment of Rocket personnel to that of the Hoenn League, Luo Yuan felt even more certain he'd made the right choice in joining Team Rocket.

"According to the plan Sabrina and I discussed, she'll lead the main squad to neutralize the S.S. Anne's security and take control of the vessel. I'll lead the elite team to occupy Drake and wait for Sabrina to meet up with us."

He looked over Drake's cabin location and booked a luxury suite under a fake identity near his target's room.

---

Vermilion City

Another coastal city, Vermilion City was starkly different from Cerulean City.

If Cerulean was a tourist city full of romance and cultural charm, Vermilion was built on the pillars of economy and progress, hosting the largest passenger and cargo port in all of Kanto.

Vermilion Gym

Watching a young trainer cradling a paralyzed Pidgey as he ran tearfully toward the Pokémon Center, Luo Yuan shook his head.

Trainers these days just weren't what they used to be.

Who brings a Flying-type Pidgey to challenge an Electric-type gym? What were they expecting?

Maybe Lt. Surge's Raichu was sick today? Or perhaps it hadn't charged up last night?

They'd never faced the real brutality of the world.

Lost in thought, Luo Yuan pushed open the gym's doors.

The gym was nearly empty, likely due to Surge's reputation for not holding back in battles.

As Luo Yuan entered, a gym staff member came over. "How can I help you?"

"Hi, I'm a new trainer here to challenge the gym!" Luo Yuan replied with a smile.

The staff member didn't seem suspicious. "Ah, a new trainer—please wait here."

The staff led Luo Yuan to the challenger's position on the battlefield and then pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Lt. Surge, another new trainer is here to challenge the gym."

"Hmm? Another gutsy rookie, huh? Can't a guy get a break around here?"

Lt. Surge sounded irritable over the walkie-talkie. "I'll be there in a sec."

Luo Yuan heard him giving some instructions and waited patiently in the challenger's spot.

After a full ten minutes, Lt. Surge entered, clad in his usual jacket with golden hair gleaming.

"Alright, let's see which baby—"

Surge's sentence stopped abruptly as he recognized Luo Yuan, swallowing the rest of his words.

"Hmm? Gym Leader Surge, what were you saying? Feel free to finish your thought."

Luo Yuan smiled.

"Ahem..."

Lt. Surge coughed twice, signaling the staff member to keep an eye on the gym entrance.

Then, he whispered, "Luo Yuan, why are you here early? I'm still setting things up."

If any of Surge's subordinates were present, they'd be shocked.

Their gym leader, the notoriously short-tempered Lt. Surge and a high-ranking Rocket member, was actually... intimidated by this young man?

Yes, Surge looked almost afraid or cautious around Luo Yuan.

"I'm supposed to be challenging the gyms as a new trainer per Giovanni's request, right?" Luo Yuan chuckled. "So I came to challenge you."

"Quit joking," Surge scoffed. "I'm no match for you."

This wasn't false modesty from Surge—it came from bitter experience.

A little over a year ago, Giovanni had promoted Luo Yuan to a high-ranking position within Team Rocket, sparking controversy within the organization.

Surge had been among the voices of doubt.

He'd proposed a battle, saying that if Luo Yuan could hold out against him for thirty minutes, he'd acknowledge him as a high-ranking Rocket officer.

What followed was a fierce showdown at Rocket Headquarters.

The battle cemented Luo Yuan's position as a senior officer, while Surge became infamous within Rocket for his loss, turning sheepish every time he saw Luo Yuan.

"If you need a badge, I can just give it to you," Surge offered, already reaching for his badge case.

"No."

Luo Yuan stopped him.

Who knew if the system would recognize a badge earned this way?

Seeing Surge's confusion, Luo Yuan quickly came up with an excuse. "Right now, I'm not supposed to know you. We'd better battle it out."

"And, in my current disguise, I can't use Dragapult. Aren't you just a little tempted for some payback?"

Luo Yuan coaxed him gently.

"Really? You're serious...?"

Surge's mouth said no, but his actions betrayed him.

His eyes sparkled with barely hidden excitement.

If Luo Yuan was serious, this was his golden opportunity to redeem himself.

---

T/N: woah irys 3d concert for her anniversary! (already watched it :D)