Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

Faced with Golisopod's Razor Shell and Vikavolt's Thunderbolt, Luo Yuan's response was direct and overwhelming.

With a simple wave of his hand, five Poké Balls, encased in a shimmering psychic glow, shot into the air.

From them emerged Charizard, Aerodactyl, Garchomp, Slowbro, and Sylveon.

Luo Yuan had just released five Pokémon at once.

Counting Dragonite and Mimikyu, already on the field, the battle had suddenly become a 7v2.

Golisopod, mid-swing with its Razor Shell aimed at Mimikyu, abruptly found itself staring down an entire team of Pokémon.

Charizard unleashed Flamethrower.

Aerodactyl rained down Rock Slide.

Garchomp fired Dragon Pulse.

Slowbro blasted Water Gun.

Sylveon let loose Hyper Voice.

Before Golisopod could even react, the combined attacks overwhelmed it in a devastating barrage.

Without a single sound, Golisopod collapsed, completely incapacitated.

Guzma stared at the scene, his ace lying unconscious on the ground. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

What just happened?

He felt as though Luo Yuan had just demonstrated the true meaning of a numbers advantage.

Fake outnumbering the enemy: send two Pokémon to gang up on one.

True outnumbering the enemy: send every Pokémon you have, overwhelming your opponent completely.

"So," Luo Yuan said, his tone playful. "You were demanding I hand over Lillie and threatening me with consequences?"

Guzma clenched his teeth.

The sheer number of Pokémon surrounding Luo Yuan, combined with his mocking tone, made the leader of Team Skull feel like a cornered rat.

"You..." Guzma growled.

The Pokémon League's rules stated that Trainers could only carry six Pokémon at a time.

Yet here was Luo Yuan, a supposed Elite Four member, flagrantly breaking those very rules.

"You're an Elite Four member, yet you're blatantly violating the League's regulations!" Guzma snapped, desperately trying to find moral high ground.

"Oh?" Luo Yuan tilted his head, his smile widening. "League rules? Which League?

"If you're referring to Johto's, then I'm sorry to tell you—my words are the rules in Johto."

The statement was as arrogant as it was true.

In Johto, Luo Yuan's authority often carried more weight than even Champion Lance's.

Guzma had no retort.

He prided himself on being brash and domineering, but Luo Yuan had completely redefined what it meant to be a tyrant.

The worst part? Coming from Luo Yuan, the claim didn't sound like an exaggeration—it sounded like cold, hard fact.

The realization left Guzma stewing in frustration. He couldn't win in a battle. He couldn't win in an argument. The utter helplessness of being outclassed on every level was maddening.

By all logic, I should retreat now, Guzma thought. Cut my losses, regroup, and fight another day.

But that wasn't how Guzma operated.

He had bragged to Lusamine about teaching Luo Yuan a lesson and retrieving Lillie. If he slinked back now, his reputation would be in tatters.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Guzma glanced toward the beach, hoping his grunts might salvage the mission by capturing Lillie.

Instead, he saw a scene that crushed whatever hopes he had left.

Sabrina was floating serenely in midair, idly twirling a strand of her hair.

Before her stood Plumeria and her Salazzle, barely holding their ground against Sabrina's Alakazam.

Behind them, the rest of Team Skull's grunts were slumped on the ground, their eyes vacant.

Hypnotized and rendered completely motionless, they were nothing more than lifeless puppets.

No matter how loudly Guzma yelled, none of them responded.

Team Skull had been utterly routed.

How did it come to this? Guzma thought, his disbelief growing.

He had brought nearly every capable member of Team Skull to this fight, yet the operation had ended in absolute failure.

Not only had he failed to capture Lillie, but he'd also lost over a dozen grunts in the process.

And if the fight dragged on, he risked losing even more—including himself.

Defeat was undeniable.

As his rage subsided, logic returned. Guzma realized if he didn't retreat now, he might not get another chance.

"You just wait! I'll be back for you!" Guzma barked, throwing out an empty threat before turning and fleeing the beach without looking back.

Plumeria hesitated for a moment, glancing at her hypnotized comrades, but ultimately followed Guzma, her frustration plain on her face.

In mere moments, the beach was quiet again, save for Luo Yuan's group and the incapacitated Team Skull members.

Watching Guzma retreat, Luo Yuan chuckled. "The criminal organizations in Alola sure are pathetic," he remarked.

Compared to Team Rocket, Guzma's Team Skull was laughable. He couldn't even measure up to some of the lesser-known leaders in other regions.

Back with the group, Lana and the others finally let out a collective sigh of relief.

Their gazes turned to Luo Yuan, filled with admiration.

Lillie, in particular, looked at him with sparkling eyes, her gratitude and awe unmistakable.

Sabrina floated down beside Luo Yuan, her voice echoing in his mind through telepathy.

"Why didn't you capture Guzma? You had plenty of opportunities."

Luo Yuan smiled faintly. "I'm an Elite Four member from Johto. I don't have the authority to enforce laws in Alola."

He waved a hand dismissively. "That's a job for Matori."

Unbeknownst to Sabrina, Luo Yuan had already notified Matori the moment Guzma arrived on the beach.

By now, Guzma was likely running straight into her—and Mewtwo.

---

Meanwhile, Guzma and Plumeria had retreated to Team Skull's hideout on the outskirts of Hau'oli City.

"Damn it!" Guzma roared, slamming his fist onto a table.

Luo Yuan's blatant disregard for the League's rules had turned the entire battle on its head.

Not only had Guzma failed to capture Lillie, but he had also lost most of his best grunts in the process.

Plumeria sat nearby, her expression dark.

Counting today's losses, Team Skull had lost over forty members to Luo Yuan.

For an organization as small as theirs, such a blow was devastating.

"If we don't figure out a way to get our people back, this could ruin us," Plumeria muttered.

Guzma nodded grimly. He couldn't face Lusamine empty-handed. Even if he couldn't defeat Luo Yuan, he needed to find a way to bring Lillie back.

But just as he began devising a plan, a deafening crash interrupted his thoughts.

The hideout's front door was torn apart with a resounding BOOM, blown to splinters by an incredible force.

---

T/N: Finally a charizard sighting...

...

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:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

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 ✨