Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

Compared to traditional mining giants like Pewter Mining Group at Mt. Moon or Silver Mining Group near Mt. Silver, Stone Brothers Mining Company wasn't quite on the same level.

Still, they were a well-known mining company in Kanto.

Their business focused solely on Pokémon evolution stones.

But specializing didn't mean low profits.

With the rich resources of Evolution Mountain and the help of Team Rocket to eliminate competitors, the Stone Brothers Mining Company now held a monopoly on evolution stones in Kanto, even exporting to other regions. Their annual profits exceeded billions.

"Where did they get the nerve to think they could cut us out?" Luo Yuan muttered, flipping through the documents Matori had sent him.

"That's precisely what we want you to investigate," Matori replied over the call.

"No problem, but you're going to need to assign me a few people. You don't expect me to handle this investigation alone, do you?" Luo Yuan asked.

If it was simply a matter of giving those guys a warning, he could handle it easily.

But getting to the bottom of why Stone Brothers Mining Company was behaving this way? That was going to be time-consuming...and Luo Yuan wasn't about to take all that on himself.

Matori's face took on a troubled expression. "You know as well as I do—there's a lot of heat on us right now. Plus, some of our people have been reassigned to New Island by Giovanni. Manpower is...limited."

"So, there's no one available?" Luo Yuan frowned.

He loathed tedious jobs.

"Not exactly. There are some...but they might not meet your standards," Matori said after a moment of thought.

"Send whoever you have. I'm not picky about this."

"Alright..."

---

One day later, in a forest near Evolution Mountain

Jessie, James, and Meowth were gathered, somewhat disgruntled.

Jessie, never on good terms with Matori, huffed in annoyance. "What's with that terrible woman anyway? She didn't even say what kind of mission this is. Just tells us to come here and wait."

"Come on, she's Giovanni's secretary. Show a little respect, nya," Meowth mumbled around a mouthful of rice ball.

The trio had just blown through their latest advance from Team Rocket, leaving them to scrape by on cheap rice balls.

Jessie's brow furrowed. "Whose side are you on, Meowth?"

"Well, I think Meowth's right. Besides, I heard we'll be reporting to a high-ranking officer for this mission—someone Giovanni trusts. If we do well, Giovanni might finally notice us!" James added, his eyes shining with dreams of a brighter future.

Jessie's expression softened, intrigued. "Maybe we could become executives ourselves. Then I'd never have to see that bratty secretary's face again."

"And I could drive off that Persian and be Giovanni's favorite again, nya!"

The three of them sank blissfully into their fantasies.

"..."

Luo Yuan, who had just arrived in disguise with Ditto posing as a black-haired youth, couldn't help but feel a headache forming as he watched the trio.

He really should have seen this coming.

Who else would Matori send with such a strained expression? Only this team.

Still...they were better than nothing. Unreliable as they were, they'd be more help than doing this alone.

Watching as the trio remained absorbed in their daydreams, oblivious to his presence, he cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

The trio snapped out of their reverie at once, startled.

Annoyed, they turned to find the source of the interruption.

"Who do you think you are?" Jessie snapped.

She reached for a Poké Ball, ready to teach the stranger a lesson for intruding on their little fantasy session.

But Luo Yuan's next words made them freeze in place.

"Oh, did I just hear someone badmouthing Matori?"

The three stiffened, eyes widening as they stared at Luo Yuan.

"Who...are you?"

Ordinary people wouldn't know Matori's name, and this guy spoke of her with familiarity.

"I'm the supervisor for this operation. Code name 'K.' Matori should've briefed you."

To prove his point, Luo Yuan showed them his Rocket Executive badge.

"Officer K!"

Their faces went pale as they scrambled to salute, anxiously exchanging glances.

They'd been caught red-handed.

The trio could already imagine Matori putting them through endless petty humiliations for their remarks.

Luo Yuan didn't offer them any reassurance.

After all, with his connection to Matori, letting Jessie stew a little seemed only fair. He wanted them under pressure to remind them to think before speaking out of turn.

He wasn't quite finished either.

Casually, Luo Yuan walked up to them, addressing each in turn.

"I know who you three are."

"You, Jessie. Your mother was a Rocket veteran, and you graduated from Team Rocket's Elite Academy."

"James. From a wealthy family, you ran away to avoid an arranged marriage. Another Elite Academy graduate."

"Meowth. Giovanni's former pet."

Hearing Luo Yuan calmly recite their backstories, the trio felt both anxious and flattered.

Who was this executive to know their history so well? And did this mean they were actually valued members?

"This operation is of utmost importance and could involve over a billion in funds."

"One billion...!"

Even James, coming from a wealthy background, gulped at the number. Meowth and Jessie's eyes practically sparkled.

"This mission has high stakes. I hear the organization loaned you a hefty sum recently. If we succeed, I'll clear that debt."

Luo Yuan painted an enticing picture of their future.

Not like it was his money on the line, so he could afford to promise a little.

"Really?!"

Overcome with emotion, the trio threw themselves at his feet, almost in tears.

"Of course. I have no reason to deceive you."

"But where there's reward, there's also punishment for failure." Luo Yuan's face turned icy, the chill in his tone slicing through their excitement.

Seeing his cold smile, the trio's minds cleared, as if doused with a bucket of ice water.

"Should you fail, I won't be the one you have to worry about. But for one, you'll have to repay that debt out of pocket. Second, I'd imagine Matori would be very interested in hearing the things you said about her."

"She'll never let us live it down!"

Envisioning a future under Matori's constant payback, the three huddled together, trembling.

"Good. You understand the consequences of failure—that's an excellent start."

"Now, let's move on to the next step."

---

Oh, hey there, Traveler! 🍃 My friend here is the one bringing these stories to you—quite the talent, wouldn't you agree? If anything feels off, just give them a nudge—they're always happy to make things even better.

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Here's to more adventures and endless inspiration~ 🎵