NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Resolution
Marlon tossed an Ultra Ball, successfully capturing the Rhydon. Just moments earlier, Ninetales' fierce flames not only dealt with many of the Ghost Vine Poachers and their Pokémon but also directed most of its strength at the Rhydon.
On the surface, it appeared as though the Rhydon had been freed from the tangling grip of Vileplume's vines.
In truth, however, it was Ninetales' fiery assault that became the final straw, overwhelming the Rhydon.
The remaining elite wild Pokémon stood frozen, uncertain whether to continue the fight or flee.
It wasn't until Charizard let out a thunderous roar that they made the wise decision: to turn tail and run.
With the instigators of the chaos subdued, the already weakened rampage dissipated further.
In less than an hour, the entire uprising was brought under control, and by then, night had fully fallen.
The trainers and Pokémon injured during the incident were promptly transported by the rangers to the nearest town for treatment.
As one of the key contributors to the resolution, Ron received better treatment than most. He was personally escorted by the rangers, who promised additional rewards aside from the contribution points he had earned.
Sitting in the ranger vehicle surrounded by their team, Ron silently prayed that the Pokédex provided by Team Rocket would hold up to scrutiny. Otherwise, escape would be impossible.
Upon reaching the ranger outpost, the staff immediately offered to heal Ron's Pokémon.
Despite Machoke and the others not sustaining any serious injuries, they needed proper care and rest after prolonged battles.
To avoid revealing his own aura powers (Fighting Aura) and to demonstrate his sincerity, Ron accepted their help without hesitation. After giving clear instructions for Machoke and the others, he handed over his Poké Balls.
Once it was confirmed that Ron himself was unharmed, a ranger escorted him to a private room, informing him that someone wanted to meet with him.
Adopting a "when in Rome" attitude, Ron sat down and began to rest, closing his eyes.
Meanwhile, the rangers started investigating Ron's background, only to find no irregularities whatsoever.
With Giovanni backing him, how could there be flaws in Ron's cover?
It wasn't just the local outpost—no Champion or Elite Four member in the Pokémon League could uncover anything suspicious in his records.
Team Rocket hadn't simply fabricated a new identity for Ron. Instead, they had carefully modified his existing one, making it nearly impossible to detect any inconsistencies.
About half an hour later, just as Ron's stomach began to rumble with hunger, the door finally opened.
"Hello, Ron. My name is Matthew, and I'm the captain of this ranger outpost. Here are your Pokémon—they've fully recovered and are in top condition."
Turning around, Ron saw a burly man clad in a ranger uniform.
The man's bronze skin and calloused hands were clear indicators of his dedication to his work.
"Thank you. May I ask what you wanted to speak with me about?"
Taking back his Poké Balls, Ron got straight to the point.
"Take a seat, and no need to be so formal. I've heard about your exceptional performance from my team, so I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in joining us as a ranger."
"Rest assured, with someone as talented as you, we'd provide the best training and career opportunities. We'd make sure you only grow stronger. What do you think?"
Under normal circumstances, becoming a ranger required passing a rigorous selection process before earning a spot on the team.
But after watching footage of Ron's performance during the rampage, Matthew realized he had encountered a rare talent.
In Pokémon battles where the combatants' strengths were evenly matched, victory often hinged on the trainer's command and situational awareness—skills that required both experience and innate talent.
Some trainers, despite countless battles, remained stuck at a certain level, unable to improve.
Others, with less experience, could make remarkable decisions and perform brilliantly in battle.
Matthew was convinced that Ron belonged to the latter group.
In particular, the agility displayed by his Machoke and Persian further demonstrated Ron's skill in training Pokémon.
Determined to recruit such a talent, Matthew extended his invitation, hoping to prevent other organizations from poaching Ron.
Ron, however, remained calm, carefully weighing the pros and cons of joining the rangers.
His ultimate goal was to infiltrate the Pokémon League's upper echelons.
Joining the rangers seemed like an excellent stepping stone; Matthew's high regard for him indicated that he would be well-supported within the organization.
As a ranger, Ron would have opportunities to interact with wild Pokémon and confront Pokémon poachers, ensuring a steady stream of battles to enhance his own strength.
Once his power reached a certain threshold, he could aim for a leadership position within the rangers, a move that would undoubtedly please Team Rocket.
The only downside was his current strength. Joining the rangers would require starting from the ground up, and his journey had only just begun.
At the very least, he wanted to participate in the Indigo Plateau Conference before making any commitments.
"Thank you for the offer, but my journey has just begun. I'd like to compete in the Indigo League first," Ron said firmly, meeting Matthew's gaze. "However, I assure you that after the Indigo League, the rangers will be my top choice. I'm willing to face any challenge to join your ranks."
"Good! Young trainers should seize every opportunity to grow. I respect your decision," Matthew replied.
"How about this: I'll list you as a provisional member of the rangers. When you're ready to join, this status will give you a head start."
To secure Ron's commitment, Matthew was willing to bend the rules.
With this provisional status, other groups, such as law enforcement or investigation teams, would find it much harder to recruit Ron.
"Of course! After I claim first place at the Indigo League, I'll join the rangers without hesitation."
Ron agreed without further resistance.
"Great! I'll be cheering for you when the tournament begins!"
Matthew stood up and praised Ron, but before he could say more, Ron's stomach growled loudly.
Even Ron, with his usual composure, couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Haha, my bad! I forgot you haven't had dinner yet," Matthew said with a hearty laugh. "Come on, let me take you to the mess hall. You'll love the ranger meals—we promise they'll fill you up."
Grinning, Matthew led Ron toward the dining area.
Matthew's straightforward and enthusiastic personality left a positive impression on Ron, further solidifying his belief that joining the rangers would be a wise decision.
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