Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 138 – Return to the Safari Zone

By the time Asahi and Green left Rainbow Gym, it was already evening.

Their conversation with Erika had been productive.

For Erika, the return of Team Rocket to Celadon was a major concern. Previously, she had been hesitant to report it due to security risks. But now, with Asahi involved, she had no such worries.

For Asahi, he had successfully won Erika over as an ally against Team Rocket.

Counting the Gym Leaders, he did a quick tally:

League-aligned Gyms: Pewter, Celadon, Saffron (after Sabrina defected), and Cerulean (sort of).

Rocket-aligned Gyms: Giovanni, Koga, Blaine (except Lt. Surge, who was already dealt with).

So… 3.5 vs. 3.

"I have the advantage!" Asahi declared confidently.

Green twitched.

…That's a very questionable way of counting.

Just as Asahi was about to find a hotel, his communicator suddenly buzzed.

A message from Sabrina.

[The Four Generals encountered the Masked Army in Johto. Ariana was severely injured; Lambda barely escaped.]

Asahi raised an eyebrow.

Finally, the trap he set for Team Rocket had sprung.

Seeing the message, Green grinned.

Not only had they hurt Team Rocket, but they'd also caused trouble for the Masked Army.

She was very happy about that.

---

Team Rocket Headquarters

Even Giovanni, who was always composed, now wore a dark expression.

His usually carefree Persian had its tail tucked between its legs, lying still on the floor, not daring to move.

This morning, he had received excellent news—significant progress in the Mewtwo project.

But the bad news from Johto had completely ruined his mood for the rest of the day.

Lambda looked tense—he had led this failed operation and bore the primary responsibility.

"Explain the situation," Giovanni said, addressing Lambda on the screen.

Lambda quickly recounted what had happened:

"...At the time, my subordinates discovered a lead on a Masked Army hideout. Ariana and I took our forces to wipe them out completely.

"At first, everything went smoothly. Aside from some grunts, they only sent a group of kids to stop us.

"But just as we were about to breach their inner base, that man with the mask appeared!"

"That man?" Giovanni raised an eyebrow.

Recalling the encounter, Lambda shuddered. "He had a Delibird, and in just one move, he froze Ariana's Arbok solid with Ice Beam. I barely managed to escape with Ariana by detonating my Weezing."

The truth was, the Masked Man had hesitated to pursue him for some reason. If he had given chase, no amount of Weezing's explosions would have saved Lambda.

Of course, Lambda conveniently left out that detail to avoid Giovanni's wrath.

Giovanni, unaware of Lambda's embellishments, focused on evaluating this newly emerged enemy's strength.

Defeating both Lambda and A with ease—this opponent was undoubtedly Champion-level.

But Giovanni had been keeping tabs on all Champion-level Trainers in Kanto and Johto. He had never heard of one specializing in Delibird.

A Johto native? Or someone from another region?

As Giovanni fell into deep thought, Lambda grew increasingly anxious.

This whole mess had been caused by his recklessness.

Had he taken the time to investigate more thoroughly, the mission might still have failed, but at least the consequences wouldn't have been this severe.

"I'm very disappointed in you, Lambda."

Giovanni's words made Lambda's heart skip a beat.

Giovanni continued, "There is an organization operating in Johto, and yet, despite being in charge of our operations there, you knew nothing about it. We had to be warned about them. Not just you—all four of my Generals have disappointed me."

By now, Giovanni was certain that someone had deliberately pushed Team Rocket into conflict with the Masked Army.

An organization that had remained hidden in Johto for years wouldn't suddenly pick a fight with them in Celadon without a reason. There was no logical benefit.

"This was our failure!" Lambda admitted quickly. "Boss Giovanni, what are your orders?"

The existence of such an unknown organization had put him and the other Generals on edge.

"Withdraw our forces in Johto. Avoid their territory for now."

"…What?"

Lambda hadn't expected such an order.

But Giovanni saw no shame in a temporary retreat.

"The Mewtwo Project is nearing completion. Once Mewtwo is created, I will use its power to eliminate all obstacles in our way."

"As for you, Lambda—this reckless move of yours will be noted. I do not want a repeat."

With that, Giovanni ended the call without giving Lambda a chance to respond.

Leaning back in his chair, Giovanni turned to a map of Kanto and Johto displayed on the screen.

Lt. Surge had been removed from Vermilion Gym, and now this new organization had surfaced in Johto.

Team Rocket, once dominant across both regions, was facing growing challenges.

Staring at the map, Giovanni's eyes turned sharp.

No matter who his enemies were, under his leadership, Team Rocket would come out on top.

"Inform Sabrina—it's time for her to head to the Seafoam Islands."

"Yes, Boss."

---

While Giovanni was making the final preparations for the Mewtwo Project, Asahi instructed Sabrina to keep monitoring Team Rocket and report back.

Meanwhile, after a brief rest in Celadon, he and Green traveled to the Safari Zone—a place he had once called home for years.

With Eevee in his arms, Asahi walked through the forest alongside Gardevoir and Green.

Gardevoir looked nostalgic, while Green curiously glanced around.

"This is where you worked as a Ranger?" Green asked.

"That's right. Looking back, that was probably the most relaxing time of my life," Asahi said with a sigh.

He had originally thought that joining the International Police would lead to an easy, laid-back career. But somehow, he had ended up becoming a department head instead.

Thinking back now, dealing with constant poachers as a Ranger had felt almost cute compared to facing Team Rocket.

As they talked, they reached a lakeside.

There, a group of Slowpoke lounged lazily on the grass, sunbathing. Several Poliwag and Poliwhirl rested nearby, adding to the peaceful scene.

But that peace didn't last.

Noticing the approaching footsteps, the Slowpoke slowly turned their heads.

At first, they didn't react.

But when they saw Asahi and Gardevoir—

Their eyes widened in alarm, as if a Shellder had suddenly latched onto their tails.

In an instant, they scrambled toward the lake at their absolute fastest speed, calling out in panic.

"Dai~ dai~!"

The Demon King and the Witch have returned! RUN!

The Poliwag and Poliwhirl reacted even faster.

The moment they spotted Gardevoir, they immediately jumped into the water.

Splash! Splash!

A series of splashes echoed across the lake, and in seconds, they had all disappeared.

"…?"

Green watched this unfold with a puzzled expression. "What's with them? Do they think we're poachers?"

That didn't seem right. They hadn't done anything suspicious. And Asahi had been a Ranger here for years—surely the local Pokémon wouldn't forget him so quickly.

Asahi's expression turned slightly awkward.

He knew exactly why they were fleeing in terror.

It all started with Gardevoir's reputation.

He coughed. "Well, in my experience as a Ranger, Safari Zone Pokémon are very sensitive to strangers. Maybe they're just shy around you."

"Wait, I called them over. Running away like that is just rude!"

Turning to Gardevoir, Asahi gave her a look.

Back when he was a Ranger, Gardevoir had practically managed these Pokémon.

Gardevoir also felt humiliated.

They had spent years together in the Safari Zone—why were these Pokémon running from her like she was some kind of monster?

Receiving Asahi's signal, Gardevoir's eyes glowed blue as she unleashed her vast psychic energy.

The lake water trembled.

Then—

The entire lake began to boil.

The Slowpoke and Poliwag, still hiding underwater, immediately realized the Witch was angry.

Memories of their past experiences resurfaced in their DNA.

Knowing there was no escape, they hesitantly surfaced, looking at Asahi and Gardevoir with pitiful, pleading eyes.

"This is Green. Say hello to my friend," Asahi introduced.

The Slowpoke trembled and spoke in unison.

"Dai~!"

A few scattered Poliwag cries joined in.

Hearing the forced, uniform greeting and seeing the strained smiles on their faces, Green's expression turned even stranger.

If you're being held hostage… just blink twice.

She had heard about how Asahi had captured a large number of poachers in the past, making him a legend among Pokémon hunters.

But looking at these wild Pokémon's reactions…

Why do they look more scared of Asahi and Gardevoir than of actual poachers?!

Just what had Asahi done when he was a Ranger?!

***

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