Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 48: Since You've Asked So Sincerely

"They found us!"

The suited man froze, heart pounding.

He and his subordinates had tracked the signal to this quiet alley, smugly thinking that their targets had conveniently wandered into an isolated spot.

But the moment they stepped in, they realized the truth: they'd walked into a trap.

These weren't clueless tourists—they were waiting for them.

"Who are you people?!"

Seeing no point in hiding anymore, the suited man stepped forward with his subordinates. His tone was cold, but internally, he was panicking.

Unseen, he activated a communicator, sending a distress signal back to their base while secretly starting a recording.

Asahi noticed the subtle movement but didn't stop him. Instead, he smiled faintly.

"Well, since you've asked so sincerely, it would be rude not to answer."

He turned to Green. "Darling, why don't you do the honors?"

Though they hadn't worked together long, Green had quickly adapted to Asahi's sense of humor. She smirked mischievously, instantly understanding his plan.

"We're from the Masked Corps!" she declared dramatically.

"Masked Corps?" The security chief scowled. "What kind of third-rate organization is that? You have no idea who you're messing with. Do you know what happens to those who oppose Team Rocket?"

His attempt at intimidation only earned him a derisive laugh from Asahi.

"Team Rocket? Just a local gang. Nothing to worry about. Can't handle losing a little money? No wonder your so-called organization will soon be swallowed up by the Masked Corps!"

"....."

The security chief's face turned crimson with rage. He gritted his teeth, mentally burning the name Masked Corps into his memory.

But this wasn't the time to argue.

If these two had been causing trouble intentionally, then there was no way to settle this peacefully.

"Kill them!"

He threw two Pokéballs into the air.

Out popped a familiar Arbok and a Zubat. Both lunged toward Asahi and Green from opposite sides, clearly aiming to take down the trainers themselves!

Asahi, however, didn't so much as flinch. Instead, he snapped his fingers.

In an instant, Gardevoir stepped forward from behind him.

With a soft hum, a surge of psychic energy swept through the alley.

The attacking Arbok and Zubat were frozen mid-air before being slammed into the ground, unconscious.

"What the—?!"

The security chief's back was drenched in cold sweat.

Before he could react further, Gardevoir's eyes glowed blue. Another wave of psychic energy hit the humans this time.

The suited man and his subordinates collapsed like puppets with their strings cut.

"Fools. Did you think I wouldn't see through your amateurish tactics?" Asahi dusted off his hands.

He stepped forward, picking up the communicator the man had dropped. It displayed a sent distress signal, along with an active recording.

Asahi crushed it underfoot.

"Darling," he said, turning to Green. "What do you think Team Rocket will do when they hear this was all the work of the Masked Corps?"

"No idea. But it'll definitely be entertaining!" Green said with a sly grin.

She was thoroughly enjoying this.

Asahi gestured toward the unconscious men and their Pokémon. "Gardevoir, teleport them back to base. I can't wait to share this 'great news' with my dear boss."

Ten minutes later...

Another squad of Rocket grunts arrived, only to find the alley deserted.

"What happened here?!" their leader growled.

There was no sign of the targets—only faint traces of a battle and a communicator shattered into pieces.

The leader slammed his fist against the wall. "Print sketches of their faces and alert every Rocket in Celadon City! I want them found!"

"Yes, sir!"

---

Meanwhile, Asahi calmly reported back to Lance via video call.

"...And that's how Green and I discovered Rainbow Game Corner was a Rocket operation. We also captured three members as witnesses!"

He gestured toward three suspiciously lumpy sacks in the corner of the room.

Lance's expression faltered slightly. Was it really necessary to stuff them in sacks?

But he let it slide.

"Rainbow Game Corner being a Rocket operation... I had my suspicions, but this confirms it. No wonder we've received so many complaints over the years," Lance muttered.

"Wait," Green interjected. "If the League knew about complaints, why wasn't it investigated earlier?"

Lance gave them a knowing look, but Asahi quickly changed the subject.

"Let's not dwell on that. The important thing is, I exposed my Gardevoir to them. We need to ensure the intel doesn't leak—at least for now."

"Leave it to me. I'll take the prisoners off your hands when I reach Celadon City," Lance promised.

"Good."

---

And thus, Asahi and Green had successfully caused chaos under the guise of a fake organization. The Rocket team scrambled, not realizing they'd been duped into fighting shadows.