Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

After hearing Luo Yuan's words, Lorelei gave a small nod.

As Luo Yuan had mentioned, the presence of Team Rocket in Johto was several times more rampant than in Kanto. It was precisely for this reason that Lance had been sent to manage Johto after becoming Champion.

With the current operation concluded, Luo Yuan had fully demonstrated his capabilities. At least in Lorelei's eyes, he had performed admirably.

To her, it seemed Luo Yuan no longer needed her guidance.

And with this achievement, his future position as an Elite Four member would undoubtedly be seen as more credible.

"So, Lorelei, how do you plan to handle the captured Rocket members?" Luo Yuan asked.

Standing nearby, Da Zhi discreetly pricked up his ears. He wanted to gather information on the prisoners' whereabouts to report back to his superiors and arrange a rescue.

"Considering the recent uptick in Team Rocket activity," Lorelei replied, "I've decided to personally oversee these Rocket members until Kanto sends a chartered flight to transfer them to the League headquarters."

In previous cases, Rocket members who had been captured often managed to escape mid-transport.

Lorelei was determined to avoid another failure.

"I see," Luo Yuan said with a smile. "I might not be able to join you on the flight back to Kanto. Sevii Island has such beautiful scenery that I invited my girlfriend here for a little vacation."

Hearing this, Lorelei paused before asking, "Your girlfriend—is it Sabrina?"

She recalled seeing Luo Yuan and Sabrina together at the League headquarters during a recent meeting.

"Yes..."

Of course, Sabrina wasn't Luo Yuan's only girlfriend, but Lorelei wasn't wrong either.

Lorelei smiled faintly. "In that case, let me recommend a few good vacation spots on Sevii Island."

---

After temporarily detaining the Rocket members at the police station, Luo Yuan and Lorelei had a meal together before heading to the airport.

To ensure safety and prevent any hijacking attempts, the League had arranged for a private charter flight, which would head directly to the Indigo Plateau.

Standing in the forest near the runway, Luo Yuan watched the plane preparing for takeoff through a pair of binoculars.

As if sensing his thoughts, Matori's voice crackled through his earpiece.

"Luo Yuan, if it's too troublesome, we can call off the rescue for now. These grunts don't have access to critical information, and we can always bail them out one by one later."

Lorelei's choice of air transport made a rescue operation far more challenging. Matori's suggestion was certainly the simplest course of action, aligning with Rocket's usual response to low-priority captures.

But Luo Yuan shook his head.

"Leaving them to rot while we stay silent? How do you think that would make Team Rocket look to other organizations?

"Just look at how Team Flare started pushing us around when we stayed quiet for a little while. If we let this slide, even the likes of Team Skull might think they can challenge us."

Matori considered his point and conceded it made sense, though she still had an inkling that something felt off about his reasoning.

"So, what's your plan?" she asked.

Luo Yuan smiled as he watched the plane accelerate down the runway.

"Simple. I'm going to break them out."

"?"

Matori was baffled.

Planes typically flew at altitudes of 7,000 to 8,000 meters. How did Luo Yuan intend to conduct a rescue at such heights?

"Don't worry about it," Luo Yuan replied.

As he spoke, he patted the jacket he was wearing. The material squirmed and shimmered before morphing into a Ditto, which slid into its Poké Ball.

Luo Yuan then pulled a set of gear from his backpack—the high-tech Hunter suit he hadn't used much since acquiring Ditto.

Designed by Matori herself, the suit was built with extreme conditions in mind.

It could withstand impacts, high temperatures, and freezing cold. Most importantly, it was equipped with an oxygen supply, precisely what Luo Yuan needed now.

Donning the suit, Luo Yuan secured an oxygen mask and attached a small oxygen tank and pressurization system.

What looked like a flashy outfit transformed into a functional spacesuit capable of keeping him alive for an hour, even in the depths of the ocean or the vacuum of space.

Finally, Luo Yuan pulled out Dragapult's Poké Ball and released it.

"Dragapult, I'm counting on you!"

Climbing onto Dragapult's back, Luo Yuan patted its sleek body. With a low growl and two excited cries from the Dreepy on its head, Dragapult shot into the sky, chasing the ascending plane at an incredible speed.

---

Seated near a window, Lorelei gazed at the passing clouds, occasionally glancing back at the restrained Rocket members.

By all accounts, the situation seemed secure. In just three hours, they would land at League headquarters on the Indigo Plateau.

Yet, for some reason, she couldn't shake a lingering sense of unease.

"Da Zhi, how are things in the back? Any problems?"

Lorelei asked, turning to Da Zhi, who had just finished inspecting the Rocket members.

"Everything's fine. No issues," Da Zhi replied earnestly.

Lorelei nodded. As a League investigator, Da Zhi was among the best in his cohort. She trusted his abilities and judgment.

Unbeknownst to her, Da Zhi had just ended a call with his superior.

Despite following orders, he couldn't help but question their logic.

"Stay on the plane, await reinforcements, and cooperate with the operation? At this altitude? What kind of reinforcements could possibly arrive here?"

At 8,000 meters, oxygen levels were dangerously low. Da Zhi found it hard to believe any form of support could materialize at such heights.

Until—

"What's that?"

Lorelei's eyes widened as she stared out the window, her face filled with disbelief.

A figure clad in black armor rode atop a Dragapult, flying parallel to the plane.

To her shock, the figure turned toward her and waved.

Da Zhi, meanwhile, finally understood the meaning of his earlier orders.

"So this is what they meant by reinforcements. Rocket's incredible..."