Two days after the New Island incident.
At the International Criminal Police Organization's Kanto Region headquarters, Instructor Black Dragon, who was in charge of training this batch of new International Police recruits, received a special letter.
After passing the International Police assessment, these rookies would be assigned to various regions based on their scores. Their missions could involve logistics, cracking down on crimes, or even espionage.
Normally, more complex missions were carried out by the elite members of the International Police.
"Two top-ranking rookies?"
Instructor Black Dragon frowned as he read the special letter. It came from a higher up, but even someone of his status didn't know which bigshot had issued it. The letter, however, made the mission requirements perfectly clear.
He was to select two International Police officers who excelled in investigation skills to form a Special Operations Squad alongside a "special individual," with the goal of targeting Kanto's largest organized crime syndicate: Team Rocket.
"Team Rocket, the same organization even the Indigo League's Elite Four can't handle, and they expect two rookies to deal with them? What are the higher-ups thinking?" Black Dragon snorted coldly, then shook his head helplessly as he began reviewing the rookie files. Though he didn't understand the reasoning behind the order, he had no choice but to follow it.
After some deliberation, he circled two names.
Lan Jenny, Jade Joy.
...
Viridian City.
Due to James, Jessie, and Meowth's reckless actions, the Viridian Gym collapsed, causing a local uproar and leading to the investigation and closure of a large number of Team Rocket facilities there. Because of the severe impact, the Indigo League had already issued a preliminary order to revoke Giovanni's Gym Leader qualification and was simultaneously preparing to appoint a temporary replacement.
During this time, two women dressed in casual clothing, their appearances deliberately concealed with their hair hidden, arrived in Viridian City.
"Jade-chan, what do you think our captain will be like?"
"No idea. But since the mission targets Team Rocket, our captain must be someone really capable, right?"
According to the information they received, the captain of this Special Operations Squad possessed the authority of a quasi–special-class investigator, a very prestigious rank.
When they arrived at the rendezvous point, the two women saw the man who would be their future superior—Terrance.
"Tch."
Seeing the two young women, who looked only slightly younger or perhaps the same age as himself, Terrance couldn't help but feel exasperated.
Due to the situation involving the totem aura, Terrance had previously established some cooperative ties with the International Police and was even acquainted with a few high-ranking officers. This time, in order to investigate Team Rocket, he had asked Mr. Looker for two people, but hadn't expected to be sent two green rookies instead.
"Team Rocket, huh… What, did they provoke you or something? That organization runs deep. You might be able to wipe out a couple of their smaller bases, but it's best not to get too entangled."
Mr. Looker had been concerned that Terrance, being young and headstrong, might not handle his dealings with Team Rocket properly, and had repeatedly warned him.
Because Team Rocket's influence was so vast, even though Terrance requested assistance, the International Police couldn't fully cooperate. They only sent him two promising rookies as a form of perfunctory support, much to Terrance's frustration.
"Forget it. I'll test them first. If they're not up to standard, I might as well work alone."
As Terrance observed them, the two International Police rookies, Lan Jenny and Jade Joy, were also sizing him up.
While Terrance was looking down on them, they naturally harbored doubts about their new superior's abilities as well.
After briefly showing their identification to each other, the two International Police rookies exchanged glances, then stood at attention and saluted Terrance in greeting.
"There's no need for formalities. Just follow me from here."
After parting ways with Professor Oak and Ash's group back in Pallet Town, Terrance had not rushed to participate in Pokémon Contests. Instead, he planned to first investigate Team Rocket's activities.
Because of the Ralts incident, it was already confirmed beyond doubt that Master Victor had dealings with Team Rocket. However, Terrance had no idea what Master Victor's current situation was. As his disciple, though, Terrance felt it was necessary to investigate, just to be safe.
Yet against such a massive criminal organization, even with his considerable combat power, Terrance had zero experience in investigative work. Without help, there was nothing he could accomplish.
And so, two International Police officers had been assigned to report to him and form a Special Operations Squad together.
...
Viridian Forest.
The two rookies followed behind Terrance with puzzled expressions.
Ever since they met, Terrance had told them to stay close and then, without looking back, headed straight into the depths of Viridian Forest.
Lan and Jade couldn't make sense of their new superior's odd behavior. In the end, they decided not to dwell on it; after all, it was probably just some kind of intimidation tactic, a scenario they'd encountered far too many times before.
Inside the forest, the dense canopy made it difficult for sunlight to penetrate, shrouding the area in dim light.
The two followed Terrance for a long time. Surrounded by the natural maze of trees, Lan and Jade gradually began to lose their bearings. After several turns, they had completely lost their sense of direction.
They had received special training for operations in enclosed environments, but those exercises had always involved the assistance of Pokémon or specialized instruments. Now, relying solely on eyesight and memory, and without any preparation, they no longer remembered which way led out.
Still, at this point, all they needed to do was stick close to Terrance. With that in mind, they quickened their pace to keep up. The forest terrain was rough, far more exhausting than walking on flat ground. Although both had undergone physical endurance training and could manage, what surprised them was that Terrance didn't seem the least bit tired. On the contrary, his pace was gradually increasing.
It seemed their new superior was no ordinary person after all…
That thought had barely crossed their minds when they both abruptly stopped. In the blink of an eye, Terrance's figure had vanished from sight.
"Where's the captain…?" Jade looked around, her hand instinctively moving to the Poké Ball at her waist. The moment Terrance disappeared, she felt the surrounding environment grow darker and more oppressive.
"Jade-chan, did you notice? This whole time, everything's gone way too smoothly. We haven't encountered a single Pokémon, not even one. And even stranger, aside from the sound of leaves rustling, we haven't heard anything else…"
Lan had also sensed something was off. She pulled out a Poké Ball and released her Sandslash.
"You come out too, Gengar." Jade's expression grew tense as she scanned their surroundings.
With a soft rustling sound, the two women calmed down. By now, they could tell this was their new superior's way of testing them.
Still, the method he chose caught them completely off guard.
Rustle, rustle~~
Rustle, rustle~~
The sound of rustling leaves grew louder. The two women and their Pokémon watched their surroundings warily. Then, as a yellow figure darted toward them, Jade immediately shouted an order.
"Gengar, Hypnosis!"
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