Really? Not even that?
Ash was completely stunned when he heard it. What the heck—Team Rocket members could actually challenge a Gym?
"The Gym Leaders aren't allowed to refuse any challenger who comes to request a battle. That's the first rule of being a Gym Leader," Brock explained carefully, recalling the basic regulations regarding Gym Trainers. His tone lowered as he continued, a peculiar expression forming on his face.
"Yes. In fact, the League never explicitly stated what kind of person is or isn't allowed to be a challenger."
That was true—there was no clear rule saying that members of criminal organizations couldn't issue a Gym challenge.
Perhaps it was an oversight, or perhaps the League simply thought—why would members of an evil organization ever bother to challenge an official Gym?
After all, Gyms existed as a means of testing and refining trainers. For an evil organization's member, what purpose would challenging a Gym even serve?
So, this could be considered a loophole that wasn't technically a loophole.
Besides, under normal circumstances, if someone knew the opponent was a Team Rocket member, they'd immediately try to arrest them—who would still grant them a Gym battle?
"Unbelievable! You're telling me they can really do that…?"
Ash was completely dumbfounded. When he finally came back to his senses, he ground his teeth furiously. A member of Team Rocket, right before their eyes, was going to challenge a Gym?
What kind of joke was this!
"Since you're all here to challenge the Gym, then we won't get in your way. Please, go ahead."
Brock pulled Ash back and forced a strained smile toward Lucas and his companions.
Yes—he was planning to leave Saffron Gym. He understood very well that the three of them couldn't possibly stop Lucas.
If they tried to fight, they'd just be walking to their deaths.
It was better to leave the Gym, let Sabrina hold them off for a while, and hurry to alert the Saffron City Police Department. That was the smartest move.
"What are you doing, Brock!? That guy's dangerous—how can you just—"
"Shut up, will you? Let's just go eat something."
Ash, being dragged by Brock, looked extremely dissatisfied. But before he could finish protesting, Misty cut him off sharply.
Misty more or less understood what Brock was thinking.
Lucas's lips curved slightly as he watched the trio walk past him toward the Gym entrance.
And when Misty and Brock, who had been secretly watching Lucas's every move, noticed that he didn't try to stop them, both of them quietly exhaled in relief.
Once they stepped outside the Saffron Gym—they'd run as fast as they could.
"If I were you," Lucas's calm, smiling voice suddenly sounded behind them, making them freeze in place, "I wouldn't tell Officer Jenny where I am."
"You don't actually think that an Officer Jenny on emergency dispatch can deal with me, do you? If I find out later that one of them comes to this Gym because of you—can you guess what I'd do?"
Lucas's words weren't loud, but when they reached Brock and Misty's ears, a chill ran straight down their spines.
Yes—they could report this dangerous Team Rocket executive's presence to the police, but in such a short time, could Saffron City's forces really take him down?
And if they provoked him instead—if Lucas went berserk and started destroying everything—what would happen to Saffron City then?
"Do you know why the League has never issued a wanted notice for me?"
He tilted his head slightly, his eerie smile widening as he looked at their backs.
"Surely you don't think I can walk around the city freely because the League doesn't recognize me, right?"
Fearless. Utterly fearless.
His terrifying strength was his greatest shield. Without absolute preparation, even if the League knew Lucas was eating lunch in some city, they still wouldn't dare move against him.
They couldn't risk the consequences of failure.
"This…"
Misty and Brock were not stupid. Lucas's meaning was obvious enough—even if it was hard to believe, they finally understood why he could walk so arrogantly through cities and even challenge Gyms.
This guy was simply untouchable.
"What the—what's that supposed to mean!?" Ash still didn't really get it.
"Please rest assured, we won't do anything foolish…"
Misty quickly covered Ash's mouth, her face pale as she bowed slightly toward Lucas. Then, without wasting another second, she and Brock dragged Ash out of the Gym.
They couldn't afford to mess with this person.
Someone like that—someone terrifying beyond comprehension—was not someone they could afford to provoke.
It was better to let the League deal with him. For small fry like them, the most rational thing to do was to stay far, far away.
"The two of them were completely terrified by you."
Ilene giggled softly, covering her mouth as she looked at Lucas with amusement.
Yes—it was obvious that Misty and Brock had truly been scared by that one sentence: "Can you guess what I'd do?"
If Lucas really went on a rampage in Saffron City because of them, they'd never forgive themselves.
"Otherwise, it might have caused some trouble for Sabrina. She can't afford to expose herself right now."
Lucas turned his gaze toward Sabrina. Indeed, he hadn't expected Ash to appear and issue a challenge out of nowhere.
If that caused Sabrina's identity to be exposed, it would be a serious loss for Team Rocket.
So—he could only "intimidate" the trio a little.
"Mr. Lucas, the Boss is already waiting for you inside."
Sabrina's expression didn't change as she spoke calmly to Lucas before turning to walk deeper into the Gym.
"Still as cold as ever," Lucas said with a raised brow, but he didn't mind. He simply followed behind her.
…
Meanwhile, at the entrance of Saffron Gym—
The moment they stepped outside, Misty and Brock dragged Ash and ran as fast as they could. Only after reaching a nearby street did they finally stop, gasping for breath.
That was when they realized—their backs were completely soaked with cold sweat.
"Whew… what's wrong with you two? Why are you so scared of that guy?"
Ash panted, clearly exhausted from running, and looked at them in confusion.
"Ash, could you please stop being so reckless next time?" Misty snapped, glaring at him. "We're lucky that guy didn't get angry—otherwise, we'd all be done for!"
Indeed—Ash's attitude back in the Gym had been anything but polite, and it was pure luck that Lucas hadn't taken offense.
"What are you saying, Misty? He's with Team Rocket! And he even took Green away before!"
Ash clenched his fists in frustration. In his eyes, this had nothing to do with being reckless. That guy might be strong—but so what?
He wasn't about to cower before some villain!
"Sometimes, you need to look at things rationally, Ash," Brock said with a weary sigh. "If that man had actually gotten angry, do you really think we could've stopped him?"
Brock liked Ash's pure, untainted spirit—but that same purity could sometimes come off as sheer foolishness.
Because Ash was so straightforward, he often acted purely on instinct, without thinking of the consequences.
"We… Even if we couldn't beat him, we still had that emotionless woman—and Officer Jenny too!" Ash argued stubbornly, though his voice lacked conviction.
He didn't want to admit it, but deep down, he knew that Team Rocket executive wasn't someone they could handle.
Still, it made him furious. This was Saffron City! There were so many trainers here—surely they couldn't all lose to him!
"No, Ash," Brock said gravely. "I can tell you with absolute certainty—Saffron City doesn't have the strength to defeat that man. And even if we could, have you thought about what would happen to the city during that battle? Do you think we could actually catch him?"
He shook his head, continuing in a low, steady voice.
"That's the difference between us and them. Team Rocket doesn't care what happens to Saffron City—but we do. There are countless people living here. Families. Homes. If a battle destroys everything… what then?"
Ash froze. Even he, as thick-headed as he could be, understood now what Brock was saying.
"But… but we're just going to let him do whatever he wants?"
Ash clenched his fists again, frustration boiling inside him.
It was infuriating! A member of Team Rocket, walking so arrogantly and fearlessly through the city—how could that not make him angry?
Misty sighed helplessly. "Ash, this isn't something we can interfere with. We'll come back to challenge the Gym another time."
Yes—someone of that level wasn't someone they could afford to provoke.
At the very least, from what they'd just seen, Lucas didn't seem to be here to cause trouble. That was enough—for now.
----------------------------------------------------
Inside the Saffron Gym.
Following Sabrina's lead, Lucas entered a private room. Inside, a man in an elegant black suit sat calmly before a computer, sipping coffee.
"Lucas, you're here."
Giovanni looked up with a faint smile as the door opened. His magnetic voice and composed demeanor hadn't changed in the slightest since the last time they met.
"Boss, you seem pretty relaxed. Looks like you're in a good mood," Lucas teased as he dropped onto the sofa.
"Hmm. Ever since the Celadon incident, the League has indeed increased their crackdown on Team Rocket. But I've had everyone lay low for a while, so our losses have been minimal," Giovanni replied with a nod.
For him, minimal losses were good news.
"And you, Lucas—you've had quite a few accomplishments lately, haven't you? Remarkable."
His deep eyes regarded Lucas with quiet admiration.
He had always known that Lucas was a monster—but Lucas's growth had far exceeded even his expectations.
Because now, Lucas wasn't just a powerful trainer—he was a Legendary Trainer.
The White Dragon Reshiram. The Sky Dragon Rayquaza. Two Legendary Pokémon—right out in the open.
When Giovanni first received that intel, he had been shocked. But more than that, he felt a strange sense of pride.
From the very start, he had known—this young man was destined to be extraordinary.
(End of Chapter)