Chapter 233: The Dragon King Returns, Ruling Over Kanto
November 10th, Saturday.
After packing up, Lu Ye and his Pokémon were ready to depart. The Pokémon Company was running smoothly under Oleana's management. The weather was clear. Pulling his suitcase, Lu Ye headed to the airport with Gengar floating at his back.
"Bui~" Sylveon sat elegantly on top of the suitcase, cheeks puffed. Not being able to perch on his shoulder—totally unacceptable! (◦`~´◦)
The trip to Kanto was about four hours. Once on the plane, Lu Ye closed his eyes. Meanwhile, Gengar stretched out its tongue, licking its in-flight meal clean before pulling an ice-cold soda from its dimensional belly. "Gengar! (*≧▽≦)"
Time passed quickly. "Are we there?" he yawned. "Let's go, Gengar." "Gengar!" Gengar pressed its face against the window, gazing at the approaching land, eyes sparkling. New Trainers, new Gyms… Here comes Gengar!
Viridian City, Kanto.
A young girl with a yellow ponytail looked up, then pushed her bicycle toward Saffron City. She glanced at her phone and typed.
Yellow: "Teacher Lu, have you arrived?"
Saffron City Airport.
Lu Ye, pulling his suitcase, looked around with a hint of nervousness. "Just got off the plane and am heading to the main hall."
"I'll be there soon!" On the other end, Yellow hopped onto her bike and sped away.
Meanwhile, huddled in a corner, three figures peeked out. "Where's the boss?" "That's him, meow." "Wait, why is he being questioned by Officer Jenny?!" James panicked. "We have to save him!"
"You idiot!" Jessie smacked James on the head. "That's the same Officer Jenny from our last drill—she and the boss go way back!"
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet popped out excitedly, only to be shoved back down.
"Did you hear something?" Officer Jenny glanced around. "Probably just a traveler," Lu Ye chuckled awkwardly, sneaking a glance toward the corner. The classic trench coats, hats, sunglasses… their disguises are so obvious!
A man in a brown trench coat approached and shook Lu Ye's hand. "Finally caught you!"
"Huh?"
"Ahem… Force of habit," Looker cleared his throat. "I mean, welcome to Kanto!"
"No need to go out of your way," Lu Ye smiled.
"Of course there is! You're one of us, after all!" Looker grinned.
Officer Jenny glanced between them, surprised. "Teacher Lu, you're a member of Interpol?"
"That's right," Looker rubbed his chin. "Technically, his rank is two levels higher than mine."
Officer Jenny from Celadon City widened her eyes in shock. No wonder he could come up with such an advanced siege tactic... It must be related to his background in Interpol!
"Arf!" Recognizing an old friend, Growlithe wagged its tail happily and nuzzled against her leg.
"This is…" Officer Jenny looked at Lu Ye questioningly.
"The one you entrusted to me," Lu Ye nodded.
"I almost didn't recognize it." She patted Growlithe's head before standing up and saluting. "On behalf of the Kanto Alliance's Jenny family, I welcome you! The Joys couldn't make it, but they asked me to pass along their greetings. I hope you have an unforgettable trip!"
Lu Ye had a complicated expression. This trip is already unforgettable enough!
As he was deep in thought, a graceful figure in a kimono approached. "Teacher Lu." The woman with a headband smiled. "Welcome to Kanto." It was Erika.
"What do we do?!" The number of people gathering grew, and the Team Rocket trio was sweating bullets. "If we don't step out, we won't complete the mission!"
"L-Let's wait a little longer," James stammered. "At least until Officer Jenny leaves!"
"I can't wait! At this rate, the boss will be exposed!" Jessie gritted her teeth.
Just then, a cold voice cut through them. "What are you three doing here?"
Long black hair, a purple top, an icy expression. One of Team Rocket's former top executives—Sabrina.
"W-We're here to w-welcome Teacher Lu!" James stammered.
Sabrina's sharp gaze swept over them. The trio broke out in a cold sweat. In their minds, an image of Teacher Lu's warm smile surfaced. Yep, life was definitely better under his care!
"I'm not an executive anymore," Sabrina brushed her hair back. "Lu Ye is." With Team Rocket lying low, Giovanni must have let him take over the Kanto branch. Not a bad choice… A small smirk appeared on her lips. "Follow me. Didn't you want to greet him? Come. Together."
At least things hadn't gone completely off the rails. Erika and Officer Jenny were having a pleasant conversation. The Interpol agent chatted with Lu Ye. "If you spot any trace of Team Rocket, let me know," Looker said seriously. "I'm tracking Giovanni's movements."
Lu Ye responded with righteous conviction, "Of course! That's my duty!"
As they spoke, a sudden wave of intense pressure made Erika frown slightly. As Sabrina approached, Erika's eyes curved into a crescent. "I believe I mentioned that I would be welcoming Teacher Lu, didn't I, Lady Sabrina?"
"Saffron City is under my jurisdiction," Sabrina's voice was calm. "I am more qualified."
Invisible sparks clashed in the air. "I-I just remembered I have something to do! I'll be going now!" Officer Jenny, sweating profusely, quickly made her exit. Looker swallowed nervously. His gaze shifted to the bizarrely dressed trio beside Sabrina. Who are they? How are they able to stand firm in this suffocating atmosphere?!
Standing at the center of this crossfire, Lu Ye felt chills run down his spine. If you two want to fight, take it outside! More people are on their way! Wiping his sweat, he glanced at his phone.
Yellow: Teacher Lu, I'm lost (′▽`〃)
Lu Ye: ???
Yellow: I entered Viridian Forest and got distracted chatting with a Butterfree… before I knew it, I was lost. Sorry! Red's Charizard already came to find me. I should be out soon~ (╹▽╹)
Lu Ye was speechless. You totally planned this, didn't you, Yellow?!
He looked up—Sabrina and Erika were still locked in their silent standoff.
"Are there still more people coming?" Erika asked with a warm smile.
"P-Probably…"
"The Gym is closed for today," Sabrina crossed her arms. "I can wait."
"So can I~" Erika responded sweetly.
Meowth quietly crept behind Lu Ye. "B-Boss, can we leave now, meow?"
"No way!" Lu Ye gritted his teeth. "None of you are running!"
"Eek!" The trio's faces turned pale.
At that moment, Looker coughed awkwardly. "Well, uh… Chief Inspector, I have other tasks, so I'll be heading out first!" Watching him retreat, Meowth blinked. "Boss… did he just call you 'Chief Inspector,' meow?"
"Yes," Lu Ye nodded. "I'm actually a police officer."
"Haha, very funny, meow." Even as they waved it off, sweat poured down their foreheads. Something… felt off. Maybe their boss isn't as simple as he seems?!
Seeing the deadlock, Meowth gritted his teeth. He dragged Jessie and James aside. "Here's the plan, meow~~"
Suddenly, a Garchomp descended, causing an uproar. "Wait… isn't that the Sinnoh Champion?!" The blonde woman in a black trench coat casually recalled her Pokémon. Her heels clicked as she strode forward. Looker, sitting on the stairs, struggled to swallow his rice ball. Could it be… she's here to pick up Lu Ye too?!
Inside, the familiar sound of high heels made Lu Ye's heart skip a beat. The glaring sunlight cast a golden glow as Cynthia approached. Lu Ye gulped nervously. I didn't even do anything. Why do I feel so guilty?! Sabrina and Erika exchanged surprised glances. Lu Ye… even has connections with Sinnoh's Champion?!
Cynthia stopped beside Lu Ye, her heels giving her an absolute height advantage. She nodded slightly. "I'm late."
BOOM! Suddenly, chaos erupted. Jessie and James, now in their Team Rocket uniforms, burst out laughing. "Hand over your Poké Balls, now!"
The three elegant women instinctively turned toward the commotion. The impending romantic showdown was averted. Meowth, operating a remote, subtly gave Lu Ye a thumbs-up. Boss. This is all we can do for you!
Lu Ye's eyes suddenly felt a little misty. Thank you, Team Rocket!
"Garchomp!" Cynthia's golden hair flowed as she tossed out her Poké Ball. "Dragon Rush!"
BOOM! The airport's ceiling exploded. Jessie, James, and Meowth were sent flying. "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaain!"
Thanks to Team Rocket's "help," the scene had finally been defused. Sabrina, losing interest, returned to her Gym. Erika, being perceptive, gave a polite smile. "Well then, I'll be waiting for you at Celadon University."
"Don't worry," Lu Ye coughed. "I'll be there tomorrow for sure!"
The once-crowded airport quieted down. Cynthia stared at Lu Ye, lost in thought.
"…What?"
"I was just thinking. It's been a long time since we last met."
"…Yeah, exactly 44 days," Lu Ye responded seriously.
Cynthia blinked in surprise before glancing away. "W-Well, for now, let's get you settled."
"Huh? I haven't even booked a hotel yet."
"I already took care of it." Cynthia crossed her arms. "I have a private residence in Saffron City."
Lu Ye: ??? When I put a question mark, it's not me who has a problem. It's you!
Stepping out of the airport, Lu Ye looked up at the sky. A sudden realization struck him. Could this be… the Sinnoh son-in-law, returning to Kanto?!
Meanwhile, still en route… Yellow giggled. "Red-senpai~ (′▽`〃)"
[Inorin Note:
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