Chapter 247: Fast-Forward to Becoming a Gym Leader
When Lu Ye saw Gengar's location marked at Saffron Gym, he panicked and immediately rushed out. With Sabrina's strength, if no Trainer was present, one wrong move and Gengar could be seriously injured. The fact that it had snuck off to "farm" Gyms could wait. Right now, safety was the priority!
He hailed a taxi and sped toward Saffron Gym. "Buddy, no need to rush that much for a Gym challenge!" the driver joked.
"It's not me. My Pokémon went on its own."
"…Huh?"
Fortunately, he arrived just in time. Lu Ye leaned against the doorway, sensing the strange atmosphere, and found himself stunned. Wait a minute… Did they already clear the challenge?!
"Gengar!" Seeing Lu Ye, Gengar excitedly greeted him with a big, sloppy Lick.
"Awooo~" Growlithe lunged forward, attempting a full-body Body Slam.
Between two evils, choose the lesser one. Lu Ye dodged to the side—only to be hit squarely by Gengar's Lick. His body trembled. …Huh? After being paralyzed so many times, it felt like he was building resistance.
"That's the Trainer who raised Gengar?" All the apprentices turned their eyes toward the handsome young man.
"This thing's already at the level of a top-tier League competitor…" one muttered in shock.
"But with Gym Leader Sabrina here, there's no way he's getting a badge that easily!"
Everyone turned expectantly toward Sabrina. Instead, they watched as she casually tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear and gave Lu Ye a small nod. "It's you."
…What's going on?! Their world-famous Gym Leader, Sabrina, actually knew this guy?!
Lu Ye nodded in return. "I just found out this guy snuck out on his own."
"No worries." A rare smile tugged at Sabrina's lips as she turned. "Come sit in the back."
Sit in the back? To do what?! The apprentices were stunned, glaring as they watched Lu Ye leave.
Inside the Gym Leader's Office, a middle-aged man stood up in surprise. "And who is this?"
"Please step out. We have something to discuss," Sabrina said.
"Oh! I'll leave right away!" The man grinned, nodding vigorously before quickly exiting. As he passed Lu Ye, he even gave him a hearty pat on the shoulder. This is rare—Sabrina actually brought a man back! I'd better leave them some alone time!
An awkward silence filled the room. The teapot on the table floated midair, pouring hot tea into two cups under Sabrina's psychic control.
"…Your father seems to have misunderstood something," Lu Ye commented.
"He's getting old. Just wants grandchildren," Sabrina said flatly.
"…?"
"I'm joking." Sabrina's voice was dead serious. Her deep black eyes locked onto Lu Ye. "So, tell me. What's your real reason for coming to Saffron Gym? It's not as simple as just collecting a badge, is it?"
Through the group chat, Sabrina already knew Lu Ye was a high-ranking officer in Team Rocket. Even Archer—who called him Mentor—revered him. The mastermind behind Project Rainbow had suddenly shown up at the home of a former executive. So Team Rocket really is trying to recruit its old remnants?
"That's true," Lu Ye nodded. "I'm here to take Gengar home."
Cough! Sabrina nearly choked. She had been preparing a whole speech to reject any offer, only for it to be completely unnecessary. Staring at him with a complicated expression, she asked, "…Then what was Gengar here for?"
"You'll have to ask it." Lu Ye was just as confused.
"Gengar!" Gengar reached into its mysterious stomach, rummaged around, and pulled out a tattered piece of paper, slapping it on the table. Both Sabrina and Lu Ye leaned in to read.
"Psychic Training Program—Coach Recruitment!" they shouted in unison.
Even the ever-cold Sabrina momentarily broke character. So you really came all this way… just to apply for a job?! This has nothing to do with Team Rocket?!
"That's my job posting!" a voice yelled from outside. The middle-aged man peeked in, thrilled. "See, Sabrina? I found you some extra help!"
"Stay away." Wham! A well-aimed Zen Headbutt knocked the man unconscious—his face radiating with fatherly pride. My daughter is finally taking an interest in running the Gym!
Sabrina coughed lightly. "The Gym is short-staffed… I'll think about it."
Lu Ye, however, was still in a daze. Gengar as a coach? Why does this feel so familiar? At this rate, isn't it going to become the Gym Leader of Saffron City in two or three months?!
"Gengar! (๑`▽´๑)۶" Gengar happily waved its little fists. With a paycheck, I can help out at home and ease my Trainer's burdens!
"The salary won't be very high," Sabrina admitted after a long pause. "But I do have some insight into Psychic-type moves." She glanced at Gengar. She had to admit—Lu Ye was exceptionally skilled at training Pokémon of this type. However, she herself had mastered a wide range of spatial techniques. If I teach Gengar Trick and some space-based moves, that would be a fair exchange.
Lu Ye immediately refused. "That's really not necessary!"
"…I see." A small smile formed on Sabrina's lips. "With your strength, I suppose these techniques wouldn't interest you."
"That's not the issue." Lu Ye's expression grew complicated. He couldn't say he was worried about property damage or going bankrupt.
Sabrina studied him for a long moment. "I agree to let Gengar become a coach. But first… we battle." In just six months, Lu Ye had trained Gengar to this level. This only deepened her curiosity. And in him, she saw something familiar—a shadow of a certain man in a suit. Perhaps, as Archer had suggested, Lu Ye really was the one who could lead Team Rocket into a new era.
Lu Ye froze. Battle against Sabrina?! Gengar, let's just go home. We don't need the paycheck that badly!
"Gengar!" It tugged at Lu Ye's sleeve, eyes firm. No matter how strong the enemy is… I will fight for my Trainer!
Lu Ye's expression grew weirder. You really just want to become a Gym Leader, don't you?!
"…Fine." After a long sigh, he relented. "Losing doesn't matter, right?"
"Of course," Sabrina nodded. "It's just a friendly match."
"Then I have no problem. Let's not waste time!"
"Gengar! ψ(｀∇´)ψ"
Feeling the bond between them, Sabrina's lips curled into a rare smile. A faint blue glow flickered in her eyes as the Poké Balls beside her began to rise. "Show me what the 'Tactician' is capable of."
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