"Air Slash?"
Grey identified the incoming move, rolled aside, and used the system to check the culprit.
[Pokémon: Golbat]
[Type: Poison/Flying]
[Level: 35]
[Ability: Inner Focus]
[Moves: …]
"Golbat, huh?"
He narrowed his eyes, trying to see who else had shown up with it.
"Heh, worthy of Big Boss Deyu's Golbat! That Air Slash hits way harder than my Xatu's!
But I swear I saw that punk come in here. Is he not around?"
"Shh. Don't spook him."
The voice was familiar.
Grey pulled out his phone, slipped the camera toward the entrance for a quick snap, then checked the photo.
…Fuck.
Sure enough—it was that clown Youmu.
He'd recognized the voice already, but what a small world: he'd thrashed the guy last night, and today Youmu was back for revenge.
As for the other man in the photo, Grey didn't know him.
From the way he talked, he seemed to be Youmu's direct superior.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
More Air Slashes carved toward him, hacking into the garbage can he was using for cover.
"Boss Deyu, that kid's slippery—be careful!"
Youmu's loud "reminder" carried down the alley.
"Shut it."
Deyu shot him a glare. "I'm here to round up Pokémon that escaped the black market. Two strikes and no one shows—pretty sure you're seeing things."
"No way! You have to believe me, Boss Deyu—he's in there!"
Youmu panicked.
He'd watched Grey go deeper into the alley. This was the only way in.
At a normal walking speed, he should be right here.
"With how petty he is, he'd have his Primeape punch through by now!"
Grey: ???
Petty?
What slander.
He tugged a smile, fingers tightening around Primeape's Poké Ball, ready to go.
"Whatever. We've got time. Keep your mask on—the stink here is nasty."
Deyu clicked his tongue, then barked, "Golbat, again—"
"Thunder Punch!"
Grey's hand moved first; the Poké Ball flashed.
Primeape burst out mid-swing, lightning already wreathing its fist, and drove it straight into Golbat!
In the tight alley, the thunder cracked, and Golbat barely got a wingbeat before Primeape decked it.
Bang!!!
Golbat smashed into the wall—taking Deyu with it. The violent impact nearly did them both in.
Too bad for them… it only left them with broken bones.
"Knew it! You were hiding all along!"
Youmu jabbed a finger at Grey stepping out from behind the trash, sneering. "This time, I—"
Bang!
Primeape's Thunder Punch folded him on the spot.
"For god's sake—don't villains know they get killed by monologuing?"
Grey fished out their Poké Balls and, helpfully, locked them.
Then he called Officer Jenny, reported an attempted robbery, and hung up.
After that, he quietly switched on video recording.
"Primeape, teach them some manners."
Grey gave the signal with a look.
"Praaai."
Primeape cracked its knuckles, walking over with a crooked grin.
"Cough… leave a line and we'll meet again as friends."
Deyu forced himself up and tried the soft sell:
"You're strong—nothing like that trash Youmu. Interested in joining our organization? Whatever Pokémon you want—we'll get them for you."
"Oh? You want a proper Gym Leader to quit and join your nameless little outfit? Be serious."
Grey flicked a bit of spit onto Youmu's face.
"Who said nameless? We're all over Kanto—tons of Pokémon under us! Anything you want, I can get!"
Deyu craned his neck, forcing a smile.
"So you're Team Rocket, huh?"
Grey narrowed his eyes, knowingly.
Deyu nodded. "Exactly! Since you've heard our name, you should—"
Bang!
Primeape couldn't be bothered—another heavy punch cratered the wall.
It had zero goodwill for Team Rocket.
Deyu trembled and bit back the rest of his threat.
"Team Rocket, huh… Then tell me: what's your division? Who's above you? Why are you here this time?"
Grey walked over and patted his cheek.
"I—I handle local black market Pokémon sales. Usually the higher-ups only call me. T-this time I'm here to retrieve Pokémon that fled the black market…"
After feeling the "tangible sincerity" of Primeape's fist, Deyu didn't dare lie.
"Tch. So you're small fry—you don't even know your boss's name."
Grey stomped him a couple times, snapped a few photos, cut the video, and posted it to the Gym Leaders' group chat.
[Dojo Primeape: Bros, I bagged a middleman trafficking Pokémon. How are things on your end? image.jpg]
[Pewter Onix: Fewer Rockets on Mt. Moon lately, but there are still members illegally mining Moon Stones and catching Clefairy.]
[Cerulean Mermaid: Wooow, the new leader of the Fighting Dojo is so strong~ Can you visit Cerulean City sometime?]
[Cerulean Mermaid: Nugget Bridge here is rumored to have Rocket recruiters. But every time I send people, they scatter~]
[Celadon Bellossom: I have trouble too. There are suspicious folks at the Game Corner, but they seem normal when questioned. Leader Grey, if you're free, please come to Celadon City.]
[Unova Retired Colonel: So jealous. In Vermilion City I can barely spot any Rocket grunts.]
[Dojo Primeape: @Unova Retired Colonel, Lt. Surge—what's your take on Vermilion Harbor?]
[Unova Retired Colonel: It's great. Even the world-class S.S. Anne departs from Vermilion Harbor—shows Vermilion is thriving.]
[Dojo Primeape: Oh~ then it's not your problem. Go play.]
[Unova Retired Colonel: ???]
[Unova Retired Colonel: F**k—spell it out!]
Vermilion City, Vermilion Gym.
The Gym regulars stared at Lt. Surge raging at his phone, all wearing the same confused look.
Why was the boss suddenly seeing red?
Guys, early support during a new book's launch really matters! It ties into future recommendations—please don't stockpile! The author will go ham with updates later!
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