"It's nothing major—just someone named Colress is coming. The bounty is pretty high."
Green wagged a finger, as if she was thinking through something.
Grey didn't speak. He just waited quietly for her to continue.
He knew who Colress was.
A scientist who focused on researching Pokémon's hidden power and potential. In order to find ways to draw out that hidden strength, he joined Team Plasma.
If Grey remembered right, Colress only became Team Plasma's leader after N left Ghetsis.
From start to finish, the real leader—Ghetsis—had merely worn the title of "Seven Sages," staying behind the curtain.
Grey narrowed his eyes and carefully sorted through the situation.
N had only recently awakened Zekrom. Right now, he should be in that early phase of traveling for the first time.
Even if this timeline didn't perfectly match the games, the manga, or the anime, based on what they knew, N was likely at the critical stage where he was starting to doubt Ghetsis.
Colress appearing so suddenly made one thing clear: Ghetsis was already preparing backups in secret.
And if Colress was heading to Kanto—specifically to Celadon City—then with him being a scientist, it was hard not to suspect he was going after information on Mewtwo.
If Team Plasma managed to create another Mewtwo…
Then Unova would be "liberated" for real.
"No idea what he did to get a bounty that high," Green said. "But I heard he's coming to Kanto. I've got a feeling you'll run into him in Celadon City."
She pulled out a wanted poster, folded it up, and handed it to Grey. "If you do run into him, take it easy. And don't just whip this thing out in front of people."
"What, do you think I'm that kind of person?" Grey waved his hands. "I'm a trainer who's very friendly toward criminals. I usually talk first and don't throw punches. It's only self-defense if they attack me first."
Seeing Green's expression, Grey gestured for her not to worry so much.
Colress wasn't someone Team Rocket's Four Generals could try to frame or mess with.
Even if Colress wasn't Team Plasma's new leader yet, his strength still couldn't be underestimated.
Grey didn't know whether Genesect had already been created, but if Colress dared to come to Celadon City to dig through Team Rocket's files, then he probably had enough research into artificial Pokémon to feel confident making that move.
And from what Grey understood about Ghetsis, that man rarely fought battles he wasn't sure he could win.
With a high-IQ, highly educated scientist like Colress helping him, Ghetsis was probably deep into the "overconfident" stage by now.
Yeah—overconfident, just like Ash had been when he challenged the dojo not long ago.
"I can't say for sure," Green said. "But you still need to be careful. If he's coming in so openly, I'm worried he's stronger than ordinary trainers by a lot."
This time Green wasn't going along, and she was genuinely afraid Grey would run into danger.
Elite Four-level strength sounded incredible, but that was a villain organization—high-risk people.
If something happened to Grey, she'd be the one stuck going to Celadon City to carry an urn back.
"You're young and you don't think about my good side—you're already planning for after I'm dead, huh?" Grey clicked his tongue. "What, you trying to inherit the Fighting Dojo?"
Grey could tell exactly what she was imagining.
He pinched Green's cheek. This time she didn't dodge.
"Let me put it this way—Gym Leader Giovanni is going to Celadon City with me too. That's Champion-level strength. If the sky falls, the tall guy holds it up. I'll be fine."
After letting go, Grey told her that Giovanni would be joining the trip.
Giovanni was the Viridian Gym Leader—and also Team Rocket's boss.
If they ran into Team Plasma's scientist, would Giovanni try to recruit him, or just arrest him on the spot?
At the very least, Grey figured that since they were both from Kanto, Giovanni would probably take the "deal with outsiders first" approach.
Of course, using someone else as a knife wasn't impossible either.
Grey decided he'd stay alert once they got there.
Ideally, he wanted Giovanni and Colress to start fighting each other.
"Alright, go sleep. The dojo's closed tomorrow, so we can wander anywhere," Grey said, glancing at the clock.
It was already past midnight. If he didn't sleep now, tomorrow morning would be brutal.
"Okay. Good night," Green said, then left with light steps.
"Good night."
…
…
The next morning.
Sunlight spilled into the dojo. Grey walked out of his bedroom yawning—only to find Giovanni already seated on the reception room sofa.
The Viridian Gym Leader, and Team Rocket's boss, was calmly sipping tea. When he saw Grey, he gave a small nod.
"You're here early, Gym Leader Giovanni," Grey said, rubbing sleep from his eyes, genuinely surprised.
"We're going to Celadon City to handle League business," Giovanni said, setting down his cup with a gentle smile. "Naturally, we should depart early."
Grey gave a thumbs-up, half-joking. "As expected of Kanto's strongest Gym Leader. That level of dedication is impressive."
As he spoke, his gaze unconsciously studied the sharply dressed middle-aged man in front of him.
Right now, Giovanni looked like a diligent, responsible Gym Leader.
But Grey knew better.
This Team Rocket boss was nothing like he appeared on the surface.
And speaking of which…
A thought suddenly popped into Grey's mind.
Between Giovanni and Colress, who was actually stronger?
Hm…
Yeah, it probably had to be Giovanni.
As they talked, a guest-room door at the end of the hallway opened softly.
Caitlin stepped out with a lazy pace, and today's outfit was especially eye-catching.
A fitted black denim coat was draped casually over her shoulders. Under it, a sky-blue short-sleeve top outlined her slim figure.
Her denim shorts paired with black thigh-high socks left a strip of pale skin visible between them. Her socked feet stepped across the wooden floor with an effortless, carefree vibe.
Grey's eyes brightened without him even realizing—this was the exact look he'd praised before.
Caitlin seemed to notice his gaze. The corners of her lips lifted slightly, a hint of pride in her expression.
But then she also noticed Giovanni on the sofa, and that lifted smile pressed back down.
If Giovanni hadn't shown up to drag Grey into League work today, the one standing here would've been her—along with Grey and Sabrina—then they'd go on today's outing together.
Thinking that, Caitlin quietly adjusted the collar of her coat, her fingertips brushing the fabric as she masked her irritation.
On the surface, she still carried the elegant poise of a noblewoman, but the slight narrowing of her eyes gave away how unhappy she was about being interrupted.
"It's time to go."
Sabrina suddenly appeared in a flash of Teleport. Her gaze swept across the three of them standing in different spots as she reminded them.
"Yeah. Time for Celadon City," Grey said, resting a hand on Sabrina's shoulder. "Caitlin's with you today. Once I finish the job, I'll come find you."
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