After a few seconds of internal struggle, Sieg was the first to step forward. He'd decided to officially join Team Rocket!
Not just because circumstances forced his hand, leaving him no choice.
More importantly, Team Rocket offered easier opportunities for advancement. The League emphasized seniority, background, connections, and birth. If he truly wanted to climb the ranks alone within the League, reaching high positions would prove extremely difficult.
He'd need to operate in both legitimate and criminal circles simultaneously, each supporting the other.
Most critically, the League's upper echelons maintained severely oppressive information lockdowns on the lower ranks regarding various knowledge and resources.
He just wants to stand out and grow stronger. Sieg isn't some rigid person who has to walk a righteous path.
If he couldn't make it in the League's legitimate world, he could fully embrace the his criminal life and become an honored Team Rocket member.
With this thought, determination flashed in Sieg's eyes.
He was the first to step forward, pressing his fingerprint onto the small device. Sieg felt a slight sting, looking up, he confirmed his blood had also been collected.
Next, all his facial data was recorded. Just when he thought it was over, Mushin suddenly handed him a slip of paper.
"Finally, there's a recording. Just read what's written on here. Oh, and remember to say your real name, not your organizational code name."
Sieg glanced at the paper. As expected, it contained entirely "treasonous words", if the League saw this, he'd definitely end up in deep shit.
The more Sieg read, the more wrong it felt, yet he still started the recording.
"I, Sieg, am under no coercion and of sound mind. From this day onward, I, Sieg, formally join Team Rocket to work together towards overthrowing the League and abolishing League oppression..."
Sieg genuinely didn't know which Team Rocket member had written this lengthy passage. Damn, what literary flair.
"The League shall decay, and Team Rocket shall rise above and beyond!"
Sieg knew that once he finished reading the contents, he'd truly be unable to sever ties with Team Rocket. Whether it was the facial data, fingerprints, and blood information he'd just left behind.
Or the video just recorded, if even one of these things was leaked, it would be enough to completely disgrace him, enough to permanently sever any connections he had within the League.
But he felt no regret.
Actually, while reading the paper's contents just now, even he felt a flash of fervor. If even a cold-blooded rationalist like him could react this way, one could only imagine the level of fanaticism within Team Rocket's ranks.
Just like that final line, The League shall decay... and Team Rocket shall rise above and beyond.
Would that truly happen? Sieg didn't know.
But the other three also stepped forward one by one, having their fingerprints, blood and facial data collected and videos recorded, not one step was omitted.
However, one thing caught his attention: during this process, all three also used their real names. The twin brothers, like him, had only given names without surnames, clearly commoners like himself.
But that Rose actually had a surname, suggesting a family background. This made Sieg take a mental note.
"Excellent! With this, I can confidently entrust you with the mission!"
Archer waved his hand. Several blurry, unclear photos were suddenly tossed onto the table, drawing everyone's attention.
The photos showed violent storms with a vague yellow figure flashing through the blur.
"This is your target, the legendary Sacred Beast, Raikou!"
Mushin explained to everyone from the side.
However, his words thoroughly shocked the four. Was Archer actually expecting them to face a Sacred Beast head-on with just their meager strength?
"Ahem, you won't be confronting Raikou directly. We merely need you to take advantage of its injured state to collect some blood and fur samples!"
Seeing everyone's incredulous expressions, Archer appropriately offered an explanation.
Yet this statement proved even more shocking.
It is injured?
Everyone exchanged glances, swallowing hard.
"Yes, we will certainly do our utmost to complete this mission!"
Regardless of their internal thoughts, everyone's expressions naturally displayed devoted loyalty, willing to sacrifice everything for the cause.
Though Sieg outwardly showed an incredulous expression, internally he felt no surprise, this was even somewhat within expectations.
"Hope this mission proceeds smoothly and safely."
After leaving the office, Sieg silently prayed.
After returning to his residential quarters, Sieg immediately collapsed onto his bed, somewhat dazed, murmuring, "Just like that, I've officially joined Team Rocket? Damn, I didn't think it'd happen so suddenly... but... I think it's gonna be alright." He said solemnly, gazing at his Pokémon, reassuring himself.
Before, his facial and fingerprint data wasn't exposed and he could discard his Team Rocket identity anytime.
But now all his information was in Team Rocket's grasp, and he'd recorded such "treasonous" video footage. He was completely bound to Team Rocket now.
Sieg smiled bitterly, suddenly understanding historical figures, whose fates were also bezond their control.
"At least I've become one of Archer's direct subordinates. As long as I complete this mission, I should receive substantial compensation."
With Mushin as a shining example before him, Sieg naturally had motivation to work hard. Perhaps in the future, he too could obtain a pseudo-legendary?
Just as Sieg was still caught between anxiety over gains and losses, unbeknownst to him, a storm was already gathering within the entire Hoenn League. Massive troop mobilizations were underway, with important figures converging on Mauville City one after another.
Even ordinary residents could sense something amiss, rushing to buy out supermarket food supplies. Price gouging was even occurring.
Mauville City's various bizarre weather phenomena instantly dominated headlines across countless Hoenn newspapers. Everyone speculated about what caused this strange weather.
Some suspected that the humans turned too greedy and became murderous beyond measure, that they angered Arceus, thus inviting divine retribution.
Others claimed a powerful Electric-type Pokémon had broken through to Elite Four level, triggering celestial thunder.
But one rumor attracted even more attention, the strange weather was caused by the legendary Sacred Beast Raikou.
Moreover, it was described with convincing detail, even featuring several blurry photographs posted online.
The photos all showed vague yellow figures captured during thunderstorm weather.
For a time, panic spread across the internet.
After all, Ho-Oh had vanished for many years without appearing. Even the various ceremonial facilities people had built for it showed no effect.
This had already planted seeds of doubt in countless hearts. Now that Raikou, one of Ho-Oh's guard beasts, had appeared, it naturally ignited people's curiosity.
Even regions like Kanto and Johto dispatched diplomatic personnel to investigate the situation.
Especially Ecruteak City's mayor from Johto, the Bell Tower's lack of Ho-Oh sightings for years had already been overwhelming him with problems.
Now that a glimmer of hope has appeared, he spared no expense, personally traveling all the way to the Hoenn region.