At a battle arena within the Team Rocket base, an intense battle had just concluded.
Sieg smiled bitterly as he stepped forward to recall his defeated Crawdaunt, then bowed deeply to the figure before him. "Mushin-sama, I'm still no match for you. Even in a practice match, I lost."
The young man patted Dragonite's body encouragingly before returning it to its Poké Ball.
"Actually, you've improved tremendously. Compared to when we started special training, your Crawdaunt's progress has been extraordinary. And it's only been half a month!"
Mushin walked forward, a smile playing at his lips.
Over the past two weeks, Sieg had remained at the Team Rocket base. After all, such a major incident had occurred outside, and the League's response was significant. Staying at the Team Rocket base felt safer, especially with an Elite Four level expert standing guard.
He'd now developed a genuine sense of identity as a Team Rocket member.
Perhaps it was because of the enormous benefits he'd gained?
Perhaps it was the intimidating strength Archer projected?
Or maybe it was his own admiration and anticipation for that mysterious leader, Giovanni?
Various complex reasons probably all played a part, but at least for now, Sieg was an unequivocal member of this dark organization.
On the surface, he was absolutely someone the League would condemn.
"But since I've already joined, there's no point worrying about troubles that haven't happened yet."
This was what Sieg had been telling himself all along.
Therefore, over the past two weeks, he'd gradually learned various information about this base.
That naturally included dealing with his direct superior, Archer. But Sieg understood the principle that even those close to power hold influence, so he spared no effort befriending Mushin, Archer's right-hand man.
It naturally cost him, but everything was worth it.
For instance, he'd learned about Team Rocket's internal factions, power distribution, and current development direction.
Most importantly, though, was information about "Viper", the name Rose had mentioned before dying that night.
When Sieg casually brought it up, Mushin suddenly shuddered, a flash of fear crossing his eyes. Though quickly masked, Sieg still noticed.
"Why are you asking about that sir?"
Mushin asked with extreme caution.
But this reverent attitude only further convinced Sieg that this Viper was definitely a high-ranking figure.
"I just heard people mention him in passing. He seems to be an executive in our organization, but why have I never heard his name before?"
Sieg's words weren't baseless. Before inquiring, he'd naturally done some private investigation. Unfortunately, results were minimal, information about this "Viper" was extremely scarce.
Mushin took a deep breath before slowly saying, "Viper-sama is one of the organization's earliest veteran members, one of the first executives to follow the boss. However, he later retired due to injury and handles logistics now, responsible for mentoring promising newcomers in the organization. That's why most members don't know about him."
That's all?
Sieg felt somewhat puzzled, then showed an understanding expression. But Mushin seemed unwilling to say more, and Sieg couldn't press further without appearing too deliberate.
At the same time, though, he resolved to thoroughly investigate this matter in the future.
After all, he'd killed the man's woman. Though she might have been just one of many lovers, and Viper might not even care.
But still, when it involved an Elite Four level expert, it wasn't something pleasant.
"By the way, Mushin-sama, have Rose and the other two been confirmed dead?" Sieg showed a hint of confusion.
After all, over the past two weeks, those three hadn't appeared at the Team Rocket base. Since they'd previously executed missions together, not asking about it would seem too suspicious.
At this question, Mushin glanced at Sieg with deeper meaning, saying flatly, "We sent people to investigate the location you mentioned. The group that attacked you seems to have been professionals, all traces were destroyed, no remains found."
After hearing this, Sieg's expression remained calm. He didn't deliberately show any regret, as that better fit the style of someone walking in the shadows.
"Is that so? What a waste of three good combat suits!"
Sieg looked directly into Mushin's eyes without the slightest guilty reaction.
Mauville City Breeder's Guild.
Sieg was leisurely browsing the stall area on the first floor, accompanied by a cool Umbreon that drew countless breeders' gazes.
Today Sieg had come to the Breeder's Guild to acquire two rare materials for formulating a drug that could enhance a Pokémon's neural reaction speed.
The formula for this drug was one of the spoils he'd taken from Rose's body, which also solved Sieg's confusion about why that Pidgeot's reaction speed had been so fast.
Fast enough to even outpace Honchkrow's surprise attacks.
"Reflex Berry! Finally found it. All that time staking out here wasn't wasted."
Sieg's eyes locked onto a blue berry at a stall, his gaze burning with excitement.
"Vendor, I'll take this Reflex Berry. Also, I'll buy that bundle of Glitter Grass on your stall too!"
Crouching down to inspect, Sieg discovered the stall also had some other good materials, so he decided to purchase them all together.
Since Sieg wore a beginner breeder badge on his chest, he wasn't subjected to unfair treatment like deliberately inflated prices.
He easily spent 200,000 Pokédollars to acquire the needed materials.
Next, Sieg purchased a large batch of Dark-type materials in the first-floor hall. After all, he'd consumed quite a bit over the past two weeks at Team Rocket, with five Pokémon constantly needing food.
Now with Zorua added, the monthly basic training funds consumed would be an astronomical sum for an ordinary office worker.
Even for Sieg, the financial pressure wasn't small.
Fortunately, he currently had substantial funds, so he didn't need to worry about these troubles in the short term.
"Huh?!"
Just as he walked from the stall area into the Breeder's Guild hall, he saw the screen broadcasting footage from that bizarre lightning storm two weeks ago.
[The weather has now returned to clear skies. The lightning storm from half a month ago was caused by New Mauville's special environment and has been resolved by League personnel. Citizens need not panic, the League will provide shelter and protection!]
Sieg smiled sardonically. He didn't know if Raikou had been captured in that day's battle, or whose hands it fell into.
But it no longer concerned him, because having just been brought under Archer's command, he was about to undertake his first assigned mission!
"Though I'm Archer's direct subordinate, I still can't avoid executing missions. To rise quickly through Team Rocket's ranks, I must achieve results! Otherwise, how can I get Archer to invest resources in training me?"
To get others to invest resources in cultivating you, you must first prove your potential and value!
This was a principle Sieg had long understood.
Therefore, Sieg had proactively taken on the mission to investigate Slateport City, a task that many in Team Rocket had apparently already failed.