Simultaneously, a mission notification arrived on Jiang Han's pokédex.
He looked down, and an encrypted message appeared on the screen, its content concise to the point of coldness.
[Team Rockets' assets in the Rustboro City Black Market were taken down by a League official named Saki. Dispose of him.]
Below the message was an ID photo of a Middle-aged Man and his basic information.
Looking at the new mission, Jiang Han felt no ripples in his heart; he even found it a bit boring.
"Is it just a simple assassination?"
"If that's the case, then it's far too simple."
This was the first time Jiang Han had received such a straightforward and direct mission.
In the past, the missions Team Rockets assigned to him were basically to investigate various information, requiring constant calculation and careful planning at every step.
Today's mission had a clear target and no restrictions on methods, with only one required outcome.
Dispose of him.
This kind of mission was right in Jiang Han's comfort zone, like a paid vacation.
He was in no hurry to set out.
A qualified assassin always sharpens his blade before taking action.
Jiang Han turned around and walked toward the base's exchange counter again.
The Sneasel he had just caught, although its aptitude was as high as Quasi-Elite Four Level, had a very poor move pool.
"Exchange for a tm, Ice Punch."
He spoke to the expressionless staff member at the exchange counter.
"200 points. Confirm exchange?" the staff member's voice sounded like it was mechanically synthesized.
"Confirm."
As his points were cleared, an ice-blue disc was handed out, its surface etched with a pattern of a clenched fist radiating cold air.
Jiang Han took the disc and returned to that dark private room.
He released Sneasel.
After the recent ideological education, Sneasel no longer bared its teeth, but those crimson eyes were still full of defiance.
Jiang Han didn't care and directly pressed the Ice Punch tm against Sneasel's forehead.
The disc instantly transformed into streams of ice-blue data, flooding into Sneasel's mind.
"Wu!"
As the massive amount of move information was forcibly poured in, Sneasel let out a groan of pain. Its body instinctively tensed up, and the sharp claws on its limbs scratched the floor with a piercing sound.
It turned back and glared fiercely at Jiang Han, as if questioning what he had done.
Jiang Han's expression was calm as he simply extended his right hand, palm open.
"Try it."
Sneasel froze for a moment. It could feel an unprecedented power in its body, a power that could condense the moisture in the air and turn it into solid ice.
It hesitantly raised its right claw, Mimicking the knowledge that had appeared in its mind, and gathered the power onto its claw.
Wisps of cold air began to seep from the gaps in its claws, the temperature in the air dropped suddenly, and a thin layer of frost quickly condensed on its sharp claws, glinting with a cold light.
Sneasel looked at its claw with some surprise; it could feel the terrifying power contained within.
It instinctively swung a punch toward the nearby wall.
"Bang!"
With a muffled sound, a frost-covered fist print clearly appeared on the hard wall.
Seeing this scene, some of the defiance in Sneasel's eyes faded, replaced by a hint of excitement and a thirst for power.
It looked at Jiang Han again, its gaze much more complex.
This human, although his methods are rough, seems like he really can make me stronger.
Jiang Han saw through its thoughts, but his heart remained unmoved.
He didn't need the affection of Pokémon; he only needed them to be strong enough to clear all obstacles on the path ahead.
This kind of bond produced between Trainer and Pokémon was the only thing Jiang Han believed in.
"Return."
He recalled Sneasel without any redundant words, turned, and left this dark underground stronghold, returning once more to the hustle and bustle of Mauville City's food street.
The aroma of food mixed with the boisterous voices of people, forming a sharp contrast with the dead silence of the underground base.
Jiang Han took off his mask and silently merged into the flow of people, like a drop of water blending into the sea... Rustboro City.
This city, hailed as the "pursuit of the integration of nature and science," truly lived up to its reputation.
The city's architectural style was extremely unique, with rock-material buildings appearing as if they were integrated with nature.
Clear streams were artificially guided to pass through the city's streets and squares, complementing the modern buildings without any sense of disharmony.
In the northern part of the city, the Devon Corporation headquarters building shimmered with a metallic luster under the sun.
Not far from it was the simple and solemn Rock Gym. Two completely different styles perfectly merged here.
Jiang Han walked into the city, feeling an atmosphere entirely different from Mauville City.
If Mauville City was a bustling commercial center, then Rustboro City was more like a quiet city of academia.
The pedestrians on the street walked at a leisurely pace, and many wore badges from the Devon Corporation or the Trainer School on their chests.
Jiang Han's goal was clear.
First, find a place to stay at the Pokémon Center, then deal with that League official named Saki, and finally, challenge the Rock Gym.
He arrived at the Pokémon Center and checked in as usual.
"Hello, Mr. Jiang. Your status as a Core Lineage Trainer has been confirmed. We have prepared a luxury single room on the top floor for you. Please take your room card."
The Joy at the front desk had a respectful attitude, handing over the room card with both hands.
Jiang Han took the room card and couldn't help but feel relieved.
Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any special events in Rustboro City this time.
He was truly spooked by the various festivals before.
When he went to Dewford Town, he encountered some Surfing Day.
When he went to Slateport City, he ran into the Ocean Festival.
It wasn't that these activities were bad, but when there were many people, complications easily arose, leading to many unnecessary troubles.
For someone like him who carried secrets, trouble equaled risk.
Holding the room card, he turned toward the stairs leading to the second-floor guest rooms, his mind already calculating how to find that official named Saki without attracting attention.
A public assassination was too foolish; the best way was to manufacture an accident.
A car accident? A falling object from a height? Or a pokémon losing control?
The Devon Corporation was right here; perhaps he could use some high-tech products... Just as Jiang Han was immersed in his thoughts, a crisp and pleasant voice, carrying a hint of scrutiny, called out to him from behind.
"Are you Jiang Han?"
Jiang Han's footsteps came to an abrupt halt.
This voice... He slowly turned around and saw a young girl about his age standing at the bottom of the stairs.
The girl had cute twin tails and wore a gray dress paired with pink tights and small brown leather shoes.
Her whole person exuded an academic air; she didn't look like a Trainer, but more like a student still in school.
But from her, Jiang Han felt an aura completely different from her appearance—one as steady and heavy as rock.
More importantly, he recognized this face.
The Rock-type Gym Leader, Roxanne!
Jiang Han's pupils constricted imperceptibly, his brain working rapidly.
Why is she here?
How does she know me?
A coincidence? Or... has my identity been exposed?
Countless thoughts flashed through Jiang Han's mind, but his face remained impassive, showing only a perfectly timed hint of confusion.
"May I ask who you are?"
Roxanne stepped forward and stopped in front of him, her bright eyes sizing him up without hesitation.
That gaze was not like looking at a peer, but more like a strict teacher scrutinizing her student.
"I am the Gym Leader of Rustboro City, Roxanne."
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