(Team Rockets' Brain Storage Base...)
Team Rockets, an evil organization stationed in the Kanto and Johto Regions, primarily obtains large amounts of money by selling pokémon.
Compared to the noble, almost fanatical ideals of evil organizations in other regions, Team Rockets' goal is ridiculously pure—to make money, constantly expand the organization, infiltrate the Alliance, and acquire greater power and massive wealth.
Inside one of Team Rockets' Strongholds: The 15th Newbie Trainer Camp.
32 young men and women stood with varying expressions. In front of them was a Team Rockets Instructor, who was burly and had a hideous scar across his face. Leon was among them, standing in the back row, his expression as calm as stagnant water.
In fact, Leon was not from this world. He originally lived on Blue Star, but somehow, he found himself in this pokémon world after just blinking his eyes.
Orphaned from a young age, he was abducted by Team Rockets and entered this Newbie Training Camp, where he learned various Pokémon knowledge, combat skills, item crafting, and more.
Having lived two lives, he deeply understood the importance of these abilities.
Four years passed. During this time, Leon studied desperately, eventually becoming the top-ranked member in this 15th batch.
Today marked the end of the special training for Team Rockets' 15th Newbie Trainer Camp, and also the day they would choose their future Department.
The newbies each wore masks and did not know each other. They would later enter various Departments within Team Rockets, and due to the high secrecy of some Departments, the newbies' identities were kept confidential.
Since they were trained from childhood, once they entered their respective Departments, they would generally focus on internal departmental development.
Therefore, everyone wanted to choose the most promising Department.
But Leon wanted to choose the one that everyone else was unwilling to select.
The lighting in the Training Room was dim, Team Rockets' emblem hung on the wall, and the air was filled with a mixture of disinfectant and sweat.
Leon could hear the suppressed breathing of the people around him; some were rubbing their hands, some were whispering, and others were constantly adjusting their stance.
These subtle movements betrayed their inner nervousness.
"Number 1."
The Instructor's voice echoed in the spacious Training Room.
After entering the training camp, they had no names, only ranks.
Leon slowly stood up, his movements neither fast nor slow, each step steady.
Seeing Leon move, the crowd naturally parted, creating a path.
This was reverence for the strong.
Everyone was curious: what position would Number 1 choose? Combat Position? Intelligence position? Or a direct subordinate of some High-ranking Executive?
Leon glanced at the people around him; the eyes beneath their masks were filled with anticipation and jealousy.
He sneered internally. These people thought staying at Headquarters was the best choice, unaware that a cage, no matter how large, was still a cage.
"Hoenn region, Ordinary Executive position."
Leon's voice was calm, without the slightest hesitation.
The Training Room fell silent for a second, followed immediately by an outburst of laughter.
"What? The Hoenn region?"
"Is he crazy?"
"Hahaha, I thought Number 1 was so smart, but he's just an idiot!"
Team Rockets' sphere of influence was in the Kanto and Johto Regions, with very little penetration into the Hoenn region. For development, the Headquarters was definitely the most promising place.
Therefore, for these newbies who were destined for a bright future, choosing such a Department was tantamount to being exiled.
So the moment Leon spoke, he drew ridicule from those around him, as if he was no longer the top-ranked powerhouse, but merely an ignorant brat.
Leon's expression remained unchanged; the mockery meant nothing to him.
He knew what he wanted and what he needed to do. Staying at Headquarters meant constantly being monitored, constrained, and used as a pawn.
Only by moving away from the Center of Power could he truly control his own destiny.
The Instructor frowned. He stared at Leon for a few seconds, then spoke: "Are you sure? With your ability, you should choose a more promising position."
"I am sure."
Leon's reply was concise and forceful.
The Instructor was silent for a moment, finally wrote something on the Clipboard, and shook his head helplessly.
The laughter continued, but Leon's expression remained calm. He was calculating internally: the Hoenn region was far from Headquarters, supervision was lax, and it was the perfect place for him to continuously accumulate power.
Moreover, the Hoenn region had not yet been developed by Team Rockets, and positions were vacant. If Team Rockets developed there in the future...
The Room for Promotion there would definitely be greater than at Headquarters!
Once he was strong enough, these people who were currently mocking him wouldn't even be qualified to polish his shoes.
Only power is eternal.
His gaze was calm as he swept over his Batchmates who wore mocking expressions, and he explained to the Instructor in a composed tone.
"Instructor, I understand your good intentions. Team Rockets in the Kanto and Johto Regions is already established, the system is complete, and resources are abundant, which is indeed more beneficial for individual development."
"But precisely because of this, I should go to Hoenn."
Leon paused, his voice neither hurried nor slow.
"A mature system means a complete Talent Promotion System; it just takes time and strength to achieve a high status. The Hoenn region is different. It is a blank slate for Team Rockets, a time when development is needed."
"I am going there not to enjoy ready-made resources, but to lay the foundation for Team Rockets."
The Instructor's gaze changed.
The surrounding sneers gradually ceased.
Leon continued.
"The organization trained me for four years, taught me knowledge, and gave me strength. I cannot only think about my own future. Although the Hoenn region is difficult, it offers greater scope, and I am willing to go there to Expand Territory for Team Rockets."
These words sounded lofty and righteous.
But Leon knew the truth clearly in his heart.
He was going to the Hoenn region, never for the sake of Team Rockets' development.
No matter how well the Headquarters developed, it meant being firmly tied down.
For an organization like Team Rockets, which dares to control even Legendary Pokémon, monitoring an Ordinary member is effortless.
At Headquarters, his every move would be watched, and any anomaly would be detected.
The Hoenn region was different.
It was far from Team Rockets' Core Sphere of Influence—high heaven and distant emperor—as long as he completed basic tasks, he would have enough freedom to pursue his own goals and continuously hone his strength.
At the same time, he could utilize Team Rockets' resources and Intelligence Network. This was the most suitable choice for him.
He wanted to become the strongest Trainer, threatened by no one, controlled by no one.
But these words could only rot in his heart.
The Instructor stared at Leon for a few seconds, then suddenly started clapping.
"Very good! Very good!"
The applause echoed in the Training Room.
"Number 1, I originally thought you were just a clever Little Brat, but now it seems I misjudged you."
The Instructor's tone held a hint of admiration. "Since you have this dedication, the organization will not treat you unfairly."
He turned and glanced at the others: "Look closely, this is the kind of talent Team Rockets needs! Not Speculators who only think about their own futures!"
Those who had been laughing just moments ago now looked rather embarrassed.
Leon stood still, his expression beneath the mask unchanged.
The Instructor withdrew his gaze and continued: "Every Instructor has the authority to grant one extra Point Reward to a newbie they favor. Number 1, come with me."
Leon's heart stirred.
Extra points meant more resources—this was a Pleasant Surprise.
"Thank you for your recognition, Instructor."
Leon bowed slightly, his tone respectful.
"I will engrave your kindness in my heart. If I achieve success in the future, I will certainly repay you handsomely."
"Hahaha! That won't be necessary; I don't need repayment from a Little Brat like you yet."
Although the Instructor refused verbally, the appreciation in his eyes intensified.
Who would dislike a Grateful young man?
As soon as he said this, all eyes in the room focused on Leon again.
Jealousy, hatred, and resentment surged in those eyes.
Some clenched their jaws, some tightened their fists, and others whispered something under their breath.
"A bunch of Kids."
Leon muttered internally and turned to follow the Instructor.
Compared to him, a man who had lived two lives, these people were far too naive in terms of calculation and scheming.
They thought they were mocking others, but they didn't realize that their behavior was truly shortsighted.
The Instructor walked ahead, his steps steady.
Leon followed, his gaze sweeping over every corner of the Training Room.
The 15th Newbie Trainer Camp.
He had stayed in this place for four years.
After today, he would never return.