North of Pallet Town.
Because Pallet Town lay at the southernmost edge of Kanto and was relatively remote, it was sparsely populated, with forests surrounding it on three sides.
About three kilometers away from Oak Research Institute.
A group of trainers dressed in standard black uniforms had stopped inside the forest. The square-faced man at the front took out a device from his pocket and carefully checked the direction.
After a long while, a young subordinate behind him could not hold back anymore. "Captain Bailey, are we really not going the wrong way?"
"How could we be!" Bailey raised his voice. "No way we're wrong! This is the direction of the Oak Research Institute!"
Hearing this, the subordinates behind him grew even more discouraged and began whispering among themselves.
"Are you serious? We're going to the Oak Research Institute?"
"If we go there, won't we get arrested immediately and thrown into a League prison?"
"This time the captain didn't even intentionally take the wrong path... we're done for."
A few of them lowered their heads, looking dejected.
Bailey placed his hands on his hips and said, "What are you all complaining about? What's so scary about Oak Research Institute? As long as we don't say we're from Team Rocket, who would know?"
Everyone glanced at the red "R" mark on the chest of his black uniform and exchanged silent looks.
Bailey also glanced at the Team Rocket emblem on his chest. He slapped it hard and shouted at them, "This is a mark of honor! How can we hide it on purpose? That would be a betrayal to the boss!"
Seeing their complicated expressions, he paused, then added, "Besides, a red R is just a very common symbol. Who says having this mark means you're from Team Rocket?"
After saying that, he could not be bothered to argue with these lazy subordinates anymore. He picked up the communication device again to check their position and muttered, "This is a high-priority mission personally assigned by the boss. The fact that I got it already shows how capable I am, and you guys still don't want to do it..."
"Captain, we can wait here for you," one subordinate said softly, gathering his courage. "We can support you from here."
Bailey immediately widened his eyes. "Don't even think about running! Unless a higher-priority mission shows up!"
No one spoke again after that.
A higher-priority mission was something even top executives in the organization struggled to obtain. For small fry like them, it was practically impossible.
Even if they encountered one, it would just be a waste of time. Besides, they would never run into one anyway...
Bailey quickly confirmed the direction again and led the group onward toward Oak Research Institute.
The others had no choice but to follow, silently praying they would not be discovered.
In midair, a pink Pokémon quietly appeared, floating and swaying. It looked like a small upright cat, with a long tail curling beneath its feet.
It was Kanto's most famous legendary Pokémon, the mythical Pokémon, the origin of Mewtwo, its genetic mother, and the being said to be the ancestor of all Pokémon, Mew.
Mew observed the strange group below with curious eyes.
A moment later.
"Captain Bailey, I feel like someone is watching me," one subordinate said hesitantly.
Bailey raised his fist at him. "Even the boss, a man as handsome as him, wouldn't think like that. You're just asking for a beating!"
"..."
The subordinate fell silent, but his uneasy glances around still gave him away.
Although Bailey thought he was talking nonsense, the other uneasy Team Rocket members became more alert and began looking around as well.
What if there really was someone?
If they got caught before even reaching Oak Research Institute, wouldn't that be like a Caterpie walking straight into a bug net?
"Mew~"
Mew flicked its tail as it flew over their heads.
One of them caught a glimpse of it and froze. "Captain Bailey, I think I just saw a Pokémon."
"Where are there no Pokémon? Why are you making a fuss?" Bailey was getting annoyed by these useless comments.
"No, no!" The man pointed at Mew, which had paused midair. "Captain! That looks like the Pokémon from those pictures in the organization! I think... it's called something like 'Mew'..."
"Mew?" Bailey turned with a mocking smile. "You can see Mew? Then I can see Ho-Oh too!"
As he spoke, his gaze followed the direction the man was pointing. "Don't try to fool me with this kind of—"
His voice suddenly cut off.
His steps stopped as well.
Because the pink, cat-like Pokémon floating in front of them… wasn't that Mew?
The one the boss and the executives had repeatedly emphasized. The most important Pokémon to the organization!
If they could catch it…
Promotion, a raise, and the boss's favor!
Almost at the same time, everyone from Team Rocket swallowed hard. Their stunned eyes were filled with desire.
Mew tilted its head slightly and looked back at them with curiosity. It thought these people wanted to play with it.
Just like those who liked chasing it before.
"Meeew~"
Mew quickly turned around. It flew forward at a steady pace, not too fast, not too slow, and not too high.
The Team Rocket members were like people from primitive times chasing birds with their bare hands. The moment they saw the Pokémon escaping just above the treetops, their legs moved on their own as they gave chase.
Mew's priority was definitely higher than their mission to go to Oak Research Institute.
"Don't run!" Bailey charged ahead, shouting loudly enough to startle several Pidgeotto.
Mew glanced back, then slightly increased its speed.
Before they knew it, the Team Rocket group had already strayed from their original route.
* * *
"What is that sound?"
Blue frowned in confusion.
After parting ways with Shiro, he had not gone back to ask his grandfather anything. Instead, he left the institute and began his journey.
He understood that if his grandfather wanted to tell him something, there was no need to ask...
At the moment, he had not gone far and was still inside the forest.
But the noise in the forest kept growing louder. Explosions from moves, the sounds of fleeing Pokémon… it all felt like a desperate battle was happening.
Blue's brows tightened. When another explosion rang out nearby, and black smoke could clearly be seen rising into the air, he did not hesitate to throw a Poké Ball.
"Pidgeot!"
A majestic bird Pokémon appeared. Its feathers were bright, its presence imposing. It stood over two meters tall, with a wingspan of seven to eight meters, its body a light brown color.
Pidgeot grabbed Blue's shoulders with its claws and lifted him into the air, flying toward the source of the noise.
Boom!
Another explosion echoed.
A surge of deep red flames streaked across the forest sky, then strangely vanished, leaving behind only a faint pink glimmer.
As they got closer, Blue could finally see what was happening.
A small pink, cat-like Pokémon…
"It's Mew!" Blue blurted out.
The mythical Pokémon he had always dreamed of was right in front of him.
But below… a group of fierce-looking trainers were rushing through the forest.
They wore uniforms, moved in coordination, and had a red "R" symbol on their chests.
"Team Rocket!"
Blue's heart tightened as he quickly ordered Pidgeot to descend.
**
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