Although it was only a Lesser Deity, it was by no means an existence that Trainers of their level could touch.
Asking them to deal with Suicune? How was that any different from seeking death?
But soon, the three of them forcibly suppressed their inner turmoil, striving to restore their expressions to a state of calm.
This was a mission personally assigned by Lord Giovanni. No matter how preposterous the content, they had to show absolute obedience and confidence.
Only Ariel remained composed from beginning to end.
He even had the leisure to complain in his heart that Suicune's form was indeed much more elegant than the character models in the games.
He knew very well that no matter how much Giovanni tested them, he wouldn't let them face a legendary beast head-on.
Team Rockets was training them to be future Special-Grade Executives, not as disposable cannon fodder.
Sure enough, Giovanni's gaze lingered on Ariel's face for an extra half-second, seemingly surprised by his composure.
"The objective this time is to capture Suicune alive."
Giovanni's voice rang out again, revealing the truth of the mission to everyone.
"The organization has already developed a high-frequency ultrasonic Thunder Web specifically for Suicune, and the main capture force is already in position. Your mission is not to fight Suicune."
He paused, his eyes turning sharp.
"Your mission is to act as the vanguard force to clear all obstacles around the capture site. Whether it's the Alliance's Trainers, those overconfident Partners of Justice, or the local wild pokémon..."
"I want you to ensure that when the main force deploys the Thunder Web, not a single fly can fly in to disturb them within a ten-mile radius."
"What you need to do is clear the path and then seal off the scene. Use your strength to provide an absolutely secure umbrella for the organization's operations."
So that's how it was.
Corona, Viper, and Dar all breathed a sigh of relief, and then a fierce fighting spirit ignited in their hearts.
This mission, though dangerous, was also a massive opportunity!
Not only could they demonstrate their strength to Lord Giovanni, but they could also participate in an operation to capture a legendary beast—an event worthy of being recorded in history.
"Before that, you have one week."
Giovanni continued,
"The four of you will be sent to the Johto region's Research Base for a week of special training and coordination. What I need to see is a team that can execute orders perfectly, not four idiots fighting their own battles."
"Understood?"
"Understood!"
The four of them spoke in unison.
"Very well, you may leave. The researchers will take you to prepare."
Giovanni waved his hand and stopped looking at them, as if they were just four insignificant pawns.
The four bowed and silently exited the room.
The heavy door closed behind them, cutting off that suffocating pressure. The lights in the hallway seemed exceptionally bright, but none of the four spoke; the atmosphere remained subtle.
It wasn't until they had walked quite a distance that Dar finally let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"My god, back there, I felt like I was about to stop breathing. Is that Lord Giovanni..."
Corona murmured:
"Boss Giovanni."
"Truly admirable."
He turned to look at Ariel and Viper, his eyes filled with scrutiny and a hint of Taunt:
"A one-week coordination period... sounds interesting. I believe in my abilities; I will definitely lead you to complete the mission successfully."
Viper glanced at him and snorted coldly:
"When the time comes, who knows who will be the one dragging everyone down?"
"You!"
Corona glared at her, forcing himself not to lash out.
Ariel didn't say a word the whole time; he was still reflecting on everything he had seen in the room.
Mewtwo, Suicune... the Team Rockets of this world was even more powerful and insane than he had imagined.
And he was now a member of this crazy torrent.
A one-week coordination period, huh?
The journey from Kanto to Johto was on Team Rockets' internal Maglev Train; there were almost no bumps, yet the speed was astonishing.
The scenery flashing past the window had long since blurred into a flowing block of colors, while the carriage was so quiet that only the low hum of the ventilation system could be heard.
This extreme efficiency and indifference was precisely the style of Team Rockets.
When they finally arrived at the Research Base on the shores of the Lake of Rage, night had completely enveloped this body of water, famous for its legends.
This Research Base was not an underground structure, but a large, high-tech building.
"I'm exhausted. Let's talk about everything tomorrow." Dar was the first to yawn, walking toward the room assigned to him.
Corona and Viper also said nothing, each heading down a different path; the smell of gunpowder between them seemed temporarily frozen by the cold air of the base.
Ariel also assigned his own room.
When the electronic door slid open silently, he couldn't help but pause.
The room's spaciousness exceeded his imagination: soft carpets, a huge floor-to-ceiling window facing the pitch-black lake, and even an independent combat simulation room.
This didn't look like a dormitory for temporary special training; it was more like a luxury suite in a five-star hotel.
Team Rockets was never stingy with material rewards for valuable members.
Just as Ariel closed the door, the doorbell rang.
A man in a crisp black suit stood at the door, expressionless like a statue.
He didn't waste any words, simply bowing slightly and holding out a sophisticated portable Incubation Box with both hands.
"Mr. Ruth, this was prepared for you by Lady Ariana."
Ariel's heart skipped a beat.
He took the box; it felt slightly heavy in his hands.
Opening the latch, a Pokémon Egg, deep blue and covered in strange black patterns, lay quietly in the cushioning layer, emitting a faint aura of life.
A Hydreigon's egg!
A Pseudo-Legendary—a top-tier combat force whose name alone was enough to drive countless Trainers crazy.
"Lady Ariana instructed that this egg's life activity is very high and it is expected to hatch soon."
The man's voice remained flat, devoid of any emotion.
"The room is equipped with the highest-specification Incubator. Please settle it properly."
Having said that, he bowed again and turned to leave, his footsteps quickly receding in the hallway until they vanished.
Ariel closed the door and turned the room's lights to their brightest setting.
He carefully lifted out the Pokémon Egg; it felt warm to the touch, as if he were holding a piece of living warm jade.
He could clearly feel that beneath the shell, a small life was gathering the strength for a Shell Smash.
He imagined its future form: three heads, six wings—a dark sovereign tearing through the sky.
With it, he would truly have a trump card to move forward in this cutthroat organization.
In the corner of the room, the so-called "highest-specification Incubator" was indeed no ordinary item, with its streamlined metal casing and complex dashboard displaying a series of precise data such as temperature, humidity, and energy fluctuations.
Ariel took a deep breath and placed the egg inside.
After setting the parameters, the device emitted a slight hum, and a pale blue light enveloped the entire egg.
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked at the dark lake outside. The moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, with only the faint sound of lake water lapping against the shore.
"Training? I hope there will be some different gains.