After confirming that Mismagius had successfully exchanged identities with Team Rocket's squad captain Carter, Terrance went to meet up with Jade Joy and Lan Jenny.
"Captain, I'm terribly sorry, my cover's been blown."
Lan Jenny spoke apologetically. Being exposed by Team Rocket meant that their investigation mission could no longer continue, which also meant she had failed Terrance's test.
Terrance shook his head. "When Jade Joy delivered that intelligence, you had already proven your abilities. However…"
Receiving Terrance's acknowledgement, both Lan Jenny and Jade Joy showed visible surprise and delight.
"However what?"
"However, it wasn't Team Rocket that discovered you." Terrance gestured toward the bag by the door and idly picked his ear. "Go take a look."
Perplexed, they opened the bag, only to find an unconscious person inside. Both of their pupils shrank in shock.
Team Rocket?!
Jade Joy was startled at the sight of the uniform, while Lan Jenny was even more astonished.
The person inside was none other than Carter, the Team Rocket squad captain who had exposed her identity as a spy.
But… how could this be?
"Team Rocket's operation ended in failure; nearly all members were captured. The few who escaped will undoubtedly be subjected to strict investigation. Even if you followed them back, it would be meaningless, and possibly even more dangerous."
Terrance pointed at Carter. "I had someone else take his place. Even if he is discovered and forced to retreat, it won't be an issue. It's far safer than you infiltrating Team Rocket yourself. Next, I'll assign you both an official mission. The first task, handle this man."
"As for the second, wait for 'Carter's' report. If he successfully establishes himself within Team Rocket, you'll cooperate with his operations. If he's exposed, then await my alternate plan."
When Terrance finished, Lan Jenny stood there dazed, her feelings in turmoil. The Team Rocket captain who had reported her as a spy… was actually an undercover agent himself?!
"Was he chosen because his abilities surpass mine?" she wondered briefly. But she quickly dismissed the thought and resolved to carry out the next mission earnestly.
Jade Joy and Lan Jenny exchanged a glance, then turned toward Terrance in unison. "Understood, Captain."
...
...
The next day.
Terrance returned to Viridian Forest. He wanted to meet Bruno.
Bruno had demanded an explanation for why Terrance had let Team Rocket go. Naturally, Terrance had no intention of revealing his true purpose. Explanations were unnecessary, a battle to prove his strength would suffice.
With that in mind, he came back to Viridian Forest to find Bruno.
"Where's Master Bruno?"
At the Rangers' base, an older Ranger shook his head. "He said early this morning that he was heading to Mount Hideaway. He also left a message saying that if you're looking for him, you should go there."
"He left…" Terrance frowned.
Mount Hideaway was near Pallet Town; even riding Altaria, it would take some time to reach.
Leaving without a word and expecting him to give chase…well, that saved him the trouble of explaining anything. Team Rocket had already been released; Bruno could continue his own training as he pleased.
Knowing Bruno's absent-minded personality, he'd probably forget about it in a few days anyway.
"Thanks," Terrance said to the Ranger.
"No, no, the thanks should come from me," the Ranger replied gratefully. "Thank you for helping us capture Team Rocket yesterday."
Since Bruno had left, Terrance had no intention of chasing after him. He currently had two major tasks. The first was leading the Special Operations Squad—composed of himself, Jade Joy, Lan Jenny, Mismagius, and several other Pokémon—to infiltrate Team Rocket and investigate information related to Master Victor.
The second was continuing the training of Vulpix and Carbink. Vulpix had almost completed its "Ice Moon" technique, but due to its lack of power, it couldn't yet bring out the full effect of Ice Moon. This issue would be resolved after its evolution. It had already accumulated enough foundation for evolution, and only needed an Ice Stone to fully form its combat strength, at which point it would be ready to evolve anytime.
However, Terrance planned to wait a bit longer, allowing Little Vulpix to fully master its current moves, refine its coordination ability, and then evolve it using the dual powers of top-grade Ice Stone and Fairy Aura.
As for Carbink's mutation, that had become one of Terrance's main research focuses. Since discovering the potential for mutation, Terrance even altered Carbink's training regimen.
Accumulate Fairy energy, and stop expending it.
Compared to short-term strength gains, the mutation into Diancie would grant it vastly greater potential and power. The time spent waiting was well worth it.
"Once Vulpix, Carbink, and Kirlia evolve, my Fairy Team will finally take shape."
The thought stirred in Terrance's mind. The growth paths of Vulpix, Carbink, and Kirlia were completely different from those of Altaria and the others. As the saying goes: the more experienced the Trainer, the stronger the Pokémon. That saying perfectly described Terrance's current situation.
In just a few short months, Kirlia and the others had caught up to the level that Beautifly and the rest had taken years to achieve. This was inseparable from Terrance's current Trainer foundation and Breeder experience.
...
...
"These are your special training assignments."
In Pewter City, Terrance prepared a specialized training plan for Jade Joy's Gengar and Porygon, as well as Lan Jenny's Sandslash and Ditto.
"Although you may have received battle training at the police academy, the strength you've revealed is still far from enough. Before your mission begins, you must improve your strength as quickly as possible. Only then can you perform effectively in the field."
Terrance spoke to the two women.
Jade Joy's Gengar was the primary training target, while her Porygon was mainly used to assist in computer hacking operations and did not usually participate in combat.
Lan Jenny's Sandslash and Ditto both took part in battles, though Ditto mostly served as a partner for disguise.
"Understood!!"
Using Mismagius's illusion skills and Castform's Sandstorm secret technique as models, Terrance designed a short-term training plan that would yield rapid results. If they could complete it, their strength would see a significant boost.
Terrance was confident that, although Jade Joy and Lan Jenny had received systematic combat training at the academy, their instructors could never compare to his own depth of experience.
Even the police academy wouldn't go so far as to hire someone whose strength could rival that of a Top Trainer as a teacher.
"San~dslash!"
"Gen~gar!"
As Sandslash and Gengar began their sparring match, Terrance glanced at the two women and their Pokémon, already deeply immersed in training, then turned and left.
At the same time, Mismagius, accompanied by Beautifly and Kirlia, had already infiltrated Team Rocket. Since there had been no updates from them, it meant everything was going smoothly. Terrance wasn't particularly worried anyway. Leaving aside Mismagius and Beautifly's strength, just Kirlia's ability to call Mewtwo was enough to make them unstoppable.
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