Chapter 96 - Chapter 95: Team Rocket's Plot

"Hmph! The Blue Flame Cult is nothing but a stepping stone for our Team Rocket," Koga said with a disdainful snort after listening to Sabrina's briefing.He clearly didn't take the Qingyan Sect seriously. To him, they were nothing more than an insignificant faction."They're going to come after me again," Renjiro said, his tone calm but resolute.The Black Magic Scepter, once in Zhu Qiaolan's possession, was now firmly in his hands. Renjiro had no doubt that the Qingyan Sect would retaliate. Not just to avenge Zhu Qiaolan, but to reclaim the ancient scepter—a priceless artifact for their cult.Jiang Xiaoyue, who had witnessed Zhu Qiaolan's demise, remained silent but alert. She knew the Qingyan Sect would soon connect the dots and realize who was responsible. The storm was inevitable."I didn't expect the Qingyan Sect to accidentally uncover the secrets of Mega Evolution," Sabrina muttered, astonished.When she first arrived in this world, she had scoured records and documents. Back then, there wasn't a trace of Mega Evolution in this dimension. Yet now, Renjiro held an artifact capable of unleashing that hidden power.It was a surprising twist—one that proved the Qingyan Sect might be more resourceful than they appeared."By the way, Koga, you haven't undergone Mega Evolution yet, have you?" Renjiro turned toward him with curiosity in his eyes.He had noticed that Koga wore no Mage Bracelet—an essential item for triggering Mega Evolution. It seemed unlikely he had a Mega Stone."Is this what you're talking about?" Koga smirked as he pulled out a small pouch and revealed a pair of glowing Mega Stones.They were unmistakably Gengar's Mega Evolution Stones. He had picked them up by chance during a past mission."Wow, you're luckier than I thought," Sabrina chuckled, giving him a playful pat on the shoulder."I haven't found the right Gastly yet," Koga admitted. "So they've been sitting in my pocket unused."Renjiro nodded thoughtfully. "Mr. Koga, I appreciate the offer, but you won't be joining me this time."Koga raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "You're going to face the Qingyan Sect alone?"Renjiro smiled slightly, fingers brushing across the Poké Balls on his belt. "Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Persian—and of course, Bangiras. All of them are above Level 50. With Mega Evolution and the power of the Black Magic Scepter, I'm more than ready."Sabrina had recently returned his Pokémon to him, and he had trained them fiercely. His confidence wasn't misplaced.Still, Koga asked, "Is there anything you'd like me to do?""Yes." Renjiro's tone turned serious. "You've just arrived in this world. Apart from me and Sabrina, no one knows your existence. I want you to infiltrate the Pokémon Alliance."Koga's eyes narrowed. "Infiltrate the Alliance?""That's right," Renjiro continued. "The Pokémon Alliance controls the Yanhuang Region. If we want to truly understand the battlefield we're fighting on, we need to know what they know."With Koga's stealth skills, sneaking in would be child's play. The real issue was crafting a fake identity—but Renjiro had that covered. Once Porygon was completed, it would hack the Alliance system and create a flawless record for Koga."Leave it to me," Koga said, pulling his ninja mask tighter. "In my original world, I was a Gym Leader—and later, an Elite. I know the Alliance inside and out. This job will be easier than lunch."Satisfied, Renjiro turned to Sabrina. "What about you? Are you still willing to guide the Rocket recruits?"Her expression soured. "Ugh. That job again? I've already trained them to the level of junior trainers. Do I have to keep doing it?""Yes," Renjiro replied after a moment of thought. "You're the only one who can continue to build Team Rocket while Koga infiltrates the Alliance."Truthfully, Renjiro would've preferred to assign this task to Ma Zhishi. But he wasn't available. And Renjiro had no one else trustworthy enough.Currently, Team Rocket's initial squad of 19 members was fully formed. And just today, the system had issued Renjiro a critical new mission:Mission: Expand Team Rocket to 100 members and perform an action that shocks the entire nation.Reward: Full System Unlock.It was the final growth mission related to Team Rocket. After completing it, the system would cease giving Team Rocket-related missions—but all features of the system would be permanently unlocked.Sabrina groaned. "That sounds even worse than before."Renjiro grinned. "Don't worry. I've got something that will make the job more fun for you."He leaned closer. "You like acting, right? I need you to disguise Team Rocket as a film crew."Sabrina blinked in surprise. "A film crew?""Exactly. We'll film documentaries and mock movies in ancient ruins, forests, and places where few people go. The perfect cover for our operations."Sabrina's eyes lit up. "Seriously? We're going to make movies?""Yes. And you'll be the lead actor. I'll write the scripts," Renjiro confirmed."What's the first one?" she asked, skeptical."A story about Lugia's awakening. We'll replace Ash and Pikachu with you and Alakazam. The villains will be the Qingyan Sect."Sabrina clapped her hands, excited. "Finally! Something worthy of my talent."Renjiro chuckled. "Glad you approve."---Meanwhile, deep in the West Daxia War Zone, inside a dimly lit basement…More than a dozen men clad in black robes with blue flames on their backs sat around a long stone table. Two chairs were still empty.The one seated at the head was the leader of the Qingyan Sect—Zhu Yunwen."Where are Zhu Qiaolan and Yu Men? Do they think we'll wait forever?" one of the elders grumbled."Yu Men thinks he's above us now that he's joined the Alliance," Han Ji sneered. "He stole the Elite position meant for me!"As if summoned by the complaint, Yu Men walked in."You should be more careful with your words, Elder Han," he said coldly.The room tensed. Yu Men wasn't just any trainer—he was the Alliance Elite of East Daxia."Why are you late?" Zhu Yunwen asked, his voice dangerously quiet."I was investigating something urgent," Yu Men responded respectfully. "It concerns the Sect."Han Ji rolled his eyes. "Investigating? Or betraying us?""I was investigating the death of Zhu Qiaolan," Yu Men announced calmly. "She's dead."A hush fell over the room."Dead?! But… she had the Pharaoh's Scepter!""Who killed her?!"Zhu Yunwen's knuckles tightened. Zhu Qiaolan was not just any follower—she was his granddaughter."An 18-year-old trainer named Renjiro," Yu Men said."Who is he?""An East Daxia genius. Defeated senior trainers in under three months.""Impossible! He's just a child!"Han Ji snarled, "You just want the Scepter for yourself, don't you?!""I've tolerated your accusations long enough!" Yu Men shouted, drawing his Poké Ball. "You want a fight? Let's settle it now!""Enough!" Zhu Yunwen slammed the table with such force that a crack split across the wood.The room fell silent."Yu Men, where is the Pharaoh's Scepter now?"Yu Men took a breath. "Zhu Qiaolan was investigating Renjiro because of a tip from her subordinate—Jiang Xiaoyue. She claimed Renjiro knew how to evolve Feebas into Milotic."The crowd buzzed."That method is worth millions!""Zhu Qiaolan went to get it… and never came back."Yu Men continued, "I've brought Jiang Xiaoyue here. She can confirm everything."Zhu Yunwen gestured. "Let her in."Jiang Xiaoyue stepped inside, bowed, and confirmed Yu Men's account."She followed Zhu Qiaolan to Shuangyang City," she said. "But only Renjiro returned."Zhu Yunwen's gaze darkened. "Shuangyang City… Renjiro…""Who will retrieve the Scepter?" he demanded. "He must die.""I'll handle it," Yu Men volunteered.Zhu Yunwen hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. But don't forget who you serve.""I never will, Master."As Yu Men left, Zhu Yunwen signaled two elders.They silently followed Jiang Xiaoyue out.Some secrets must never leave the basement.