Chapter 164: Look at Those Wise Little Eyes
This kind of mission—helping a Pokémon—actually fit the Team Rocket trio perfectly. Besides, considering Lu Ye was technically their superior, they had no reason to refuse.
Officer Jenny, her skirt just a centimeter shorter than regulation, had reddened eyes. Traveling across regions just to fulfill a fan's wish… Teacher Lu really is a trustworthy trainer!
The blonde girl in a yellow vest over a black long-sleeve shirt, her high ponytail swaying, smiled and said: "Officer Jenny, let's check on Arcanine's condition first."
Jenny nodded. "Please, follow me."
As they walked down the hallway toward the courtyard, Lu Ye saw a Chansey wearing a nurse's cap pushing a small cart. Chansey waved a tiny paw in greeting.
"Teacher Lu, why are you sweating so much? Are you okay?" Erika asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Lu Ye coughed. "Just… recalling some unpleasant memories." Chansey might look friendly, but deep down, all of them are little devils! Or maybe it's just my instinct to associate them with stall tactics…
Beyond the fenced-off courtyard, a disheveled Arcanine lay on the ground, breathing heavily. Nurse Joy, wearing a face mask, was recording data. She turned around and smiled.
"Teacher Lu, you've arrived!"
"You know me?" Lu Ye asked, surprised.
"Your photos have been all over my family's chat groups," Joy said with a grin.
Lu Ye felt a little weird. So it wasn't just the Jennys—the Joy family was fangirling over him too…
Clearing his throat, he glanced toward the courtyard. "So this is the Arcanine?"
"Yes, and it's suffering from severe PTSD." Joy's expression darkened. "The best way to heal it is to help it overcome its fears."
"A big reason for this drill is actually for Arcanine," Jenny added.
"I see…" Lu Ye nodded.
"It's extremely aggressive—even the medical staff can't get close," Joy hesitated. "Honestly, in its condition, I'm not sure it should participate in the drill."
"That's why we invited you," Jenny said seriously. "With your strength, even if Arcanine loses control, you can stabilize the situation!"
Lu Ye froze. Wait a second—so you guys invited me here just to take a beating?!
"Let me handle it!" Erika smiled. "If Yellow can calm it down, it should be able to join the drill, right?"
Jenny and Joy exchanged a glance and then bowed. "We'll leave it to you!"
Yellow stepped through the fence and slowly approached Arcanine. Sensing movement, Arcanine's bloodshot eyes snapped open, and it let out a low growl. Yellow smiled gently and inched closer, even as Arcanine's hackles bristled.
Just as it was about to lash out, she placed a hand on its head. A soft glow radiated, and Arcanine whimpered.
"The Viridian's Gift…" Erika murmured.
"It actually worked?" Jenny gasped. "That's incredible!"
Lu Ye was envious. If I had this power, I wouldn't have to keep buying potions for Squirtle!
As the light faded, Arcanine slumped onto the ground and peacefully drifted into sleep. Yellow wiped the sweat from her forehead, stepped back through the fence, and forced a small smile. "I've eased its pain for now… but it still needs further treatment."
Lowering her gaze in slight frustration, she suddenly saw a tissue being handed to her. Lu Ye casually retracted his hand and turned to Jenny. "The drill is tomorrow, right? I'll find some extra help."
Yellow blinked at the tissue, then smiled softly. Teacher Lu… really is someone you can rely on.
Since Erika had to return to Celadon University for classes, the team for the drill was tentatively set as Lu Ye and Yellow.
"Wait, I have to participate too?!" Yellow exclaimed.
Lu Ye gave her a glance and calmly said, "If you don't, what happens if I get destroyed by a rampaging Arcanine?" With the Viridian's Gift around, the risk of an accident was significantly reduced. Lu Ye, having trained under Squirtle, had perfected the art of playing it safe!
"I-Is that so…" Yellow scratched her cheek and giggled. "Somehow, that sounded like a compliment…"
Ignoring the airheaded blonde, Lu Ye went to a quiet corner of the Pokémon Center and dialed Team Rocket's covert contact line.
Team Rocket Trio's Secret Base
"Eh? Who's calling at this hour, meow?" Meowth scratched his head.
"Maybe it's a special mission from the boss!" Jessie's eyes sparkled.
James answered first and gasped. "Exec—uh, I mean… Teacher?"
"Can you guys come to Celadon City in Kanto? I've got a job for you." Lu Ye explained the mission, and the trio burst into tears.
"That's so touching!"
"Even though an Arcanine once bit my butt, it's still so moving, meow!"
"I miss my little Koffing—boohoo!"
Lu Ye sweatdropped. "Is it really necessary to cry this much?"
"I get it, sir!" Jessie wiped her eyes, clenched her fist, and flames burned in her gaze. "You're using this as a chance to infiltrate the Jennys!"
"Right! Once they let their guard down during the drill, we'll capture all the Growlithe in one swoop!" James declared.
"This is the boss's master plan, meow!" Meowth's eyes gleamed.
"Amazing!"
Lu Ye facepalmed, feeling the full force of their delusions. "Just so we're clear—I have no plans to actually attack anyone…"
"Got it, got it! Lay the bait, catch a bigger fish!" The trio burst into laughter.
…I don't think you got it at all!
"Screw it." Lu Ye hung up, sighing. "These three talk a big game, but they've got soft hearts. With their help, Arcanine should recover faster."
Monday, September 7th.
In full disguise, the Team Rocket trio arrived at the Celadon City Police Department, wearing casual clothes and sunglasses.
Jenny came to greet them with a smile. "You must be the assistants Teacher Lu mentioned. Please, follow me!"
The trio trembled. They knew this was part of their boss's plan, but it was still nerve-wracking!
Lu Ye spotted them instantly. His eye twitched. At least dye your hair, for crying out loud! You guys are wanted criminals! Won't you be recognized? But seeing how Jenny didn't bat an eye, Lu Ye's feelings got even more complicated.
[Disguise Activated!]
[Disguise: Instantly recognizable to everyone except Jenny and Ash. +200% concealment effect.]
Yellow tilted her head curiously. "Teacher Lu, are these your friends?"
"Just three Team Rocket members," Lu Ye sighed.
"Eh?!"
Even seated in the conference room, the trio still looked nervous. "Lu—Lu—" James almost blurted "Executive" but swallowed it back. "Teacher, what's our role?"
Lu Ye coughed. "The plan is simple—the five of us will play villains, defeat the backup squad, and then intentionally lose to Arcanine."
Yellow scratched her head and grinned. "My first time playing a villain… kinda nervous!"
The trio exchanged glances. Playing villains? That's our specialty! But… doing it in Jenny's territory… They shivered.
Still wearing sunglasses, James leaned in and whispered, "Boss… we're still wanted criminals. Are we really safe here?"
"What's there to worry about? We're just acting," Lu Ye sipped his tea. "Heck, Jenny might even thank us afterward."
The trio licked their lips, their admiration for Lu Ye skyrocketing. A true Rocket Boss!
"So… which Pokémon are we kidnapping, meow?" Excited, Meowth rubbed his paws, while Wobbuffet let out a cry.
Before Yellow could ask questions, Lu Ye coughed. "In drills, the hostage is usually fake… no one's actually giving you a real Pokémon to kidnap—"
Just then, Jenny walked in, holding a round Growlithe in her arms. "Teacher Lu, please take care of this little one for the drill."
Lu Ye blinked. "So… this is the hostage—uh, I mean, the 'dog-stage'?"
Looking into Growlithe's round, black eyes, Lu Ye raised a brow. "Wow… look at those wise little eyes."
[Inorin Note:
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