Chapter 174: The Trainer from Pallet Town
Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"It's not that I can't take you two in. In that case, I will accept you as my Disciples-in-name."
A smile broke through Koga's stern facade before his expression turned serious again. He said:
"However, I can see that you will cause great disaster in the future, a calamity on the scale of wrecking the heavens. When you act, you must never reveal my identity or whereabouts. Otherwise, no matter how far you run, I will hunt you scoundrels down and grind your bones to dust."
"Yes, your Disciple understands! Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"
Jessie and James hurriedly nodded with beaming smiles. Just by looking at that majestic and extraordinary Arbok, the trio knew that this stern, middle-aged man was no simple character.
"Hmph... if today's haul is good, we'll find a chance tonight to take out this so-called master."
The three exchanged a glance, the corners of their mouths curling into a sinister smile as a bold idea rose in their minds.
Don't blame us for being ruthless, you can only blame...
You can only blame our Master's Pokémon for being too strong!
What's the point of raising one yourself when you can just take one that's already this good?
"Ssss..."
The majestic Arbok couldn't help but shiver. Its King Cobra-like head scanned the surroundings, feeling as if it was being watched.
"Heh heh, my good disciples."
Koga also nodded in satisfaction, while inwardly vowing to find a day to stab the three of them in the back.
As a wily veteran, how could he not see through their devious schemes?
You may have many bold ideas.
But in the hands of a professional, there are many ways to carry a coffin!
"Heh heh heh..."
The four of them beamed, formally establishing a master-disciple relationship on the surface. It was a touching scene of a benevolent master and filial disciples, even though in their hearts, they all saw each other as nothing but a Tool.
"Remember, Ekans's movements must be firm and long-lasting..."
"Koffing's expression must be sufficiently comical..."
Despite their mutual scheming, Koga didn't try to trip them up. He imparted all his battle Experience and techniques for Ekans and Koffing without holding back, which greatly benefited the Team Rocket trio. They were endlessly amazed, wondering to themselves why they had never thought of such Skills before.
If this World was like the Digital World, where you could see a Pokémon's Level data, then at this moment, Team Rocket's Ekans and Koffing would be shooting up from Lv. 15, skyrocketing like a rocket.
This was the vast difference in Realm between a Master and an ordinary person. A Master's words alone surpassed the results of twenty years of battle practice for Fodder.
Of course, this rapid Increase was only at the very beginning, evolving from the Fodder stage to a slightly more competent, yet still insignificant, stage. To improve further, actual Battle was still essential.
"Chaaa-sss!!"
"Koff-ing!!"
Suddenly, Ekans and Koffing cried out where they stood. A brilliant White Light of Evolution burst from their bodies, their forms constantly changing within the light.
"They're evolving?"
The Team Rocket trio's eyes widened, staring dumbly at their own Pokémon.
If someone had told them before that a person could talk a Pokémon into evolving with words alone, they wouldn't have believed it. But today, they did!!
Instantly, Koga's status grew even loftier in their eyes. For a split second, they even hesitated, wondering if they should abandon their plan to rob their benefactor later.
But 0.001 seconds later, the three of them simultaneously came up with a plan that offered the best of both worlds.
They still had to rob him.
Koga's powerful Poison-type Pokémon were just too tempting. Even if Giovanni himself were here, they'd have to be robbed!
They would just let the Pokémon out of their Poké Balls after robbing him and return the empty Poké Balls to Master Koga.
Rounding up, it was as if they hadn't robbed him at all.
"We're too good to our Master," the Team Rocket trio sighed.
Soon, the White Light of Evolution faded. The newly evolved Arbok and Weezing revealed their bodies, now majestic and imposing, even faintly exuding the terrifying Aura of Koga's own Arbok.
"Tsk, what I've said today will be enough for you to digest for three months. For now, you're on your own."
Koga briskly recalled his Arbok. Just then, the sound of a bell came from a corner of the room. Koga's eyebrow twitched slightly, and he turned around.
"It seems a guest has arrived. The Fuchsia Gym does not engage in despicable acts. You should leave through the back door. The next time we meet, I will impart to you the true Ultimate Skill of Poison-type Pokémon."
"Th-thank you, Master! We'll be on our way then!"
Having gained new Strength, the Team Rocket trio was just about to turn on him and stab him in the kidneys while his back was turned, but his words made them quickly change their plans.
Next time, after we get our hands on the Grand Secret Art, then we'll take you down!
The three quickly recalled their newly evolved Arbok and Weezing and left Fuchsia City through the back door.
With their newfound power, their current targets were that little pipsqueak and his Abnormal Variant Pikachu!!
"The harder you work, the luckier you get!"
The trio left the Fuchsia Gym in high spirits, for once traveling by land and not by air...
"Father, it's a Trainer who has come to challenge the Gym. They're from a place called Pallet Town. The Challenger's name is Ash."
When Koga stepped out of the Room Door, the Ninja Girl Janine was already waiting by his side, explaining the situation.
She didn't quite understand why her father had spent so long in the room with those three despicable Team Rocket members, only to let them go in the end.
"Could it be... that Team Rocket is using the Fuchsia Gym to threaten and coerce Father again! Damn them, how despicable!"
Janine's mental fanfiction was complete, and her hatred for Team Rocket reached a new level.
Koga had no idea what his daughter was fantasizing about, but one thing was for sure: he would not let his daughter get involved with Team Rocket.
He formed a Tiger Seal with his hands, thought for a moment, and then slowly spoke:
"A Challenger, is it? So be it. This is the last Gym challenge I will be accepting. Let's go, Janine."
Hearing this, Janine's body trembled and her eyes grew moist. Was her father suffering from some serious illness? Had it already reached the point of his final battle?
Although her father was extremely strict with her on a daily basis, Janine knew that he loved her more than anyone else!
Tears welled in her eyes.
Koga: "?"
He understood his daughter's thoughts and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had no choice but to tell her about his upcoming appointment as a member of the Johto League's Elite Four.
"After I leave, I'm putting you in charge of the Fuchsia Gym. Remember what your father has taught you, and hone your skills through Gym challenges. Your future Achievement will be no less than my own."
For a rare moment, Koga revealed a loving smile, one completely different from the backstabbing affection he'd shown Jessie and James, as he gently patted Janine's head.
"Let's go. Since this is my final battle, you should watch with your eyes wide open. Witness your father's Ninja Battle one last time!"
As if remembering something, a smile suddenly touched the corners of Koga's lips.
A Trainer from Pallet Town?
The Spiky-Haired Youth who came to challenge him a few days ago was also from Pallet Town. That person had made even Koga take a second look.
Despite having just started his journey, he already possessed the Strength of an Elite Trainer. His insight, Command, adaptability, and overall perspective—in every aspect, he was impeccable among Newbie Trainers.
When Koga had tested him by sending out his Ace Pokémon, the opponent even seemed to have burst into an Extreme State, and in the end, actually managed to overwhelm his Ace.
It was as if he had become a different person, a transformation that made even someone as strong as Koga's heart tremble.
One had to understand, although that Ace Pokémon wasn't his absolute strongest, it was still one of his top three powerhouses, a powerful Pokémon capable of facing an Elite Four member-level opponent head-on!
"Hmph, let's see... what kind of Strength does this Trainer from Pallet Town possess?"
Koga's interest was thoroughly piqued.
(end of chapter)