"Nice idea." Grey's smile didn't change. "Gallade—Aqua Cutter!"
Gallade's strength had already reached Elite Four level. It wasn't the weak little rookie it used to be.
The moment it heard Grey's command, it instantly knew the best way to respond.
"Awooo!"
Right then, Houndoom's entire body was wrapped in crimson flames—so intense they even started trending toward a sickly pale white.
With Focus Blast pressing down from above, Houndoom bared its fangs and poured everything into dealing with Alakazam, completely failing to realize the deadly threat behind it!
Slash!
The water-charged blade aura came down in the next instant. The moment it touched Houndoom's flames, white steam burst out in thick wisps.
Then, as the fire vanished, the watery blade slammed into Houndoom's body so hard the ground beneath it caved into a crater.
"Woo…"
Houndoom's jaws snapped shut from the impact—and Alakazam's Focus Blast arrived at the same time!
BOOOOOOM!
Focus Blast nailed Houndoom square on the head. Massive Fighting-type energy tore through its whole body, and a small mushroom cloud rose in the back alley. The shockwave rattled Houndoom so violently it felt like its bones were about to come apart.
That hit was brutal. If Houndoom were even a little weaker, it would be lying in a Pokémon Center for at least a month before it could even get out of bed.
"Mr. Archer," Grey said, rubbing his hands together slowly, then curling his finger at him. "You still want to keep going? Or do your other four Pokémon want to get beaten up too?"
His tone softened, which somehow made it worse. "If you want to play a little longer, we've got plenty of time today to keep you company."
"I… uh… th-this… that…"
Archer's voice turned choppy and uneven.
"Nope," Grey cut him off immediately, smiling. "Pretty stubborn, aren't you? Refusing to yield even if it means going down. In that case…"
Before he could finish, a bright blue glow erupted around Grey.
A Poké Ball snapped down onto the ground, and Lucario burst out—metallic claws flashing as it lunged backward.
Splat!
A slightly chubby Gengar was slammed into the pavement under Lucario's paw. Gengar clearly hadn't expected that after sneaking in for a cheap shot while Grey was "feeling himself," it would get spotted instantly—and that Grey would have time to throw out Lucario for a counter.
"Mr. Archer," Grey said, glancing at the pinned Gengar, his grin widening, "your ambush technique is still a step behind Mr. Petrel's."
He lifted his chin slightly, voice almost cheerful. "Whatever tricks you've got—go on. Use them."
"…That's all I've got."
Archer raised both hands and surrendered.
If you couldn't win, you tried to ambush. That had been his final card.
He just hadn't expected Grey to shut it down so fast. The whiplash left him dazed.
He did everything.
And somehow… he'd done nothing.
He'd thrown everything he had into trying to break through Grey's layers of restraints, and he hadn't even cracked the first one.
For someone in Archer's position, that felt like taking a hammer to his own skull.
"Alright. Next, we let Officer Jenny escort you to the Indigo Plateau," Grey said, raising an eyebrow. "I'll find time to visit you guys later. I'll even top up your meal card when I do."
Honestly, Grey felt like this Team Rocket arrest had been way too easy.
It hadn't taken long at all to catch Archer.
He'd been expecting some massive battle that lasted hundreds of exchanges.
But as his strength grew, Trainers who were only "okay" in raw combat ability simply weren't his opponents anymore.
And really—none of these Team Rocket executives had true battlefield experience.
They had power, sure. The last time they fought him, they'd mostly bullied him with level advantage.
Now that Grey's levels had caught up, someone like Archer was nothing more than an ant.
If Archer were like the Elite Four of other regions—hardened by countless battles—then Grey and Sabrina would've had to grind it out for a long time to finally take him down.
Seeing Archer still not moving, Grey stepped closer, enunciating every word.
"Mr. Archer, you can recall your Pokémon now. Otherwise, I'll assume you still have the ability to resist."
"Tch… fine. This one's on me."
Archer pouted, looking completely resigned.
I mean—his opponents were Grey plus Sabrina. He'd tried his absolute hardest and still couldn't win. Boss Giovanni would definitely understand how rough this was for him.
Yeah. Archer worked really hard today too!
With that thought, and not wanting any extra pain, Archer recalled all his Pokémon, locked the Poké Balls, and handed them over to Grey.
"I only brought six. Here."
"You Team Rocket people are pretty respectful of League laws, huh?" Grey patted Archer's shoulder, like he was genuinely encouraging him. "They say six max, and you really do only carry six. When you get to prison, make sure you put in some solid time at the sewing machine. I'll bring people to support your… career."
"…Heh. Wow. Thanks so much."
Archer couldn't hold it in—he forced those words out through his teeth.
[HAHAHAHA, so this is how the streamer arrests Team Rocket off-camera? That's not just beating them up, that's emotional damage too!]
[So that's four Team Rocket executives arrested now, right? Kanto's really thriving! Gym Leaders in other regions should learn from Grey and Sabrina!]
[Hard to learn, honestly. Those two in Saffron have special abilities—ambushes don't even work on them!]
[Exactly! And Grey's aura is so cool. That burst earlier—when Lucario jumped out and just pinned Gengar with one claw—SO COOL!]
People replayed the scene in their heads: Grey releasing aura, his presence sweeping his clothes and making the fabric flutter—then Lucario launching out and slamming Gengar into the ground in one motion.
It was insane.
It made you want to buy Grey a Governor subscription on the spot!
But a Governor was way too expensive. If it were, like, ten thousand a year, maybe they'd do it.
Who even decided on these prices? Twenty thousand a month—are they out of their minds?
Forget it. Small gifts it is.
As the chat joked around, viewers tapped whatever gifts they could afford. The screen filled with all kinds of donation animations.
"Ri-riolu~!" (Wow! Thank you, everyone, for the gifts! Little Riolu here thanks you all for the snacks—thanks to friends from everywhere for the support~!)
Seeing so many gifts, Riolu's face was glowing with happiness.
After this haul, it could eat all-you-can-eat barbecue for several more meals!
Seriously—arresting criminals really was the best way to make money!
"Alright. Time to contact Officer Jenny."
Grey was just about to call when a voice came from behind them.
"No need. I brought Officer Jenny with me."
//Check out my P@tre0n for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810