As Sam had always said, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Since he had benefited so much from the Alliance because of that label placed upon him, it was time for him to repay it.
After all, the Kanto Alliance was not a charity organization.
A Lapras was not something that could be obtained so easily either.
Sam believed that Erika's request for help had definitely already been reported to the Alliance.
To put it nicely, Erika was asking him for assistance.
To put it bluntly, this was a task assigned to Sam by the Alliance.
After figuring this out, Sam immediately adjusted his attitude.
"Team Rocket? If Miss Erika needs my help, just say the word."
"Then I'll be counting on you, Sam." Erika's smile became noticeably more sincere and radiant.
It was always easy to communicate with smart people. No explanations were needed — a few words were enough.
The two of them talked in the room for more than two hours before Sam finally left on his own.
"Hey, do you think you know what the eldest lady and Mr. Sam talked about after staying in the same room for so long?" a young-looking Gym apprentice whispered to her companions.
One of them rolled her eyes. "How would we know? Obviously, it must've been something important."
"Really?" the apprentice said with a suggestive tone.
She absolutely refused to believe that nothing interesting had happened between the two of them after being alone together for so long.
Her companion remained silent.
The apprentice grew a little annoyed. "Hey, do you think Miss Erika has fallen for Sam?"
"Oh?" A gentle voice suddenly sounded from behind her. "Have I fallen in love with Sam?"
The apprentice froze on the spot.
No wonder no one responded earlier — those traitors hadn't even warned her that Erika was standing right behind her!
The apprentice turned around stiffly, forcing an apologetic smile. "I—I was just joking, Miss Erika…"
"Get back to work." Erika's tone was calm but firm.
"Yes! Right away!" The apprentice hurried off, secretly relieved. She knew Erika wouldn't hold such careless chatter against her.
---
After returning to his room at the Pokémon Center, Sam dialed Professor Oak's number.
"Erika already told you about it, right?" Professor Oak's voice came through the receiver.
"Yes, Professor."
"Team Rocket's activities have become increasingly frequent lately," Professor Oak said, sounding puzzled. "That's very unlike their usual style."
Team Rocket had existed in Kanto for many years. The main reason the Alliance had never fully eradicated them wasn't just their strength, but the fact that they always acted with restraint.
There were conflicts, but they never crossed the Alliance's bottom line.
Yet recently, everything had changed. First was the kidnapping incident aboard the S.S. Anne, followed by the attack on Sabrina. Rocket branches across the region were also becoming unusually active, leaving Professor Oak deeply concerned.
The Alliance's tolerance toward Team Rocket was reaching its limit.
Meanwhile, Lance of the Kanto Elite Four had always been dedicated to eliminating all criminal organizations in the region. Unlike Sam, Lance was someone with a truly uncompromising sense of justice.
If the Alliance failed to act decisively, there was a real possibility that the youngest Elite in Kanto would resign — something the Alliance absolutely could not accept.
After finishing the call and understanding the full situation, Sam hung up.
He opened the window and gazed at the full moon hanging in the night sky.
A storm was coming.
---
The next morning, Sam was by the pool, quietly bonding with Lapras, when a small girl suddenly stopped him.
"Can you have a Pokémon battle with me?"
The girl looked about ten years old, with a ponytail and an adorable appearance.
"You want to battle me?" Sam asked in mild surprise. Most children that age didn't even have Pokémon. Judging by her clothes and demeanor, she clearly came from a well-off family.
"Yes!" the girl said loudly. "I want to challenge your Lapras! If you lose, you give it to me!"
Sam's expression instantly turned cold. A chilling aura spread from him without restraint.
He hadn't expected such a motive.
The girl who had seemed cute just moments ago now appeared deeply unpleasant.
If not for her young age, Sam would have already taught her a lesson.
Coveting another Trainer's Pokémon was one of the biggest taboos in the Pokémon world.
The girl — Stephanie — seemed frightened by Sam's sudden change, unconsciously taking a few steps back. But her greed toward Lapras pushed her to grit her teeth.
"What's wrong?" she shouted stubbornly. "Don't tell me you're scared to battle me?"
Looking at the greed in her eyes as she stared at Lapras, Sam finally understood.
At first, he thought she was just a spoiled child who liked Lapras's appearance. But now it was clear — this wasn't that simple.
Children from influential families weren't stupid, and people in this world matured early. If Sam wasn't mistaken, she had her eyes on Lapras's extraordinary talent.
That didn't surprise him.
Lapras possessed both outstanding looks and an elegant temperament. Anyone with discernment could tell it was a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
"Eat~ eat~."
Unaware of the tension, Lapras happily splashed around in the pool, playing with a floating ball.
"Eat~ eat~."
After a while, it noticed that Sam, who had been beside it, was gone. It lifted its head and looked around.
Then it found him.
"Puff!"
Lapras gently sprayed water, soaking Sam, who was standing on the shore facing Stephanie.
Wiping his face, Sam smiled faintly at Lapras.
"Alright, it's time for lunch. Let's go."
He recalled Lapras into its Poké Ball and turned away without sparing Stephanie a single glance.
People like her existed everywhere. There was no point getting angry over it.
Watching Sam's departing figure — and his complete indifference — Stephanie's face twisted with rage.
She pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
"Check someone's background for me," she snapped. "Right now."
"Yes, miss."
Sam had no idea he'd just been targeted.
And even if he did, he wouldn't care.
He wasn't afraid of Team Rocket — why would he be afraid of a little girl?
That would be a joke.
---------------Author---------------
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