Pokémon, Inkaros, my starter Pokémon

"How can there be so many?!"

Electrode, a ball-shaped Pokémon, appears in large numbers at power plants. Because it consumes electricity, it can cause major blackouts and riots in nearby towns. In addition, it has the trait of being attracted to electricity, making it a troublesome bunch of creatures. Because it stores so much electrical energy in its body that it is about to overflow, it will explode if it is stimulated even slightly.

Everyone understands just how troublesome these two Pokémon are.

In an instant, the joy that had just begun was replaced by a chilling cold, and everyone panicked.

Lance spread his arms wide, a smug smile on his face, a look of absolute control on his face. His voice, amplified through the equipment, filled the entire hall with a menacing tone:

"See that, everyone! The hold of this ship is completely filled with these 'cute' little guys! At my command, they will all... explode at once!"

"At that moment, the entire Saint Anne, along with everyone on board, will explode into the most dazzling fireworks on the sea with a 'bang'!"

"So now! I advise you to surrender immediately! Hand over all your Poké Balls! Otherwise, I will turn this place... to ashes in an instant!"

Lance's crazy and threatening words plunged the trainers and guests, whose hopes had just been rekindled, back into an abyss of fear. Then, his gaze swept across the room like a venomous snake, reveling in the pale faces and trembling bodies of the crowd, which were filled with terror.

"Team Rocket...they're a bunch of lunatics! A terrorist organization!"

"Do they really dare to do this? This involves the lives of everyone on the ship!"

"Don't bomb! Please don't bomb! We surrender! We'll hand over the Poké Balls!"

Some people whose psychological defenses had completely collapsed had already cried out.

The sailors and crew on board were even more pale-faced. They knew better than anyone the devastating consequences if the Thunderballs and Mischievous Bombs in the hold exploded simultaneously!

The entire giant ship could very well be blown in half and sink instantly! In this uninhabited sea far from the shipping lanes, the chances of survival are practically zero!

"What should I do?!"

Desperate cries spread through the crowd.

Lance's gaze finally settled on Shi Dou, a twisted smile of extreme arrogance and unruliness spreading across his face as he said:

"See that? This is my trump card! Do you still dare to make a move? Hahahaha!"

Lance reveled in the pleasure of driving even the strong to the brink of defeat.

however……

Before Lance's smug laughter had even faded, a green afterimage appeared in front of the Team Rocket soldier who was controlling the big screen!

It's Hilda!

It didn't even swing the sickle; with just a light swipe of its arm, the sharp wind pressure it generated was like an invisible blade, cleanly severing and shattering the portable device and its connecting wires in the soldier's hand!

"Zi la——!"

The surveillance footage on the large screen instantly turned into static, and then went completely black.

All the Team Rocket members were so frightened by the sudden and uncompromising attack that they retreated one after another, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Hilda.

Lance's smile froze instantly, transforming into utter astonishment and rage. He pointed at Shi Dou and said angrily:

"Are you insane?! Didn't you hear what I said?! I really will order this place blown up! Everyone will be buried with you!!"

Faced with Lance's furious roar and the terrified gazes of the entire audience, Shidou not only did not back down, but instead took a step forward and let out a cold sneer:

"Hmph! If you've got the guts... then go ahead and blow it up!!!"

"You think I'll be afraid of you just because you threaten everyone's lives?"

"You're welcome to try pressing your so-called detonation button."

"But I'm asking you..."

"Would the arrogant and ambitious Rockets be willing to risk a ship full of hostages and the inevitable furious retaliation from the league for the sake of your 'spoils'... a fight to the death?!"

"Use your brain! Would your boss allow you to do something so stupid as to completely enrage the league and make the Rockets the enemy of the world?!"

"Look me in the eyes and answer me!!!"

Shidou said very firmly, completely unafraid of Lance's explosive threat.

Lance: "..."

Lance, unable to refute, gritted his teeth in anger.

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PS: This is a 2.5-word update, even more than what was mentioned at the time of publication. Please support me!

Chapter 56: The Dodo, with its regal aura, the fourth spirit from outer space? (3 words)

The league's top management was not entirely unaware of the mastermind behind the Rockets, namely Giovanni, the leader of the Viridian Gym.

But behind this lies a complex balance of power and exchange of interests.

Giovanni also has deep roots within the League, and the League often turns a blind eye to his usual petty squabbles, such as stealing wild Pokémon or attacking individual trainers.

Even occasionally, Giovanni would "sacrifice" a few insignificant branch bases to allow the alliance to "gain" something, maintaining a superficial balance.

but……

Blow up the entire luxury cruise ship, the St. Anne?!

This is completely different!

This would be the most heinous terrorist attack in history, shocking the world and targeting countless innocent civilians and trainers! It would shatter the delicate balance and expose Team Rocket nakedly to the forces of justice worldwide!

Just to steal the Pokémon of this ship of trainers, most of whom are not even top-tier rare Pokémon, would Team Rocket dare to put themselves in a relentless joint pursuit by more than a dozen Champions and Elite Four level trainers from Kanto, Johto, and other regions?

Obviously not!

Boss Sakaki would never allow his subordinates to do something so foolish and reckless!

This is tantamount to digging your own grave!

Lance's face was ashen, his teeth were grinding together, and he was furious but unable to refute it.

Damn it! What's going on? This brat is not only ridiculously strong, but he also knows the organization's unspoken rules and the boss's bottom line so well?!

Just then, the communicator on Tatsumi's wrist vibrated rapidly. He glanced down at it, his expression instantly turning even more grim. He quickly leaned close to Lance's ear and whispered:

"Lord Lance, something terrible has happened! The outer perimeter security team has reported that Alliance reinforcements have arrived! It's... it's Dragon Crossing!"

"What?! Dragon Crossing?!"

Lance's pupils contracted sharply.

"Is that the Imperial Dragon Crossing?!"

"The Dragon Messenger of Kanto?!"

"We're doomed! Run!"

The name "Lance" seemed to carry a magical power, plunging the already demoralized Team Rocket members into even greater panic, as if they had heard the name of their nemesis.

Lance's forehead was also beaded with cold sweat.

If that guy comes, given my current state of heavy losses and the loss of my main force, I will definitely not fare well, and may even be left behind.

Lance glared at Tokito with venomous intent and said viciously, "Tokito, the fighting gym leader of Goldenrod City... I'll remember you!"

Without further hesitation, Lance flung out a Poké Ball.

"Double-shot gas, use Black Mist!"

"Weezing!"

The two gas canisters simultaneously spewed out thick, viscous black smoke from their two heads, instantly engulfing a large area. The pungent smell and the darkness that obscured visibility plunged the crowd into chaos and coughing once again.

"Ash, use Pidgeotto's Gale Force to disperse it!" Tokito shouted immediately.

"Understood, Pidgey, it's you I choose! Gale!"

Ash quickly released Pidgeotto.

Pidgey flapped its wings vigorously, creating a powerful gust of air that quickly dispersed the thick black fog.

When visibility returned, the spot where Team Rocket had been was deserted, leaving only Pokémon unable to battle and a scene of chaos. Clearly, they had planned their escape route in advance and quickly fled under the cover of the black mist.

Although he had completely offended Team Rocket, such a large and evil organization, which might bring a lot of trouble in the future, Tokito did not regret it.

After all, as a gym leader, even if he is newly appointed, protecting the safety of trainers and ordinary people and stopping evil deeds is a responsibility he cannot shirk.

With the crisis temporarily averted, Shi Dou immediately led several crew members to the captain's cabin and rescued the old captain who had been bound for a long time.

The crew members excitedly recounted the thrilling events to the captain, especially emphasizing how Shi Dou turned the tide, defeated the Rocket Team officers, saw through the enemy's explosive threat, and ultimately forced the enemy to retreat.

Although the old captain was still somewhat weak, he solemnly expressed his sincerest gratitude to Shidou, "Young Master, thank you so much! You saved the St. Anne and the lives of everyone on board! We, the entire crew of the St. Anne, will forever remember this kindness!"

Just then, a loud dragon roar came from outside the window.

Everyone looked up and saw a huge, orange-yellow figure approaching at an extremely fast speed and landing steadily on the deck.

It is the Flying-type Elite Four member of the Kanto region—

Riding the Dragon Crossing!

Lance leaped off the back of his signature Dragonite and strode quickly into the captain's cabin with a serious expression.

"Captain, how are things? Is everyone alright?"

Yu Longdu's voice carried a hint of urgency. He was slightly taken aback when he saw that the old captain was unharmed and that a distinguished-looking young stranger was standing beside him.

The old captain quickly explained, "Mr. Lance, we're alright. It's all thanks to this Fighting Gym Leader from Saffron City; he defeated Team Rocket, which allowed us to escape danger."

Shi Dou felt a sense of helplessness.

Dodo, you really timed your appearance perfectly! Everything was already over before you showed up...

Yu Longdu turned his gaze to Shi Dou with a hint of curiosity.

Goldenrod City Fighting Dojo?

In his memory, wasn't that place under the control of Natsumi and had lost its official status a long time ago?

When did such a young and powerful new museum owner arrive?

Despite his doubts, Lance immediately expressed his gratitude, "So you are the Gym Leader of Time Fighting? Thank you so much for your heroic act! I am Lance. If you hadn't intervened in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"Mr. Watari, you're too kind. It's what I should do."

Shi Dou responded calmly.

Soon after, police sirens sounded on the sea, and several speedboats bearing police markings quickly approached the St. Anne. Boarding the ship were the dashing Miss Officer Jenny and her police team.

Miss Officer Jenny quickly directed her team to investigate the scene, collect evidence, comfort the frightened guests, and learn the details of the incident.

When she learned that it was Tokito who had stepped forward at the crucial moment, she immediately walked up to him and gave him a solemn salute:

"Mr. Shidou, on behalf of the Coast Guard and all the rescued personnel, I extend my highest respect and gratitude to you! Your courage and wisdom prevented a great tragedy!"

Tokito waved his hand and said casually, "Miss Officer Jenny is too kind. I just did what any capable trainer would do."

"No, this is no small matter." Miss Officer Jenny continued firmly, "You not only protected the lives and property of the people, but also dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of Team Rocket. I will definitely report your achievements to the League headquarters in detail, and the League will certainly give you the recognition and reward you deserve!"

Seeing that Miss Officer Jenny was so insistent, Tokito no longer declined and nodded, saying, "In that case, I'll trouble Miss Officer Jenny."

With official recognition and promotion from the league, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to him in building popularity and developing his dojo.

This "deal" is a win-win situation.

After dealing with the basic matters at the scene, Lance returned to Tokito with an even more solemn expression and said, "Tokito, regardless of my status, I must thank you again. I will personally report your achievements to Chairman Damaranchi."

“In that case, I’ll trouble you.” Shi Tou accepted readily, then changed the subject, a flame of challenge igniting in his eyes, and said, “Also, Mr. Watari, just letting you know in advance. In the future, I will definitely challenge you.”

Upon hearing this, Lance was not displeased at all; instead, he showed an interested smile. As the leader of the Kanto League's Elite Four, he was already used to challenges from trainers from all sides.

"You're welcome anytime. I'll be waiting for you in the Champions League. Although right now... I'm only the top of the Elite Four, emmmm..."

The dodo paused, its tone tinged with helplessness.

In this world, the legendary trainer Red has reached the top and become the champion of the Kanto region. Although he severely damaged Team Rocket when he debuted, he was unable to completely eradicate them.

"It's okay, I'll take on the challenge soon, whether it's you or someone in a higher position."

Shi Dou said calmly.

"Oh? Very confident. How long do you think it will take? A year? Or two?"

Yu Longdu looked at Shi Dou with great interest.