Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Hearing Luo Yuan's words, Yas and Kaz wanted nothing more than to join their subordinates in running away.

But Slowpoke's Psychic held their feet firmly in place, making escape impossible.

Despite their desperate pleas, Luo Yuan remained unmoved.

Now that Yas and Kaz's followers had scattered, and the two leaders were subdued, Dark City's residents finally dared to emerge from their homes.

Two representatives stepped forward to thank Luo Yuan.

"What am I doing playing the hero here when I'm a Rocket executive?" Luo Yuan thought to himself with an inward smirk. Outwardly, though, he accepted their gratitude graciously.

After all, right now, he was merely a promising young Trainer, not a Rocket official.

Politely declining an invitation from a restaurant owner offering a free meal, Luo Yuan continued petting his Eevee—until the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance.

---

Officer Jenny quickly confiscated Yas and Kaz's Poké Balls, handcuffing the two disgruntled gym leaders before shoving them into a patrol car.

"You must be Mr. Luo Yuan, the one who reported this. Thank you for your help," Jenny said.

Hearing her words, Kaz, Yas, and the surrounding residents finally learned Luo Yuan's name.

"Just call me Luo Yuan," he replied, a slight grin on his face.

Being called "Mister" made him feel a decade older.

"Luo Yuan, have we met before? I feel like I've heard your name somewhere…" Jenny mused.

"?"

Luo Yuan's pulse quickened—did she recognize him?

But he quickly dismissed the notion.

His true identity was highly classified within Team Rocket, impossible to leak.

So where had she heard his name?

"Where did you hear it from?" he asked, feigning curiosity.

Jenny thought for a moment. "I think it was from my cousin in Pewter City."

"...So all the Jennys really are one family," Luo Yuan mused internally.

Hearing "Pewter City," though, made things clear.

"Oh, that must be from when I drove out those Team Flare agents who had slipped into Kanto," he said.

"Team Flare?"

Jenny's eyes widened, looking at him with newfound respect.

She knew enough about Team Flare to be impressed.

Not wanting to give her more time to probe, Luo Yuan quickly changed the subject, asking, "I actually had a question, if you wouldn't mind clarifying something for me?"

"Of course."

"I was wondering—how did things in Dark City get so out of hand? Dark City should have its own police station, right?" Luo Yuan asked. "Why didn't the police intervene earlier when Yas and Kaz's gyms started brawling in the streets?"

Luo Yuan had been puzzled by this ever since he'd arrived in Dark City.

As a Rocket executive, he knew that the League kept police stations in most cities specifically to counter Team Rocket's influence.

Even though Dark City was a small town, it was still a city, so it should have had a police force.

The brawling should've been stopped before it escalated.

Jenny's face flushed slightly, and she looked a bit embarrassed.

"Actually… this was our mistake," she admitted.

"How so?" Luo Yuan asked.

Jenny explained, "You're right—there is a police station in Dark City, and my cousin is the officer in charge."

"But two weeks ago, she took medical leave, and since Team Rocket activity has increased recently, we had to reassign a lot of officers to handle Rocket-related incidents, so we couldn't send anyone to cover for her here."

Luo Yuan finally understood why Yas and Kaz had been able to fight for so long without anyone stepping in.

He hadn't expected it to be indirectly due to Team Rocket.

Seeing his understanding expression, Jenny seemed to remember something.

"Oh, right... Luo Yuan, would you have any interest in becoming a Gym Trainer?"

"The League is planning to establish a new gym in Dark City, and my cousin has a recommendation slot available. Since you helped us out so much here, I could ask her to recommend you if you're interested."

Hearing this, Kaz and Yas, still sitting in the back of the patrol car, looked ready to explode with jealousy.

After all, the entire reason they'd fought for so long was for official League recognition as a gym, and now Officer Jenny was offering to recommend Luo Yuan herself.

With Jenny's endorsement, plus Luo Yuan's evident strength, it would be almost a guaranteed appointment.

Even though Luo Yuan had mentioned he wasn't interested earlier, who knew if he might change his mind?

"A Gym Trainer?" Luo Yuan paused, then shook his head.

"Not interested."

Besides the low pay and extra workload, there were plenty of other reasons.

First, he would eventually have to expand Team Rocket's influence in Hoenn. If he became Dark City's Gym Trainer, he'd be tied down here.

Second… this place was dirt poor.

The League's intention in building a gym here was to attract Trainers and stimulate the economy. Having a Rocket executive handle that was hardly fitting.

And besides… there were already four Rocket members among Kanto's eight gym leaders; Luo Yuan figured the League's reputation could use a break.

Jenny blinked in surprise, not expecting such an immediate refusal.

For most Trainers, becoming a Gym Trainer was a dream.

Looking at Kaz and Yas's envious expressions, the desire was obvious.

But since Luo Yuan had refused, she didn't press the matter.

Given that Luo Yuan had just bested two strong Gym Trainer candidates, he clearly had enough skill to pursue a promising future on his own terms.

"Very well. I'll file a report on this incident with the League. They should award you some commendation, and I'll be in touch when that happens," Jenny said.

Luo Yuan nodded, and Jenny left with Kaz and Yas, who wore expressions of bitter resentment.

Kaz and Yas would face charges for "inciting violence, disturbing public order, using Pokémon for assault, and causing property damage."

From what Luo Yuan knew of Kanto's legal system, if they couldn't afford bail, even with Pokémon World's lenient sentencing, they'd still be looking at a good year or two behind bars.

After saying goodbye to Dark City's grateful residents, Luo Yuan's name began to spread throughout the town by word of mouth.

Luo Yuan then took out his phone and dialed Mr. Silph, the president of Silph Co.

---

Oh, hey there, Traveler! 🍃 My friend here is the one bringing these stories to you—quite the talent, wouldn't you agree? If anything feels off, just give them a nudge—they're always happy to make things even better.

Now, don't forget to take a moment to rest! Grab a drink (perhaps something as refreshing as Mondstadt's finest), and let the stories whisk you away.

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Here's to more adventures and endless inspiration~ 🎵