Feng Che noticed that despite the massive waves rolling outside, the interior of the cabin remained remarkably stable, with only a slight sway.
"I reinforced the hull and increased the ship's weight. Although diesel consumption is higher than a standard speedboat, the safety factor is much greater," Shizukawa explained, noticing the curiosity in Feng Che's eyes.
Feng Che entered the cabin Shizukawa had prepared. The bedding was brand new, showing the captain's sincere effort to please his high-ranking passenger.
While I have the chance, I should look over the Bounty Hunter Guild and Team Rocket assignments.
Feng Che first logged into the Bounty Hunter Guild portal. Given his current rank, the available missions were limited. The highest-paying one involved capturing high-potential Goldeen with unique patterns for eccentric aristocrats.
I'll worry about my hunter rank later, he thought. He then switched to the Team Rocket internal network. Being an Elite, he had access to high-difficulty, high-reward tasks.
"Capture Gyarados and Sharpedo—unlimited buyback, mission never expires. Perfect. Since I'm at sea, I'll focus on these," Feng Che muttered, accepting the mission.
He began to analyze the future timeline. Moltres is caught. Soon, Articuno and Zapdos will follow. Then comes the Silph Co. incident in Saffron City. Giovanni will underestimate the 'Children of Destiny,' and his Three-Bird fusion will be defeated. Between that loss, the loss of the Saffron underground, and Mewtwo's eventual escape, Team Rocket will be crippled for a while before rebounding to truly challenge the League.
Then, the Elite Four rebellion will throw Kanto into chaos, providing the perfect cover for Rocket to grow in the shadows...
As he finished planning, a hearty dinner was served. Once the storm passed, Shizukawa started the engines and set a course for the Unova region.
The Following Morning.
The silver speedboat sliced through the waves, startling schools of Mantyke that leaped from the water to race against the hull.
"Good morning, Elite Feng Che. We've entered the Johto sea lanes," Shizukawa called out from the deck. "I can slow down if you'd like to catch some Mantyke."
"No need. Speed is priority," Feng Che replied.
Hardly had he spoken when a massive roar erupted from the deep. A giant Gyarados burst through the surface, followed by a swarming pack of Sharpedo.
"The situation I feared most," Shizukawa said, his face paling.
"Explain," Feng Che demanded.
"Sharpedo and Gyarados are fighting for territory here. These two groups will tear each other apart—and anything caught in the middle—until one side is driven out. Beyond this sea lies Slateport City in Hoenn. If we detour, we'll have to circle the entire Johto continent, costing us days."
"Captain, what's the call? Detour or push through?" Hanabi shouted from the cockpit.
Shizukawa hesitated. A detour added time and unknown risks. But pushing through a war zone was suicide.
"Captain Shizukawa, push straight through," Feng Che said, throwing three Poké Balls. Ivysaur, Aerodactyl, and his newly evolved Red Gyarados appeared. "I'll handle the locals."
"If it gets too dangerous, we retreat immediately!" Shizukawa gripped the railing, his knuckles white.
The Sharpedo were bloodthirsty sea bullies, capable of smelling blood from miles away. They could eject water from their rear at high pressure to hit speeds of 120 km/h.
Feng Che had no intention of fighting a two-front war. He decided to side with the Gyarados to crush the Sharpedo.
His Red Gyarados dove into the water. Its massive size and blood-red scales radiated a terrifying Dragon Aura, thanks to the Dragon Pearl it carried. Even the wild Gyarados leader recoiled in fear.
The Red Gyarados let out a thunderous roar, calling the wild Gyarados to order. Meanwhile, the Sharpedo leader surfaced, commanding over a hundred snarling sharks.
[Sharpedo Leader: These Gyarados were almost broken. Now a human interferes? Kill the boat first!]
Several two-meter Sharpedo leaped from the water, jaws agape. The smell of raw blood filled the air.
BAM! Ivysaur's vine-fists slammed into the sharks' snouts—their most sensitive spot. Teeth flew as the sharks were hammered back into the ocean, unconscious. Feng Che deftly threw Poké Balls, snatching the fainted bullies from the waves.
"Great work, Ivysaur! Now, use Seed Bomb on the Gyarados's joints!"
Feng Che sent a silent telepathic message. While the wild Gyarados thought the green orbs falling on them were harmless, the seeds took root, siphoning their energy as they fought.
Then, the sky darkened. Lightning struck the sea—and was absorbed by the Red Gyarados. It began to glow with a golden, electric light as if wearing golden armor.
The Red Gyarados rose from the sea, floating in the air. It summoned a massive Whirlpool that began to churn the entire sea lane, sucking in Sharpedo and wild Gyarados alike.
The Dragon Pearl is incredible, Feng Che thought, watching his dragon rule the waves like a true deity. With this, I might even be able to recruit Lance's Dragon Army one day.
However, the wild Gyarados leader wasn't stupid. It realized the Red Gyarados wasn't an ally, but a conqueror.
[Gyarados Leader: This human doesn't want to help. He wants to cage us! GYARADOS NEVER SLAVES!]
With a deafening cry, the wild Gyarados turned their fury away from the sharks and launched a combined assault on the Red Gyarados.