Ash and the others watched several battles, but they didn't see any particularly strong trainers. The really powerful ones had probably already advanced to later Gyms.
After watching for a while, Ash started to lose interest.
Honestly, it wasn't as fun as eating.
"Why aren't you battling?" Misty pointed at the rankings displayed on the big screen. "Don't you want the prizes?"
"Isn't it nice to just relax sometimes?" Ash replied, taking a big gulp of his drink.
Brock wasn't particularly fond of these kinds of events anyway. He had mainly come along to accompany them—and to broaden his horizons a bit.
It was currently intermission, and several graceful performers had been invited onto the stage to sing and dance. Their elegant figures quickly drew the attention of many trainers.
"What's so interesting about that?" Misty puffed her cheeks angrily as she noticed Ash and Brock staring at the stage.
Those women were just wearing cooler outfits and had better figures.
Even if Misty's hardware wasn't quite up to par, her looks were still first-rate.
"It's not like that," Ash said, snapping back to reality. "I'm just observing their dance techniques."
Still not as good as that acquaintance of mine who practiced for two and a half years…
Brock reluctantly looked away from the stage, clearly unsatisfied.
Misty snorted.
"Observing dance techniques? You can even come up with excuses like that? Brock's a bad influence."
I didn't even do anything and I'm already taking the blame? Brock thought helplessly.
After all, Brock's reputation as a notorious flirt was already common knowledge.
"Are you enjoying yourselves here?"
The man in black approached them, holding hands with a beautiful woman as he greeted Ash and his friends.
"Not bad," Ash replied casually while biting into a giant lobster.
Very enjoyable, actually.
A high-end seafood feast.
So good!
Brock only glanced at the woman beside the man in black once, but his face immediately turned red at a visible speed.
He even forgot about the sandwich he had just taken a bite of.
Here we go again…
Misty sighed helplessly.
Ash was the only one acting somewhat normal.
"To be honest," the man in black said, "your Butterfree is very strong. It's just that… your tactics aren't very likable."
When he mentioned the tactics, a hint of awkwardness flashed across his face.
"I learned it from someone else," Ash replied.
The gentleman in black looked at Ash's innocent expression and smiled.
"What do you think of my Raticate?"
Here it comes.
He wanted to trade his Raticate for Butterfree.
"It's alright," Ash answered.
"If you think it's alright, how about trading your Butterfree for my Raticate?" the man said seriously.
"Pika!"
Pikachu stood on the table, glaring at the man with hostility.
Trying to trade away their Butterfree?
Ash simply shook his head.
He didn't say anything, but his refusal was clear.
His Butterfree had Champion-level potential and was one of his core Pokémon. There was no way he would trade it away.
"Trading Pokémon between trainers is a great way to expand friendships," the man continued persuading him. "It's a tradition recognized by all Pokémon trainers. You can make many friends this way."
"When you're traveling, sometimes you run into difficulties. That's when having friends becomes very helpful."
When the man couldn't convince Ash, the beautiful woman beside him joined in.
Her voice was pleasant, and she was charming…
Brock suddenly wanted to establish a friendship with her as well.
"I'm sorry," Ash said politely. "I don't think it's a good idea to trade away Pokémon that I've personally raised."
"If you like Butterfree, you can catch one in many places. When you raise it yourself, the bond feels much better."
Ash firmly rejected the proposal.
Trade Butterfree for Raticate?
Anyone who knew Ash would know that was impossible.
Misty had traveled with him long enough to understand—Ash valued his Pokémon deeply. He would never trade them away.
Most likely, the man had seen Butterfree's strength and assumed Ash was a new trainer, hoping to trick him into trading.
Unfortunately for him, Ash wasn't interested.
The matter could only end there.
[ Hidden Mission Completed: Refuse to Trade Butterfree]
Reward Obtained: Premium Focus Sash
Effect: If the holder would faint from an attack, there is a 30% chance it will survive instead.
Ash received an unexpected surprise.
Completing the hidden mission had earned him this Premium Focus Sash.
If a Pokémon held this item while at low HP, and luck was on its side…
The survival effect could trigger again and again.
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu used Ash's arm as a pillow while happily eating French fries dipped in ketchup.
"Huh?"
Misty looked around out of boredom and suddenly noticed a Meowth wandering nearby.
Its demeanor looked remarkably similar to the talking Meowth from Team Rocket.
Could it be the same one?
A sense of unease rose in her heart.
Something felt wrong.
Ash had noticed the Meowth too.
It seemed Team Rocket was finally ready to move.
After sending a message to Officer Jenny, Ash quietly followed Meowth to eavesdrop on their plan.
What he saw was Jessie furiously scolding James.
If she weren't worried about causing a disturbance and ruining the plan, she might have punched him already.
How could he spend their salary on a Magikarp that anyone could catch with a fishing rod?
How did she end up teammates with someone so brainless?
The moment I arrived, Jessie was already yelling at James…
Meowth, unaware of the situation, tried to play peacemaker.
"Jessie, calm down! We're teammates."
"If James made a mistake, we should be tolerant. After all, we're a team."
Jessie thought about it.
It made sense.
"Fine. I'll let it go for now," she said. "James, I'll deal with you after the mission."
"Let's see if you dare secretly advance our salary again to buy that useless Magikarp!"
"What?!"
Meowth was struck like lightning.
James had advanced three months' worth of their salary just to buy that Magikarp.
Then what about the Moomoo Milk Meowth had been craving?
Looks like…
For the next few months, they'd be living off berries again.
"James! Give me back my three months' salary!" Meowth shouted, claws flailing, but Jessie held him back.
"Meowth, don't be like that. We're a team—we have to tolerate James."
"We'll let it slide this time."
…Wait.
Why did that sound so familiar?
Meowth glared at James resentfully.
Now the only hope was completing this mission and earning a reward from Boss Giovanni.
Otherwise, they'd be chewing berries for months.
Ash watched the scene from hiding.
So James really did spend 30,000 Poké Dollars on that Magikarp.
What a complete sucker.
"Begin the operation!"
The trio quickly changed into their iconic Team Rocket uniforms, fully equipped and ready to execute their carefully planned scheme.
"Everyone," Jessie declared, "whether we get to eat luxury meals or chew berries…"
"Depends entirely on this mission!"
"Give it everything you've got!!!"
The moment she finished speaking—
The doors to the main hall burst open.
More than ten black-clad agents rushed inside.
They wore tight black outfits and dark sunglasses, looking highly trained and extremely intimidating.
As large numbers of Team Rocket members flooded the hall, the trainers quickly realized something was wrong.
"Hand over your Pokémon immediately!"
"If you refuse—"
"We'll throw you into the sea and feed you to the Magikarp!!!"
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