Ariel didn't go to the Pokémon Center right away.
He bypassed the main roads of Fortree City connected by suspension bridges, choosing instead more hidden paths where tree roots and vines intertwined.
According to the map marked on his pokédex, the Team Rockets' base in Fortree City was right before his eyes, atop the thickest, towering giant tree that almost pierced the clouds.
This tree was massive; its trunk's diameter would likely require dozens of people to encircle.
Countless thick branches extended in all directions, hung with wooden houses of various sizes, connected to each other by swaying suspension bridges and zip lines, forming a three-dimensional community.
Ariel walked to the base of the tree and looked up.
In the curtain of rain, the outlines of the wooden houses high above were blurred, with dots of lamplight flickering in the wind like a swarm of startled fireflies.
Following the secret code recorded in the pokédex, he curled his knuckles and knocked three times on the rough bark, neither too hard nor too soft.
"Thump... Thump... Thump..."
The dull knocking was partially masked by the sound of rain, but it was enough to reach the ears of the person who should hear it.
A moment later, an inconspicuous camouflaged hollow in the trunk was pushed open, and a crude elevator slowly descended. A member wearing a Team Rockets uniform poked his head out, warily scanning the area below.
Only after confirming Ariel was alone did he beckon him over.
Ariel stepped onto the elevator. With a creak of turning gears, he was lifted from the cold, damp ground and rose into the shadows of the canopy.
"This base isn't underground this time?"
Ariel's voice sounded somewhat muffled through his mask.
He looked around.
Both sides of the elevator were open, offering a view of Fortree City's unique scenery.
Rain washed over the emerald leaves, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth mixed with plants.
This place was too conspicuous. Although the surrounding residences were also treehouses, Ariel felt this didn't fit Team Rockets' usual style of being rats in a gutter.
"There's something you don't know."
Seeing Ariel wearing a mask, the member meeting him couldn't see his appearance, but judging by his build, he wasn't old. Thus, he adopted a somewhat veteran tone.
"Our Team Rockets has finally made it in Hoenn. We're growing larger, and our actions are becoming bolder."
The elevator stopped at a massive wooden platform connected to an exceptionally spacious treehouse.
"Before the League exposed us, the executives had us stay hidden; everything we did required digging a hole first."
The member led Ariel inside, his voice full of pride.
"Now it's great. The League officially advertised for us by announcing our existence. Now, we don't have to hide what we do; it's actually more convenient."
Ariel nodded and followed up by asking:
"Won't the League's Jenny keep an eye on us?"
The lead member paused, glancing at Ariel with a look one might give a country bumpkin. Even through the mask, the disdain was palpable.
"You mean those League guys?"
He sneered.
"They're only good at talking—issuing a few notices, conducting some half-hearted searches. When it comes down to a real fight, not a single one of them can hold their own!"
Ariel said no more, only cold-laughing in his heart.
The League was useless?
Perhaps the low-level Jenny and Trainers were indeed kept in the dark, exhausted by their efforts.
But those whom Team Rockets truly feared were never these people.
It was the Elite Four entrenched in the upper echelons, truly holding the region's power; the mysterious Champion; and the forces behind the League... These low-level members were merely pawns pushed to the surface to draw the League's attention.
The more flamboyant they were, the smoother Team Rockets' secret plans would proceed.
Pitiful pawns, yet they fancied themselves the players.
Upon entering the base, Ariel discovered the treehouse was far larger than it appeared from the outside.
The interior space was cleverly divided into a training area, a rest area, and a work area.
Many Team Rockets members were wiping Poké Balls or gathering in small groups to brag.
Ariel ignored them and walked straight to a workbench in the corner responsible for item testing.
"Test an item."
He spoke concisely, placing the dark purple bead, which seemed to pulse with life inside, on the table.
The staff member glanced at the bead, then at Ariel's mask. Without asking much, he started a machine connected to various data cables.
"Have your Pokémon use an attacking move on that energy absorption target without holding an item. Then, equip the item and use the same move again."
Ariel nodded and released a Haunter.
"Krokorok, Bite."
Krokorok grinned, a mass of Dark-type energy gathering in its mouth before it bit down hard on the target.
"Beep—Energy reading: 4388."
The staff member recorded the value.
"Alright, put it on and Encore."
Ariel handed the Life Orb to Krokorok.
"Encore, Bite."
Krokorok attacked again, but this time the strike was significantly more powerful in both potency and momentum compared to the last!
"Roar!"
The target shook violently, letting out an overwhelmed groan.
"Beep beep beep—Energy reading: 5485!"
Watching the numbers soar on the screen, the staff member's hand trembled as he suddenly looked up at Ariel.
An increase of exactly 1097 points!
An amplification of... 25%!
This was an absolutely terrifying number!
You see, most Life Orbs circulating on the market are low-quality products made by second-rate researchers in the organization, with amplifications generally around 15%. Anything reaching 20% is considered rare and enough to make Superior-level Trainers fight over it.
But this one was 25%! It was only 5% away from the theoretical 30% limit of a Life Orb!
The value of this thing simply couldn't be measured in money!
"The test... is complete."
The staff member's voice was a bit dry. His eyes, looking at the orb, were full of greed and heat, but thinking of the mysterious masked person before him, he forcibly suppressed that avarice.
Ariel recalled Krokorok, sensing that its aura had weakened slightly after the attack—the side effect of the Life Orb consuming one-tenth of its stamina.
But he didn't care.
A 25% boost in power was enough for his ace Pokémon to deliver a tide-turning blow at a critical moment! This small side effect was completely acceptable.
This trip into the muddy waters of Lavaridge Town hadn't been in vain.