August 16, Sunday.
Early in the morning, Teacher Luke was roused from his slumber by the persistent ringing of the doorbell.
"Hello, your package has arrived. Please come to the window for signing!" called out the delivery person.
Luke scratched his head in confusion. He hadn't ordered anything recently, and the Dawn Stone, worth millions, wouldn't be delivered so casually.
As he approached the window, Pidgeotto extended its talons to grab the package, perched on the windowsill, and bowed gracefully to Luke. Hanging from Pidgeotto's neck was a wooden tag that read, "Scan the QR code for payment. Thank you for your support!"
Luke chuckled, accepting the package. In return, he handed Pidgeotto an Oran Berry Pokeblock.
Pidgeotto nodded solemnly, spread its wings, and indicated its professional training.
Afterward, Pidgeotto poked the QR code as if to say, "Cash on delivery, don't forget!"
"Remember to leave a positive review, brother!" the delivery person called from below.
With Pidgeotto on its way, Luke curiously examined the package in his hands. Squirtle, alert and ready, extended its hand to halt Luke, as if warning of a potential bomb.
Squirtle paused for a moment, then cautiously checked the package with Aura, which Squirtle used to probe for any danger. Satisfied that everything was safe, Squirtle handed the package back to Luke.
Squirtle even produced a pair of sunglasses out of nowhere and put them on, nodding carefully.
Luke raised an eyebrow. Well, Squirtle was clearly up for some fun!
Inside the package was a small metal badge, gleaming like a miniature rocket. Luke scratched his head, gazing at the black and gold certificate on the side, his expression suddenly complicated:
[Team Rocket Executive, codename: Teacher]
Luke couldn't help but chuckle. He had been declared an upstanding citizen! It seemed Giovanni was determined to frame him honorably. But how was he going to explain this to Officer Jenny?
Luke felt like he was stuck with a hot potato. Disposing of it would only lead to more trouble. After toying with the idea of roasting it in an open flame for a while, he was dismayed to find that the black and gold badge remained unscathed.
A bead of sweat formed on Teacher Luke's forehead as he realized that Giovanni was a tough nut to crack.
Opening the chat group, Luke uploaded a photo of the badge, feeling somewhat nervous.
Teacher Luke: [Image]
Teacher Luke: @Lance, what do I do in this situation?
Teacher Luke: I woke up this morning, and it was mysteriously in my house!
Inspector Lance, please listen to my explanation; Giovanni was the one who delivered it!
Lance was momentarily stunned before clearing his throat and responding, "This does seem to be Team Rocket's modus operandi... Don't worry; I'll vouch for you!"
Luke inwardly groaned. He couldn't help but think about the implications of that nickname, "Teacher."
Sabrina, too, was taken aback. What kind of messenger had Giovanni sent?
Or was Teacher Luke secretly an undercover agent for Team Rocket?
"No wonder," Sabrina thought to herself as a bead of sweat formed on her forehead. "I need to remind Boss Giovanni..."
Red: [Image]
Red: Here's me wearing a Team Rocket uniform!
The photo showed a young Red donning a Team Rocket uniform, an image that highlighted his strong sense of justice despite the dark attire.
Yellow of Viridian Forest: ⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄
Green: [Image]
Green, also wearing a Team Rocket uniform, winked playfully at the camera.
Green: I've got one too!
Gold seethed with frustration. Why was he the only one without a Team Rocket uniform photo?
"Why didn't Giovanni invite me?" he lamented.
With Lance's assurance, Luke felt more at ease. However, he couldn't fully trust the man's words. The possibility of him being framed was not to be taken lightly. If push came to shove, he might have to rely on the help of Red.
Luke rubbed his chin, looked up at the sky, and fell into deep contemplation.
"Am I..."
"An undercover agent for Team Rocket or for the Alliance?"
Tears welled up in Teacher Luke's eyes as he muttered to himself, "I'm just a content uploader, can't you all believe me?"
"You just don't trust me!"
....
It's likely that Matori sent this courier.
Even though moving might not make much of a difference.
However, Luke wanted to be cautious about Squirtle's Dig, but his mind was overthinking things.
Besides, he recently had a surplus of funds.
Luke still planned to discuss moving with Sister Liu.
After all, he had been living on the sixth floor, and the tenants downstairs were experiencing some sort of danger every night.
So, Luke called Sister Liu and initiated a conversation about relocating.
Sister Liu responded coolly, "Oh, I'll provide you with a diagram of nearby houses, and you can take your time choosing."
Luke's expression shifted slightly.
Could she possibly purchase an entire street in Magic City with the rental savings she's accumulated? Sister Liu certainly made a fortune!
"Just pick the one you like," Sister Liu continued.
She proceeded to send Luke several schematic diagrams, more than ten in just a short while.
Luke began to feel a bit overwhelmed.
"Let's choose a place closer," Luke suggested, looking somewhat perplexed. "I might need to trouble you in the future."
...
Word spread that Luke was moving, and the entire community gathered to see him off.
The neighborhood committee's aunt, with tears in her eyes, said, "Little Luke, we'll never forget your contribution to preventing the Wandering Wild Meowths in the community!"
"Yes, that's right, Little Luke, you can't leave!" echoed the crowd.
Luke muttered to himself inwardly, "Why do I feel like I'm attending my own funeral..."
The [Gynecological Sacred Hand] banner still hung in his room. It was a must!
Even the uncle security guard, who had been discreetly watching Luke, chimed in, "You could always live nearby..."
"At worst, I can introduce my granddaughter to you," he added with pride. "She's an elite Trainer, and she can provide you with some assistance."
Luke was taken aback and felt a bit moved.
"It doesn't matter if your granddaughter is beautiful..." Luke said with a smile. "Mainly, I'd like to stay in this neighborhood!"
The uncle security guard beamed with pride and shared, "My granddaughter's name is Xena, and she's quite impressive!"
Luke was briefly taken aback. Wasn't that the Poison Type Trainer from the Taurus Battle Club? The one whose Arbok almost got squeezed dry by Haunter?
Teacher Luke facepalmed. Well, it's complicated!
For Luke's upcoming move, the entire community seemed a bit upset. After all, Luke was good-looking and well-mannered, making him the ideal tenant.
In the afternoon, Luke and Sister Liu agreed to meet at a café to finalize the rental contract. During their conversation, she mentioned, "You could always stay in this community and move to the second phase of the project next door."
Luke was surprised. "Is the second phase of the community already finished?"
Sister Liu nodded. "Yes, it's the construction site next door. It's completed now, and there are small-sized villas available, just a few hundred meters away."
Luke found this quite interesting. No wonder Eevee hadn't been sneaking out for training lately. He had assumed it was Eevee who had been dealing with the Houndoom in the vicinity.
Eevee, inside its Poké Ball, seemed a bit downcast. Before the construction was completed, it had been teaching the nearby Pokémon, and now it couldn't get enough of the action.
At this moment, a bright idea crossed Luke's mind. When the second phase of the project was completed, Sister Liu bought a villa there?
Sister Liu, you are indeed the real elite of the Orient!
Sister Liu kindly said, "Feel free to choose any place you like. When you've made up your mind, just let me know the house number, and I'll give you the key."
Luke's expression was a mix of emotions.
"Absolutely, I will!"
...
Teacher Luke's new residence was a small two-story apartment with its own courtyard. Although it had two floors, each floor had a narrow layout, effectively giving it the size of three bedrooms, two living rooms, a balcony, and a kitchen.
It was located not far from his previous community. In fact, he could see the security guard's pavilion a few hundred meters away. Plus, the neighborhood committee's aunt was still keeping a watchful eye.
Luke found it challenging to negotiate. "Sister Liu, could you make it a bit cheaper?"
Sister Liu smiled graciously. "Of course!"
Sister Liu was quite pleased with Luke as a tenant. He always kept his place clean and tidy, and which landlord wouldn't be content with such a responsible tenant?
"The monthly rent here is 20,000 yuan, but it's tough to find a buyer in this area. So, I can rent it to you for 10,000 yuan a month," she offered.
In an instant, Luke's rent was cut in half!
Luke was taken aback, his eyes misting up. "Thank you so much, Sister Liu!"
When it came time to move, numerous Machoke from the neighborhood committee turned up to lend a hand.
"Come on, everyone, we're almost there!" encouraged the aunt with a red headband, blowing a whistle.
"Let's go!" the aunts shouted in unison.
"Jie jie~ ~~" Haunter chimed in, hugging a box while floating in the air.
Squirtle, wearing sunglasses and holding a fish tank, was leading the way with great effort.
"Uirt~!"
Their lord had made it clear: everyone was responsible for their own belongings!
With a roller on his shoulder and Eevee's litter, Luke had Eevee perched on his head.
Taking a deep breath, Luke said with great effort, "Eevee, you need to lose some weight!"
"Vui~! (ノ｀Д)ノ" Eevee retorted, gripping Luke's hair tightly.
Haunter grinned happily, his eyes falling on a small USB flash drive that had fallen out of one of the boxes.
Haunter scratched his head in puzzlement.
Could this be Yellow's USB flash drive? What kind of new Secret Records could it contain? It seemed different from the Water Pulse TM from before.
"Jie jie~ ..."
Haunter placed the box down and began pondering.
Why was Luke moving now? And why had he entrusted Haunter with this box?
Were there any details that Haunter had missed?
"jie jie~!"
Haunter suddenly realized.
Looking at Squirtle walking in front of the road, Haunter's eyes beamed.
This is no longer a hint of Master…
This is so obvious!