About twenty minutes later.
The doors to Sakaki's office opened again, and Sachi, one of the Three Beasts, entered the room, bowing respectfully to Sakaki:
"Lord Sakaki."
"Sachi, I have a new mission for you."
Sakaki exchanged a glance with Matsubusa, who understood and approached Sachi carrying a tray.
On the tray were six Dark Balls that Apollo and Kinpo... no, Dr. Nanba had just delivered.
Sakaki spoke in a deep voice:
"These are the latest Dark Balls developed by our research team."
"I see, so this was Lord Sakaki's purpose in targeting the Silph Company."
Sachi said with narrowed eyes.
The reason Sakaki raided Silph Company wasn't for money, but for their core technology in Poké Ball development.
After all, they were the largest Poké Ball manufacturer in the entire Pokémon continent, and the company that created the legendary Master Ball.
Sakaki's sudden attack on Silph Company was to steal their technology to develop these kinds of Poké Balls.
Following Apollo's earlier explanation, Matsubusa explained to Sachi:
"Pokémon caught with these Dark Balls can have their thoughts controlled, and at the cost of their life force, gain power beyond their limits."
"However, the drawback is that the stronger the Pokémon, the shorter the control time."
Sachi nodded in understanding, "I see, so we'll use this to capture a legendary Pokémon that can heal Lord Sakaki's illness?"
Since the Senzu Beans weren't effective, in the current situation, they could only pin their hopes on legendary Pokémon.
There were quite a few legendary healers.
Xerneas, the eternal god of Kalos.
Cresselia, the lunar dream Pokémon said to inhabit a mysterious island in Sinnoh.
The time-traveling Celebi.
These were all first-rate healers.
Not to mention Ho-Oh, the legendary Pokémon said to be able to resurrect the dead.
"This task will be assigned to you and Vicious, with Team Rocket providing all necessary support behind the scenes. Complete the mission as quickly as possible."
Matsubusa pushed up his glasses and said seriously.
"Vicious?"
Upon hearing this name, Sachi's eunuch-like narrow eyes flashed dangerously as he spread his hands and said:
"Lord Sakaki, honestly, I'd rather not work with that useless person."
Vicious was a high-ranking Team Rocket executive.
Like Chakra, Sachi, and Oka, he was once responsible for expanding Team Rocket's influence in the Johto region.
However, he wasn't selected when they chose the Three Beasts.
He was arrogant and conceited, and while his strength was decent compared to ordinary trainers, he wasn't worthy of consideration by top trainers.
In other words, he was both incompetent and full of himself.
"Currently, Team Rocket is short-handed, so please bear with it, Sachi."
Sakaki massaged his temples as he spoke.
Indeed, ever since the three executives Sabrina, Koga, and Lt. Surge left Team Rocket, plus Lance and his group chasing after Team Rocket like mad dogs,
Team Rocket had too many matters to attend to.
Even such an important mission as finding a Pokémon capable of healing his serious illness had to be entrusted to someone like Vicious.
"For this operation, you are his direct superior. If he disobeys orders, deal with him as you see fit."
Sakaki gave Sachi special authority.
"I understand, sir."
Sachi's lips curled slightly.
Now she had no reason to refuse.
After all, she had wanted to get rid of that useless Vicious for quite some time.
"Also... Lord Sakaki, there are only two months left until the agreement with Son Goming."
Sachi remembered something and reminded Sakaki.
At the time of exchanging the Senzu Bean, Team Rocket's negotiation terms with Son Goming included not only information about Mew but also news about a water-type legendary Pokémon.
"I know, I've already sent people to search with full effort."
Sakaki couldn't afford to be negligent about this matter.
After all, with Lance chasing him like a mad dog, he didn't want to make an enemy of Son Goming as well.
...
...
During this time, following Son Goming's suggestion.
The four brothers from Pallet Town had arrived in the Sinnoh region one after another to challenge the gyms in preparation for the Lily of the Valley Conference.
And as Son Goming had predicted, Brock, that mother hen, had entrusted the Pewter Gym to his younger brother and rushed to Sinnoh to travel with Ash.
Misty was less fortunate, as none of her three ornamental sisters could take over as Gym Leader, so she had to stay in Cerulean City as the Gym Leader.
Hop and Gloria, who had returned to Galar to report on the World Championships progress to Rose, along with Son Goming, Serena, and Marnie who had left the Tree of Beginning,
Had all agreed to meet again in the Sinnoh region.
While Cynthia was originally supposed to travel through various regions with Sina, searching for "allied" legendaries willing to help them deal with Arceus.
However, after receiving a notice from the Sinnoh League, she rushed back to Sinnoh without delay, and naturally, Sina followed Cynthia back to Sinnoh.
Because she was informed that an important historical artifact of the Sinnoh region - the Spear Key,
Had been stolen by an unknown group.
They called themselves "Team Galactic."
...
...
Sandgem Town, Sinnoh region.
When Son Goming's group of three reunited with Hop and Gloria here,
Hop and Gloria immediately noticed the yellow rodent on Son Goming's shoulder.
"Oh? Master, is this Pikachu your new Pokémon?"
Hop asked curiously.
"This guy is actually..."
Just as Son Goming was about to answer, a rather familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"Oh! Are you also planning to challenge the Lily of the Valley Conference? The more people, the more fun it'll be, want to join us?"
Son Goming's group instinctively turned to look.
They saw Ash inviting a blue-haired girl wearing a fluffy knit hat.
That person was none other than Dawn - the female protagonist of the original Sinnoh anime series.
Like May, Ash had been traveling for a year, and last year she participated in Contests following in her mother's footsteps as a Coordinator.
This year she planned to switch to the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Especially after hearing Ash say that many strong trainers would participate in this year's competition, she couldn't help but become interested.
"I don't see Misty."
Serena noticed Brock standing beside Ash, but looking around, she couldn't see Misty.
"Just arrived in a new region and already found a new girl, this playboy nature is really similar to someone."
Gloria teased with a smirk.
Son Goming suspected she was targeting him.
Besides, how could Ash be interested in women?
He's into furries.
"Shall we go say hello to them?"
Hop suggested.
Just as Son Goming was nodding in agreement, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure in the distance.
And when he looked over, the person nodded at him.
"That guy..."
Son Goming muttered internally.
But for now, he didn't address it, joining Hop and the others to greet Ash's new trio.
...
...
In a certain café.
Everyone was chatting happily, especially when they heard that Dawn, as a rookie trainer, had won the Sinnoh Grand Festival championship in just her first year.
Son Goming basically determined that while the Dawn before him had the personality from the anime, like Serena, she had game-level strength.
Son Goming thought of another possibility and searched on his phone.
Sure enough, May, who was also a rookie trainer in the Hoenn region last year,
Had also won their Grand Festival in her first year.
Son Goming couldn't help but feel a bit regretful that he hadn't seen May demolish Drew, Harley, and the others in person.
After all, among May's rivals, there were too many who deserved a beating.
Finally, Son Goming turned his gaze to Ash.
He couldn't help but sigh.
With female protagonists being so impressive, how come you're lagging behind?
"By the way, Ash, you haven't left your previously caught Pokémon with Professor Oak, have you?"
Son Goming suddenly thought to ask.
"Huh? No, why do you ask?"
Ash looked puzzled.
"Nothing, that's good."
Son Goming said no more.
Thank goodness Ash hadn't made the mistake from the original story of leaving his previously caught Pokémon with Professor Oak every time he entered a new region.
When Son Goming saw this behavior in his previous life, he thought Ash was absolutely brain-dead.
Even if you don't carry them all, at least keep Charizard, Sceptile, Infernape... these Pokémon with champion-level potential with you, then you wouldn't go 20 years without winning a single league championship.
"Ash, want to have a Pokémon battle with me? As future traveling companions, we should see each other's strength, right?"
Dawn invited with a smile.
"Sure, let's do it!"
Ash agreed without hesitation.
Though by the looks of it, he was probably going to lose.
After all, Dawn had won the Grand Festival last year, while Ash only made it to the Top 16 in the Indigo League.
Hop, Marnie, and the others all followed to watch the excitement.
Son Goming made an excuse about "needing to use the bathroom" and didn't go to the battle field.
"You can speak now."
After everyone left, Son Goming naturally didn't go to the bathroom, but finished the last sip of milk in his cup and said in a cold tone.
Sitting in the seat with his back to Son Goming, Sachi's voice was as eunuch-like as ever.
"I'm here to fulfill my promise to Mr. Son."
"Oh?"
Son Goming raised an eyebrow slightly.
"In Ilex Forest of the Johto region, there are rumors that one of the three legendary beasts, Suicune, has been spotted recently."
Hearing Sachi's words, Son Goming's brows raised again.
There weren't many water-type legendaries.
Taking out Palkia and Kyogre, the two most powerful ones,
The most representative one would be Suicune.
"Just arrived in Sinnoh and already have to return to Johto? Really..."
Son Goming scratched his head somewhat frustratedly.
Sachi continued:
"If Mr. Son doesn't mind, would you be willing to travel together on the way back to Johto?"
"Hmm?"
Son Goming glanced sideways.
Sachi smiled again and said: "I have prepared a small gift for Mr. Son."