Pokemon: I am a God-level Player

Despite being clearly their enemy, the man's casual smile was disarming. Even with his aggressive and slightly sarcastic tone, he was difficult to dislike. Most people would simply think of him as straightforward.

Generous and unconventional individuals often possess great charisma.

But Eddie didn't care about the other person's personality. Once he identified someone as an enemy, it made no difference whether they were a good person or a bad person.

However, when he pointed his Pokédex at the two opposing Pokémon, the information displayed made him curse inwardly.

Name: Raichu

Level: 48 (Peak)

Name: Electabuzz

Level: 49 (Peak)

These were Level 11++ Pokémon, infinitely close to Gym Leader caliber—definitely second-tier Pokémon from this man's main roster.

While many trainers preferred to focus on fewer Pokémon for better results, most still trained secondary teams in their spare time.

This was especially true for a Gym Leader who faced challengers regularly to maintain his skills. The opponent undoubtedly had more than just one or two teams at his disposal.

Eddie calmed his nerves, knowing that no matter how much he cursed, it wouldn't change the fact that his enemy was formidable.

He had anticipated a challenging situation, but hadn't expected the enemy to ambush them with such overwhelming power. Anyone else would have been defeated by that initial attack.

Enemies with both great strength and moral flexibility were the most dangerous to face.

Although, to some extent, Eddie was such a person himself.

"The Electric-type expert, Vermilion City Gym Leader, Lieutenant Surge... I never expected you to be a member of Team Rocket," Eddie said with a serious expression, feigning surprise while frantically devising a strategy to defeat the two Pokémon.

He had expected Surge to use Electabuzz and Magneton, but facing a Raichu instead threw his plans into disarray. He needed to quickly formulate a new approach.

"Hahaha! Boy, since you know I'm the Vermilion City Gym Leader, you must realize what I excel at. I'm extremely sensitive to 'electricity.' You'd best abandon your little tricks!" Surge declared, standing confidently behind his Electabuzz.

Both Electabuzz and Raichu crackled with dazzling sparks, the faint electrical discharge making the air feel scorched.

Pokémon of Peak caliber already possessed the strength of a thousand ordinary creatures.

Eddie groaned, then pulled out a pocket recorder from his jacket.

Having identified the opponent as Gym Leader Surge, Eddie had secretly been recording to create evidence against Team Rocket.

It wouldn't be easy to "slander" a Gym Leader as a Team Rocket member without proof, but with a recording as evidence, it became straightforward.

The Pokémon League, recognizing the threat of Team Rocket, would certainly investigate Surge, and might then scrutinize other Gym Leaders as well—an even better outcome.

After all, only three Gym Leaders in the Kanto region had completely clean backgrounds. The others would be exposed under investigation.

"I originally planned to create trouble for Team Rocket, but I didn't expect your strength to reach this level, Lieutenant Surge. Can you feel the electric current permeating the air?" Eddie said, tossing the recorder away. It was immediately destroyed by the Thunder Wave constantly spreading through the atmosphere.

Just as Ash had used Pikachu to break a combination lock earlier, Surge's Raichu could accomplish the same without even launching an attack—a testament to its tremendous power.

"'Electricity' is my greatest pride. I can sense even the slightest current. This ability developed from years of living alongside my babies!" The tall, muscular man spread his arms. Even through his clothes, his bulging muscles were evident, and his "babies"—both Raichu and Electabuzz—displayed cruel smiles.

Beyond his position as Gym Leader, Surge was truly an exceptional Trainer.

A Trainer like him, already able to sense the power of elemental attributes or nature, was clearly on the verge of surpassing the Gym Leader level to become a Elite class powerhouse.

As Pokémon grew stronger, their Trainers gradually became attuned to these elemental powers. This enhanced battle synergy and effectiveness, creating an advantage that Trainers unaware of attribute powers simply couldn't match.

Ordinary quasi-Elite Trainers could devastate an entire city alone, and those above that level couldn't be overcome even by numerical advantage. This was even more true of those at the Elite level.

"Wait a minute!! Isn't Surge a Gym Leader? How did he suddenly become Team Rocket?!" Ash exclaimed in confusion and disbelief as Eddie and Surge conversed.

"Ash, Team Rocket is more powerful than you realize. I've heard they have three executives—Surge must be one of them, and the other two are likely Gym Leaders as well," Eddie explained, taking the opportunity to share information about Team Rocket with Ash. He wanted Ash to exercise greater caution in future encounters.

"And above them is their leader, who must be immensely powerful to keep these formidable Gym Leaders in line."

Though Ash would eventually become one of the strongest Trainers in the entire Pokémon world, right now he was merely a high-level Trainer.

In his previous adventures, Ash had numerous encounters with Team Rocket and emerged unscathed, but Eddie couldn't guarantee that Ash would be so fortunate now that Eddie himself had become an unexpected variable in the timeline.

He doubted it, so warning Ash seemed prudent.

Hearing this, Ash looked shocked, but his eyes grew more serious.

It seemed he now understood that his previous successes against Team Rocket had occurred only because they hadn't deployed their true powerhouses.

"Boys, have you said your final words? If so, I'll begin sending you on your way," Wattson declared arrogantly, as if Eddie and Ash's defeat was already assured.

"Surge, you're just... Ash!! We need to leave now!" Eddie had been about to talk trash to stall for time while devising tactics, but suddenly seemed to realize something and shouted urgently.

He immediately led all his Pokémon upward in retreat. Riolu had just sent a warning through its aura sensing abilities.

Seeing this, Ash didn't question why but followed suit, running upward with his Pokémon.

"Blast! This kid is sharp—he nearly fell into our trap. Chase them! Don't let them escape!" Surge said irritably, revealing he had merely been stalling for time.

A large swarm of Magnemite suddenly emerged from the Team Rocket quarters. If Eddie and Ash had remained, they would have been completely surrounded with no path of retreat!