Pokémon: I’m Really Not a Team Rocket Spy

Even though Maki, as a human, couldn't perform Dragon Dance himself, it was clear that Charmander's execution of the move had significantly improved compared to just a few minutes ago.

Previously, Charmander's movements were clunky, and there was little fluidity between each step. On an actual battlefield, such disjointedness would leave him wide open to an opponent's attack, turning an attempt at self-buffing into a liability.

But this time, Charmander's execution was much smoother. While it still couldn't compare to Dragonite's mastery of Dragon Dance, the improvement was remarkable—a qualitative leap. And to think, this was the result of watching Dragonite demonstrate the move just once.

Maki and Sabrina exchanged a glance, both seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes.

Although Sabrina wasn't particularly invested in Pokémon battles, her sharp intellect allowed her to grasp the basics with ease. Even with casual observation, she could outperform most students in understanding battle mechanics.

"Could it be… my Charmander is a prodigy?"

After a long moment of thought, Maki came to this conclusion.

"Maybe…" Sabrina smiled. Seeing Charmander's potential made her genuinely happy.

When Sabrina first heard about the plan, she had questioned Giovanni's choice. Why hadn't he assigned Maki a Pokémon with greater potential? With Team Rocket's resources, finding a suitable starter Pokémon for Maki would have been a trivial task.

Sabrina herself could've easily secured a high-potential Psychic-type Pokémon for Maki. With her guidance, coupled with Maki's latent (though minimal) psychic abilities, earning the Pokémon's recognition wouldn't have been an issue. The rest would depend on Maki's effort.

But now, Sabrina thought to herself:

"As expected of Boss Giovanni. He even accounted for this, deliberately choosing a high-potential Pokémon for Maki!"

It was true that Giovanni had put considerable effort into this plan. After all, not everyone could acquire a starter Pokémon from Professor Oak. However, the type and potential of the Pokémon received were largely left to chance—or, as Maki saw it, luck.

Even Dragonite had to admit that Charmander's potential was extraordinary. He even suspected that Charmander might carry the bloodline of Dragon-type Pokémon. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to learn Dragon Dance so effortlessly.

Since Maki's earlier claims appeared to be true, Dragonite didn't mind teaching this promising youngster.

"By the way, is there any food at the gym? I'm starving…"

While Dragonite and Charmander were training, Maki turned to Sabrina and asked.

"I have Pokéblocks for Charmander, but I need to eat real food!"

Sabrina shook her head. "No."

"What do you usually eat, then?"

"My parents cook for me."

"And what have you been eating since they left a few days ago?"

"Takeout."

"…"

So, this Saffron City Gym Leader surrogate survives on takeout?

Perhaps sensing Maki's dissatisfaction with this answer, Sabrina added, "There should be some meat and vegetables in the fridge. My parents left them before they went on their trip. I haven't touched them."

"Alright! I'll whip something up!"

Maki rolled up his sleeves enthusiastically. He was confident in his cooking skills. But then he realized a crucial issue—Sabrina couldn't cook.

"…How long have your parents been gone?"

"About a week."

"…Forget it. Let's order takeout."

Maki quickly abandoned the idea. Takeout was the safer option.

In the end, both Maki and Sabrina ordered bowls of beef noodles and floated mid-air while eating, watching the two dragons train nearby.

There were no chairs here, but with psychic powers, who needed chairs? Holding Maki aloft was effortless for Sabrina.

When it came to battle knowledge and training techniques, Maki's understanding was undoubtedly more comprehensive than Dragonite's. However, in terms of practical skill usage, ten Makis couldn't compare to one Dragonite.

After all, Maki wasn't a Pokémon. No matter how well he understood the theory, he couldn't match Dragonite, who had been using these moves for who knows how long.

Dragonite, however, was visibly annoyed.

What's this? I'm over here working my tail off teaching this little one, and you two lovebirds are just sitting there eating noodles? How about showing a little respect for dragons' rights?

Maki tossed a box of Dragon-type energy Pokéblocks to Dragonite, but the Pokémon remained unimpressed. He was used to dining on high-grade Pokéblocks, and Maki's offerings were merely mid-grade.

"That's all I've got. Make do for now. I'll buy some Berries tomorrow if you want."

Maki pushed the box toward Dragonite and made a promise. Only then did the dragon reluctantly agree. He considered his options—his meals for the next few days seemed to depend on Maki. Otherwise, someone else might've already tasted a Dragon Claw to the face.

Slurping his noodles, Maki couldn't help but feel he'd just taken on another glutton. That box of Pokéblocks could've fed Charmander for several days, yet Dragonite had polished it off in a single gulp.

Compared to the gains, though, the cost was negligible. Still, given Dragonite's appetite and the need for high-grade Pokéblocks, even purchasing raw Berries would be a significant expense.

Maki shot a pleading look at Sabrina.

Sabrina: ?

"Ahem. Funds are a little tight right now. Feeding Dragonite like this for a few days might bankrupt me."

Sabrina, without a word, handed Maki a bank card.

"Spend as much as you like."

I didn't come here to be your sugar baby!

Maki twitched and pushed the card back.

"It'd be inconvenient for me to accept this. How about you use it to buy some Berries instead? With your status as a Gym Leader, you should get a good discount!"

Gym Leaders, as part of the League, received subsidies and discounts on supply purchases.

Sabrina nodded but didn't take the card back. Instead, she asked, "Are you short on money?"

Reluctantly, Maki nodded. "My dad gave me enough for Charmander's expenses, but not much else. Still, I can make and sell Pokéblocks, so I should earn plenty soon."

It was thanks to this unique skill that Maki hadn't worried about money initially—until Giovanni had suddenly saddled him with a Dragonite.

Of course, he could accept Sabrina's money. After all, as long as it wasn't spent openly, it wouldn't be a problem. In Saffron City, Team Rocket's headquarters, black market trades were thriving.

But mainly… Maki had his pride!

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