Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

"On behalf of Team Rocket, I extend my greetings!"

As Luo Yuan's words echoed through the air, a swarm of black motorboats appeared on the horizon.

Painted boldly on the boats was the unmistakable red "R" emblem of Team Rocket.

In moments, the island was entirely surrounded by Team Rocket forces.

"The Tech Hunter... and Team Rocket..."

Malva had heard rumors about the Tech Hunter being in cahoots with Team Rocket.

But seeing this scene with her own eyes, it was clear the relationship went far deeper than mere collaboration.

The way the Team Rocket members moved and acted, it was as if they were Luo Yuan's subordinates.

A "rookie" trainer competing in the Indigo Conference was, in truth, the Tech Hunter—an infamous figure wanted by both the Hoenn and Kanto Leagues.

And now, it seemed he wasn't just working with Team Rocket but might actually be one of their higher-ups.

To Malva, Luo Yuan's deception was like an onion: peel back one layer, and another mystery emerged.

However, panicking wouldn't solve anything. Malva quickly calmed herself.

Seeing the sheer number of Rocket grunts, she knew saving Celosia and the others was no longer an option.

To minimize losses and maintain leverage for a future rescue, her own identity had to remain hidden at all costs.

Seizing the moment, Malva countered with a bold accusation.

"Luo Yuan! I never expected you to be the Tech Hunter! Are you here to rescue these Team Flare operatives?"

Her tone and demeanor perfectly matched that of an Elite Four member uncovering a shocking secret.

Luo Yuan chuckled at her performance.

It was almost amusing how Malva still seemed unaware her cover had already been blown and was clinging to her façade.

Shaking his head in mock exasperation, Luo Yuan laughed again.

"I have to admit, Elite Four Malva, your acting is commendable. If I hadn't already confirmed your true identity, you might've fooled me… Cadre Malva of Team Flare, I presume?"

Malva's chest tightened as if someone had gripped her heart.

"Has Team Rocket uncovered my secret?"

Her greatest fear had been realized.

The secret, known only to the upper echelons of Team Flare and a few select members, was now in Luo Yuan's hands.

Standing before him, she felt utterly exposed, as if every one of her secrets had been laid bare.

She replayed the day's events in her mind.

Their "coincidental" encounter in Lampurchi, Luo Yuan's insistence on accompanying her to pursue Team Rocket, and now the carefully laid trap she had fallen into.

There was no way this was all a coincidence.

The only explanation was that Team Rocket had been monitoring her every move since she left Indigo Plateau.

"So this is the power of a faction as far-reaching as Team Rocket..."

A chill ran down her spine.

Luo Yuan noticed Malva's expression darken and arched a brow.

"Don't tell me I actually scared her," he thought, before dismissing the notion.

Malva's mental fortitude wouldn't crack so easily.

He was right.

"Run!"

The moment Malva realized her cover was blown, she made her decision.

The Tech Hunter was a man capable of defeating the likes of Lance and Lorelei head-on. He wasn't someone she, alongside her weakened Team Flare operatives, could hope to challenge—especially not with so many Rocket grunts below.

Resistance was futile.

Without even attempting to deny Luo Yuan's accusations, Malva made a swift retreat.

With the Tentacruel momentarily inactive, this was her best chance to escape.

Malva was confident that while Luo Yuan might be stronger than her, he wouldn't be able to stop her from fleeing.

"Talonflame!"

At her command, Talonflame understood instantly.

With a powerful flap of its wings, it carried Malva away, flying toward the horizon.

Watching her retreating figure, Luo Yuan smirked and muttered a single word.

"Naive."

He snapped his fingers.

Whoosh!

A fierce gust of wind swept through the air.

The massive Dragonite, which had been observing Malva, transformed into a yellow blur, overtaking her and blocking her path in an instant.

Dragonite conjured a Reflect barrier—a transparent wall materializing in mid-air.

If Talonflame attempted to force its way through, it would only slam into the barrier, taking Malva along with it.

Talonflame had no choice but to come to an abrupt stop.

"Flamethrower!" Malva commanded.

A stream of fire shot toward the Reflect barrier, aiming to pierce through and strike Dragonite.

But Dragonite quickly erected a Light Screen, nullifying the attack entirely.

"Damn it..."

Unable to break through head-on, Malva tried to outmaneuver Dragonite, relying on Talonflame's agility.

"Talonflame might be faster and more nimble, but there's no way Dragonite can block us forever," she reasoned.

Just as Talonflame banked sharply to escape, something unexpected happened.

From behind Dragonite's head, a dark figure emerged.

"Gengar~"

Grinning mischievously, Gengar crawled onto Dragonite's back.

Its eerie, glowing eyes locked onto Talonflame, releasing a beam of black energy.

"Mean Look!"

The move didn't cause physical harm, but it paralyzed Talonflame's ability to flee.

The moment it was struck, Talonflame froze mid-flight, unable to advance another inch.

"It's over," Malva thought, her heart sinking.

With Talonflame immobilized, Malva's hopes of escape evaporated.

Luo Yuan, however, paid her no mind.

Confident in Gengar and Dragonite's abilities to contain her, he shifted his attention to the massive Tentacruel below.

The Tentacruel, still trembling under Luo Yuan's gaze, showed no intention of resisting.

The fear it felt was etched into its very being, a reminder of the brutal defeat it had suffered at Luo Yuan's hands months ago.

Luo Yuan sighed, slightly disappointed. He had considered capturing the Tentacruel but lost interest seeing its cowardly behavior.

Using telepathy, he addressed it.

"You're in the way. Take your little minions and leave."

The Tentacruel, as if granted a reprieve from certain death, hastily retreated, its horde of Tentacool following like a receding tide.

On the island, the stranded Team Flare operatives watched in disbelief as the swarm that had kept them trapped for nearly a week disappeared with a simple wave of Luo Yuan's hand.

Their astonishment was short-lived.

The roar of engines filled the air as Rocket grunts stormed the island on motorboats.

Efficient and ruthless, the grunts worked in pairs. One would unleash Golbat's Supersonic to disorient, while the other used Weezing's Smokescreen to knock out their targets.

In no time, the elite Team Flare operatives were subdued.

---

"..."

- Gardevoir

(End of Chapter—Support the translator at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)