Abandoned Research Institute

The section of turf that had been cut apart flipped over, revealing a sturdy steel plate. Then the plate sank, and a passage appeared before Sato.

Haunter entered first. Without Hesitation, Sato quickly followed, seemingly not worried in the slightest about running into enemies head-on.

There was no light. Quite a few weeds grew through the cracks in the passage, but the farther in they went, the fewer there were. Some ceiling lamps had even escaped damage and were still giving off light.

Discarded computers, unidentified instruments, waste paper scattered across the floor, and shattered glass culture dishes—it was clear this was an abandoned laboratory. As for what it had been researching...

Sato casually picked up a densely written A4 photocopy. The large "R" mark in the upper-right corner made his gaze sharpen.

Team Rocket! The leading Underground Forces of the Kanto and Johto Regions, the strongest known underground force in the Elven world! In his previous life, the Ghost Ship Organization Sato had joined was merely a medium-sized assassin organization affiliated with Team Rocket. It appeared highly independent on the surface, recognizing money but not people, yet it had secretly done plenty of darker, dirtier work for Team Rocket.

Looking at the paper again, it contained detailed data on Venonat—so detailed that the entire page only roughly explained Venonat's eyes.

As he continued exploring deeper inside, Sato occasionally picked up pages with more written on them to read. Most contained data on Bug-type Pokemon.

Some contained speculation about evolution. Combining that with several major projects Team Rocket had focused on These Past Few Years, Sato quickly formed a guess.

"Stimulate Pokemon Evolution!"

This clearly abandoned branch had likely been a laboratory researching how to stimulate Bug-type Pokemon evolution. Established in the National Park, which was rich in Bug-type resources, it had not only enjoyed ideal conditions but had also been outrageously bold! As an underground force that had contended with the Pokemon League for So Many Years, Team Rocket's strength was Completely Unable To be imagined by ordinary people.

Sato still remembered that, after becoming a Gold Rank Killer in his previous life, he had been qualified to visit Team Rocket's headquarters and pay his respects. There, he had met Team Rocket's leader, Giovanni of the Earth. He still could not forget the unfathomable pressure of that powerful man.

A few years later, the entire Pokemon League collectively Pointed Towards the Underground Forces. Lance, the Johto Region Champion who also served as the Kanto Region's Dragon-type Elite Four, acted as commander-in-chief and began a covert war that lasted nearly ten years!

During that time, Team Magma and Team Aqua of the Hoenn Region, Team Galactic of the Sinnoh Region, Team Plasma of the Unova Region, and Team Flare of the Kalos Region were all wiped out. Their leaders either died or fled.

During those bloody ten years, Team Rocket was severely weakened at the beginning, but afterward, it began expanding with incredible speed.

Team Rocket first unified the Underground Forces of the Kanto and Johto Regions, then extended its reach into Hoenn, Sinnoh, and other places.

By the time the League had made the rounds and looked back, it discovered that Team Rocket had been quietly following behind, picking the fruits of victory. Team Rocket was active in nearly every region.

At the same time, Team Rocket produced a group of exceptionally powerful Trainers: the Seven Star Hunters, the Four Executives, the Three Beasts, the Twin Empresses, and the Earth King, Giovanni!

Together with the forces dependent on Team Rocket, not a single region could contend with Team Rocket alone.

The regional Leagues also had their own selfish motives. After the war, everyone wanted to rest and recover, so it was naturally difficult to gather their strength to help the Kanto and Johto Regions deal with Team Rocket.

"Jiejie!"

"Here It Comes?"

Sato was lost in thought, but that Also Will Not delay his purpose for coming. Haunter's warning reached him, and Dark Power silently activated as he looked toward the unexplored area.

"Here It Comes! Haunter, Mean Look! Zoroark, Scary Face!"

"Hu!"

Night provided a considerable boost to Haunter's skills. Countless eyes spread throughout the surroundings, while a yellow fox abruptly Appeared In Front Of Sato, not far away. Mean Look Directly stopped it from using Teleport!

"Alakazam? Zoroark, Sucker Punch!"

"Ku!"

As Soon As He Finished Speaking, Zoroark had already Rushed To Alakazam. Its pitch-black Right Claw viciously Struck Over at Alakazam!

"Hu!" A pale green Energy Shield enveloped Alakazam. Its Protect skill had been forced out by the first strike.

"Keep up the pressure. Left Hand Sucker Punch!"

"Ku!"

Before the Sucker Punch from its Right Hand had even dissipated, its Left Hand had already condensed another attack just as powerful, Waiting For Protect to disappear!

"Hu!"

A trace of fear flashed through Alakazam's eyes. Zoroark's pressure was terrifying to it. They were both foxes, so why was the gap so enormous?!

"Meng!"

Suddenly, another Psychic-type Pokemon appeared. Hypno directly used Hypnosis, targeting every Pokemon present.

"Haunter, deal with it. Shadow Ball!"

"Jiejiejie!"

Haunter seemed to have noticed the Hiding Hypno long ago. The moment Sato's command left his mouth, a spindle-shaped Shadow Ball had already shot out!

"Meng!"

Hypno opened its Dead Fish Eyes. Facing the incoming Shadow Ball, it remained utterly calm. Its powerful Mental Power suddenly erupted and directly crushed the Shadow Ball! "Zoroark, Dark Burst! Haunter, use Scary Face again!"

Hypno's earlier Hypnosis slightly affected Zoroark's movements, allowing Alakazam to escape. Just as it was about to pursue, Zoroark immediately turned around upon hearing the order and smashed both Hands fiercely against the ground! Haunter likewise stayed where it was as a Ghost Face instantly enlarged. Its savage, terrifying appearance left Alakazam and Hypno unable to move For A Time.

Dark Burst attacked! A black curtain of light formed a repulsive Aura and expanded outward from Zoroark. Everything that touched Dark Burst shattered. Alakazam and Hypno were Directly pushed against the wall, completely unable to resist! When the black light faded, both Alakazam and Hypno were Incapacitated. The area around Zoroark had been completely transformed. The hard concrete floor looked as though it had been plowed over, while the discarded computers, office Table and Chairs, and everything else had been shoved against the walls and badly deformed!

"Jiejie..."

Haunter hid behind Sato, watching Zoroark display its might With Lingering Fear. Its usually playful face had gone blank with shock.

Sato grinned. This was the terror of an Exclusive Skill. Zoroark's mastery of Dark Burst was naturally at maximum from birth! He casually tossed out two Poké Balls. Alakazam and Hypno did not struggle at all. He did not even need the Talent Analyzer—Sato could sense with Dark Power that both Pokemon had reached the limit of their talent: Elite Level.

"They're Psychic-type Pokemon, so they should be worth quite a bit." Sato happily put the Poké Balls into his backpack. To better raise the promising Pokemon he currently had, Sato had recently become very enthusiastic about making money.

Zoroark cost the least to raise because Dark Power could provide Blood Feeding. As for the other three, just thinking about them made Sato feel like his wallet was crying.

Seeing That Zoroark and Haunter were both still in decent condition, Sato did not rest and continued scouting deeper inside. Haunter had encountered more Pokemon than just Alakazam and the others.

Thank you all for your support!