The Trial Participant

Kaminari and Ailian's battle soon concluded. The evolved Houndoom's offense was too fierce; even the agile Meowth couldn't match it. Bombarded by Houndoom's long-range attacks, Meowth sustained significant injuries.

The final match was temporarily halted due to the hurried departure of Coach Frostwolf, Cang, and Qiong. The Trial Participants whispered amongst themselves; the first and second places would be decided between Qing Wu and Ailian.

Only Ailian's subordinates knew that Ailian had already pledged allegiance to Qing Wu. The final outcome was clear: Qing Wu would ascend to the throne as the top Trial Participant.

Many people present had their ambitions reignited. Lan Ling was incapacitated, and Kuraki had fallen ill. With the leaders of the two strongest teams gone, leaving them leaderless, why not pledge allegiance to the strongest, Qing Wu?

Though they thought this, these individuals were all masters of disguise and didn't reveal their intentions.

"Leader Sakaki," Coach Frostwolf, Cang, and Qiong rushed into Coach Frostwolf's office at the Trial Base. Leader Sakaki was seated in Coach Frostwolf's boss chair, watching the competition in the plaza.

"This trial has uncovered several promising talents that need to be cultivated," Leader Sakaki stated concisely.

"Yes, we've found several promising talents this time. Our Dark Department will take them. We suffered heavy losses last time, and Leader Sakaki, you promised me last time that I would have priority in selecting personnel," Cang seized the opportunity, echoing Sakaki's words.

"Ahem," Sakaki coughed.

"Hmm, besides Qing Wu, I have an important mission for him. You can pick anyone else," Sakaki met Cang's resentful gaze. At his age, he was still so resentful, making it difficult for Sakaki to look directly at him, and somewhat jarring.

"It's settled then. As compensation, the top three finishers can choose one Starter Pokémon. The first-place winner will be directly promoted to Captain, and the second and third-place winners will be Squad Leaders," Leader Sakaki declared. The moment he finished speaking.

Suddenly, the communicator in his hand rang. Upon answering, the sound of explosions came from within.

"Leader Sakaki, this is bad! Mewtwo has lost control and is currently causing havoc in the research institute. Hurry over here, ah!" Following a scream, the communicator was abruptly disconnected, as if something terrible had occurred in the institute.

"It's settled then. I have an urgent matter to attend to. I will relay the mission to you later. Cang, how about this: Qing Wu will be considered an external member of the Dark Department, not under your direct management, but his affiliation will be with the Dark Department," Leader Sakaki considered for a moment and offered a compromise.

Only then did Cang's expression improve, and his resentment lessened.

"Then we'll take the second and third place for our Dark Department," Cang said brazenly.

"Right, these are the rewards for the top three finishers this time, Starters from the Unova Region," Leader Sakaki took out three Poké Balls, the size of ping pong balls, from his suit's inner pocket and threw them to Cang.

Afterward, Leader Sakaki, accompanied by his secretary, rushed off to the Team Rocket secret base laboratory.

"What a shame about Qing Wu, such a promising talent. If he had joined the Dark Department and received our true teachings, he would have been the next Dark Department leader," Cang said regretfully, clutching the three Poké Balls.

"Let's continue the competition; the final results need to be decided," the three returned to the plaza.

After Coach Frostwolf announced the continuation of the competition, Qing Wu and Ailian stood on the battleground. Qing Wu released his Golbat, and Ailian released her Houndoom.

The two battled fiercely for a full hour. Finally, after Houndoom exhausted its stamina, it was defeated by Golbat. Qing Wu became the first-place winner of this trial.

"The first and second places have been decided. Now, we will determine the winner for third place," Coach Frostwolf was about to call for Kuraki when.

A Team Rocket member ran up to Coach Frostwolf and whispered something in his ear.

"Ahem, I have just received the latest news. Kuraki has forfeited due to a relapse of an old injury and cannot compete. Therefore, congratulations to Kaminari for winning third place," Coach Frostwolf's voice echoed throughout the venue.

Everyone present erupted in thunderous cheers, congratulating the top three finishers.

"Silence. Although the top three have been decided, the rewards for this trial extend to the top five. Kuraki, despite forfeiting the third-place match, is still among the top four. Thus, Kuraki is directly ranked fourth. The fifth place will be decided among Sheng Ci (Blondie), Lian Ji, Elvis, and Lan Ling."

This was another four people vying for one spot. After two rounds of matches, Elvis defeated Lan Ling, but ultimately lost to Lian Ji by a narrow margin.

Coach Frostwolf looked at Lan Ling's defeated and disheveled expression, knowing that Lan Ling was essentially finished.

If Team Rocket members were to become discouraged over such minor matters and have such poor mental fortitude, even the Four Generals would not put much effort into training them.

Thus, the first to fifth place Trial Participants were selected.

"These are the rewards for the first to fifth place finishers." Qing Wu and the others each received a nameless card, a forged League ID, and a red Team Rocket medal.

Qing Wu's medal bore three stripes, signifying the rank of Captain. Ailian and Kaminari's medals had two stripes, indicating the rank of Squad Leader.

"That's strange. I remember Coach Frostwolf saying only the first-place winner would receive the position of Squad Leader. Why do I, the second-place winner, also have one?" Ailian was somewhat perplexed.

This was like a pie falling from the sky. To be promoted from a junior leader to a squad leader, one would have to complete countless missions.

Moreover, the resources available to junior leaders and squad leaders were different. Junior leaders could recruit ten people to form a small team, while squad leaders had greater authority and could recruit three junior leaders.

This meant they could have more subordinates. As for Captains, they could command even more personnel.

"This trial has officially concluded. You will have three days for rest. Three days from now, a special aircraft will depart directly from Trial Island to Team Rocket headquarters. There, you will be assigned to various Team Rocket teams. Congratulations on your graduation," Coach Frostwolf said with a brilliant smile.

"Qing Wu, Ailian, Kaminari, stay behind," Coach Frostwolf called out to Qing Wu and the others as they were about to leave.

"These are high-quality Starters provided by the leader as rewards for the top three finishers this time," Cang took out three Poké Balls and handed them to Qing Wu.

Qing Wu accepted them and immediately activated his system scan on the Poké Balls.

Pokémon: Snivy (Green) Gender: Female Level: 5 Type: Grass Ability: Contrary Base Skills: Tackle, Leer, Vine Whip, Wrap, Growth, Leaf Blade, Grass Whistle, Absorb Egg Move: Grassy Terrain Tutor Moves: Sunny Day, Protect, Solar Beam, Grass Knot, Flash, Energy Ball, Leaf Storm

Pokémon: Tepig (Green)

Gender: Male

Level: 5

Type: Fire

Ability: Thick Fat.

Basic Skills: Tackle, Growl, Ember, Foresight, Flame Charge.

Egg Moves: Burn Up.

Tutor Moves: Sleep Talk, Overheat, Will-O-Wisp, Protect, Sunny Day, Rock Smash.

Pokémon: Oshawott (Blue)

Gender: Male

Level: 5

Type: Water

Ability: Torrent.

Basic Skills: Tail Whip, Water Gun, Focus Energy, Razor Shell.

Egg Moves: Aqua Jet.

Tutor Moves: Rain Dance, Ice Beam, Scald, Swords Dance, Surf, Dive.