The Slums west of Goldenrod City.
A garbage dump that drew no attention whatsoever.
Amid the protection of a group of Muk, a vacuum zone had been cleared in the middle of the trash heap.
The drizzling rain could not affect what was happening at that moment.
A freshly manicured hand extended from a dense black raincoat, gently pinching a golden feather. Surrounded by Pokémon, the feather fell onto the Conversion Device at the center of the vacuum zone.
Rumble—
The white light brought by the roaring lightning illuminated the exquisite face hidden beneath the raincoat, as well as the wanton curve at the corner of its mouth.
The visitor recalled the experiences of this period.
"The foolish Pokémon League. The so-called Provisional Elite Four was merely a means of appeasement, a way to control more powerful Trainers. Yet those fools still hoped they might one day become Elite Four members and enter the Pokémon League's center of power, never realizing that it was a complete and utter scam."
"I, Tom Ruoqi, have decided to betray the Pokémon League! Betray this Pokémon League full of lies and hypocrisy! But I must wait—wait for the right opportunity!"
"The opportunity has come!"
"For some reason, the Champion and Elite Four have all left Pokémon League Headquarters! I have coveted that thing in Mikuri's possession for far too long, yet my applications were never approved. Damn it, it must be because I was only a damned provisional member, nothing but a thug!"
"I got it!"
"I have to leave! Where to? Hoenn? Sinnoh? Unova? No, none of them will do! Since I already have it, I absolutely cannot leave Kanto empty-handed. That Pokémon is in Kanto!"
"Goldenrod City! Team Rocket has invested so much power in Goldenrod City that even the Pokémon League