The news that Ye Li had been promoted to the boss's assistant ahead of the usual requirements swept like the wind through Team Rocket's upper ranks.
For a time, everyone was talking about it.
An unknown clerical worker, without any achievements in combat or any seniority or connections, had somehow shot straight to the top and become someone at Giovanni's side.
Many executives who had risked their lives and clawed their way up the ranks felt this was unfair.
The one who reacted most strongly was Apollo.
As one of Giovanni's most capable subordinates, Apollo was hot-tempered and worshipped strength. The people he despised most were those who hid in the back pushing pens.
To him, Ye Li was nothing more than a pretty boy who had lucked out. Perhaps his beautifully written meeting minutes had won the boss's favor.
Someone like that did not deserve to stand alongside him, much less at the boss's side.
"What could a clerk who only knows how to write possibly understand?"
In private, Apollo had expressed his contempt to his trusted subordinates more than once.
He decided to find an opportunity to humiliate this new assistant in public and show the boss that someone who only talked strategy on paper was ultimately useless.
The opportunity soon arrived.
During an internal meeting on supply-smuggling routes, Apollo deliberately presented a difficult problem.
He had someone mark a new smuggling route on the enormous electronic map.
The route cut through Mahogany Town and the Lake of Rage before finally reaching Blackthorn City in the Johto Region.
"This new route avoids the areas regularly patrolled by the League navy, making it very safe."
Arms folded and looking proud, Apollo explained, "However, the waters around the Lake of Rage are complex, and the weather is changeable. Our transport ships have lost several shipments there."
Then he shifted the conversation, turning a challenging gaze toward Ye Li, who stood behind Giovanni.
"Assistant Ye Li, since you're the boss's favorite, you must be full of clever ideas."
"Why don't you analyze this problem for us and tell us how to solve it?"
Every executive in the meeting room turned their eyes toward Ye Li at once.
Some were eager to watch the show, some were gloating over his predicament, and others were simply curious.
Ye Li felt like a rabbit under the gaze of a pack of hungry wolves. His scalp prickled.
He was just an assistant responsible for serving tea and taking notes. Since when was he supposed to offer opinions on core operations like this?
Apollo was clearly trying to put him on the spot.
Ye Li kept his head lowered and said nothing, but inwardly, he had already cursed Apollo and his plan from top to bottom.
What kind of bullshit route is this? It's unbelievably stupid!
Going through Mahogany Town? That's Ice-type Gym territory! The lake freezes over in winter, and the currents run fast during the summer thaw. Aren't you just asking for trouble?
And using the Lake of Rage to avoid patrols? A Red Gyarados lives there year-round, and its temper is absolutely foul. Sending transport ships through there would just be delivering snacks to it!
This route planning is practically treating our members' lives and the organization's money as a joke!
As Ye Li looked at the map, several better options instantly sprang to mind.
If we really have to go by water, why not head south?
Starting from Olivine City, we could use the huge whirlpools and specific ocean currents there to open up an entirely new secret shipping route.
As long as we put a few Water-type Pokémon skilled in Whirlpool and Surf aboard each ship, like Sharpedo or Kingdra, they could keep the ships on course through the whirlpools. They could even use the whirlpools' power to accelerate.
Besides, seasonal storms often hit the seas near Olivine City. Those are a disaster for the League, but for us, they're the perfect cover!
As long as we calculate exactly when the storms will arrive and have the transport ships follow their edges, the League's ships won't dare come near. We could move the cargo through without anyone noticing.
Wouldn't that be a hundred times safer than feeding Gyarados at the Lake of Rage?
Ye Li worked out every detail of the new shipping route in his mind, even deciding which Pokémon species and moves they would need.
The more he considered it, the more feasible his plan seemed, but he did not dare let any of it show on his face.
He was just a lowly assistant. He knew nothing.
Giovanni sat at the head of the table, listening to Apollo's presentation without expression.
When Apollo turned his attack toward Ye Li, he did not stop him.
He, too, wanted to see just how badly Apollo would be rebuffed by Ye Li's "thoughts."
When the complete plan for the sea route took shape in Ye Li's mind, a trace of approval flashed in Giovanni's eyes.
Using natural hazards, even turning devastating storms into cover for their operations.
This way of thinking had already gone beyond ordinary tactics and reached the strategic level.
He cleared his throat and, under Apollo's smug gaze, slowly began to speak.
"Apollo."
His voice was quiet, yet it silenced the entire meeting room.
"This route of yours is too stupid."
The smile froze on Apollo's face.
"B-Boss?"
Ignoring his astonishment, Giovanni pointed at Mahogany Town on the map.
"This is League territory. And there's something at the Lake of Rage we can't afford to provoke."
"Setting your route here isn't smuggling. It's suicide."
Then Giovanni rose, walked over to the map, and used a laser pointer to trace an entirely new shipping route across its southern section.
Starting from Olivine City, passing through the huge whirlpools, following the edges of storms...
With casual ease, he recounted the entire plan Ye Li had just formed in his mind.
With every sentence, Apollo's face grew a shade paler.
Whether in safety or efficiency, the new route Giovanni outlined completely outclassed his own plan, which was riddled with flaws.
By the time Giovanni finished, the entire meeting room was utterly silent.
All the executives looked at Giovanni as though he were a monster, their awe of him deepening further.
Apollo was left utterly speechless, cold sweat sliding down from his temples.
He could not understand how the boss had devised such a perfect alternative in so little time.
He stood stunned for a long moment, then abruptly turned his head and fixed his eyes on Ye Li.
The disdain and contempt in his gaze had turned into deep suspicion and wariness.
As far as he was concerned, there was only one possibility.
That pretty boy Ye Li had spotted the flaws in his plan long ago and secretly given the boss this perfect alternative in advance!
He was using the boss's words to slap him in the face!
That scheming bastard!
Apollo clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his palms.
He now regarded Ye Li as his greatest rival.
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