The location of Team Magma's secret base in the Kanto Region was no longer a secret to Team Rocket's intelligence department. With the crucial information extracted from Tabitha and Team Rocket's own formidable intelligence network, they soon pinpointed their target deep inside a volcanic mine in northeastern Kanto that had been abandoned for years.
Intelligence indicated that this base was not only Team Magma's temporary headquarters in the Kanto Region, but also an important data storage center. All the archaeological records, energy reaction data, and related research reports concerning the ancient Pokémon Groudon that they had collected through various means were stored there.
To Giovanni, who was likewise dedicated to researching and harnessing the power of ancient Pokémon, these materials were a treasure he was determined to obtain.
A trace of icy killing intent flashed through Giovanni's eyes. Although Ye Li had thwarted Team Magma's last invasion of the base at minimal cost, that debt still had to be settled. A lightning-fast, devastating surprise attack would serve both as harsh retaliation for Team Magma's arrogance and as the best way to secure those precious materials.
With Team Rocket's efficient war machine in motion, preparations for a surprise attack against Team Magma swiftly took shape.
Giovanni personally appointed Apollo, the combat executive he trusted most, renowned for his iron-fisted methods and formidable strength, as the operation's commander-in-chief. Apollo's execution was impeccable; with him leading the team, the operation's success would be assured.
However, the second appointment issued immediately afterward surprised every executive who received the notice.
"Appointment: Ye Li, head of the Strategic Development Department, shall effective immediately serve as the accompanying strategic adviser for the Volcano Sweep Operation. He shall proceed to the front alongside Commander-in-Chief Apollo and take responsibility for tactical planning and on-site responses during the operation."
This appointment went off like a depth charge in Ye Li's peaceful office.
At the time, Ye Li was comfortably reclining in his luxurious ergonomic office chair, enjoying the pleasant cool air from the temperature-controlled air conditioner. A freshly brewed cup of Darjeeling black tea sat on his desk, its fragrance filling the air. Holding the docile Umbreon in his arms, he idly stroked its silky back while leisurely leafing through a book on the architectural styles of ancient ruins, considering whether to have a French feast or Japanese cuisine that evening.
The sudden deployment order came directly through his internal communicator, shattering all his pleasant fantasies in an instant.
What the hell?! In an instant, Ye Li's mind was overrun by ten thousand stampeding Tauros.
For something like fighting, couldn't they just send a muscle-bound battle maniac like Apollo with a bunch of elites? Why do they have to drag along someone like me who handles logistics and R&D?
I don't want to go to the front at all! A volcanic mine? That sounds hot and filthy! What if there are Slugma and Magcargo inside, with gooey lava everywhere? How disgusting!
More importantly, it'll definitely be a constant barrage, with Hyper Beams and Flamethrowers everywhere. If some stray shot comes flying out of nowhere and hits me, wouldn't that make me the most humiliatingly unlucky transmigrator in history?
I just want to be a tech geek who quietly plans everything from the safety of his office, studies tactics, draws up designs, and occasionally slacks off and drinks some tea. Why force me to go smell that choking gunpowder smoke? Does Giovanni have some misunderstanding about my role?
Resistance was written all over Ye Li's face. Inside, he was howling madly over this unexpected assignment.
Apollo, on the other hand, reacted completely differently upon learning of the appointment. He almost immediately set aside the military deployments he was working on and personally visited Ye Li's Strategic Development Department.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the office door, and Apollo's tall, burly figure appeared in the doorway, his face bearing an almost sincere smile that could even be described as somewhat eager.
"Lord Ye Li!" Apollo strode inside, his voice ringing out. "I just received the boss's orders. With you joining us as an adviser, our chances of success in this operation will increase by at least another thirty percent!"
These words were by no means flattery. Apollo had already experienced the full extent of Ye Li's miraculous art of command. During the last defense of the base, without shedding a drop of blood, Ye Li had used just a few orders and some seemingly unremarkable new equipment to toy with Team Magma's elite troops, ultimately making them walk right into the trap. That ability to achieve so much with so little had left an indelible impression on Apollo.
In his eyes, Ye Li's brain, filled with ingenious ideas, was worth a hundred times more than even the strongest Charizard and Houndoom under his command. With such a superbrain beside him as his adviser, he felt far more confident, as though victory had already been booked in advance.
Faced with Apollo's undisguised enthusiasm and Giovanni's order, which allowed no refusal, Ye Li knew he had no way out. He could only sigh inwardly, force a professional smile onto his face, and accept the appointment against his will.
"You're too kind, Lord Apollo. I'm merely doing what I can to offer a few suggestions for reference. We'll still be relying primarily on you and the team members on the front lines."
He packed a little luggage-if it could even be called luggage. Apart from a few changes of clothes and some personal belongings, the only "weapon" Ye Li brought was his sole guard, Umbreon, who never left his side.
And so, under Apollo's "enthusiastic escort," man and pet were ushered aboard a military transport plane bound for an unknown battlefield.
The transport plane's interior was filled with a grim, martial atmosphere. Fifty carefully selected elite Team Rocket members sat upright, silently wiping their weapons and checking their Poké Balls. Each exuded a capable, battle-hardened air, their eyes sharp as blades.
Ye Li sat in a corner, completely out of place in his surroundings. He pulled his coat tighter around himself and watched the clouds race backward outside the window, silently praying.
Hopefully, this time will be just like last time, and all I'll have to do is give a few orders from headquarters in the rear.
Please don't make me actually go onto the battlefield...
Umbreon, you'll have to keep me safe when the time comes.
Beside him, Umbreon seemed to sense its master's unease and gently nudged his arm with its head, its crimson eyes filled with reassuring resolve.
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