Steelrock Town, Team Rocket's intelligence contact point.
Haruki watched as the Delibird flew away, silently praying that Probopass could fetch him a good amount of points.
Turning around, Haruki walked over to Christopher, who was reading a newspaper.
"Tsk tsk tsk, you actually managed to take down a Probopass about to break through to the Elite tier. As expected of someone I had my eye on!"
"Just luck. I wasn't facing Probopass alone at the time."
Haruki tried to explain, but Christopher waved it off indifferently.
"So, what's your plan? Heading directly to the Sinnoh branch for selection?"
Haruki pondered for a moment before speaking, "Right now I only have Marowak. It would be too easy for opponents to target me. I'm considering capturing a second Pokémon. Captain, any suggestions?"
"Actually, Probopass isn't bad either. Why not consider keeping it?"
"It's strong, but... its weaknesses are too obvious. Against Ground/Fighting-types, it would be at a heavy disadvantage. Plus, Probopass's fighting style is already fully developed, and after what happened with its tribe yesterday, it would be hard to build trust and synergy between us."
Christopher nodded appreciatively. Haruki wasn't blinded by immediate power, he already had the mental qualities needed to become truly strong.
Thinking back to his own youth, 'well… best not to mention it.'
"If you want my advice, you might want to consider Team Rocket's starter trio: Zubat, Koffing, and Ekans."
Haruki's interest was piqued. He waited patiently for the captain to elaborate.
"Compared to the starter Pokémon given by the League, Team Rocket's starter trio doesn't seem like much. But these three were chosen because they each have very clear advantages:
Zubat excels at Supersonic. It's extremely useful for reconnaissance, pathfinding, and signal disruption. Once evolved into Golbat, it's no slouch in battle, and as an 'aerial unit', it naturally has mobility advantages.
If you're lucky enough to raise it all the way to Crobat, you'll have an elite combat force not inferior to the League's starter Pokémon at all.
Ekans has incredible regenerative abilities, even if severed in half, it can regrow its body. Properly raised, it can become a living shield to protect its Trainer.
If you have the resources, you can also focus on enhancing its poison. Team Rocket has a full set of toxins enhancement protocols, this route can take you all the way to Elite Four levels.
After evolving into Arbok, if it awakens its pattern abilities, its combat strength will soar dramatically. 'Awakening' methods can be redeemed with points.
As for Koffing, its various smog-type moves are perfect for escape tactics. In desperate situations, Self-Destruct is also a trump card. Its strength and utility are not to be underestimated.
Most importantly, Koffing is extremely easy to care for. It places very little economic pressure on its Trainer, which is why many newcomers with tight budgets are willing to choose it as their starter."
Captain Christopher rattled off the details in one go, outlining the traits of all three Pokémon.
In short, Zubat, Ekans, and Koffing were the true "commoner Arceus-blessed". And a big reason why Team Rocket could still muster such numbers under the League's domination.
However… were they really suited for Haruki?
Seeing Haruki still hesitating, Captain Christopher smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"Take your time. No need to rush. Even if you don't pick one of these three, it's fine. Gotta run."
With that, Captain Christopher strolled off leisurely.
Haruki remained where he was, deep in thought.
---
Three days later, Haruki's selection application was officially approved.
His intelligence gathering duties in Steelrock Town were completely handed over to the rookie, Rika.
Thanks to the training she had received over the past few weeks, the bold yet meticulous Rika was now fully capable of handling the role.
This left Christopher much more at ease.
Of course, during breaks at the ramen shop, Christopher couldn't help but feel a bit regretful that Haruki would soon be leaving.
Since Haruki had begun showing his willingness and ambition to become a Trainer, his progress had been downright terrifying.
A genius like that was destined to outgrow a small intelligence station like theirs. It was better to give him a push while he was still developing and leave a favor on record.
Someday, if needed, they might even be able to lean on him for support.
As for the possibility of Haruki failing the selection?
Christopher hadn't even considered it.
He had more confidence in Haruki than Haruki had in himself!
Inside his room, Haruki checked over all his supplies carefully, packing them one by one into his spatial backpack.
He hadn't chosen his next Pokémon yet, but he wasn't overly worried about it.
Better to set out early and travel for half a month first, maybe he'd encounter a new partner along the way.
And if not, he could always select one of Team Rocket's starter trio when he arrived at the Sinnoh branch.
"Maro~"
Beside him, Marowak had just finished polishing its Thick Club, gazing at it like a lovestruck admirer.
Since evolving, the shape of Marowak's club had subtly changed as well, fitting its new form perfectly, almost as if it had been tailor-made.
Now that Haruki had found a method to maintain the club properly, Marowak made a daily "ritual" of caring for it.
The once pale-yellow club now glowed faintly.
Marowak carefully packed away its set of oils and polishing tools, placing them neatly next to the backpack.
"Don't worry. I won't forget your maintenance kit."
"Marowak~"
After finishing all the packing, Haruki hefted the backpack -it was practically weightless-.
"30,000 Pokédollars… worth every Pokecent(?)."
Standing at the door, Haruki glanced at the empty backyard, feeling a touch of emotion.
It felt like just yesterday that he had opened his eyes and arrived in the Pokémon world.
And now, in the blink of an eye, he was about to embark on his journey…
Beside him, Marowak stood silently, puzzled by why Haruki was just standing at the door.
"Let's go, Marowak!"
With that, Trainer and Pokémon took their first steps forward, beginning their new-
"Golbat~"
A Golbat swooped down from the sky, blocking their path.
"A Golbat? Captain, is there something else?"
As Haruki spoke, he noticed that the Golbat was gripping something in its claws.
"Gooolbat~"
The Golbat gently dropped a cloth bag at Haruki's feet, nodded at him, and flew off.
Haruki opened the bag to find fine, golden sand shimmering inside.
"This is… Soft Sand?"
Still unsure, Haruki looked closer and found a slip of paper tucked inside.
It read:
[Not gonna do some big emotional send-off. That'd be too cheesy.This is mid-grade Soft Sand. It'll boost Marowak's stats. Instructions for use are included.Lastly… make sure you come back and visit. (End)]
Reading the note, Haruki stood there silently, then turned his head back toward the ramen shop.
"Let's go, Marowak!"
"Marowak!"
Steelrock Town sat at the foot of Mount Coronet's eastern side in the Sinnoh region, southwest of Veilstone City. Technically, it was a satellite town under Veilstone's jurisdiction.
However, the nearest town to Steelrock wasn't Veilstone, it was Solaceon Town.
Its biggest landmark was the Solaceon Ruins, a favorite haunt of archaeologists. Of course, most valuable areas had already been fenced off by the League.
As for Haruki's destination…
It was to head south, pass through Solaceon Town, and then continue to the swampy city of Pastoria.
Team Rocket's Sinnoh division was located in Pastoria City!