After capturing his "ideal" third Pokémon, Haruki was in such a good mood that he couldn't help but hum a tune along the way.
Originally, with only Marowak by his side, Haruki had been somewhat anxious about the MIO¹ selection, but now he was filled with confidence.
Skiploom, on the surface, couldn't use any offensive moves, but the support abilities it had mastered were terrifyingly strong.
---
[Skiploom]
Ability: Unknown
Level: Mid Veteran
Primary moves: Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Leech Seed
Secondary moves: Synthesis, Rage Powder, Aromatherapy, Grassy Terrain, Cotton Spore, Cotton Guard
Personality: Dirty hands, pure heart, controls until you panic.
---
With Skiploom joining the team, Haruki's strength had instantly soared.
Plus, with the inherited Aromatherapy and Grassy Terrain, the team's "healer" position was now officially filled.
'Sustainability +1+1+1...'
----
Thus, one Trainer and three Pokémon continued south, while the surrounding environment gradually changed.
After crossing the sea of flowers, they entered a dense forest.
But they hadn't walked far into the forest when the vegetation around them began to shrink, bushes grew more numerous, and the ground became much muddier.
This was proof that they were gradually approaching the Great Marsh.
Ten days later, Haruki, along with his three Pokémon, struggled through the outskirts of the Great Marsh and finally saw signs of human activity.
"Beldum, return for now."
"Marowak, Skiploom, I'll have to trouble you a bit more."
"Maro!"
"Skip~"
The two Pokémon responded obediently, though both of them were covered in varying sizes of wounds and dust.
Known as the paradise of Pokémon, even just the outskirts of the Great Marsh far exceeded other areas in both the quantity and quality of wild Pokémon.
Fortunately, Haruki had planned his route in advance and didn't recklessly venture deep into the marsh, which allowed him to reach Pastoria City safely.
---
Upon arriving in Pastoria City, Haruki did not rush to find the Team Rocket branch. Instead, he went straight to the Pokémon Center, intending to rest for a full day first.
After handing Marowak and Skiploom to Nurse Joy, Haruki rented a room, gave it a quick inspection, and then released Beldum.
"Have a good rest, Iron, you've worked hard."
Haruki patted Beldum's shiny head, speaking apologetically.
But Beldum, carefree as ever, just wobbled its body, then flew onto the table, found a suitable spot to perch, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
A quiet night passed...
Refreshed, Haruki first replenished his supplies as usual, then leisurely strolled around the primitive and wild Pastoria City before finally starting to search for Team Rocket's contact point.
Yes, the Mobile Intelligence Officer selection notice only mentioned gathering in Pastoria City but did not directly reveal how to make contact.
Clearly, this was the first test set by Team Rocket.
Find your own people!
Haruki already had an idea about this.
He casually chose a café, ordered a cup of coffee, sat at a seat by the wall, and then took out his laptop.
A Mobile Intelligence Officer didn't necessarily need advanced computer skills. But with his high-level computer skills, Haruki could easily break through the first test.
Very soon, the entire surveillance system of Pastoria City was opened to him.
Then, Haruki filtered out the recently arrived unfamiliar Trainers.
By compiling their movement routes, he found the only point of convergence.
In the next moment, Haruki was stunned. He looked up at the seemingly ordinary café.
'Heh, searching high and low only to find it right under my nose!'
He shut down his computer, packed up his things, and stood up.
Haruki walked straight toward the café's proprietress: a young girl with bright eyes and a beaming smile.
"Hey, I'm here to report!"
As he spoke, Haruki took out Team Rocket's exclusive communicator and gave it a shake.
In an instant, everyone in the café turned their heads, their eyes carrying an inexplicable look.
At that moment, the proprietress suddenly chuckled, folded her arms, and leaned closer, winking playfully at Haruki.
"What a cute little guy, big sis likes your confidence!"
Haruki's smile remained unchanged. Only at close range did he realize that the proprietress wore heavy makeup and definitely wasn't as young and "sis" as she appeared.
"…Big sis, you flatter me. Whether I'm little or not, we'll have to prove it first."
"Hehehe, then big sis will be waiting for you to prove it~"
The proprietress laughed even more joyfully, then casually picked up an ordinary-looking POS machine and tapped it against Haruki's communicator.
"Alright, registration complete. You may go in."
As she finished speaking, a noise immediately came from the back kitchen. Haruki glanced at the proprietress, then headed straight toward the back.
Passing through a hidden door, Haruki quickly arrived in a basement.
In the center of the room, a Kadabra was meditating, its body surrounded by mysterious, shimmering psychic light.
Seeing Kadabra, Haruki finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Next, Kadabra would teleport him directly to the Team Rocket branch. And in the future, if he wanted to leave, he would still have to rely on Kadabra to take him.
These procedures he had already experienced back in the Kanto Region, and the corresponding memories had been reviewed countless times.
"Sorry to trouble you, Kadabra."
"Kadab~"
Without even opening its eyes, Kadabra lightly responded, then began Teleport.
A flash of white light crossed Haruki's vision, and when he could see clearly again, he had already been transported to the entrance of the branch.
"Tier-2 Intelligence Officer Haruki, hello, welcome to Team Rocket Sinnoh Division Base No.1. I am your guide, Zirc. Your Mobile Intelligence Officer selection application has been approved.
The selection competition will begin three days later. Now, I will first take you to your private rest room and explain the details along the way."
In front of Haruki, the receptionist Zirc had already taken position and began his duties seriously.
"How long have you been in Team Rocket?"
"Uh... about... half a year."
Zirc barely managed to answer, momentarily forgetting much of what he had prepared to say.
Seeing the youthful look still present on Zirc's face, Haruki guessed he wasn't very old.
Sure enough, every place had people who were forced into circumstances.
"Alright, go on with your introduction."
"Understood... We're heading now to the R Zone of the base, where most members' resting areas are located. Nearby are facilities like training grounds, battle arenas, cafeterias, all fully equipped [...]
Three days later, the selection competition will be held in the F Zone. I'll still be the one to escort you there. Normally, that zone isn't open [...]
The rest room is equipped with a computer. You can normally access the System Platform. If you want to exchanges points, the system will direct you to different zones for collection [...]
Items are in the T Zone, Pokémon are in the P Zone, and general goods are in the U Zone [...]
Oh, and special reminder. Participants in the selection are strictly forbidden from modifying or attempting to hack the system. Violators will be treated as spies immediately [...]"
It was clear that apart from being slightly flustered at the beginning, Zirc's professional skills were actually quite good.
By the time Haruki arrived at his rest room, Zirc had basically completed the introduction.
The two exchanged contact information. From now on, Haruki could consult Zirc for anything he didn't understand.
But clearly, Zirc wasn't only responsible for Haruki. On his communicator, a whole row of Intelligence Officer profile icons was visible.
Stealing a glance, Haruki couldn't help but smile.
"Zirc, I have something else I want to consult you about. Want to come in?"
Zirc hesitated. "I have other tasks later, how about..."
"It'll be quick, just a moment!"
Without waiting for a reply, Haruki pulled Zirc inside and shut the door.
.
.
.
¹.Mobile Intelligence Officer