Chapter 31: Joining the Rocket Team

80,000‑word recommended prep, beginning the explosive update!!!

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When those words were spoken, Musashi and Kojiro were both stunned; a newly joined kid actually dared to directly demand an "Executive" position?

Dr. Sai Ge was also taken aback for a moment, then stared into Huo La's eyes for a long time, as if trying to see through those youthful pupils the ambition behind him.

Finally, he took a deep breath, his hand flying over the keyboard, switching the computer screen to the Rocket Team's internal member registration system—on the dark interface, the "R" insignia flickered with a cold light. He swiftly typed Huo La's name, selected the permission of Research Assistant, then pulled a silver "R" badge from a drawer and tossed it over.

"Kid, I don't care whether you're sincerely joining the Rocket Team; this is a matter for the intelligence department to worry about, and it has nothing to do with my research."

Dr. Sai Ge's voice returned to its usual indifference, but with a hint of tacit approval, "You solved the core problem of the meteorite impact verification for me and can help me avoid subsequent risks. As a researcher, granting you a 'join' wish is quite reasonable."

He paused, his gaze behind the lenses sharpening again: "But I must remind you, the Rocket Team is not a place for idle chatter—if you want to become an Executive, you must demonstrate corresponding value."

Huo La caught the badge, the icy metal sensation traveling from his fingertips—this tiny "R" badge was his first step into the Rocket Team and the starting point toward the Executive position.

He gave a slight nod, his tone still calm yet firm: "Rest assured, I will never let a 'worthless' person remain in a valuable position."

Dr. Sai Ge said nothing more, simply refocusing his attention on the meteorite data on the screen, and waved at him: "You may go. If anything arises, I'll have Musashi and Kojiro contact you."

Musashi and Kojiro followed Huo La out of the lab, eyes on the "R" badge in his hand, their gazes filled with complexity— they hadn't expected that this former "rival" actually convinced Dr. Sai Ge with "value" and even dared set a goal of "becoming an Executive".

Leaving Dr. Sai Ge's lab and walking down the dim corridor toward the warehouse, the ever‑silent Kojiro finally couldn't hold back, his tone full of curiosity: "Huo La, how exactly did you know what problem the meteorite energy conversion device of Dr. Sai Ge had?"

Musashi and Miao Miao also instantly perked up their ears.

Huo La turned his head to glance at Kojiro, a bit surprised he would ask that, but quickly averted his gaze, shook his head, and in a flat tone with an unanswerable distance said, "It's my secret, not convenient to disclose."

He couldn't admit that this knowledge came from "Network Analysis" of Another World— in his previous life he was a veteran Pokemon fan, and to understand the Rocket Team's tech, he had immersed himself in the dedicated Pokémon Forum, combing through every related post.

In the forum, a master had compiled Dr. Sai Ge's Research Trajectory, from early Energy Devices to later Meteorite Analyses, even dissecting details like "Coil Matching Frequency" and "Material Insulation Defect", and some even derived optimal parameters from animation clips. What was once just a hobby now became the stepping stone for his entry into the Rocket Team.

Moreover, Dr. Sai Ge held a unique research status within the Rocket Team; his findings practically supported half of the team's high‑tech weapon development—from Restraint Devices targeting Electric-type Pokemon to Interference Systems capable of cutting off city traffic, the initial concepts all originated from him.

Huo La clearly remembered someone on the forum saying Dr. Sai Ge's research "always loses in the details of implementation", and that became his breakthrough in persuading the other party.

Seeing Huo La's resolute attitude, Kojiro opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed the remaining words; he never liked forcing others, and since the other party wouldn't speak, further questioning was pointless.

Musashi still felt a bit resentful, but thinking of the "R" badge in Huo La's hand and Dr. Sai Ge's approval, he could only grimace and said no more.

Miao Miao wagged his tail; he wasn't particularly concerned—when the three entered the lab, he had just been crouching at the doorway waiting, after all he is Sakaki's Pokemon.

Huo La clenched the badge in his hand, a barely perceptible smile curling his lips— the first step of joining the Rocket Team was complete, and next he would inch closer toward the Executive goal.

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At daybreak the next morning, Viridian City was still shrouded in hazy morning mist; in a guest room of the Pokémon Center, Ash was still cradling Pikachu in sleep, his mouth murmuring the dream of "becoming a Pokémon Master".

Meanwhile, Huo La was already fully dressed, having checked his pack; his dark travel boots stepped over dew‑wet steps as he walked straight into the depths of Viridian Forest.

Compared with the scattered woods along Route 1, Viridian Forest resembled an endless green ocean, the towering ancient trees interlacing their branches into a natural dome, with only specks of morning light filtering through gaps to sprinkle the leaf‑covered ground.

Here is not only the Kanto Region's Bug-type Pokemon paradise, but also a holy ground where bug‑catching youths gather to train; the alternating "buzz" and Insect Cry intertwine, and the air is filled with the scent of fresh grass and damp earth.

For Huo La, this place is not only an ideal arena for Bulbasaur and Beedrill to boost their strength, but also a "Resource Repository" for preparing for the upcoming Ni Bi Dao Guan.

"Come out, partners," Huo La lightly pressed the Pokeball; a red flash, and Bulbasaur and Beedrill sprang onto the ground.

Bulbasaur affectionately nuzzled his palm, the seed pod on its back gently rising and falling with its breath; Beedrill hovered mid‑air, its twin stingers vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Huo La crouched, pointing at the crawling Caterpie and Metapod on a nearby branch: "We'll train as we go."

"Bulbasaur should practice Vine Whip for precision, controlling the force so as not to hurt it; Beedrill should use Multi Slash to find rhythm, avoiding counterattacks while swiftly ending the battle."

After giving the instructions, his gaze swept toward the forest's depths.

He recalled that a swordsman often trained in this area; the opponent wasn't top‑tier, but his Kairos was considered a "strength‑type benchmark", its twin horns delivering powerful impact and close‑quarters grappling.

"If we encounter him, it would be perfect for Bulbasaur to train its durability, pre‑emptively adapting to the heavy assaults of strength‑type Pokemon," he mused.

The Ni Bi Dao Guan leader Xiao Gang, famed for his "rock‑solid" willpower and Rock-type Pokemon, finds Water-type, Grass-type, and Ground-type the best counters against such Pokemon.

He has Bulbasaur for Grass-type, but the thought of Water-type makes Huo La frown— three years of fishing without a single hair of success, truly giving him an inexplicable aversion to Water-type Pokemon.

Fortunately, Viridian Forest is home to Nidoran and Nidorina, whose Poison+Ground-type Pokemon not only counter Rock-type but also have decent growth potential; "If we can catch one with B‑rank Aptitude or higher, the odds at Ni Bi Dao Guan could increase by at least thirty percent."

Of course, beyond practicality, Huo La also harbored a "Personal Goal"— the Flying-type Scyther.

In his past life, watching the anime, that bug‑and‑Flying-type Pokemon wielding a scythe and moving at lightning speed had haunted his dreams; now, being in the Pokemon World himself, he naturally aims to fulfill that childhood obsession.

"Scyther's speed and attack are excellent; even if we can't use it right now, nurturing it could make it a mainstay," he said, patting the Ultra Ball in his pack, his eyes gaining a hint of anticipation.

Regarding Bulbasaur's evolution, the system had already confirmed, "Using a Leaf Stone at any evolutionary stage can boost Bulbasaur's aptitude," so there was no need to rush.

The shop in Viridian City Pokémon Center stocked only Fire Stones and Water Stones, each priced at 50,000 League Coins; the Leaf Stone likely cost a similar amount, fully affordable for him, yet "Solid Foundation Before Evolution" remains the optimal solution.

He glanced at the coin balance on the system; the screen showed 83,000 League Coins— 50,000 from his mother plus years of pocket money, which among the traveling trainers was fairly generous, though not as lavish as Xiao Mao's wealthy lifestyle with a driver, a Sports Car, and a girlfriend, still enough to support his current plan.

Thinking like that, he and his two Pokemon walked deeper into Viridian Forest, behind them a dense cluster of Bug-type Pokemon were "Lying Corpse", and any bug‑catching youth passing by might sigh that it was a Grace from above.