Chapter 117: Steven, We Will Win, Won't We?

"Mr. Wallace's eyes are quite bright."

Mamen smiled, truly not expecting such a large venue with so many spectators.

Mr. Wallace actually managed to pinpoint his figure precisely, and...

It's only been a few days, yet Mr. Wallace is a bit mischievous, daring to hiss at him with his eyes.

Looks like he wants to take some more artistic photos again?

The corner of Mamen's mouth slowly curled up; he waved at Mr. Wallace on the field and prepared to leave with Caitlin.

Noticing this, Mr. Wallace's expression shifted slightly. Ignoring his elegant image, he hurried down the stage, leaving May staring in bewilderment.

"Steven!"

"What is it?"

Steven, who was reviewing a geological ore report, looked at the rushing-in Mr. Wallace in confusion.

"Mamen! I just saw that evil Mamen!"

Mr. Wallace's breathing was somewhat rapid, but he cared more about Mamen; he grabbed Steven and headed for the door.

Hearing this, Steven frowned slightly. Team Rocket's Mamen? He actually appeared here?

"Quick! We must catch up with him before he leaves the venue!"

Outside the venue, Mamen leisurely led Caitlin to an ice cream shop and bought two Float Cloud Ice Creams.

It is worth mentioning that this ice cream shop was opened by Team Rocket.

Mamen had specifically sent people to Unova to buy the Float Cloud Ice Cream shop at a huge price; of course, the original owner of the Float Cloud Ice Cream shop was unwilling to sell at first.

After all, Float Cloud Ice Cream was famous throughout the Unova region, with its reputation even spreading to other regions; with such good prospects, why sell?

But unable to withstand Team Rocket's various 'overt and covert operations,' the founder of Float Cloud Ice Cream tearfully sold the brand and its technology to Team Rocket.

There was a reason why Float Cloud Ice Cream became popular throughout Unova; the ice cream in this shop was indeed very delicious, and Mamen himself loved to eat it.

"Mamen, Mr. Wallace and Steven are following us."

Caitlin noticed Mr. Wallace and the other two not far behind.

"It doesn't matter. Send a message to Cynthia and play along with them."

Mamen paid no attention at all and led Caitlin towards the outskirts of Mauville City.

Caitlin nodded, took out her phone, and sent a message to Cynthia.

Soon, the two of Mamen arrived at the western suburbs of Mauville City; he had specifically chosen an open field with no one around.

"You've followed us all the way; you two really don't mind the fatigue."

Mamen's smile was deep as he turned around to look at the approaching Mr. Wallace and Steven.

"Mr. Wallace, and this Mr. Steven, the consecutive Hoenn Champions, one after the other, tsk tsk~"

"Mamen, you didn't expect it, did you? We actually ran into each other here." Mr. Wallace ground his teeth.

"Actually, it is a bit unexpected, but I am quite happy about it."

Mamen tilted his head slightly, looking Mr. Wallace up and down.

"Mr. Wallace, your artistic photos caused a huge sensation across the entire internet; shouldn't you thank me?"

"You!!"

Mr. Wallace's face turned red with anger again; this guy Mamen actually had the nerve to bring it up himself!

Right now, ten out of ten pieces of news about him, Mr. Wallace, were about his 'artistic photos'!

And the other one? The other one might have just gotten online.

This was no exaggeration; after all, he was the Hoenn region Champion and also a top Coordinator, so his popularity was already high.

Therefore, news about him spread quickly to begin with, let alone such 'unique' artistic photos.

"Look, your face is red from excitement; you must really want to take a few more sets, right? Just last time, after finishing your photos, I still felt a bit regretful; today's scene is much better than the previous Route 119."

Mamen's tone remained very gentle as he glanced around the surroundings.

There were mountains, water, trees, and grass; a little further ahead, the sea could be seen. The scenery was very beautiful.

"Taking a few more sets here, I believe Mr. Wallace, your name will surely resound throughout the world; what do you think?"

"Mamen! You, a naturally evil member of Team Rocket! Today I will personally..."

Hearing these words, Mr. Wallace immediately felt his blood rush up; he directly opened a Poké Ball, ready to settle the score with Mamen.

What the hell does 'name resounding throughout the world' mean!

As an art master, Mr. Wallace naturally didn't mind his reputation spreading across the world, but that was within the trainer field and the Contest field where he excelled.

Not relying on such a twisted path as 'cross-dressing'!

That wasn't called going viral globally; that was global social death, you idiot!

"Calm down, Mr. Wallace."

Steven helplessly pulled Mr. Wallace, fearing he would rush up and explode with Mamen.

He felt Mr. Wallace was a bit too emotional; in his memory, Mr. Wallace was a very calm and rational person, always upholding the creed of elegance.

But in front of Mamen, why was Mr. Wallace so impulsive?

Indeed, was it because the previous incident was too stimulating for Mr. Wallace?

"Team Rocket's Mamen and Caitlin, correct?" Steven looked at the two of Mamen and said in a deep voice.

"You swallowed up Team Magma and Team Aqua, correct?"

"I didn't expect this news to have already reached your ears, Mr. Steven? That's right, indeed so." Mamen's lips curled up slightly.

"What is your Team Rocket's true purpose in coming to our Hoenn region?"

Steven's heart sank slightly; although he had roughly guessed it yesterday, hearing it with his own ears made him even more wary of Team Rocket.

The Hoenn League region did not pay special attention to Team Magma and Team Aqua, but it had always been issuing warrants for these two organizations.

Yet there has been no substantial progress, but how long has the Rocket Team been in Hoenn? They have already swallowed those two organizations and grown far stronger.

Truly terrifying.

"Mr. Steven asking this question is somewhat laughable." Mamen chuckled lightly.

"The Kanto region offers no room for our Rocket Team to develop further, so naturally we must explore other places. Speaking of which, I do indeed wish to chat with the two of you."

Mamen clapped his hands, as if recalling something.

"Now that the Magma Team and the Aqua Team have disbanded, the only dark organization in Hoenn with a name is our Rocket Team."

"We Rocket Team have also removed two tumors from your Hoenn League, haven't we?"

"Are you trying to say you did a good deed? Mamen, your Rocket Team is far more dangerous than the Magma Team and the Aqua Team combined." Wallace was not at all polite.

The Magma Team and the Aqua Team were indeed tumors in the Hoenn region; many citizens hated these two organizations, after all, what evil deeds had they not committed?

But in Wallace's view, he would rather the Magma Team and the Aqua Team continued to exist than see the Rocket Team set foot on Hoenn soil.

"Teacher Wallace, your prejudice against us is too deep."

Mamen helplessly shook his head and sighed, spreading his hands to show innocence.

"Our Rocket Team has not done anything heinous so far, has it? You are wearing colored glasses."

Wallace laughed in anger. You haven't done anything heinous?

You clearly forced me to wear women's clothing; do you know how much mental damage that caused me!

My name, Wallace, has even spread to other regions!!

"Mamen, no matter what your Rocket Team intends to do, we in the Hoenn region do not welcome you." Steven said in a deep voice.

"Do you need me to report your Rocket Team's reputation to you?"

Wallace added a sentence: the evil organization Rocket Team's reputation in Kanto was no better than that of the Magma Team and the Aqua Team.

"That is truly hurtful; it seems the two of you do not wish to talk."

Mamen shrugged; there was indeed no way to continue the conversation, but that was to be expected.

Wallace and Steven were not Kukui and the others from Alola; the Hoenn League was not weak, so there was no need to 'endure humiliation for the sake of peace.'

"I never intended to talk with you, Mamen! Today we will arrest you! Prepare to eat prison food for the rest of your life!"

Teacher Wallace issued a declaration with righteous indignation.

"Oh? It has been only a few days, and Teacher Wallace, are you going to say 'I am the strongest on this land! Wallace!' again?"

Mamen raised an eyebrow.

Wallace: "..."

Steven looked at Wallace with a strange expression; Wallace actually said such things?

"Silence! No need for more words! Mamen, no matter what you say, you cannot avoid your fate today!"

"It seems Mr. Steven has given you confidence, but unfortunately, just the two of you, Teacher Rice and Teacher Wallace, cannot catch me."

Mamen looked at the two with a half-smile.

"Hmph! Two against two! The advantage is on our side!"

Teacher Wallace was very confident; he believed Steven could handle Mamen.

As for that blonde girl, Caitlin, the records stated that only her Metagross and Tapu Lele were Champion-level.

Moreover, in the end, Koga and Bruno, two Elite Four members from Kanto, defeated her; could this Hoenn Champion not defeat her?

Impossible.

And just then.

Roar~!

A domineering and loud dragon roar came from the horizon, instantly attracting the attention of the four present.

A Salamence with immense momentum flew in with flapping wings and hovered above; the successor of the People of the Meteor leaped down agilely and landed beside Mamen and the other.

This Salamence!

Steven looked up at the pseudo-legendary Salamence with a Solemn Expression; this momentum was too strong, far stronger than Drayden's ace Salamence.

Another Champion-level?!

Steven looked across at the girl wearing a tattered cloak; she did not seem very old.

What exactly is the situation with the Rocket Team? Are they all such talented young people?

And...

Steven looked at Cynthia with confusion; he felt the girl's gaze at him was very strange, a complexity he could not describe.

But Steven was certain; he clearly did not know her.

"So what now, Teacher Rice?"

Mamen spoke to Wallace with a smile.

"Do not call me Teacher Rice!!"

Wallace was very angry; Teacher Wallace was one thing, but what in the world is Teacher Rice?

Wallace felt this title was very impolite.

"Fine, fine, fine, Teacher Rice, so do you have One's Own Thoughts? What style of photo shoot do you want to do today?"

Mamen spoke leisurely with composure, while glancing at Steven.

I'll take a photo of your grandfather!!

Wallace almost swore, but fortunately his cultivation was sufficient.

"And today you have a partner too; how about we shoot a couple's photo set with you and Teacher Steven?"

Mamen thought for a moment and spoke to the two thus.

A couple's special edition must have a large audience, after all, Teacher Wallace looks so beautiful in women's clothing, and Teacher Steven is also very handsome with outstanding temperament.

The two of them's photo set would definitely be very popular.

"???" Daigo was stunned—couple's photoshoot?

Mikoli in women's clothes playing his girlfriend? emmm...

"Dammit! You bastard, how dare you humiliate me like this!!" Mikoli's fair, pretty face flushed red with anger again.

"It's just a numbers advantage, so what? Daigo and I will absolutely not lose to you lot!"

Although the current situation seemed to be three against two, Mikoli still felt his side had the greater chance of winning.

No other reason—because Daigo was right here!

His good brother Daigo was the man truly standing at the very pinnacle of the Hoenn region!

"Right, Daigo? We're gonna win, aren't we?" Mikoli wanted to seek a sense of security from Daigo's expression.

Otherwise, was he really going to get caught by Mamen again and do another photo set?

Absolutely must not let that happen!

"..."

Daigo looked at the three people opposite, then glanced at Mikoli standing alone beside him, and fell silent.

This... is going to be a bit hard to win, isn't it?

(End of chapter)