Chapter 15: Welcome Two to Join Team Rocket

Become a high-ranking executive of Team Rocket?

This is a path Bulma has never imagined.

Upon hearing this, Lance looked at the two with a scrutinizing gaze; Guzma was one thing, but does this Bulma qualify?

It wasn't that Lance questioned Mamon's judgment; ordinary executives were one thing, but high-ranking executives are not so easily attained.

But Mamon knew Bulma was absolutely qualified; although Bulma's trainer talent was not particularly outstanding, that depended on who she was compared to.

If compared to a genius like the protagonist in the original game who became champion in a year, she was naturally inferior, but compared to ordinary people, there was no problem.

After the Skull Gang disbanded in the game, Bulma focused on raising Pokémon and even challenged the Alola League, going so far as to challenge the protagonist directly.

Moreover, Bulma's management skills were not bad; the fact that she could keep the scattered and chaotic Skull Gang under control was proof enough.

"If we join your Team Rocket, won't we be wanted by the League from now on?"

Seeing that Guzma still had not spoken, Bulma said in a heavy voice; she held no good feelings for these few people.

Besides, the Skull Gang only bullied people around in Alola, but Team Rocket was different; Team Rocket was an evil organization explicitly wanted by the Pokémon League!

"You say that," Mamon said with a smile upon hearing this.

"Young Lady Bulma, let me ask you one question: what difference do you think there is between the conduct of your Skull Gang and our Team Rocket?"

Mamon asked Bulma while playing with the Poké Ball in his hand.

Upon hearing this, Bulma frowned and was about to refute.

"Although our Team Rocket is a dark organization, times are progressing, and our organization has abandoned many bad habits, starting to move toward a high-end path."

"We rarely even do things like snatching Pokémon from passersby anymore; we raise Pokémon hatchlings on our own breeding farms."

"And what about you? Now, on various islands in Alola, your Skull Gang members are doing bad things everywhere."

Mamon was almost laughing himself to death at Bulma.

"It's just that the Alola region hasn't established a League yet; once the Alola League is established, the Skull Gang will be the first to be dealt with."

"..."

Bulma had nothing to say.

"Moreover, joining our Team Rocket is not a bad thing for you; I see that both of you are capable. Rather than loafing around in the Skull Gang waiting to be caught by the League and thrown in prison, why not do something great with our Team Rocket?"

Mamon looked at the two of them.

"As long as you serve the organization well, there will be a place for you in the management of the Alola region, and I can also let you continue to command your former subordinates."

"Believe me, your future should not be in such a broken-down place."

Mamon glanced around this messy and dilapidated room.

"People must always have some goals, rather than drifting through life in a daze; you are capable people, so I still hope you will think it over carefully."

Mamon's words gave Guzma and the other person enough face; after all, only these two people in the Skull Gang were usable.

If they could be recruited, they should definitely be recruited.

Bulma remained silent, while Guzma's eyes kept flickering.

After a long silence, Guzma finally spoke.

"This great man... joins!!"

Guzma spoke in a harsh tone; yes, he chose to join!

"..." Bulma looked at Guzma in surprise.

Mamon revealed a brilliant smile and clapped his hands for Guzma.

"A wise choice, Mr. Guzma; your life has a brand new beginning."

"Power, wealth, beauties, or fame; no matter what it is, you will possess them one by one."

Mamon said with a smile.

"This great man doesn't want those things," Guzma said in a low voice.

What Mamon mentioned were exactly the desires and pursuits of ordinary people, but Guzma did not need these.

He wanted proof!

The failure of the 'Captain' assessment back then was a knot in Guzma's heart that he could never get past; he wanted to prove to everyone that he, Guzma, was capable!

Why did the arrogant and irritable Guzma in the game work for Lusamine? He said it himself: it was because Lusamine recognized his ability.

It was precisely because of this that Guzma followed Lusamine.

"Of course, it doesn't matter what you want; once we rule the underworld of Alola, on this land, we will be the kings of the underworld."

Mamon naturally understood Guzma's thoughts.

"The king of the underworld... very interesting!" Guzma grinned, revealing a fierce smile.

Yes, he, Guzma, wanted to become the king of Alola's dark world!

He wanted those who looked down on him to watch his glorious figure closely!!

"Then what about Young Lady Bulma?" Mamon looked at Bulma.

"..."

Bulma looked at Guzma with a complex expression.

"Bulma, you don't need to worry about me; decide according to your own thoughts," Guzma said in a heavy voice.

"I... still want to lead those idiots; Your Excellency Mamon, I am also willing to join Team Rocket, but please do not hurt the other Skull Gang members who are unwilling to join Team Rocket; is that okay?"

Bulma hesitated for a moment and pleaded with Mamon.

"Of course," Mamon stood up and extended his hand to the two of them.

He originally didn't care much about those Skull Gang members; with Guzma and Bulma leading the way, Mamon believed most Skull Gang members would join.

As for the small minority who were unwilling, let them be.

Originally, Mamon had decided to send those who were uncooperative to tread sewing machines or mine, but since Bulma said so, it didn't matter.

"Welcome, you two, to Team Rocket."

"Welcome to you both."

"Please look after us well, colleagues."

Lance and Cordelia also spoke very politely; they were in good spirits as well.

Lance was sighing with relief — though he didn't know how capable these two colleagues were, at least there were now people who could share his workload.

Cordelia, on the other hand, felt it was all novel — this was her first day experiencing life in the underworld.

The scene of them being at each other's throats just moments ago, now greeting each other with smiles, was truly a little strange.

But as members of Team Rocket, the Alola Team Rocket was now stronger — that was a good thing.

"Then next, Guzma, you two go out later and make an announcement. Anyone who wants to stay can stay; anyone who doesn't, let them leave. We won't force anyone."

Mamon said to Guzma and the other — recruiting wasn't urgent.

As long as the treatment was good enough — like paying salaries and giving out Pokémon — there was no worry about not finding subordinates.

"Got it." Clearly Guzma and the other were very satisfied with this arrangement.

"Then Burnet, you go find Lance to get the money and buy a few clothing factories."

"Huh?" Burnet was stunned.

"Team Rocket uniforms can start being made now. You and Guzma should change your clothes too. If there's anything you like in the future, you can just have the clothing factory make it. That sleazy look of yours… your taste really needs to change."

Mamon didn't hide his disdain for Guzma and the other's style at all.

Guzma. Burnet: "……"

Cordelia pressed her lips tightly together — if she didn't have to maintain her lady-like image, she would have laughed out loud.

Guzma and Burnet's expressions were just too funny.

"……Understood." Burnet held it in for a long time before squeezing out a single word.

"Then Guzma, you go hand over the entertainment city to Lance. You go be the boss — use your fame in Alola to get our entertainment city's name out there."

"Huh? Me?"

Guzma was stunned, pointing at his own face in shock.

Wait — he was going to run an entertainment city and be the boss?

(End of chapter)