Chapter 34: Zhu Lan: Caitlin, I Will Bring You Back!

Was I hallucinating?

Zhu Lan stared at the document, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Her best friend, the Battle Castle owner of the Battle Frontier, had actually become a high-ranking executive of the evil Team Rocket???

And she had even injured Hala, the Island King of the Alola region.

How is this possible! This is impossible!

Zhu Lan's heart churned violently; although from their recent calls, it seemed Caitlin had undergone a subtle change.

But Zhu Lan still could not believe it; how could Caitlin have joined Team Rocket??

No, there must be some misunderstanding inside.

Team Rocket is an evil organization, and one that even the Kanto League cannot completely eradicate.

Zhu Lan immediately took out her phone to call Caitlin; in fact, Zhu Lan had been calling Caitlin every few days.

But for some reason, Caitlin refused to answer.

And this time was no exception: "The number you have dialed is not in service, please try again later."

"Caitlin..."

Looking at the photo of Caitlin in black clothes on the computer, Zhu Lan's expression grew complex; she remembered the words Caitlin had spoken during that phone call.

'The weak me of the past has died starting today.'

Zhu Lan understood; she had always understood Caitlin's inner pride, but even if she wanted to change herself.

She shouldn't have joined Team Rocket!

Zhu Lan could not imagine a future day where she and Caitlin stood on completely opposite sides fighting.

That would not be a friendly battle within an arena; that would be a completely different kind of cruel combat.

It shouldn't be like this.

"President, it's me. Yes, I need to go to Alola for something very important."

Zhu Lan stood up without hesitation, strode briskly toward the office door, and called the Sinnoh League President to notify him.

As a Champion of the Sinnoh region's Elite Four, Zhu Lan's status was extraordinary; if traveling to other regions, it was best to have her own President notify the local league.

Although the Alola League had not yet been established, this procedure wasn't actually necessary.

"Caitlin, I will bring you back! I will never stand by and watch you fall!"

Inside Mamen's seaside villa in Marmion.

"You met Hala, did you? How was it? What do you think of Hala's strength?"

Mamen asked with great interest, looking at Caitlin who had already changed into a pink-and-white long dress.

And by the floor-to-ceiling window, a certain Island Guardian gazed at the azure sea, a straw in its mouth, drinking watermelon juice.

Its other hand held a slice of strawberry cake; after taking a bite, it squinted in satisfaction, and in just a few bites, it was all gone into its stomach.

Then this Shell Young Lady floated toward the table.

But upon seeing the empty bag on the table, Shell Young Lady's brain short-circuited for a moment.

"Qi? Qiqi!!"

Tapu Fini let out a heartbroken shriek, quickly floated over to Mamen, pulled at his clothes, and kept pointing at the table while saying something.

"Oh, you mean the cake? I didn't put it away; I guess it was eaten by the Ghost."

Mamen paused, then thought for a moment before replying like that.

"Qiii!!!"

Shell Young Lady's anger surged; she knew it, it must have been that damn evil gray fatso.

Shell Young Lady looked around, as if searching for which shadow that gray fatso was hiding in.

"Alright, alright, don't get angry at that glutton; keep your temper, you know?" Mamen chuckled and rubbed Shell Young Lady's soft hair.

"Qiqi..."

Shell Young Lady let out a sorrowful whimper like a discarded little animal.

That was clearly her little cake! Hers!

"It's okay, it's okay. Here, go buy it yourself, but remember, don't eat too much, you know?"

Mamen took out a stack of cash and handed it to Tapu Fini, instructing her.

For some reason, Shell Young Lady seemed to particularly like juice and fruit cakes.

"Qi~ qi~"

Tapu Fini immediately beamed with joy, took the cash with practiced ease, and floated happily toward the door; opening and closing the door in one smooth motion.

And Caitlin, with a strange gaze, kept watching Tapu Fini until her figure disappeared from sight.

If she remembered correctly, she recalled the expression on Tapu Fini's face when she was first captured, as if the sky had collapsed; how many days had passed since then?

"Mamen, aren't you worried it will run away?" Caitlin asked Mamen in confusion.

Tapu Fini could have run away at this moment, couldn't she?

"She won't." Mamen shook his head.

Would Tapu Fini run away? Perhaps at the beginning she indeed had that thought, but ever since my words, 'Tapu Fini, you wouldn't want to...'

Tapu Fini seemed to have accepted her fate; and as the saying goes, life is like a strong alkali; since you cannot resist, then just enjoy it properly.

Once the idea of rotting away appeared, there was no turning back; those sweet and sticky little cakes are super delicious, okay!

Tapu Fini gradually took on Mamen's shape.

Caitlin tilted her head, unable to help but admire Mamen's training methods; impressive~!

"Senior Hala's strength is indeed very strong; I feel it is even a bit stronger than Mr. Lance and Mr. Guzma."

Returning to the main topic, Gladion spoke bluntly, stating her own feelings.

"But you were still defeated, Gladion. You are improving very quickly," Mamon said with a smile, praising Gladion.

Gladion was indeed improving very rapidly, but this was inseparable from her own efforts; after this noble Young Lady made her resolve, her action was truly astonishing.

"Thank you, but I still need to continue working hard."

A faint smile appeared on the corners of Gladion's lips; she looked at Mamon with her moist, beautiful eyes, and her voice became much gentler.

She was also quite satisfied with her progress during this period; thanks to Mamon, otherwise she would probably still be lost.

"Then, if you have time next, I will accompany you for special training. Once you enter the Champion level, you can also go and capture Tapu Lele."

Mamon pondered for a moment and said to Gladion.

"Mmm~!!" Gladion replied with a slight nasal sound, feeling as if she was acting spoiled, very cute.

"This time, after defeating Hala, I am afraid Kukui will be even more Add Caution towards us next. Mamon, should we continue our actions next?" Gladion asked.

"Of course we must. Since we intend to develop comprehensively here, friction with local forces is unavoidable."

Mamon tapped his thigh lightly with his finger, calm and unhurried.

"To prevent them from becoming more and more excessive, we must give them a taste of bitterness, letting them recognize our power."

"Once they know pain, they will naturally 'restrain' themselves a bit,"

Mamon had heard from Lance that recently, many suspicious figures who seemed to be keeping watch had appeared near the Entertainment City.

This blatant surveillance was undoubtedly sent by Hala and the others.

So brazen, they simply did not put the Team Rocket in their eyes! We must deal with them once!

"Good!" Gladion supported Mamon without reason.

"However, let us give them a few days to prepare; otherwise, Hala probably cannot even get out of bed yet."

Mamon thought of Hala with a twisted waist and couldn't help but want to laugh.

(End of this chapter)