Chapter 156: People from Team Rocket Are Indeed All Madmen

Two days later.

At the training ground behind the Colress City League building.

"Ah~ I lost again, Champion Danzi, you are truly amazing."

Looking at the Cinderace on the field, calm and composed with one hand on its hip, then glancing at his own Dragapult, which had already lost the ability to fight.

Nemona couldn't help but slump her shoulders, pouting with great helplessness.

No matter what, Champion Danzi is simply too strong, right? And this Cinderace isn't even Danzi's ace.

Nemona was quite confident in her own strength; after all, she was the new champion who successfully challenged the Paldea League last year.

But recently, she had truly realized that there are simply too many truly powerful trainers in this world.

"Hahaha~ Actually, you are already doing great, Nemona. When I was your age, my strength wasn't necessarily better than yours."

Danzi laughed heartily with his arms crossed, comforting her, his eyes full of appreciation for Nemona.

Although Nemona's strength was not considered too strong in front of him, Nemona was only seventeen this year, and Danzi believed Nemona had a very promising future.

Most importantly, Nemona's heart of passion for Pokémon battles made Danzi truly appreciate her very much.

Nemona genuinely loved Pokémon and loved Pokémon battles; even when facing a crushing defeat, she would not question herself or become despondent. She valued the result of the battle, but she valued the process of the battle even more, fully enjoying that process.

With just this mindset, Danzi could be certain that Nemona's future would absolutely be extraordinary.

But what made Danzi regretful was that Nemona was "the child of other people."

He didn't know if there would be any juniors in the Galar region this year who were as talented and willing to work hard as Nemona.

Danzi sighed, subconsciously thinking of his younger brother and that girl who set off at the same time as his brother.

He still very much hoped that these two juniors would come to stand before him.

Beep-beep-beep~

Just then, Danzi's phone rang. Danzi took it out to look, and an expression of difficulty naturally appeared on his face.

But after thinking for a moment, Danzi still answered the call.

"Hello? Chairman."

"Danzi, how have things been recently?"

Chairman Rose's magnetic and elegant voice came through.

"Champion Steven is still searching for the whereabouts of Team Rocket," Danzi said helplessly.

"Still haven't found them? Danzi, you have already been in Hoenn for over half a month; Galar here also needs you."

Rose sighed. Indeed, he was actually hinting that Danzi could bid farewell to the Hoenn League.

Danzi was ultimately the Galar Champion, and Galar here also needed Danzi to preside over the overall situation.

Although Chairman Rose could handle most matters on his behalf, after all, the Champion was Danzi, and he needed to appear in person.

"I understand, Chairman. I will return in three days."

Danzi frowned slightly and replied to Rose in a deep voice. He knew it wasn't Rose rushing him; Rose had already alleviated his pressure to a great extent.

However, Danzi still felt a bit embarrassed about coming to assist this time; after all... it seemed he hadn't helped at all.

After all, during the Battle of Mauville City, he had been late because he got lost and missed it. All expenses during this period were provided by the Hoenn League; moreover, Steven had even found a Mega Stone for his Charizard, which had actually improved his strength.

Then he ate, drank, and stayed for free without helping at all. Danzi was a normal person, so he was truly embarrassed.

But if the Hoenn League couldn't find Team Rocket, what could he do? He had no way either.

"Senior, did Chairman Rose contact you?"

Nemona walked over, looking at Danzi whose face was gloomy and depressed, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Ah, yes. There are some matters in Galar that require me to appear and handle them. Sigh~" Danzi said helplessly.

There was nothing to hide about this; after all, to be honest, he had indeed stayed in Hoenn for too long, already over half a month.

Even for a vacation, it wasn't that long.

"Emmm... I heard this morning that Senior Cynthia is facing the same situation, and Senior Cynthia's situation seems even more troublesome."

Nemona whispered quietly. She didn't have any pressure; she was originally just a student at Naranja Academy.

Although she also held the title of "Champion," it was only an honorary champion rank, with no actual power, and she didn't need to bear any responsibility.

So Nemona could stay in Hoenn for as long as she wanted.

"Oh?" Danzi was stunned by these words, but then understood, and his expression became somewhat strange.

Indeed, the Sinnoh League was definitely more anxious than the Galar League.

Not only was their own Champion staying in Hoenn during this period, but the most critical thing was that gossip about Cynthia was flying everywhere.

And the cause was naturally the couple photos she took with Mamen. As the Champion of the Sinnoh Elite Four, and a female champion whose image, temperament, looks, and strength were all extremely outstanding.

Cynthia's fame and popularity were top-tier in the Sinnoh region; even in other regions, there were Cynthia's admirers and fans.

But Cynthia's set of couple photos was no less than an earthquake for the Sinnoh region!

Inside the Champion's office.

Steven sat in the office chair, frowning as he looked at the report before him, but in reality, his mind was not on this at all at this moment.

Currently, there was still no discovery regarding the whereabouts of Team Rocket. No, it would be better to say there was still no discovery regarding the whereabouts of Mamen.

Finding Team Rocket was not very difficult, but those were just small fry; because in fact, in some towns and the wild, Team Rocket members were still recruiting, and it was said the benefits and treatment were quite good.

But what Steven wanted was to find Mamen himself!

The leader of the Hoenn Team Rocket was Mamen. If Mamen could not be found, it couldn't be said to be useless work, but indeed, the key point had not been found.

Most importantly, if they continued to drag things out, Cynthia and the others would all have to return to their own regions.

They could not stay in Hoenn forever.

"Steven!"

Just then, the office door was pushed open, and Wallace rushed in hurriedly.

"Daiyu, look at this!"

Wallace placed a photo in front of Daiyu.

"This is..."

Daiyu glanced at the photo, his expression shifting slightly, for the image showed a middle-aged man with a thin build and face, wearing glasses, with a cold countenance.

"Maxie?"

"That's right! It is indeed Maxie!"

Wallace replied affirmatively.

"Maxie has actually joined Team Rocket as well."

Daiyu frowned, for the middle-aged man in the photo wore a black outfit; although different from the standard Team Rocket uniform, the letter 'R' on his chest explained everything.

Maxie, just like Archie, had joined Team Rocket!

"That fellow Mamen, I wonder what kind of bewitching potion he fed them, to make the leaders of both evil organizations join Team Rocket."

Wallace truly felt Mamen was too sinister.

Although Wallace himself looked down on Maxie and Archie, after all, these two were previously bosses of evil organizations.

Then they must surely have some pride, right?

Team Rocket has swallowed the Magma Team and the Aqua Team; yet these two, as bosses, hold no grudge, but instead joined Team Rocket?

Could it be they are biding their time?

"Where was this photo taken?" Daiyu did not dwell on that point, but immediately asked Wallace.

Judging by Maxie's uniform, he was certainly no ordinary Team Rocket member; he was likely a high-ranking executive.

And high-ranking executives of Team Rocket hold high status; if they could capture Maxie, perhaps they could force him to reveal Mamen's whereabouts!

"Over in Slateport City! There is a large Team Rocket base on a small island northeast of Slateport City!"

Wallace replied quickly.

"Moreover, I strongly suspect that inside that Team Rocket base there is not only Maxie as an executive; Mamen is very likely in that base as well!"

Wallace said solemnly.

"Daiyu, do you remember? We previously encountered Mamen and his group in Slateport City."

Daiyu certainly remembered; it was because of that 'chance encounter' in Slateport City that he and Wallace took a 'couple's photo shoot'.

"Let's go! Notify Champion Cynthia and the others, mobilize personnel, and head to Slateport City."

Daiyu decided on the spot, stood up, and said in a deep voice.

Regardless of whether Mamen and his group could be found at that base in Slateport City, it must still be destroyed; a base guarded by a high-ranking Team Rocket executive has no reason not to be eradicated.

Besides, that fellow Maxie is quite powerful; leaving him alive is a disaster.

Moreover, if they can capture Maxie, they can also force Mamen to appear, or interrogate him for the whereabouts of Mamen, Cynthia, and the others.

"Agreed! Should we bring Drayden and the others?" Wallace nodded.

"Bring them; that is a large Team Rocket base, likely with many people."

Daiyu nodded.

"Good." Wallace went down to organize the personnel.

Time moved to the afternoon.

The base northeast of Slateport City.

Maxie sat in the office, his face cold as he examined a document.

Since joining Team Rocket, to be honest, Maxie truly felt he could better utilize his own talents.

He was naturally skilled at using his brain, and Mamen, showing no hesitation, entrusted him with managing a large enterprise and part of the Hoenn Team Rocket's internal affairs.

And the facts proved that Maxie indeed possessed great management talent.

Urgent knocking sounded.

"Come in." Maxie did not look up.

"It's bad, my lord Maxie!"

"Rushing about like this is unbecoming; if you lose your composure like this again, you need not stay here."

Maxie's stern brow furrowed; he raised his head and looked coldly at this subordinate.

This fellow must have been from the Aqua Team before; only that muscle-brain could produce such a subordinate; even after undergoing Team Rocket's reformation, this rash flaw remained unchanged.

"Y-yes... I am very sorry." This Team Rocket member swallowed hard and immediately bowed his head to apologize.

"Speak." Maxie adjusted his glasses.

"It is the Hoenn League; personnel led by Drayden have attacked!"

The Team Rocket member hurriedly reported.

"Did Wallace and Daiyu not come?" Maxie's brow did not relax.

"No."

It seems they are still waiting and watching; even though I am personally acting as bait, they still haven't been drawn out; is the bait not enough?

"Let that muscle-brain lead people to meet them in battle." Maxie said indifferently: "Then contact Executive Gladio and have him come over."

"Ah?" The Team Rocket member was stunned.

Wait, the Hoenn Elite Four have attacked, yet they still don't flee, but instead meet them in battle?

"Why aren't you going quickly?"

Maxie's cold gaze made this Team Rocket member's heart tremble.

"Yes!"

Watching the Team Rocket member close the door and leave, Maxie adjusted his glasses once more, yet a ripple still flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"Almost exactly as Lord Mamon predicted, hehe~"

Crimson Flame Pine let out two cold laughs.

"Going to war head-on with the Hoenn League… the Team Rocket people really are lunatics."

But when all is said and done, the Hoenn League's strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings—Genji—has fought his way right up to the base's doorstep, and yet here I am, able to sit so calmly…

I really must be crazy too.

(End of Chapter)