The S.S. Anne towered six decks high, its topmost level reserved for VIP guests. There, a lavish pool gleamed beneath the sun, surrounded by reclining wicker chairs—an ideal place for sightseeing and relaxation. To bask in the sunlight and feel the sea breeze while lounging on those chairs was, without a doubt, one of life's greatest pleasures.
The remaining decks featured entertainment halls, gourmet restaurants, shopping galleries, dance venues, and even a Pokémon battle zone. It was said that if one wished, one could live aboard the S.S. Anne forever—an opulent ship so grand and self-sufficient that people called it "the unsinkable Noah's Ark."
At the boarding gate, Hayato handed his invitation to the head of security.
"Little brother, you're clear to board! Enjoy your time on the S.S. Anne!"
Climbing the long staircase, Hayato stepped onto the second deck and entered the first major area—the grand banquet hall. Already, it was packed with Pokémon Trainers, and some had begun battling in the designated arena.
"Gloom, use Stun Spore!""Pidgeot, counter with Hurricane!"
The battle stage was made of special reinforced material that absorbed and contained all the destructive energy from the fights. The clash was so intense that the onlookers couldn't help but cheer wildly.
"Yuuya's really strong—but that other trainer's no pushover either! I wonder who'll win in the end?"
Beyond the battle zone, the banquet hall was lined with self-service buffets: fine wine, cakes, seafood, fresh fruits, and sizzling roasts. Clearly, Giovanni's organization had spared no expense setting up this event. The results spoke for themselves—everyone was deeply immersed in the festivities.
"Whoa! King Crab! Don't mind if I do!"
Being alone actually made things easier for Hayato—no need for restraint. He grabbed a plate and began his "seafood sweep."
After eating his fill, he leaned back, patting his now bulging stomach with satisfaction. "Totally worth it. Huh? Wait—that's Jessie and James! I knew something was fishy!"
Sure enough, Jessie and James were dressed in waiter uniforms, clearing plates and refilling trays. But their eyes weren't on the food—they were constantly scanning the crowd.
"Could it be… the food's poisoned?"
That thought had barely crossed Hayato's mind when Jessie casually popped a piece of braised pork into her mouth.
He sighed in relief. "Guess I was overthinking it. Team Rocket's bad, but not that bad. With this many people, a mass poisoning would be suicide."
Among the crowd were numerous undercover members of Team Rocket. One of them stood out—a young recruit named Kaede Sato.
Kaede quietly slipped into a concealed room, where he found the mission leaders waiting.
"Captain Shirota, Vice Captain Kitano—there are so many people here! Are we really going through with this?"
Kitano shook his head impatiently. "Kaede Sato, just stick to your role. This mission comes straight from the Boss. Our job is to follow orders—understand? Or are you planning to throw away your chance at a promotion?"
Captain Shirota patted Kaede's shoulder, smiling. "Relax. Both Kitano and I started just like you. If I didn't see potential in you, I wouldn't have brought you along. Do well tonight—Giovanni rewards competence. Show your worth, and you'll go far."
Kaede nodded earnestly. This mission could be his big break. He was determined to prove himself.
"Captain, when do we make our move?"
Kitano checked his watch and snorted before Shirota could reply. "It's still early. Once the main party starts—that's our cue. Now stop asking questions and get back out there."
After Kaede left, Shirota sighed. "You're too harsh on him, Kitano. Don't you see how much he reminds me of myself? The kid's got potential—maybe even the kind that surpasses us one day. Aren't you worried about making an enemy out of him?"
"Tch, when that day comes, we'll see. There are plenty of 'promising rookies.' Only a handful ever make it to the top—and you know why that is. I'm taking a break before showtime."
Meanwhile, Hayato was wandering the hall when a fierce battle in the corner caught his attention.
"That's a Feraligatr… so that trainer must be from the Johto Region."
Feraligatr, the final evolved form of Totodile, one of Johto's three starters, was a powerhouse. Of course, Kanto and Johto had frequent exchanges, so seeing a Johto Pokémon here wasn't unusual.
On the battlefield, Feraligatr's Ice Fang instantly took down its opponent's Ivysaur. The challenger had clearly underestimated the crocodilian's power, thinking a type advantage would be enough.
"Thanks for your 998! Anyone else want to challenge me? Pay 998 Pokédollars for a single battle! Beat me, and not only do you get your money back, you'll also win a rare TM—Heal Bell! Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime offer!"
After asking around, Hayato learned that the trainer's name was Jiba, a Johto native who had already defeated six challengers. His winning streak—and earnings—were impressive.
"Heal Bell, huh? I really want that… but 998? If I lose, I'll be broke! Argh…"
By now, Jiba had made nearly 6,000 Pokédollars and was clearly pleased with himself.
"If no one else wants a go, I'll be taking my leave!"
Hayato gritted his teeth, making up his mind. "I'll challenge you!"
The crowd turned their eyes toward him. But seeing his young face, most people quickly lost interest. He looked like a rookie—an easy target. Jiba seemed to think the same.
"Oh? Little guy, you sure? Then let's see the money—998 up front!"
Hayato handed over ten crisp hundred-dollar bills. Jiba grinned, flipping two coins back to him. "Here's your change. Let's begin!"
Hayato scowled. "You're that confident you'll win? You won't even wait until after the match to take payment?"
Jiba scratched his head, embarrassed. "Come on, kid. With all these people watching, you think I'd cheat you?"
"Then how about this," Hayato countered. "If you lose, you hand over all your winnings."
Jiba, caught by the taunt, smirked and agreed—perhaps to hype up the crowd, or simply because he was that sure of himself.
"Fine! You're on, kid! Let's go, Feraligatr!"
Hayato smiled mysteriously. "Then I won't hold back. Come out, Umbreon!"
The appearance of the shadowy Pokémon drew whispers throughout the hall. Even Kaede Sato, watching from afar, couldn't hide his admiration.
"Heh, soon enough, all these Pokémon will belong to Team Rocket. Let them enjoy their little show for now."
Jiba's expression darkened. "Umbreon, huh? You're from Johto too, aren't you? This just got tricky."
"Nope," Hayato replied with a smirk. "I'm from Kanto. But you're right about one thing—this battle's winner will be me!"
The tension between the two surged like a storm about to break. Spectators cheered, their excitement mounting.A showdown was about to begin—one that would light up the S.S. Anne like never before.
(End of Chapter)