The Laboratory on New Island
Inside a mountain on New Island, the cold glare of laboratory lights illuminated rows of metallic instruments. Dr. Fuji, a lead researcher for Team Rocket, stared intensely at a massive culture tank.
Inside the tank, a faint purple aura swirled around a humanoid silhouette. The data on Fuji's tablet flashed red with anomalies. "Why is its life reaction suddenly so strong, yet it won't wake up?" Fuji muttered. He was unaware that deep within the tank, the Pokémon's eyelids flickered. A telepathic wave—too weak to be detected by the laboratory's sensors—echoed with confusion: "Where is this? Who am I? Who... brought me here?"
A mental seed was being sown in the darkness, quietly gathering strength.
Arrival at Viridian City
Back on Route 1, Hora finally pushed through the last thicket of the forest. Covered in dust and dried leaves, he let out a long breath of relief as the silhouette of Viridian City appeared on the horizon.
"Finally!" he groaned, stretching his aching limbs. Two days of intermittent rain had left his gear damp and his clothes sticky. His first priority was a hot shower and a warm meal at the Pokémon Center.
Despite the physical toll, the detour into the forest had been worth it. The abundance of wild Weedle and Caterpie provided the perfect "training ground" for Kakuna to gain experience.
The System's Wrath
As Hora stepped across the city boundary, the System pinged. Annoyed by the frequency of the alerts, Hora muttered, "Is the System going through some kind of 'puberty'? It's giving out tasks more often than Ash encounters Legendaries."
The System's cold voice responded instantly:
"Detection: Host has made improper remarks regarding the System. Modifying upcoming task... Task difficulty increased."
Hora nearly choked. He quickly backpedaled, mentally begging for mercy. He knew all too well that the Pokémon world was only "Easy Mode" for Ash Ketchum, the "favored son" of Arceus. For a "distant relative" like himself, a high-difficulty task could be a death sentence.
The Impossible Mission
The new task panel popped up in his mind, and Hora's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. The original text had been struck through and replaced with something far more extreme:
[Task Issued: Ongoing Task]
Type: Career Path
Content: Join Team Rocket (I)
Original Goal: ~~Become a member of Team Rocket~~ (Struck through)
New Goal: Join Team Rocket and become a Team Rocket Elite (Executive).
Time Limit: 1 year.
Rewards: Unlock System Points function; Unlock System Mall.
"Elite?!" Hora stood frozen. Joining the most dangerous criminal organization in Kanto was one thing, but rising to the rank of Executive (干部)—the same level as people like Proton, Petrel, or Archer—within a single year was an insane requirement.