Vermilion City — Pier No. 3.
A remote corner of the docks.
At this very moment, three suspicious figures were sneaking about, setting up a mysterious device.
Bzzz—!
As the power switched on, a communications screen materialized out of thin air in midair.
On the screen appeared a middle-aged man in an orange suit, his hair cut short, his eyes shadowed and cold—radiating authority even in stillness.
Giovanni.
The boss of Team Rocket.
A supreme figure who had influence in the underworld, the legitimate world, and everything in between. Even the Pokémon League—currently the most powerful authority in the Pokémon world—would not casually provoke Team Rocket.
Because its roots had long since spread into every corner of society.
Giovanni sat calmly in his office chair, his left hand idly stroking a Persian in his lap.
Money. Power. A cat.
The perfect life.
Noticing the screen light up, he asked casually:
"Who is it?"
But the moment those words left his mouth, it was as if some cursed switch had been triggered.
The image on the screen immediately went out of control.
An aggressively familiar, headache-inducing BGM seemed to echo in his ears.
"Since you've asked so sincerely—!"
"We shall answer with all our benevolence—!"
Giovanni: "..."
Beep.
Before they could finish, Giovanni cut the signal.
His brow furrowed deeply.
He reached down and began petting Persian a little harder, trying to suppress his irritation.
Scritch, scritch, scritch—
"Meow~"
Persian cooperated with a soft cry.
Giovanni's mood today was extremely low.
Tch. Those three again…
Never doing any real work, always pulling flashy nonsense that hurt the eyes.
When did just anyone get permission to contact him?
Then, as if recalling something, the corner of his mouth slowly curled into a cold smile.
"Today's the day the S.S. Anne sets sail, isn't it?"
"Let's see what you can actually accomplish."
"%#@￥&!"
"￥#@*2%!"
"!￥%&*#!"
"&（*￥@!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"And Meowth, that's right!"
The long-lost Team Rocket trio struck their poses in one seamless take.
They posed for a good while—
Only to realize the communication device had gone completely dead.
"I get it! Boss wants us to act freely!"
"His expectations are as vast as the starry sky—just like that pitch-black screen!"
"You guys really get it, nya!"
The trio successfully motivated themselves.
Filled with renewed enthusiasm, they quickly changed into sailor uniforms and boarded the S.S. Anne along with the rest of Team Rocket's operatives.
This was Team Rocket's largest corporate "team-building event" of the year.
A guaranteed chance to rise higher and reach new heights!
"By the way, that sharp-eyed brat has a ticket, right?"
"Yep! I snuck a look last night."
"Heh. Then that freaky Pikachu will finally be ours, nya!"
The Vermilion City harbor was packed with massive ships.
As a port city, maritime transport had always been its economic backbone.
Though in recent years, Vermilion's news industry had been rising rapidly, threatening to take over as the city's main pillar.
Among all the ships docked here, the largest was undoubtedly today's star—
The maiden voyage of the luxury cruise liner S.S. Anne.
Rumor had it that the owner behind the scenes was a truly terrifying big shot.
The kind who could blot out the sky with one hand.
Early in the morning, Ash and his group arrived at the docks.
There was no need to search.
The biggest ship was impossible to miss.
Nearly 300 meters long, decorated with extravagant ribbons and ornaments, radiating luxury from every angle.
It was said to have a displacement of nearly 100,000 tons, packed with entertainment facilities—spas, salons, fine dining, and every indulgence imaginable.
Enough for thousands of people to eat, drink, and play for an entire week.
This was the world of the elite.
Luxurious.
Decadent.
Despised.
Yet irresistibly alluring.
They arrived early. When they reached the ship, boarding had just begun, making them part of the first group to enter.
Ash, Brock, and Misty smiled as they proudly presented their elite-status tickets and passed inspection.
Seeing the energetic girl in the white Poké Ball sunhat still standing outside the gate, Ash turned back, puzzled.
"Blue, aren't you coming in?"
Blue shook her head.
Her cute, round cheeks puffed up like a balloon, her eyes wide and bright.
After a full day of rest and Brock's cooking, she was once again brimming with energy.
Then—
She opened her sling bag.
And pulled out something completely unbelievable.
A massive object, taller than she was.
A shovel.
Under the stunned gazes of Ash, Brock, Misty, and the ticket inspector—
Blue slammed the shovel into the ground.
Then stomped hard on it.
Clatter—clatter!
Soil flew everywhere.
In no time at all, she dug out a small circular pit.
Everyone: "???"
Blue ignored them completely, continuing to dig.
The pit grew longer.
Wider.
Soon forming a rectangular hole over a meter long.
After days of intense tree-cutting training, her physical strength had skyrocketed.
She was far beyond ordinary trainers.
She was digging a grave.
Yesterday, she had searched the entire city for that lively little flea.
But after a full day, she never found him.
"Hiding, huh… you flea."
A dead, murderous calm filled Blue's eyes as she stared toward the harbor.
That was why she came so early today—
To guard the only entrance to the S.S. Anne.
She refused to believe that someone who loved the spotlight that much would miss an event like this.
The grave for Gary Oak had already been prepared.
Facing south.
Looking out to sea.
Warm in spring, blooming with flowers.
She had even copied down a small ad from a utility pole—
Vermilion City's official account offered professional funeral services.
As a fellow Pallet Town native, I'll make sure you're buried with full honors.
"Hmph! I, Blue, would rather die, jump off right here, than board this ship without burying that flea alive first!"
Her shout was powerful and full of spirit.
The well-dressed elites lining up to board were inexplicably moved.
They began applauding.
"Go for it!"
"Make sure to record it!"
"Slow motion—get those ripple effects!"
Ash and the others really wanted to see how this played out—
But the temptation of elite life was stronger.
As for Gary?
Not close.
So Ash, Brock, and Misty boarded the ship, leaving Blue alone at the gate—
Holding a giant shovel, standing tall and imposing.
Anyone who didn't know better would think she was the S.S. Anne's hired bodyguard.
Once aboard, they stepped onto the deck.
The first thing they saw was a lawn-like green area, nearly half the size of a soccer field.
The scent of wealth hit them immediately.
The S.S. Anne was divided into two main areas:
The Banquet Area, where the wealthy mingled and socialized.
Tonight's departure ceremony would be held there.
And the Entertainment Area—
The true target of this trip.
It was still morning. Boarding would continue until evening.
Now was the perfect time to enjoy themselves.
The three wandered like country folk entering the big city, eventually arriving at the entertainment deck.
As the crowd thickened, they quickly composed themselves.
No more gawking.
They straightened their posture, mentally hypnotizing themselves.
From now on, we are elites.
"Look!"
"So handsome!"
Suddenly, excited cries erupted from the edge of the deck.
Ash and the others perked up and squeezed through the crowd.
A rare Pokémon?
"Let me see—"
They leaned over the railing.
WHOOSH—!
Below, on the surface of the sea, a figure was rapidly approaching the ship.
Knees bent slightly, surfing forward.
Beneath his feet, something mechanical seemed to roar, tearing through the waves and leaving a long white trail.
"Wartortle?"
Ash focused.
Below the surface was a Wartortle, muscular limbs churning like a speedboat engine.
Standing atop its shell—
Was a spiky-haired boy wearing floral beach shorts and a matching shirt.
The sea breeze tugged at his open collar.
A carefree, roguish figure.
As they neared the ship, a sudden surge of waves rose.
Man and Pokémon leapt together.
They soared high above the water—
And landed cleanly on the edge railing of the deck.
The boy raised his chin slightly.
A faint arrogance and mockery lingered in his gaze as he looked down on the crowd.
"Were you all waiting to welcome me?"
He grinned.
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