In his eyes, having a Pokémon with Elite Level strength did not make one an Elite Level Trainer.
At the very least, it wouldn't pass in Team Evil.
Ariel had two requirements.
First was the Pokémon's strength; possessing Elite Level strength was merely the foundation.
Second, and most importantly, the Trainer had to possess matching command abilities!
The performance of a Pokémon's strength largely depended on the Trainer's command; a good commander could fully unleash a Pokémon's power, while a poor one would only waste a powerful Pokémon!
Thinking of this, Ariel's voice rang out.
"Congratulations."
Ariel's voice sounded calmly,
"From now on, you are members of Team Evil."
He stepped down from the high platform and walked slowly toward the forty people.
The original ten veteran members automatically split into two rows, watching these new companions with cold gazes, invisibly creating a sense of oppression between the old and new ranks.
"However, don't celebrate too early."
Ariel's gaze swept across the faces of the new members one by one.
"Joining Team Evil is only the beginning. Loyalty is my only requirement."
Before his voice finished fading, the Malamar behind him moved.
Its body lit up once more, but this time, it wasn't a diffuse wave. Instead, it condensed into forty slender, deep-blue mental threads that shot precisely into the bodies of the forty new members like living things.
"Ah!"
"Ugh..."
Caught off guard, the forty people let out a collective groan as their bodies trembled violently.
It was a brand originating from the depths of their souls, etching the supreme command "Be loyal to Ariel" into the deepest parts of their minds.
The process was not comfortable—it could even be called quite painful—as if something was forcibly remodeling their thoughts.
But not a single person resisted, because they simply couldn't.
A few minutes later, when the mental threads slowly dissipated, everything returned to peace.
When the forty new members looked at Ariel again, their gazes had completely changed.
The original awe and ambition were replaced by a near-fanatical worship and absolute obedience.
They looked at Ariel as if believers were seeing their only God.
Ariel was very satisfied with this look.
Only this kind of power, completely controlled in his hands, could make him feel at ease.
"Very good."
He looked around at his subordinates, a team now expanded to fifty people, and a surge of pride welled up in his heart.
He cleared his throat and began to assign tasks, his voice echoing in the empty cave and clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"Now, I announce Team Evil's first objective!"
"The original ten members, your task is to assist the new members. And you, the forty new members, your first task is to arm yourselves!"
Ariel's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable tone of command.
"I don't care what methods you use—catch them, rob them, or trick them! Within one month, every one of you must possess at least two Elite Level Pokémon! Your equipment, Poké Balls, Potions, and all logistical supplies will be provided by me. I only want results!"
"Roughly one hundred Elite Level Pokémon—this is your entry fee and your first assessment! Anyone who can't do it, I will personally purge them from Team Evil!"
The cold words sent a shiver through the new members, but what followed was an even higher surge of fanaticism.
With pressure comes motivation; with a goal comes value!
Then, Ariel turned his gaze to the ten veteran members led by Yuki. His tone softened slightly, but the promise contained within made their breathing turn rapid.
"As for you ten, you've been with me the longest and are the core I trust most."
Ariel paused. Unlike the forty Newcomers, he intended to train these ten into Gym Leader Level Trainers.
And for Gym Leader Level, Pokémon of this grade could not be captured by them alone; after all, their strength had barely reached the Elite Level.
Even if they could, there would be casualties and losses, and if an accident occurred, the losses would be immeasurable.
After all, not everyone possessed the ability to fight across tiers like Ariel.
For most Trainers, the gap between tiers was an abyss.
Therefore, Ariel planned to handle Pokémon of this level himself.
Ariel planned to catch about ten. Although he had only just reached the Gym Leader Level, taking on several wild Gym Leader Level Pokémon at once wasn't a big problem.
Thinking of this, Ariel continued.
"When the Newcomers finish their tasks, it will be time for you to reap your rewards. I will personally step in to capture a Gym Leader Level Pokémon for each of you to serve as your trump card!"
"Boom!"
These words were like a heavy bomb exploding in the hearts of the ten veteran members.
Gym Leader Level Pokémon!
That was an existence they hadn't even dared to dream of before!
In the entire Hoenn branch of the Team Rockets, Executives who possessed Gym Leader Level Pokémon could be counted on one hand!
At this moment, the newly joined members who heard Ariel's words couldn't help but become even more excited.
As expected, for a member of Team Rockets, entering Team Evil was a chance to soar to the heavens!
Under the atmosphere of the current scene, combined with the Mental Seal etched by Malamar, their faith in Ariel deepened once again.
"A team composed of ten Gym Leader Level Trainers and forty Elite Level Trainers..."
Watching their excited expressions, Ariel silently sketched a blueprint in his heart.
"Such a force, whether within Team Rockets or in the entire Hoenn region, is enough to hold a place of significance."
This was his hidden card, the foundation he would use for self-preservation and even for plotting greater things in the future.
"Finally, regarding your command abilities."
Ariel withdrew his thoughts and faced everyone again.
"Having powerful Pokémon alone is useless; a Trainer who doesn't understand command is just a Pokémon caretaker. Once you've completed your Pokémon configurations, I will conduct centralized Combat Training for you and personally teach you how to fight!"
After speaking, Ariel waved his hand.
"Now, are your tasks clear?"
"Clear!"
The fifty people shouted in unison, the sound waves nearly lifting the roof off the cave.
Looking at this team that had begun to take shape and was absolutely loyal to him, Ariel slowly turned around and looked into the endless darkness deep within the cave.
His gaze seemed to penetrate the thick layers of rock, seeing the map of the entire Hoenn region.
Areas where wild Gym Leader Level Pokémon might reside flashed through his mind one by one.
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