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Chapter 198: Were You at a Family Dinner?
🕑 Added 2025-03-01 13:58:08 +0000 UTCChapter 198: Were You at a Family Dinner?
Misty nodded repeatedly.
She definitely understood her sisters’ true level.
With the evaluation officially wrapped up, Asahi was ready to leave—
When a notification suddenly popped up in his mind.
[As a Gym Evaluation Officer, you have completed the assessment and reevaluation of all Kanto Gyms. You have earned the title: ‘Competent Gym Evaluator.’]
Huh?
For once, the system wasn’t mocking him?
Had it finally developed a conscience?
Asahi felt oddly touched.
But now wasn’t the time to claim rewards.
As Ash was preparing to leave, Asahi called out, “Oh, right, Ash—Gary’s been improving a lot lately. You’d better step up your game.”
“You wouldn’t want to lose to him, would you?”
Lately, Asahi had been really pushing Gary’s training. He figured he should at least give Ash a warning, so he wouldn’t fall too far behind.
Ash looked confused. “Gary’s been improving? But he’s been sending me messages saying being a trainer is exhausting and that he’s already behind me… Was he lying?”
Hearing this, Asahi nearly laughed out loud.
Gary was really committed to giving Ash a “surprise.” He was even using psychological warfare!
“Well… technically, he is tired,” Asahi admitted.
“But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been improving. In fact, he’s made huge progress.”
“If you want to get stronger, go to Cinnabar Island and find Blaine. Mention my name—he’ll help you.”
If Blaine could properly train Ash’s Charizard, then Ash might actually stand a chance against Gary.
“Thanks, Asahi!”
Ash beamed.
If Asahi hadn’t warned him, he never would have suspected Gary was secretly training so hard.
“Do your best. I’m rooting for you.”
Asahi patted Ash’s shoulder and watched as he left.
“You’re putting pressure on Gary again,” Green teased.
“What do you mean? I’m just telling the truth.” Asahi smirked. “Besides, knowing how Ash and Gary are, Gary might actually thank me for this.”
Green wanted to argue, but then she recalled how Ash and Gary had been goofing off together at Pewter Gym…
Fine. Maybe Asahi had a point.
“So, where are we headed next?” Blue adjusted her cap.
“Back to Saffron City. I need to discuss our next move with Sabrina.”
Asahi released his Salamence, tossing it a handful of Pokéblocks.
Salamence shook its head, indicating that one handful wasn’t enough—it needed two.
Seeing that it was negotiating with him, Asahi raised an eyebrow.
But in the end, he gave in and handed over another handful.
Fine. 100 kilometers, two handfuls. He could afford that.
As Salamence contentedly crunched on its Pokéblocks, Asahi turned to Green and Silver.
“Team Rocket and the Masked Army have already started fighting in Johto. We can’t just sit back and watch—we need to get involved.”
…Is this really about participation?
Green inwardly sighed.
Still—she had been looking forward to fighting the Masked Army for a long time.
---
Johto
Goldenrod City – Team Rocket’s Base
“So this is what controlled my subordinates?”
Giovanni held a fragment of a broken mask, inspecting it carefully.
After Lambda and Athena’s disastrous failure, many of Team Rocket’s captured members had been turned—brainwashed into fighting against their own allies.
After some investigation, Giovanni’s suspicions had landed on the strange masks they wore.
“Yes, Boss.”
Apollo bowed slightly.
As one of Giovanni’s earliest and most loyal lieutenants, Apollo had his complete trust.
“What did the tech division find?” Giovanni asked, stroking his Persian.
Apollo responded, “They detected a psychic energy signature—likely Hypnosis. The current recommended countermeasures are Dark- and Ghost-type abilities. A more permanent solution is still under research.”
Giovanni set the mask fragment down and nodded.
Although they had lost many scientists on New Island, Team Rocket’s research division was still formidable.
“Prioritize rescuing our people.” Giovanni ordered. “And what about Blackthorn Gym? How did the test go?”
Apollo hesitated before answering.
“No anomalies… Pryce captured our operatives and handed them over to the League immediately. No suspicious behavior. We couldn’t confirm any connection between him and the Masked Man.”
Giovanni frowned.
The test results seemed normal—too normal.
His instincts told him Pryce was hiding something.
Because there was no way a powerful Ice-type expert had appeared in Johto out of nowhere.
He needed to verify it himself.
“I’ll go personally.”
Hearing this, Apollo grew concerned. “Boss, your condition—”
“It’s nothing.” Giovanni waved him off.
He knew his own body.
But that was exactly why he needed to find Silver—everything else could wait.
His gaze darkened.
Seeing Giovanni’s resolve, Apollo had no choice but to comply.
Gather as many people as possible and prepare for action.
…
When Asahi returned to the estate, Sabrina was enjoying afternoon tea with Butler.
Seeing Asahi return with Green and Silver, Sabrina curiously asked,
"Didn't you all go to a family gathering? Why are you back so soon?"
Asahi was speechless. "What family gathering... We went out for work, helping Lance handle a small issue."
"You were busy with work at your gym, so I didn’t bother informing you."
"Hmph..." Sabrina clearly didn’t believe him.
"...."
Asahi wasn’t lying this time. "Believe it or not... If you're really so eager to join in on group operations, there's actually a major action coming up."
Sabrina was intrigued. Another major operation so soon after dealing with Team Rocket?
"What operation?"
"We’re going to Johto—to take on the Masked Corps!"
---
