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Chapter 154: Unexpected Reinforcements
🕑 Added 2025-02-17 13:40:25 +0000 UTCChapter 154: Unexpected Reinforcements
"Sigh, this Gary is just weak!"
"If he can’t even handle this, how is he supposed to surpass Ash in the future?"
Asahi put down his phone, looking deeply disappointed in Gary.
Green: "..."
Honestly, considering how much they messed with him, the fact that Gary hadn’t completely broken down yet showed just how strong his mental resilience was.
"Forget about Gary," Asahi said, turning his head. "Professor Blaine, can you give us a detailed rundown of New Island?"
While Sabrina had extensive knowledge of Rocket Team, she wasn’t a researcher. Her understanding of New Island’s inner workings was limited.
It certainly wouldn’t compare to Professor Blaine’s firsthand experience as a scientist there.
At the mention of New Island, Mew, who had been playing with its tail, perked up its ears, eager to listen.
Seeing that everyone was focused on him, Professor Blaine’s face took on a look of recollection.
"New Island… When I was working for Rocket Team as a researcher, the island was roughly divided into two sections. The outer section housed Rocket Team’s combat personnel and was heavily guarded."
"Rocket Team established a radar station there. Any unauthorized ship approaching New Island would be attacked by the Gyarados Rocket Team had stationed around the island."
"From my observations, there are at least three hundred personnel stationed there—all of them elite Rocket Team members with extensive combat experience…"
"As for the inner section, that’s where the researchers lived and worked. It was divided into the technology and equipment research zone, the Pokémon life sciences research zone, and the historical and legendary Pokémon research zone. The Mewtwo Project, however, had its own separate division…"
After Professor Blaine’s explanation, Asahi now had a clearer understanding of New Island.
In short, it was heavily fortified.
Anyone without Champion-level strength would be walking into a death trap.
Even if someone did have Champion-level strength, they’d be in serious danger if Giovanni himself showed up.
This only reinforced how much importance Rocket Team placed on their New Island base.
"I see. Professor Blaine, when do you predict the Mewtwo Project will be completed?" Asahi asked, getting to the most crucial point.
Professor Blaine instinctively touched his arm, thinking for a moment before giving an answer.
"Five days."
As a former participant in the project, combined with the feedback from the Mewtwo cells in his body, he was able to provide a fairly precise estimate.
"Five days, huh… Got it. We’ll leave two days early and give Rocket Team a little surprise," Asahi said. "When the time comes, we’ll need you to guide us."
Professor Blaine had no objections—after all, this was in his own best interest.
…
Since Cinnabar Gym had suffered some damage from the Rocket Team attack, repairs were needed.
So, after arranging to meet at Cinnabar Gym in three days before heading to New Island, Asahi and Green returned to their hotel.
At the hotel, Green watched Mew happily playing a board game with Blissey, Clefable, and Jigglypuff. She looked a bit worried.
"Asahi, are we really going to infiltrate New Island?"
Hearing this, Asahi set down his tablet, which had been playing a battle video of Leon vs. Raihan.
"What’s wrong?"
"It’s just… isn’t it too dangerous for so few of us to take on Rocket Team’s headquarters?" Green asked, her concern evident.
Even counting everyone in the Kanto Division, they had only five combat-ready members—including Gary, who was still stuck in Celadon City.
According to Professor Blaine, New Island had over three hundred Rocket Team trainers, making it as large as the Celadon base Lance had previously raided.
And that didn’t even include Mewtwo, Giovanni, or any of his executives who might be there.
Even with Mew on their side, attempting to storm New Island with just their team seemed reckless.
Green voiced her worries to Asahi.
"So that’s what you’re concerned about?" Asahi chuckled. "Since when have I ever done something without a solid plan?"
"Besides, I already spoke to Lance about this earlier. I told him I found Rocket Team’s base at sea and asked for his help."
"Lance will help us?" Green asked.
If Asahi and Lance worked together, then this mission might be doable.
But Asahi shook his head.
"He’s busy with the Indigo League Conference. He already skipped several meetings because of the Koga situation—this time, he really can’t leave."
"It’s not just him. Agatha is temporarily acting as the Fuchsia Gym Leader, and Bruno is in Johto investigating the Rocket Team and Masked Corps conflict. Neither of them can make it."
Green frowned in confusion. If all of Kanto’s Elite Four were unavailable, where were they supposed to find reinforcements?
Seeing her confusion, Asahi smiled.
"There’s still one Elite Four member left, isn’t there?"
Green immediately realized who he meant.
"…Lorelei?! But isn’t she in the Sevii Islands?"
Everyone knew Lorelei was focused on developing her homeland and eliminating Rocket Team’s influence there. She rarely left the islands unless absolutely necessary.
Yet, Asahi had somehow convinced her to join them?
Asahi nodded. "It’s true that Lorelei has been dealing with Rocket Team in the Sevii Islands. But after I injured Sird last time, Rocket Team has been lying low there, so Lorelei finally has some free time."
"So, when I asked Lance for backup, Lorelei decided to come in his place."
"This time, she’ll be our reinforcement."
Asahi grinned. "Sure, our division might be small, but we’re never fighting alone."
Hearing this, Green finally felt relieved.
Meanwhile, Asahi thought she was worrying a bit too much. The only reason he even called Lorelei was because of his usual cautious nature.
In his opinion, he and Mew alone were more than enough to handle New Island.
For one, in the original story, Mewtwo wiped out all the Rocket Team members on the island after its creation. He could simply wait until Mewtwo and Rocket Team weakened each other before making his move.
For another, even if Mewtwo didn’t destroy Rocket Team, its existence—combined with Mew—meant it was highly unlikely to obey Rocket Team’s orders.
And even in the worst-case scenario where Mewtwo did choose to side with Giovanni, he still had the M2 Restraint Armor—a trump card strong enough to remind the rebellious Mewtwo who was really in charge.
"No way this can fail. No way at all!"
Lying on the couch, Asahi declared confidently.
Green, however, couldn’t shake the feeling that he was jinxing himself.
But looking at how carefully Asahi had planned things out, she had to admit—if this lineup couldn’t win…
Then, as Asahi himself often said—
They might as well just pack up and move to Hoenn.
—
