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Chapter 147: How Can You Accuse Me Without Evidence?
🕑 Added 2025-02-16 13:54:43 +0000 UTCChapter 147: How Can You Accuse Me Without Evidence?
Asahi had no idea that a simple fan club subscription had caused such a massive uproar.
He was currently reading a message from Gary.
Gary: "Obviously, I got my badge by defeating Sabrina with my overwhelming skills! No question about it!"
Asahi chuckled at Gary’s boastful tone.
The fact that Gary had earned the badge meant that Sabrina was already preparing to head to Twin Islands to capture Articuno.
However, Asahi had no intention of telling Gary the truth. The guy had suffered enough at Sabrina’s hands—better to let him enjoy his moment.
So, Asahi typed: "Congrats on beating Sabrina. What’s next for you?"
Gary: "I’m heading to Celadon City to challenge Erika. Got any advice?"
"Erika? I know her well. I’ll put in a good word for you."
Sitting in his hotel room in Saffron City, Gary's face lit up when he saw Asahi's message.
Even though he had been acting all high and mighty earlier, only he knew how much he had suffered at Sabrina’s hands.
If not for the help of a certain "Psychic Mentor," he wouldn’t have survived.
Now hearing that Asahi had connections with Erika and was willing to give him an advantage, Gary was naturally thrilled.
Of course, when putting it into words, he maintained a reserved tone: "Isn’t that against League regulations?"
"Relax. Erika is one of our department’s partners in Celadon City… By the way, she mentioned that Team Rocket activity was spotted in the area. While you’re there, how about dealing with it?"
Erika had mentioned this to Asahi before, but since it was just a few small-time grunts hiding in the shadows, Asahi hadn’t bothered to go after them. Now, it was a perfect training opportunity for Gary.
Hearing that Erika was affiliated with Asahi’s department, Gary instantly relaxed—turns out she was an ally.
Gary: "Got it. I’m ready to make my move!"
No way Team Rocket could be scarier than Sabrina, right?
Having survived his battle with Sabrina, Gary felt invincible.
Seeing Gary so fired up, Asahi couldn’t help but admire his resilience.
"Honestly, his drive isn’t that different from Red’s."
As Asahi wondered whether to push Gary even further, he sent him a few words of encouragement before closing the chat.
He glanced at Gardevoir’s spot.
Mew had somehow wandered over and was now reading alongside Gardevoir, looking completely absorbed.
Sensing Asahi’s gaze, Mew glanced up at him—then huffed and turned away with a pout.
Clearly, it was still holding a grudge.
Asahi chuckled but didn’t press the issue.
After messaging Erika to look after Gary, he was about to resume watching videos when his phone rang.
Upon answering, Sabrina’s voice came through.
"So, Koga couldn't escape your grasp either, huh?"
It was within her expectations.
Ninjas specialized in stealth, ambushes, and poison. But when forced into a direct confrontation—an area they were weak in—the outcome was obvious.
"...What do you mean by ‘my grasp’? I was just upholding justice!" Asahi protested at her wording.
"Sure, sure. Upholding justice." Sabrina replied flatly, before dropping a bombshell: "The final phase of the Mewtwo Project has begun."
"…What?" Asahi’s attention sharpened instantly. "Are you sure?"
"I got the intel from Matori. My psychic abilities tell me she’s not lying."
"...Got it. Thanks for the info!"
He had been planning to seek out Mewtwo anyway, and Sabrina’s intel came at just the right time.
"Hmph. Just don’t do anything weird to me again." she huffed.
Asahi: "…?"
What did I even do? Why do people keep falsely accusing me?!
Though slightly exasperated, he had more pressing matters.
"How long until they can actually create Mewtwo?"
"Only Giovanni and Dr. Fuji know the exact timeline, but based on my sources, the earliest would be two weeks."
"That’s plenty of time."
With Salamence’s speed, he could reach New Island in half a day.
That meant he even had time to visit Cinnabar Island, test Blaine, and maybe relax in a hot spring.
…"By the way, doesn’t Giovanni suspect me at all?"
"This brings me to my second piece of news," Sabrina continued. "Team Rocket's Strategic Command has identified several suspects, and you’re one of the prime candidates—an A-rank target."
"It was only a matter of time before they locked onto you."
"Which means their retaliation is coming. Be careful."
"They think that highly of me?" Asahi chuckled, showing no sign of concern.
He had expected this.
"You're not worried at all?" Sabrina asked, unable to hide her curiosity.
"What’s the point of worrying?... Besides, I’m the one planning to go on the offensive." Asahi replied. "If anyone should be worried, it’s Team Rocket."
He had too many cards to play.
Any one of them would be enough to make Giovanni and Team Rocket suffer.
Hearing Asahi’s confident tone, Sabrina huffed. "Just make sure that if Giovanni catches you, you don’t rat me out."
Asahi waved dismissively. "No need to worry. I keep my mouth shut."
"Besides, that’s only if Giovanni can catch me."
With Gardevoir and Mew by his side, even if he were completely surrounded, he could escape whenever he wanted.
"Speaking of which, about the former colleagues Lt. Surge captured…"
"Former colleagues? They were your colleagues too," Asahi corrected before asking, "Have you found their location?"
As unreliable as they seemed, they were still his seniors.
Regardless, he had to rescue them. If nothing else, he could use "security screening" as an excuse to send them to Interpol headquarters.
Whether HQ truly investigated them or just demoted them was their problem—not his.
Sabrina provided an address.
Hearing it, Asahi couldn't help but say, "Well, damn."
Asahi never expected Giovanni to be bold enough to keep his captured prisoners inside his own gym.
Especially considering Viridian City’s proximity to Indigo Plateau, where the Pokémon League headquarters was located, this move of Giovanni's seemed even more audacious.
However, since the prisoners were being held at the Viridian Gym, this required a more careful approach.
"They've been locked up for this long already—another two days won't make a difference."
"......"
From Asahi’s tone, Sabrina could already tell what kind of attitude he had toward his former colleagues.
"Nothing else to discuss, then," Sabrina said.
"Actually, there is. Are you sure you don’t need my help capturing Articuno? Legendary Pokémon aren’t that easy to deal with… Don’t come crying to me if things go sideways."
Sabrina initially thought Asahi was expressing concern for her, but after hearing the second half of his sentence, she scoffed. "Mind your own business!"
"Alright, alright, just be careful." Asahi sighed.
Honest advice was never well received…
After hanging up the call, Asahi turned to Mew and Gardevoir and asked, "How about a hot spring trip tomorrow?"
"Mew..."
Mew looked conflicted, torn between its pride and the temptation of a warm soak.
After a long inner struggle, it decisively cast aside its useless pride and chose the hot spring.
---
Since the Mewtwo Project had already entered its final stage, Asahi didn’t stay in Fuchsia City for long.
Once Agatha arrived, he left with Green and Mew.
With Salamence’s flight speed, they reached Cinnabar Island in less than half a day.
Cinnabar Island, built atop an extinct volcano, was located in the southeastern part of the League’s territory. Thanks to its thriving hot spring tourism industry, the island was remarkably prosperous.
Since it was peak tourist season, the place was packed with people.
Asahi and Green were used to such crowds, but Mew, who rarely visited such lively places, was utterly dazzled.
"Mew—!"
Mew tugged at Asahi’s sleeve, pointing eagerly at a nearby stall selling grilled mochi.
"Alright, I’ll buy it!"
Asahi waved his hand grandly and bought a serving for each of them.
A few minutes later, Mew spotted a stall selling masks and clung to Asahi’s arm again.
"You can shapeshift… why do you even need a mask?" Asahi muttered, but still ended up buying Mew a Dragonite mask—and even got Eevee a Gyarados mask.
---
