LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Shadow
After earning the Rainbow Badge from an irritated Erika, Ron headed straight to the Pokémon Center. His plan was to gather his belongings and resume his journey later that day.
Before Ron could even enter his room, Kirlia sensed someone inside.
Instinctively stepping away from the door, Ron prepared to release Machamp and Persian to guard against any potential threat.
Ron's Poké Balls were always unlocked, ensuring that in case of an emergency, Kirlia could instantly teleport them to safety.
For a stranger to have entered his room in a Pokémon Center so effortlessly, Ron knew he couldn't be too cautious.
Before he could release his Pokémon, the door opened, and a familiar face appeared before him.
"Relax. Acting so tense will only draw attention. Come inside, quickly."
A raspy voice rang out, as though the room belonged to him and Ron was merely a guest.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Ron stepped inside.
As the door clicked shut and the lock was engaged, Ron scrutinized the relaxed figure in front of him—Shadow. Something felt off, though he couldn't pinpoint what.
By all logic, someone of Shadow's stature in Team Rocket shouldn't have been able to show up so openly at a Pokémon Center.
Then again, for someone at Shadow's level, entering a Pokémon Center undetected might have been child's play.
This unsettling contradiction left Ron questioning the reality of the situation.
"Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble today. I came to deliver resources as a reward and to assign you a special task."
Hearing the word "task," Ron's curiosity was piqued, and he sat across from Shadow without hesitation.
Based on how Shadow had found him, Ron suspected Shadow had a Psychic- or Ghost-type Pokémon.
This meant Ron's best escape method, teleportation, was no longer reliable. With little chance of victory in a confrontation, he decided it was better to remain composed.
Moreover, as an undercover agent in Team Rocket, Ron was confident Shadow wouldn't make any rash moves against him.
"Let's start with your rewards. You may choose two rare-grade items. These are sufficient for your current level, though they'll become less useful by the time you reach the Elite Four level."
"In addition, you'll receive Technical Machines and Pokéblocks. And don't forget, you still have a pseudo-legendary Pokémon egg to claim. Have you decided yet?"
"Based on your contributions, you'll be given one of the highest-quality pseudo-legendary Pokémon, perfectly suited for your needs. Given the resources you've amassed, raising such a Pokémon shouldn't be a problem."
As soon as Ron sat down, Shadow began speaking in a raspy yet cheerful tone.
It was clear Shadow was pleased with Ron's progress.
If Ron continued on his current path, his ascent to the rank of Ranger Captain would be swift. From there, he could steadily climb to the upper echelons of the League.
Shadow couldn't help but admire the foresight of Giovanni, who had first proposed this plan.
"I understand. As for the pseudo-legendary Pokémon, I'll need some time to decide. Once I've made my choice, I'll let you know."
With that, Ron fell silent, showing no interest in asking about the special task.
Shadow, impressed by Ron's composure, smiled faintly.
"The special task involves you directly, particularly the selection process for undercover agents."
"For Rocket members, this was a golden opportunity. But for someone like you, who sought to infiltrate Team Rocket, it was a deadly gamble."
"To my surprise, you excelled—not only passing the selection but also swiftly achieving remarkable results within the League."
"Initially, my plan was simple. Whoever was selected as our undercover agent would face endless challenges in the League without any resources or support. Their struggles would push them closer to us over time."
"Through repeated aid and resources, we would earn their loyalty. No matter how successful they became, we would ensure their actions benefited Team Rocket and hurt the League."
"But your exceptional performance disrupted my plans, forcing me to approach you sooner than expected."
Listening to Shadow, Ron grew more uncertain of his intentions.
If loyalty was the goal, wouldn't it have been better to hide these motives? Why reveal everything at once?
As Ron pondered, Shadow gave him time to think before breaking the silence.
"You're probably wondering why I'm telling you all this. It's simple—both Giovanni and I see you as an irreplaceable talent. We want you to become someone Giovanni can truly trust and rely on."
"If you agree, our relationship will no longer be one of mere utility. You'll be treated as one of our own. No matter the danger or challenges you face, Team Rocket will have your back."
"Let me add this: very few people in Team Rocket earn Giovanni's complete trust. Those who do not only gain his favor but also the privilege of direct communication with him."
"So, Ron, what's your answer?"
Hearing Shadow's proposal, Ron found himself in a difficult position.
As Shadow had said, his current relationship with Team Rocket was one of mutual benefit. If his strength continued to grow, reaching the level of someone like Koga wasn't out of reach.
However, if Ron accepted this offer, he doubted Giovanni would tolerate betrayal from someone he considered a confidant.
Team Rocket might be led by Giovanni, but it wasn't free from internal factions. Allowing Ron to betray him unpunished would signal weakness, inviting relentless retaliation.
On the other hand, with Team Rocket's full support, Ron's path forward would undoubtedly be smoother. At the very least, Team Rocket could easily fabricate achievements to boost his reputation.
"It seems you're unable to decide for now. Take your time. I'm confident that once you see the League's darker side, you'll want to join us."
"Until then, our relationship remains unchanged. Farewell."
The next moment, an Alakazam appeared beside Shadow, using Teleport to take him away.
Staring at the now-empty room, Ron fell into deep thought.
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