Chapter 18: Chapter:18
> "Ding! You have discovered Team Rocket's actions and figured out their purpose. You have triggered a long-term hidden mission!"
"Ding! Long-term hidden mission: 'Smash Team Rocket's Mewtwo Plan'!"
"Ding! Phase 1 mission: Help Mew escape the search team's pursuit (0/20)."
"Great, just great," Satoshi muttered, shaking his head with a wry smile. "I was hesitating whether to get involved, and now I don't even have a choice. A long-term hidden mission? It's like the game wants me to play hero."
This mission wasn't just rare—it was unprecedented. Satoshi couldn't recall ever encountering it in his previous life. The prerequisites were too specific: understanding Team Rocket, recognizing Mew, and knowing their connection to Mewtwo.
"Who could possibly trigger these conditions? No one besides me," Satoshi realized.
Being a time traveler with deep knowledge of Pokémon lore, Satoshi had a unique edge. No regular player, even if reborn, could connect the dots to this hidden mission.
"Most players wouldn't even recognize Team Rocket's plans, let alone piece together Mew's significance," he mused. "This mission was practically handcrafted for me."
But as flattering as that thought was, it also came with significant risks.
Satoshi remembered his struggles in the game during his previous life. At this point back then, he was barely scraping by, his Pokémon still around level 8. Venturing deep into the Viridian Forest was out of the question.
"This mission would've been impossible for me back then," he muttered. "But now… things are different."
He glanced at Charmeleon and Froakie, both standing alert by his side. His journey this time had been filled with opportunities to grow stronger, faster.
"Alright," Satoshi said with resolve. "If the game is throwing this challenge at me, I'm not backing down. Let's handle this."
Satoshi's eyes gleamed coldly. He knew what needed to be done. Team Rocket was an organization that didn't forgive or forget. If even one of their operatives escaped and reported his interference, he'd become a marked target.
"I can't leave any witnesses. It's that simple," he muttered.
Though eliminating the enemy wasn't his first choice, this wasn't a time for hesitation. Evil organizations like Team Rocket didn't play fair, and he couldn't afford to be naive.
"Charmeleon, Froakie," he said quietly, "stay sharp. We're moving in."
Satoshi trailed the two Rocket grunts he'd spotted earlier. They walked casually, their guard down as they bantered.
"Hey, why haven't we found anything yet? We've been searching for days!"
"Stop whining. Orders are orders," the second grunt snapped. "Besides, it's not like we're supposed to catch it. Our job is just to track its energy signature and report back. The higher-ups will handle the rest."
"Still… what if we actually find it? You think the captain could even handle Mew?"
"Don't be stupid. The captain knows it's out of his league. He just wants data for the Executives and the Boss. That's the whole point of the machine."
Their careless conversation confirmed Satoshi's suspicions. Team Rocket was here to locate Mew.
Satoshi crouched behind a tree, signaling Charmeleon and Froakie to stay silent.
"If it weren't for these two blabbering fools, I might've been halfway to Pewter City by now," he thought. "But I'll deal with them first."
He stepped out from the shadows, his voice calm but icy.
"Froakie, [Freezing Ray]."
A beam of cold light shot forth, freezing the grunts' hands—and the Poké Balls they were reaching for.
"What the—!"
"Who are you?" one grunt demanded, his voice trembling. "Do you have any idea who you're messing with? We're Team Rocket! You'll pay for this!"
Satoshi smirked. "I don't know about paying, but I'm pretty sure you're done for."
"Charmeleon," he said, his tone turning sharp, "finish them."
Charmeleon stepped forward, flames flickering dangerously at the tip of its tail.
The grunts' bravado quickly gave way to panic. "W-wait! We can talk! Don't do this—"
End of Chapter