"Oh? Are we about to clash with the League?"
Ryuu Shiro's lips curled into a higher arc, his crimson eyes flickering with an intensity that was both captivating and unsettling.
When it came to missions that required his involvement, Ryuu Shiro naturally thought of the Elite Four of the Kanto Region.
"I wonder if I'll get to meet my dear cousin."
It was clear from Ryuu Shiro's expression that he was brimming with excitement.
"Unfortunately, it's not what you're thinking, Shiro. We're not in a position to directly confront the League right now."
Noticing Ryuu Shiro's eagerness, Giovanni chuckled, his previously gloomy mood lifting.
Giovanni knew that Ryuu Shiro held Lance in high regard.
And it wasn't surprising, given that Lance was, by family ties, Ryuu Shiro's cousin!
Lance, the current Champion of the Kanto Elite Four, stood at the pinnacle of the Kanto League, harboring an indescribable hatred for the nefarious Team Rocket.
Yet Ryuu Shiro was Team Rocket's strongest executive!
These two individuals, bound by the same bloodline, were complete opposites.
In truth, it wasn't just Ryuu Shiro who looked forward to a confrontation with Lance; Giovanni himself was eager to see the two clash.
"Oh?"
Ryuu Shiro glanced at Giovanni in surprise. If it wasn't the Elite Four they were up against, what mission in Kanto would require his intervention?
"It's hard to explain over the phone. Come back to Kanto when you can, preferably within a week. Is that possible?" Giovanni shook his head.
If it wasn't absolutely necessary, Giovanni wouldn't have asked Ryuu Shiro to step in. While Ryuu Shiro was nominally Team Rocket's strongest executive, Giovanni knew that it was only due to a fortunate coincidence that Ryuu Shiro had joined Team Rocket in the first place.
Thus, whenever a mission required Ryuu Shiro's participation, Giovanni would personally discuss it with him.
He also gave Ryuu Shiro the utmost freedom in his daily life.
"Understood."
Ryuu Shiro pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
If Giovanni had personally called him, it was clear that the mission was of great importance. To be honest, Ryuu Shiro was genuinely curious.
…
"Sheena, how are you feeling?"
Kevin arrived at the basement of the Ancient Temple and found Sheena standing before a mural. He walked over to her and asked with concern.
The mural depicted a massive meteor, and beneath it, a fearless creature charging straight toward it—Arceus!
Yes, it was an ancient mural of Arceus confronting the apocalyptic meteor.
"I'm fine now, don't worry."
Sheena's complexion had improved significantly, and she shook her head in response.
"That's a relief. You had me really worried earlier."
Kevin let out a sigh of relief. Sheena's face had been so pale earlier that it seemed as if she were gravely ill.
After a moment of hesitation, Kevin decided to ask.
"Sheena, that guy earlier…"
"Kevin, I can feel it. It's about to awaken."
Before Kevin could finish, Sheena's weary voice interrupted him.
Kevin's expression instantly changed, for he knew exactly what Sheena was referring to.
"This… could you be mistaken?"
"No, I'm not wrong. It's been like this for the past two days. Dialga has also informed me that the fluctuations from the Hall of Origin are becoming clearer."
Sheena bit her lip, her face filled with worry and a hint of confusion. She wished she were mistaken, but she couldn't ignore the growing concern.
Why?
Why did it have to be her generation?
She had inherited the Transcend Power from her ancestors, but that was all she had. She felt utterly powerless to bear the weight of this responsibility.
This was her ancestors' sin, so why did the consequences have to fall on her shoulders?
"Will the Jewel of Life… truly be able to quell Arceus's wrath?"
Sheena slowly walked over to a decorative piece resembling a waterwheel and removed the bud-shaped object at the top.
The bud opened, revealing a green crystal orb emitting a mysterious glow.
This was the Jewel of Life, passed down through generations for centuries!
"Can it… really work?"
Sheena gazed at the Jewel of Life, her eyes filled with deepening uncertainty.
Could centuries of anger and resentment, born from betrayal and harm by someone deeply trusted, truly be quelled simply by returning the Jewel of Life?
Sheena didn't know, or perhaps she didn't want to consider the despairing outcome, for this was her only hope.
…
Time flew by, and night fell by the clear lake.
"Fiery Wrath."
The Galarian Moltres raised its head high, letting out a sharp cry as black and red flame patterns lit up beneath Gardevoir.
Gardevoir's figure swayed gracefully, its skirt fluttering as it moved away from the spot.
At that moment, a fierce, flame-like energy surged into the sky, powerful and overwhelming, creating a striking visual effect.
But that was all it was…
"Saa~nai."
Gardevoir let out a soft cry, tilting its head slightly as it gazed at the surging "pillar of fire." Well, it made for a nice fireworks display.
"The move is still too slow, and I've told you countless times, Moltres, you need to predict your opponent's movements before attacking. Are you a pig?"
"How many times has Gardevoir dodged your attacks from this angle? And…"
Ryuu Shiro frowned, criticizing the Galarian Moltres without hesitation as it landed.
Yes, he was currently training the Galarian Moltres.
Faced with Ryuu Shiro's scolding, the Galarian Moltres's bird-like face was full of grievance.
What the hell do you mean my attacks are being dodged?
That Gardevoir moves like a ghost! I can barely see a shadow of it when it moves, how am I supposed to hit it, damn it!
"Next up, endurance training. Gardevoir."
After a while, seeing the Galarian Moltres nod like a chicken pecking at rice, Ryuu Shiro smiled with satisfaction and took a few steps back, calling out to Gardevoir.
Endurance training?
Wait a minute!
The Galarian Moltres's body stiffened instantly, its eyes wide with fear as it looked at Gardevoir.
The so-called endurance training involved it clashing head-on with Gardevoir's moves!
But the difference in strength between it and Gardevoir was like night and day. Every time they trained, by the end of it, the Galarian Moltres felt like its entire body was floating, completely numb.
"Saa~nai."
Gardevoir let out a soft hum, its slender arms coming together as a beautiful, colorful energy gathered.
This was the Fairy-type move, Dazzling Gleam!
In the next moment, the dazzling energy surged forward!
"Kyaaa!!!"
The Galarian Moltres's mournful cry echoed far into the distance.