Tuesday, November 13th.
As soon as Teacher Lu's new video dropped, the gaming community erupted into celebration.
"Holy sh*t, Teacher Lu finally updated!"
"A new tactics guide—my youth is back!"
It had been a whole month since the last upload.
Just when everyone thought the "Food Court" (Lu's stream) was shutting down for good, Teacher Lu came back with a Full-Course Feast!
Raw Hypnosis, putting them to sleep left and right…
That absurd accuracy had viewers completely dumbfounded.
This shouldn't be possible!
With Teacher Lu's luck, there was no way he should be this fortunate!
"Maybe… it's because of Togepi?"
"A Pokémon that brings good luck—yeah, I guess that makes sense."
Just as people were beginning to accept this strange reality…
The situation flipped 180 degrees.
Porygon-Z's Hyper Beam missing three times in a row hit viewers straight in the gut.
"Ahhh, there it is…"
"Now this feels normal!"
After all, Teacher Lu's defining trait was terrible luck.
When the game says 95% accuracy, for him, it's actually 5%.
But what truly shocked the audience…
Even in this dire situation, he still pulled off a miraculous comeback with Hypnosis.
Was this… the legendary bond between Trainer and Pokémon?!
Of course, Teacher Lu's strategic command also played a major role.
Even Hoenn's Ghost-type Elite Four, Phoebe, reposted the video, adding a poetic comment: [Between twists of fate and insurmountable odds, an unyielding Trainer and his Gengar weave a tale of shadows. Thus, the story begins…]
Lu Ye's expression turned strange as he read the caption.
Wasn't Phoebe supposed to be besties with Caitlin?
Is it really okay for her to roast the Psychic Elite like this?!
---
Back to the "Hypnosis Team" itself.
The concept of combining Sweet Scent and Gravity inspired many Ghost- and Psychic-type Trainers.
This refined, methodical playstyle marked a return to Lu Ye's original "Substitute-Protect-Toxic" roots.
After Brutal Trick Room and Brain-Dead Tailwind Sweep strategies took over the meta…
Teacher Lu's Hypnosis Team single-handedly reignited the era of toxic, infuriating battle tactics!
"I thought Teacher Lu had turned over a new leaf… turns out he's still an absolute menace!"
"YES! I'm taking this to the Gym Leaders right now!"
"Thanks for the invite, currently hospitalized, WiFi is great."
---
Meanwhile, at Interpol Headquarters, officers were furiously taking notes while exchanging uneasy glances.
"This strategy… is it really suitable for law enforcement?"
"You don't get it. First, we use Sweet Scent to distract the suspect. Then, we Hypnosis them into submission…"
"This is exactly the kind of battle-tested technique that Inspector Looker developed from years of field experience!"
"I see! As expected of the Inspector!"
---
Meanwhile, over at Team Rocket HQ…
Members rejoiced as they watched the video.
"Our mentor hasn't forgotten us after all!"
That said, modern-day Team Rocket wasn't really an "evil organization" anymore.
Giovanni's "Rainbow Project" was already circulating within the ranks.
The executives who aligned with Giovanni's ideals were gradually reigning in their subordinates' actions.
As for the infamous trio—Jessie, James, and Meowth—who still carried the Team Rocket name…
They weren't planning any major schemes at the moment.
Instead, they were… still running a street stall to fund their operations.
---
Team Rocket—New Island Base.
"Just let them keep chasing after Pikachu."
After reviewing the latest reports, Madame Matori sighed heavily.
"It's not like we can expect anything useful from those three idiots…"
It was strange.
Both Giovanni and the "Mentor" placed great importance on that trio.
To be fair, their fundraising abilities were truly exceptional.
Even after blowing through ten years' worth of salary in advance, they still somehow kept their little team operational.
Say what you will about them—that was definitely a talent.
Removing her round glasses, Matori massaged her throbbing temples.
The Rainbow Project had stirred dissent within the organization.
Bishas, a former Pokémon hunter and key player in the failed Celebi capture operation, was the first to defect.
Giovanni eliminated him swiftly, reclaiming his Pokémon for Team Rocket's main base.
"Using sin to cleanse sin… using evil to reform evil…"
Was this what the Mentor meant by Rainbow?
For the sake of Silver, Giovanni no longer cared what others thought.
Shaking her head, Matori took a sip of hot tea and opened the projection screen.
One display was exclusively dedicated to monitoring the Mentor's activity.
"Hypnosis tactics?"
Matori blinked, then blushed slightly before clearing her throat.
"Maybe… I shouldn't watch this one…"
—
As a high-ranking Team Rocket executive, she had privileges.
Besides the ability to deploy Pokémon, she also received generous stipends.
But… the economy wasn't great right now.
Matori was seriously considering cashing in Meowth's Gold Coins…
Still, even if they were short on funds, one thing could not be neglected—the Techer's reward.
Frowning, Matori drummed her fingers on the desk.
Besides money… what else could attract a powerful Trainer's interest?
The Pokémon within Team Rocket were too weak—they wouldn't meet the Mentor's standards.
And their battle manuals? Too basic, barely above beginner-level.
Unless… they found something more advanced.
A sharp gleam flashed in Matori's eyes.
Opening a holographic communication window, she initiated a call.
After a brief pause, the image of a tall, striking woman appeared.
"What do you want?"
Wearing a cropped tank top and beach sandals, a woman with wavy blue hair casually brushed her Houndoom's fur.
Slowly straightening up, Karen tossed her hair back, stretching lazily.
"Last I checked… I already cut ties with Team Rocket."
Matori got straight to the point, explaining the Teacher's ideology and Team Rocket's current predicament.
"Lady Karen," Matori said, eyes unwavering. "Team Rocket seeks your help."
Karen scoffed.
"You've got some nerve."
"Just because I was once associated with Team Rocket, you think you can come asking for battle secrets?"
"These techniques are the result of years of experience. Why would I just hand them over to a total stranger?"
"Team Rocket—no, the new Team Rocket—will owe you a favor."
Matori's tone remained firm.
"Surely you've heard of the Rainbow Project by now. It's Giovanni's greatest ambition."
"The reborn Team Rocket will rise in both power and ideals."
Karen frowned slightly.
She had been raised by the Masked Man and spent some time with the remnants of Team Rocket in her youth.
But now, she had left that life behind, forging a new path as Johto's Dark-type Elite Four.
Still, Matori's words… they made her waver.
Karen was a dreamer too.
She had always sought to prove the beauty and strength of Dark-type Pokémon to the world.
Having Team Rocket owe her a favor didn't sound like such a bad deal.
---
"I have one condition."
Crossing her arms, Karen lifted her chin, her gaze sharp.
"Tell me the Teacher's name."
Silence.
Matori's expression remained unreadable.
"…That is classified information."
"Then this conversation is over."
Karen waved dismissively, about to close the call.
Matori frowned, hesitating for a long moment before finally saying:
"I can only tell you this—"
"He is a Trainer whose strength rivals Giovanni himself."
Karen froze.
In a life-or-death battle, even Lance would struggle against Giovanni.
And now, this new Team Rocket had someone of that caliber?
A slow, intrigued smirk spread across Karen's lips.
"Now that… sounds interesting."
Stretching her arms above her head, she let out a soft yawn.
"Fine. I'll hand over the material."
"Just make sure your Teacher doesn't disappoint me."
---
"Can I ask… what exactly are you giving us?" Matori asked.
Karen grinned—a playful yet cunning smile.
"I'm the Dark-type Elite Four."
"What else would it be?"
Her golden eyes gleamed mischievously.
"Of course—it's Dark Pulse."
---
NOTE: From this chapter onwards. I will be using "Mentor" instead of "Teacher" as Lu Ye's nickname in Team Rocket.
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