The Team Rocket trio had ties to Giovanni far deeper than outsiders knew.
Otherwise, how could three people who failed every mission, contributed nothing, and caused chaos wherever they went—
Still keep their Rocket status?
How could they wander around the world, freeloading under the Team Rocket name…
And Giovanni didn't even bother to reprimand them?
Other than Giovanni himself, no one knew their "special" value.
To the rest of the organization, they were bottom-tier grunts. Nothing more.
"Boss Giovanni… aren't those three…?"
Athena—one of Team Rocket's four executives—narrowed her eyes in confusion.
She vaguely recognized them:
whatever they attempted, they failed…
And yet they never gave up.
Failure after failure, but somehow still standing—
successful failures.
"Don't worry about them," Giovanni said coldly.
"Focus on the legendary Pokémon shown in this tally.
If any Legendary appears near Kanto…
We can trace it and locate it."
Athena froze—then immediately bowed.
"As expected of you, Boss! While everyone else is distracted by rewards…
You've already set your sights on the stars and the sea!"
Giovanni didn't respond, eyes returning to the flickering screen.
Meanwhile, in the Indigo Plateau audience—
"The twerp's in danger, meow!"
Jessie watched the tense battle scene, her body tensing with it as she grabbed a drink and chugged it.
"Pikachu doesn't look like it can win against Latios!"
James nodded gravely.
"What are you two talking about meow?! You think Pikachu only has that much strength?!"
"Have you forgotten how many times we've personally suffered under that monster's power?!"
And at that exact moment—
The Meowth on screen opened his mouth and spoke.
To the entire world.
[Lance: ??? I didn't see wrong, right?]
[Cynthia: I didn't hear wrong, right???]
[Bruno: Is something wrong with my eyes?! That Meowth just sp—spoke?!]
[Leon: I've met psychic Pokémon that communicate through telepathy…
But one that speaks perfect human language? This is a first!]
[Professor Oak: I want to research that Meowth SO BAD!]
[Professor Birch: A talking Meowth is rarer than a Legendary! At least Legendaries appear sometimes—
A Meowth like THAT? Never!]
[Ash: WHY IS TEAM ROCKET IN THE BROADCAST?!]
[Lance: Hm?? THEY'RE TEAM ROCKET?!]
Before Lance could question further, the scene cut back to Ash's battle.
Just as Meowth had said—
Pikachu's true strength was far more than anyone imagined.
"Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
"PIKA—CHUU!!!"
A pillar of golden lightning tore across the sky—
But Latios weaved through each blast effortlessly.
Three, four Thunderbolts fired in succession.
Not a single one touched him.
His speed was just too absurd.
"Latios—another Giga Impact!"
"Ooooh!!"
That violet aura surged around Latios again.
He dove like a hunting beast—
straight toward Pikachu!
"Wait for it… NOW! Dodge!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu leapt aside, barely slipping past the impact.
"Great! Now—Pika—WHAT?! Pikachu, Iron Tail, defend!!"
Normally, after using Giga Impact, the Pokémon should be immobilized.
But Latios—
Latios ignored the cooldown.
The moment the purple aura faded—
It shone again.
Latios rotated midair, accelerating toward Pikachu—who was still airborne with no foothold!
Ash had no choice but to turn Pikachu's Iron Tail into a shield.
BOOM!
Iron Tail meant nothing before the force of Giga Impact.
Pikachu was blasted dozens of meters, slamming into the arena wall.
But incredibly—
He pushed himself up, staggering but still standing.
Ash—
was in absolute danger.
[Leon: As expected of a Legendary—Zenith Giga Impact with zero cooldown… unbelievable.]
[Lance: Even my Dragonite, who has mastered Hyper Beam, can't fully cancel recoil. Legendary Pokémon really are in a different league…]
[Cynthia: Forget the recoil—Ash looks like he's about to lose. Pikachu is giving his absolute all.]
[Clemont: No… It's not over. Pikachu hasn't reached the level he had against Regice yet.]
[Clemont: Professor Oak said Pikachu grows stronger through Ash's bond during battle. If he can push a bit further… there's still hope!]
[Professor Oak: But the problem is… will Latios give Pikachu that chance?]
That was the core issue.
Even if Pikachu had the power to grow during battle,
what good was that if the opponent refused to give him time?
Latios was not a slow, hulking Regice.
Its mobility was monstrous—
Even Quick Attack couldn't land a hit.
If Pikachu took another clean blow…
This match's outcome was practically sealed.
Ash looked at the sweat dripping down his own face on the screen.
He murmured to the Pikachu beside him—
"…We can win this… right, Pikachu?"
Even Ash seemed uncertain for a moment.
But Pikachu—
"Pika-Pi!! Pika-chuuu!!"
On Ash's shoulder, Pikachu flailed his arms triumphantly.
His meaning was clear:
I AM THE STRONGEST.
Relax—I got you.
"Ha! That's right! Pikachu—we're gonna win!
Not only the ones in the video… but our match tomorrow too!"
Ash's spirit reignited.
He refocused on the broadcast—
eyes burning with determination.
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