Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Luo Yuan left the registration counter.

Behind him, a long line had already formed.

"So many people...," he muttered.

Coming early was definitely the right choice.

Even though it was only the first day of registration for the Indigo League Tournament, a large number of trainers had already gathered at the Indigo Plateau.

Of course, not every trainer registering had earned all eight badges.

For instance, the trainer standing behind Luo Yuan was holding a Pokémon Certification Exam certificate instead.

Due to the dysfunction of the Kanto Gym system—where the strength of Gym Leaders varied widely and many weren't fully committed—fewer than half of the trainers registering for the Indigo League actually managed to collect eight badges each year.

To ensure enough participants for the tournament, the Kanto League had reluctantly implemented the Pokémon Certification Exam system.

Trainers didn't need to challenge Gyms, nor did their Pokémon's strength matter. As long as they passed a written test and a practical exam, they could qualify for the Indigo League.

But... this system had been controversial since its inception.

While it gave busy office workers a chance to fulfill their dreams, it also faced criticism for evaluating trainers based solely on exams. It overlooked their ability to train Pokémon and their bond with their teams, violating the League's philosophy of fostering strong connections between trainers and Pokémon.

Not that Luo Yuan cared about any of this.

Strong or weak, it was all the same to him.

Pushing the door open, Luo Yuan stepped outside.

The sunlight was slightly blinding.

The name "Indigo Plateau" wasn't given without reason. Being at a much higher altitude than the rest of Kanto, the sunlight here was harsher.

Scanning his surroundings, Luo Yuan suddenly froze.

"Sabrina?"

If his eyes weren't deceiving him, he had just spotted Sabrina.

Luo Yuan walked toward her.

Sabrina, noticing Luo Yuan leaving the registration counter, stood up from the bench nearby. When he approached, she slipped her arm through his without hesitation.

The scene stunned everyone around them.

During the time Sabrina had been sitting there, some trainers had recognized her as the Saffron City Gym Leader—a figure shrouded in legend. Known for her psychic prowess, she was said to turn challengers into dolls at will and had earned the nickname "the nightmare of Gym challengers."

In the Pokémon world, forums for trainers also existed.

Through various posts detailing challenges at the Saffron Gym, Sabrina had gained a reputation for being powerful, aloof, and mysterious.

But now, that image shattered as Sabrina hugged Luo Yuan's arm.

"Is that really Sabrina?"

"Could all those stories online be exaggerated to scare us away from challenging the Saffron Gym?"

"Who's that guy?"

Whether they had met Sabrina before or only heard of her, the trainers nearby began doubting their understanding of her.

Neither Luo Yuan nor Sabrina paid any attention to the shocked stares.

"You're here early. Why?" Luo Yuan asked curiously.

They had agreed Sabrina would arrive on the day of the tournament, while he was supposed to meet Misty the day before. The timing was meant to avoid any overlap. Yet Sabrina's sudden appearance had disrupted his plans.

Sabrina leaned closer to Luo Yuan. "As a Gym Leader, I was invited to assist with tournament security."

Through her explanation, Luo Yuan learned just how much effort the Kanto League was putting into ensuring the tournament went off without a hitch.

In addition to Professor Oak, Giovanni, and Koga, the League had also invited Lt. Surge to oversee electrical safety at the venue and Sabrina to prevent any psychic Pokémon from causing chaos.

"Out of the five people, four are ours... Are you sure the League isn't planning to take this chance to wipe out Team Rocket?" Luo Yuan asked Sabrina telepathically.

With Kanto's three top officers and Giovanni all gathered at the Indigo Plateau, and no subordinates nearby, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for the League to eliminate Team Rocket in one fell swoop.

Sabrina had considered this possibility as well.

She shook her head and replied telepathically, "I've already asked Giovanni. He said there's no problem."

Luo Yuan nodded, reassured.

If Giovanni said there was no problem, there wouldn't be.

Over the years, Giovanni had planted countless spies within the Kanto League.

Even a casual mention of a plan against Team Rocket wouldn't escape Giovanni's notice.

Jokingly, Luo Yuan said, "If the League does make a move, I'll bring Deoxys to rescue you!"

Sabrina rolled her eyes at him. "So, what's next? Shopping? Or back to the hotel?"

With the tournament approaching, the Indigo Plateau was filled with vendors selling snacks and souvenirs.

After a brief moment of thought, Luo Yuan said, "Let's head back to the hotel."

No man particularly enjoys shopping, Luo Yuan included.

Even though he could afford to buy anything he wanted, wandering through stalls held no appeal.

Besides... for some reason, Sabrina seemed clingier than usual since arriving at the Indigo Plateau.

While he wouldn't have minded under normal circumstances, the thought of Misty arriving in a couple of days gave him a headache.

Hearing that they were heading to the hotel, Sabrina nodded.

To the onlooking trainers, it appeared as though the two had exchanged a few words before heading straight to a hotel together.

"Seriously..."

Watching Luo Yuan and Sabrina walk away, the trainers felt like they'd just been force-fed a massive dose of "couple goals."

And judging by the fact that Luo Yuan had just come out of the registration counter, it seemed he was also participating in the tournament.

But...

Why was it that while they were all trainers registering for the same tournament, one of them had managed to charm a Gym Leader into being his girlfriend, while the rest of them were still single?

Glancing at one another, the trainers' initial enthusiasm for the tournament vanished, replaced by a collective sense of disillusionment.

---

In the hotel, Luo Yuan reclined in a lounge chair after his shower.

Opposite him, Sabrina was blow-drying her Eevee's fur.

"Eevee~"

As its damp fur fluffed back up, Eevee's face lit up with comfort and delight.

Sabrina smiled gently as she patted Eevee's head.

Watching her, Luo Yuan suddenly remembered something. He patted Gengar, reached into its belly, and pulled out a Pokémon egg.

"Sabrina, I got you a gift."

"Hm?"

Both Sabrina and Eevee looked up simultaneously, their expressions equally curious.

---

Oh, you're still here? Nice. While I'm out here juggling revival matches and reminding villains why they should reconsider their life choices, someone's behind the scenes making sure my story reaches you. Gotta admit, they're doing a pretty solid job.

If you want to help keep this whole thing running smoothly, here's the link: [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Think of it as… supporting your favorite underdog. Everyone loves an underdog, right?

Anyway, time to get back to saving the day. See you in the next chapter—don't forget to stay out of trouble (that's my job).

— Xia Luo 🕸️