Even so, Sabrina still stood with Logan at the edge of the ship's deck, waiting for Cynthia and the others to arrive.
"The S.S. Anne has already been secured by Team Rocket. No one will interfere here,"
Sabrina said, arms crossed, gazing out at the rolling sea from the bow.
"Hah. That really is Team Rocket's usual style,"
Logan shrugged. After so many years, their underground-organization habits hadn't changed at all—even when doing something beneficial, they still chose methods ordinary people found hard to accept.
"Kanto is already in complete chaos. Even if the League hears that the S.S. Anne has been temporarily seized, they won't have the manpower to deal with it,"
Sabrina said with a light smile, her voice cold and merciless, yet strangely clear and pleasant.
"If Team Rocket weren't currently scattered, this would be the perfect opportunity to take control of Kanto."
"Then the people of Kanto really should thank me,"
Logan said with a laugh, leaning forward slightly with both hands resting on the railing.
"If I hadn't resolved the Team Rocket crisis in Saffron City a year and a half ago, they'd be facing Team Rocket immediately after surviving the Elite Four's attack."
"Yes… you truly are Kanto's great hero,"
Sabrina slowly turned her head. The smile on her lips was faint, wicked, and dangerous.
Her frost-like eyes rippled like moonlight on a dark lake—beautiful, alluring, and treacherous.
"Do you know why I chose to stay with you?"
she asked softly.
A short distance behind them, the three Team Rocket captains instinctively pricked up their ears.
They were torn—desperate to hear the gossip between their Lady Sabrina and the Kanto Champion, yet instinctively backing away. Some secrets were lethal if overheard.
"Could it be because I'm devastatingly handsome, radiate righteous charm, and appeared before you at your darkest hour to guide your future?"
Logan said while rubbing his cheek, shamelessly narcissistic.
"You—"
Sabrina burst out laughing despite herself, rolling her eyes seductively.
"…You really are two-faced."
Usually sharp-tongued and infuriating, sometimes childish and shameless—but when things truly mattered, Logan was steadier than anyone else, even cruelly decisive.
At times, Sabrina felt she still couldn't fully see through him—even now, after entrusting everything to him.
"I saw the same quality in you that Boss Giovanni possesses,"
she said slowly, her gaze flickering.
"Hey, hey, Sabrina,"
Logan frowned.
"That doesn't sound flattering at all. It makes it sound like I'm just Giovanni's replacement—like you chose me only because I resemble him."
"Oh?"
Sabrina's lips curved upward, devilish and provocative.
"Are you… jealous?"
Despite the teasing smile, warmth and joy filled her heart.
Logan's displeasure meant he cared—and that realization softened her tone unconsciously.
"…Boss Giovanni is charismatic. I truly admired him—but it was only admiration. I never truly understood him."
"But you're different. After nearly two years together, I understand you."
Her voice was calm, but a faint blush crept onto her pale face.
"You and Giovanni are the same kind of people—clear goals, ruthless methods, capable of enduring endless loneliness to achieve what you desire."
"I've never regretted joining Team Rocket, nor have I ever wanted to leave. But because of your reminder, I realized I still have parents… still have things worth protecting."
"And through understanding you—through everything you've done—I know you need Team Rocket's power. That's why I stepped forward again, doing everything I can to reunite our forces… so I can support you when you need it."
Logan fell silent, staring at the cold, elegant woman beside him.
Of all people, he had never expected her to be the one who understood him most deeply.
Perhaps it was because they had once been enemies—and then spent nearly two years together—that such understanding was possible.
His expression softened.
"…Thank you, Sabrina. Having someone who understands me like this makes the road ahead far less lonely."
Neither spoke again. They simply stood together, feeling the vastness and majesty of the sea.
After a long while, a black speck appeared in the distant sky.
Logan could clearly see the faint contrail behind it—something ordinary people would never notice.
"They're here."
As his words fell, the tranquil atmosphere shattered.
Sabrina turned slightly as Garchomp flew in at high speed, circling once before landing smoothly on the deck of the S.S. Anne.
Three women leapt down from its back.
One was tall and gentle in temperament.
One had lively, captivating eyes, soft yet seductive.
The last was still young—but already strikingly beautiful, her once-innocent face now bearing a seriousness absent just a month ago.
"Cynthia, Green, Yellow… you're finally here."
Logan smiled and waved. The three girls opposite him brightened immediately.
Cynthia stepped forward first. She glanced at Sabrina beside Logan, then at the three Team Rocket captains nearby, frowning slightly.
"…Logan, who are they?"
Before he could answer, Green cut in sharply:
"…Darling, why are you mixed up with Team Rocket? And what's this old woman doing next to you?"
Veins bulged on Sabrina's forehead. She glared at Green and sneered coldly.
"…So it's you—the woman who either faints or cries every time she sees a bird. Logan, are you sure you want her fighting the Elite Four? Or will we have to carry her unconscious body again?"
"You rough-skinned old hag!"
Green snapped back, flipping her hair indignantly.
"Do you think I've been wasting these past two years? I'm not afraid of birds anymore! If you don't believe me, summon Moltres and we'll see!"
Green showed no sign of backing down.
Logan wasn't surprised that Green had overcome her avian phobia—it was something he had expected.
What did surprise him was Sabrina's presence.
"…You're coming with us to Cerise Island too?" he asked.
"Did you think I was just here to give directions?"
Sabrina arched a brow.
"What—don't want me along?"
"Of course not," Logan laughed.
"With you, our combat strength increases dramatically."
Then his expression faltered slightly. His eyes darted away.
"…Sabrina, you know a lot of people. Do you happen to know a skilled artisan—someone who can turn these two gems into rings?"
As he spoke, Logan took out two mesmerizing stones—the Keystones.
"Rings…?"
Sabrina froze.
"…Are you proposing to me?"
"Uh… one of them is actually Cynthia's."
Logan said awkwardly.
For an instant—
The air turned deadly silent.
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