Another half month passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Icarus's wallet had grown to nearly six million, while his Alliance Merit Points had increased by more than two hundred, bringing his total to 5,450. His Team Rocket Contribution Points, however, had barely changed, remaining at around 1,200.
Over the past two weeks, the group had thoroughly explored the unmarked areas of Mt. Moon.
Of course, they deliberately avoided the most obvious restricted zones. They didn't need to investigate to know those places were the true secrets of the Wu Neng Family—either breeding grounds for high-quality Pokémon or locations containing valuable mineral veins.
No matter how tempting the rewards were, stealing from the Wu Neng Family on their own territory was practically asking for death.
Still, their exploration of the unmarked routes wasn't without gains. They even managed to capture a good-potential Weedle. Unfortunately, it wasn't suitable for anyone in their team, so it was eventually sold.
At this point, they had essentially explored everything Mt. Moon had to offer.
Icarus was preparing to continue toward Cerulean City.
However, just as they were getting ready to leave, an unexpected event completely disrupted his plans.
"Dammit! Why now of all times?"
Hidden deep within a forest on Mt. Moon, Icarus had excused himself to relieve himself. Standing behind a cluster of bushes, he stared at the special message displayed on his phone and couldn't help cursing under his breath.
Mission Number: 00000
Mission Type: Mandatory Mission
Mission Description: Cooperate with the Mt. Moon Branch to seize fragments of the Giant Moon Stone.
Duration: Follow the Cadre's orders.
Rewards:
Base reward of 500 Contribution Points for all participants.
Giant Moon Stone fragments can be exchanged for 2,000–5,000 Contribution Points depending on size.
All spoils taken from enemies during the operation belong to the participants.
The rewards were astonishing.
Far more generous than the hunting operation he had participated in before.
But rewards only mattered if you survived to collect them.
This wasn't a conflict against a few minor Elite families.
This was an operation targeting the thousand-year-old Wu Neng Family.
A family that had ruled Mt. Moon for generations.
Although they might not publicly display Gym Leader-level strength, nobody knew how many trump cards they possessed.
If an Elite Tyranitar suddenly emerged during the battle, Icarus wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.
Yet Team Rocket actually intended to seize the Giant Moon Stone?
At first, the plan sounded suicidal.
But after thinking about it, Icarus suddenly remembered something.
"No… if she participates, and an Elite serves as the distraction, it might actually work."
He recalled a certain person from his previous life.
A terrifying Psychic-type Gym Leader.
Sabrina.
Among Team Rocket's infiltrators within the Alliance, she was one of the most important figures.
Back then, Icarus hadn't fully understood Team Rocket's internal structure. However, after becoming a Squad Leader himself, he had gradually learned the hierarchy.
Squad Leader — Ordinary High Stage
Captain — Elite Low to Mid Stage
Commander — Elite High Stage
Department Head — Gym Leader Level
Cadre — Elite Level powerhouse
Boss — Giovanni
Although Sabrina wasn't second only to Giovanni yet, she already held the position of Department Head.
As a naturally gifted Psychic user, she was terrifyingly powerful.
Just looking at Staryu's current capabilities was enough.
A mere Ordinary Mid-Stage Staryu could already perform all kinds of incredible Psychic tricks.
A Gym Leader-level Psychic specialist with inherited secret techniques?
Her abilities would be hundreds—perhaps thousands—of times greater.
"Forget it. There's no point overthinking."
Icarus shook his head.
With his current strength, speculation was meaningless.
The mission was mandatory.
Whether he liked it or not, he was already involved.
Fortunately, they would remain near Mt. Moon for several more days.
There was still time before the operation began.
That night, Icarus quietly made his way to Team Rocket's Mt. Moon branch.
The traffic flowing in and out of Stonefang Village had noticeably increased.
There were at least twice as many people as usual.
Many wore grim expressions.
Nobody was stupid.
Everyone understood the risks involved in attacking Mt. Moon.
Most of them, however, had no idea who Team Rocket's higher-ups really were.
After giving the password, Icarus entered the underground base alongside the others.
Soon, everyone gathered inside the largest underground plaza.
The crowd was divided into two groups.
One side consisted of cold, stern-looking individuals.
A sign above them read:
Registered Members
The other group appeared much more ordinary.
Many were dressed like miners or local trainers.
Their sign read:
Unregistered Members
These were Team Rocket's spies.
Naturally, Icarus joined the latter group.
Not recognizing anyone, he found a quiet corner and closed his eyes to rest.
The Squad Leader insignia on his chest discouraged anyone from bothering him.
Among the hundred-plus spies present, most were merely ordinary miners with Ordinary Low- or Mid-Stage strength.
Only three Squad Leaders were present, including Icarus.
The other two already had their own teams.
After politely rejecting several lone trainers who wanted to join him, nobody approached him again.
Icarus quietly observed the room.
Not a single Elite-level executive had appeared yet.
The Ordinary-level members had already been separated into different groups.
Clearly, a detailed operation plan had already been prepared.
Footsteps echoed through the passageway.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
At the same time, voices rang out.
"Welcome, Lord Apollo!"
Immediately, everyone dropped to one knee.
"Welcome, Lord Apollo!"
The man calmly walked onto the elevated platform.
He had short blue hair, handsome features, and an elegant smile.
Instead of the standard black Team Rocket uniform, he wore a white suit adorned with a crimson "R."
Even standing still, he radiated overwhelming authority.
This was Team Rocket Cadre:
Apollo.
Behind him stood two more figures.
One was a middle-aged man in a black-and-white Team Rocket uniform.
This was Department Head Furan, the commander of the Mt. Moon branch.
The other figure immediately drew Icarus's attention.
A young woman.
Long black hair.
Slender figure.
Black stockings beneath a short uniform skirt.
A silver mask concealed her face.
Yet something about her felt familiar.
When Apollo spoke, his calm voice somehow reached everyone's ears.
"Rise."
"Yes, Lord Apollo!"
The entire plaza stood as one.
Only then did Icarus begin counting the forces assembled.
One Cadre.
Two Gym Leader-level Department Heads.
Six Commanders.
Eighteen Captains.
More than eight hundred Ordinary-level trainers.
This force was powerful enough to annihilate an entire town.
After briefly explaining the operation, Apollo divided the participants into two groups.
The registered members would launch a direct assault on the Moon Stone Cavern.
Meanwhile, the spies would infiltrate Mt. Moon as ordinary trainers.
Once the battle began, they would incite chaos, loot restricted zones, and ultimately seize fragments of the Giant Moon Stone.
The silver-masked woman would command this covert operation.
As Apollo finished speaking, she stepped forward.
For a brief moment, Icarus felt a familiar sensation.
An invisible wave swept through the room.
Everyone froze.
It felt as though their bodies, minds, and even their Pokémon were being thoroughly examined.
Nothing could be hidden.
Nothing could be concealed.
At that instant, Icarus's eyes widened.
Psychic power.
Overwhelming Psychic power.
He immediately recognized it.
Sabrina.
It had to be Sabrina.
No one else could possess such terrifying mental abilities.
His excitement surged.
If Sabrina was truly involved, Team Rocket's chances of success were far greater than he had initially believed.
Before he could think further, a strange force suddenly lifted him into the air.
Four others rose alongside him.
The silver-masked woman looked at them calmly.
"Your strength is acceptable."
"You will join my direct unit."
"Those of you with your own teams may bring them along. You'll help clear away unnecessary obstacles."
"Yes, Lord Silver Mask."
The five selected trainers immediately agreed.
Icarus noticed that two of them had clearly been trying to hide their true strength.
Unfortunately for them, Sabrina's Psychic scan had exposed everything.
Truthfully, if Icarus hadn't already registered as a Squad Leader, he would have tried the same thing.
Five hundred contribution points for doing almost nothing sounded wonderful.
Unfortunately, that plan was no longer possible.
Being assigned directly under Sabrina certainly increased his chances of obtaining valuable Moon Stone fragments.
But it also dramatically increased the danger.
Because one thing was certain:
Sabrina's unit would be entering the Moon Stone Cavern itself.
And that place had been guarded by the Wu Neng Family for nearly a thousand years.
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