Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [420]

Everything Team Galactic did was being recorded by the Crobat’s hidden camera and transmitted directly to Matori.

After all, their arrival had been orchestrated by Luo Yuan.

Team Rocket had been fully prepared for this, having stationed numerous Flying-type Pokémon along the coastline for surveillance, while the waters were swarming with Barraskewda to monitor any movements from below. Air and sea surveillance ensured that the moment Team Galactic arrived at the Sevii Islands, they would be discovered.

—

Team Rocket’s Sevii Islands Base

Matori, having received the intel, watched the footage of Team Galactic’s movements.

She quickly pulled up their profiles from Team Rocket’s database.

“They only sent two Commanders?”

When Luo Yuan first notified her that she would need to bring Mewtwo to deal with Team Galactic, she had assumed that their leader, Cyrus, would be involved.

But in the end, it was just two of his subordinates.

A little disappointing.

That said, it didn’t necessarily mean Team Galactic was underestimating Team Rocket.

If they had dispatched two Commanders just to investigate Sird’s situation, it was proof that they were wary of Team Rocket’s strength.

Compared to the reckless antics of Team Flare, Team Galactic was far more cautious.

Unfortunately for them, they had no idea that this entire situation was a trap from the very beginning.

“Should we make a move?” Beside her, Orm absentmindedly stroked the Shuckle on his head as he asked.

Orm was currently the only remaining Beast Admin stationed in the Sevii Islands, which meant he was in charge of overseeing the base’s operations.

“No need. We’ll wait for orders from Boss Giovanni and Luo Yuan.”

Matori recalled Luo Yuan’s instructions and casually handed the intelligence report to a subordinate.

“Send this to our contact inside the League’s Sevii Islands division.”

The spy embedded within the League’s division was an old hand at this.

Back when Lance and Lorelei had joined forces against Team Rocket, his intelligence had played a key role. Over the years, he had contributed significantly in various operations, gradually climbing the ranks to become a division officer.

And it was through this very spy that Matori had leaked the intel about Team Galactic’s arrival to Lorelei.

The League would never suspect that their intelligence came from us…

Matori mused to herself.

—

Onboard the League’s Aircraft

It wasn’t long before Lorelei received the intel.

“We’ve found Team Galactic!”

She displayed the report on the aircraft’s screen for Giovanni and Luo Yuan to see.

Luo Yuan glanced at it.

Of course, he had already received the information from Matori earlier, but he maintained a serious and attentive expression for show.

“The intelligence network in the Sevii Islands isn’t bad.”

Agatha, who was participating remotely through a holographic projection, commented as she examined the data.

Thanks to Silph Co.’s advancements in holographic communication technology, remote meetings were now possible.

This was precisely why Agatha and Bruno had chosen to remain at Indigo Plateau as judges instead of traveling to the Sevii Islands in person.

With holographic technology, they could still observe everything happening on the other side.

Lorelei gave a faint smile at Agatha’s words.

She, too, was pleased with the efficiency of the intelligence transmission.

Once this mission is over, I should consider promoting the trainers responsible for gathering intel in the Sevii Islands.

However, she maintained a calm expression and spoke coolly:

“Team Galactic landed on Five Island. There used to be a Team Rocket base there. While it has since been abandoned, Team Galactic likely doesn’t know this. We can assume that their target is Team Rocket.”

Her analysis was accurate.

Of course…

“What’s our next move?” Luo Yuan asked.

He then turned toward Giovanni.

“What do you think, Giovanni?”

Lorelei, too, looked at Giovanni.

As her primary competitor for the Champion title, his prolonged silence was making her uneasy.

“I suggest letting Team Rocket and Team Galactic fight it out first. Once they’ve weakened each other, we’ll move in and wipe them both out,” Giovanni said.

Listening to him, no one would ever suspect that he was actually the leader of Team Rocket.

Agatha’s projection nodded in approval.

Giovanni’s strategy was very much in line with her own thinking.

Since Team Galactic’s target was Team Rocket, there was no need for the League to interfere immediately. Let them clash first.

Once both sides had taken some damage, then the League could step in and maximize their gains.

However, Lorelei had a different stance.

“I don’t think we can just let Team Galactic and Team Rocket have their fight.”

She had a solid argument.

“Team Rocket’s Five Island base has been abandoned, but Team Galactic doesn’t know that. If left unchecked, they’ll start searching for it all over the island, which will inevitably disrupt the lives of the residents.”

Moreover, allowing a battle between Team Rocket and Team Galactic to break out would cause widespread instability in the Sevii Islands.

From Lorelei’s perspective, there was no way she could stand by and let her home region fall into chaos.

Even if this turmoil would technically benefit the League as a whole.

“So I propose that we intercept Team Galactic before they can engage Team Rocket and prevent a large-scale conflict.”

…

Luo Yuan had to admit, the way she said it almost made her sound like she was the one working for Team Rocket.

The world was truly ironic at times.

The leader of Team Rocket was actively trying to harm the organization’s interests, while Lorelei, his opponent, was—whether she realized it or not—protecting Team Rocket in a certain way.

Bruno agreed with Lorelei’s perspective.

With the League now divided on their course of action, the deciding vote fell to the fifth member—Luo Yuan.

This was exactly why he had been added as a judge in the first place—to break ties in moments like this.

Luo Yuan looked between Lorelei and Giovanni, feigning deep contemplation.

After a good ten seconds of pretending to deliberate, he announced the decision he had already made long ago.

“I support Lorelei’s plan.”

He cast his vote in her favor.

Realistically speaking, Giovanni’s strategy was the better one—the one that would benefit the League the most.

In comparison, Lorelei’s plan placed the League between Team Rocket and Team Galactic, forcing them into a difficult and thankless position.

But Luo Yuan wasn’t actually looking out for the League’s best interests.

As Team Rocket’s second-in-command, his priority was Team Rocket’s well-being.

More importantly, if he didn’t let Lorelei push forward with her flawed plan, how else could he make Giovanni’s strategy look superior in the end?

Exchanging a subtle glance with Giovanni, Luo Yuan saw him put on a reluctant expression.

“I’ll abide by the majority vote.”

Thus, the decision was made.

Intercept Team Galactic before they could clash with Team Rocket.

And so, the stage was set.

—

This is a fan translation of 我，火箭队二把手！ by 落唯 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!