August didn't linger in Viridian City for long. After resting for just one night, he left before dawn the next day.

  It wasn't that he disliked Viridian City.

  On the contrary, as someone who possessed the [Viridian Power], being in Viridian City gave him a deep sense of peace and rexation.

  But the owner of this city was simply too dangerous.

  "Time to get out of here…"

  Slipping away under the cover of night, August made his way through Viridian Forest, finally arriving at Pewter City. Only when he saw this rocky city nestled at the foot of Mt. Moon did he truly breathe a sigh of relief.

  "Still, better to be cautious."

  Worried that Team Rocket might still be tailing him, August ducked into a shopping mall. Taking advantage of a quick bathroom break, he randomly selected an ordinary-looking passerby and used the [Mimic Mask] to transform into his appearance.

  This way, he could avoid Team Rocket's surveilnce by borrowing the identity of someone else.

  No matter how much they searched, Team Rocket would never expect that he had the ability to take on someone else's form.

  I ugh at Giovanni's folly and Petrel's ck of wit…

  Whistling, August was about to find a shop to buy a map of Mt. Moon when suddenly, a figure appeared out of nowhere, grabbing his arm.

  "Hey, you brat! Didn't you say you had a stomachache? What are you doing wandering around here? If the captain finds out—ugh, forget it. We're almost at the meeting spot anyway. Come on, let's go!"

  "???"

  August stared at the unfamiliar young man, his mind filled with question marks. What is happening?

  Then, realization struck—he must have run into someone who knew the person he was disguised as.

  "Uh, I'm not—"

  August started to expin that he wasn't who the guy thought he was, but before he could finish, the other man cut him off.

  "What do you mean you're not? Quit messing around! You know how short-tempered the captain is. If we're te, it won't end well for us!"

  With that, he forcefully dragged August forward.

  As he did, the top button of his jacket popped open, briefly revealing a red "R" insignia on his chest.

  The moment August caught sight of that unmistakable red "R," his eyes narrowed.

  Team Rocket? Have I been exposed?

  The thought fshed through his mind, and his hand instinctively tightened around Gardevoir's Poké Ball at his waist, ready to throw it out.

  But he hesitated.

  Right now, my official identity is that of a researcher. Team Rocket might be watching me, but they have no reason to target me specifically. And since they know I'm not weak, if they were really coming after me, they wouldn't be using such a clumsy method.

  That leaves only one possibility… This guy really did mistake me for someone else—the person I disguised myself as. Which means… the person I randomly picked was actually a Team Rocket member!

  Shit.

  August sucked in a breath.

  What were the odds? He had randomly chosen a disguise, and it just happened to be a Team Rocket grunt?

  Absolutely absurd.

  But maybe… this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

  From what he said, Team Rocket is pnning some kind of operation today. Since they haven't realized who I really am, why not go along with it and see if I can infiltrate them?

  With that thought, August stopped resisting and allowed himself to be dragged along.

  ...

  Without any obstacles, the Rocket grunt led August straight to a warehouse.

  Two men dressed as miners stood guard at the entrance. The moment they saw someone approaching, their hands instinctively moved toward their belts, ready for action.

  But when they recognized the newcomer, their tension eased.

  One of them scowled. "Daijiro, what took you so long? Everyone else is here except you!"

  "It's not my fault—it's this guy!" The Rocket grunt, now identified as Daijiro, pointed at August. "He cimed he had a stomachache and took sick leave, but I caught him wandering around in the streets…"

  The guards, however, had no interest in hearing his excuses.

  "Enough. Just get inside already. There's still a little time left before the meeting. If you're te, the captain will have your heads."

  Hearing that, Daijiro sighed in relief. "Got it. Drinks on me after the mission!"

  The guards didn't respond, merely waving them inside.

  August kept his expression neutral, avoiding eye contact and staying silent as Daijiro pulled him into the warehouse.

  Once inside, August finally took in the scene before him.

  The warehouse, about a hundred square meters in size, was filled with around thirty to forty Team Rocket members, all standing in neat rows. At the front, on a raised ptform, stood a man who was clearly their captain.

  When he saw Daijiro and "Hayato" (August's current disguise) enter, the captain initially frowned but quickly rexed.

  "Fall in."

  He didn't even bother questioning why someone on sick leave had suddenly shown up—he simply ordered them to take their pces.

  August was more than happy with that and quietly joined the formation alongside Daijiro.

  "Now that everyone is here, I will formally announce our mission!"

  "According to intel from headquarters, traces of Mew's energy have been detected in Mt. Moon! Our goal is to track down Mew's whereabouts!"

  "The Third Division has already entered the western part of Mt. Moon ahead of us to begin their search."

  "We are the second wave, responsible for sweeping the eastern side."

  "There are thirty-six of us in this operation. We will divide into three squads, each further split into four teams of three. Every team will act independently, reporting to their squad leader every ten minutes. Squad leaders will report to me every thirty minutes."

  "If you encounter wild Pokémon, drive them away. If you run into trainers, expel them. If they refuse to leave—eliminate them."

  "This mission is crucial. It directly impacts Team Rocket's grand pn. Failure is not an option! Do you all understand?"

  His cold gaze swept across the group.

  The Rocket grunts, despite their fear, responded in unison:

  "Yes, sir!"

  Satisfied with their reaction, the captain nodded.

  "Good. Find your teammates. We move out in ten minutes!"

  ...

  As soon as the captain finished speaking, the Rocket members scattered, searching for teammates.

  Daijiro immediately turned to August. "Hayato, we'll team up. Let's find one more person—"

  Just as he was about to call over a familiar face, the captain suddenly stepped forward, pointing at August and Daijiro.

  "You two—come with me."

  Without waiting for their reactions, he turned and walked toward the door.

  Daijiro looked completely stunned, his face filled with confusion, hesitation, and a hint of fear.

  August, on the other hand, remained calm.

  A mere Team Rocket captain wasn't enough to intimidate him. But outwardly, he kept up the act, feigning a nervous expression. After a brief moment of hesitation, he cautiously followed.

  Meanwhile, hidden within his sleeve, his fingers had already pressed "send" on a pre-written message:

  [Mt. Moon. Team Rocket. Big target. Get here fast!]