Chapter 161: Bullying?
In the island’s forest.
"Unless it’s someone who knows me really well, no one should be able to tell," Rio muttered, admiring his reflection in a mirror. His skin was darkened, and he had a glued-on mustache. Dressed in a Team Rocket uniform, he looked like a different person.
At his feet lay a young man stripped down to his underwear. Rio hadn’t fully mastered the Art of Hiding during the Mt. Ember fiasco. On the Twin Islands, he was determined to execute it perfectly.
His plan: infiltrate Team Rocket’s ranks, use their resources, and catch Articuno with minimal effort and maximum reward.
"What’s your name? Which region and base are you from?" A pair of Rocket guards stopped Rio at the entrance to the underground passage on the Twin Islands.
"Kojiro—Johto, Ecruteak City branch," Rio replied.
"Kojiro..." The guard checked a list and nodded. "Go ahead."
Another guard handed him a tag. "Take this tag down to the bottom and find your assigned group."
"Thanks." Rio smiled and took the tag.
Giovanni had pulled elite operatives from various regions to ensure the Articuno capture operation’s success. The guy Rio had stripped was one of them.
Tag in hand, Rio wandered through the cave system, passing many Rockets who paid him no mind. He also passed civilians tied up on the ground—they weren’t wearing uniforms.
After about an hour of winding through the tunnels, he reached the second-to-last underground level. The lowest level was the Ice Cave where Articuno rested—currently off-limits to avoid alerting it.
The second-to-last level was vast. Rio saw several battle rings set up, with Rockets sparring and others watching. Tents were grouped by batch, each marked with numbered signs—one through five. Rio checked his tag—it said "3"—and headed toward the tents marked with a three.
Many people were already gathered around the tent area. Some glanced at Rio briefly before looking away; others studied him longer before turning back.
"Which region are you from?" A female executive approached Rio, glanced at his tag, and pointed to a tent. "You’re staying there."
"Johto, Ecruteak City—Kojiro," Rio replied before walking toward his tent.
But his eyes swept across the people outside the tents—he noticed a clear hierarchy. Some Rockets were giving massages, shoulder rubs, and leg presses to others. The ones receiving massages were the ones who had glanced at him and looked away. The ones giving massages were the ones who had studied him with a smirk.
This feels less like a military operation and more like a gathering of thugs, Rio thought.
Wait—as a villain organization, Team Rocket members were basically thugs to begin with. He shrugged and entered his tent.
Inside, a blonde-haired man was soaking his feet while two people massaged him. Two others were playing with their Pokémon.
"Azang—this is Kojiro from Johto’s Ecruteak City. He’s in your squad," the female executive said to the blonde, then turned to Rio. "He’s your squad leader—follow his orders." She left without another word.
"Newbie—get me some hot water," Azang ordered immediately.
Rio narrowed his eyes, setting down his bag. Do I look like a pushover? You want me to pour your footwater?
Ten seconds later: "Boss—is the water temperature okay?" Rio said with a smile, holding a kettle.
When in Rome... His goal was to catch Articuno. A little humiliation was nothing. If even the ’Immortal of War’ 1could endure such an ordeal to achieve his ambitions, Rio could pour some footwater. This was called "greatness overlooks petty details." It wasn’t like he was the only one being bullied—everyone else was dealing with it too.
"Not bad—you’ve got more sense than these two did when they first got here." Azang patted his head approvingly.
"Of course—I could tell at a glance that you work hard and need a good foot soak and shoulder rub," Rio fawned.
"It’s just my fate—a life of hard work," Azang agreed.
Suddenly, a shout came from outside the tent: "You son of a Mankey! Want to bully me?! Let’s settle it in a battle—right now! If you can’t prove your strength, you’ll be rubbing my feet all day!"
Rio turned to see a young man wearing a headband arguing with a middle-aged man outside the tent.
"A duel?" Rio raised an eyebrow, then sighed. Young people these days—can’t keep their cool. What’s a little foot massage? Don’t they understand that going against the grain is a big mistake in a workplace where everyone follows the flow? You’re not just challenging one person—you’re challenging the whole hierarchy. Unless you’ve got a way out, you’ll be targeted from all sides.
"Heh—another one trying to usurp the throne. Doesn’t know his place. We’re elites under General Lance—do they really think they can beat us?" Azang scoffed.
"Usurp the throne?" Rio frowned. Is that allowed here?
Seeing Rio’s confusion, Azang explained with a grin: "General Lance set it up—squad leader positions can be taken. If you can beat two assigned opponents and the current squad leader, you take their spot. If you’ve got big dreams, you could even go for battalion leader."
Before he could finish, the footwater splashed across his face.
"Let’s go—battle me. Right now!" Rio said coldly, dropping the basin and staring at Azang’s stunned, bewildered face.
You can legitimately take over positions, and you didn’t say that sooner?! Here I was, playing the humble card for nothing!
"Screw that! Do I look like someone who takes this kind of abuse?" Rio sneered. The Immortal of War endured his humiliation—and where did that get him? Killed by The First Empress of China1. So rebellion was the way to go—Rio loved going against the hierarchy.