Spirits, who made him the Gym Leader’s directory 31

Chapter 31: If You’ve Got the Guts, Go Ahead and Blow It Up!

January 30, 2025

Chapter 31: If You’ve Got the Guts, Go Ahead and Blow It Up!

“The Saint Annu Vessel is now under our Team Rocket’s control. We’re currently in international waters; the nearest landmass is at least two hours away.”

Apollo used his calm voice to ‘soothe’ the passengers.

He knew some stubborn passengers would still try to call for help, but it didn’t matter.

To ensure this operation’s success, the entire ship was fitted with communication jammers; phone calls and text messages were impossible to send.

Even if a special tracking device could transmit some location information, the Saint Annu Vessel’s current course was completely random. Finding them in the vast ocean would also take time.

Upon hearing Apollo’s words, some frail women began to weep, despair spreading.

Had they become Team Rocket’s next meal?

“I think everyone understands. Now, please hand over your Pokémon and wait patiently for the Saint Annu Vessel to dock.”

Apollo watched this scene through the monitors, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

“Are you kidding me?!”

“Without our Pokémon, you can do whatever you want to us?”

“It’s a scam, isn’t it?”

“If we give you our Pokémon, we’ll have no means of self-defense.”

Clearly, the passengers weren’t fools. Their Pokémon were their last line of defense against Team Rocket.

Without their Pokémon, they would be lambs to the slaughter, completely at Team Rocket’s mercy.

“Please be quiet~” Apollo seemed unsurprised, his tone remaining calm and collected.

“Don’t get excited. I understand your feelings, I really do. But please take a look at this.”

Apollo soothingly calmed the passengers, his smile faint as he gestured towards the front.

A large screen descended from the ceiling and lit up, displaying an image before everyone.

“Hiss…”

Gasps of shock echoed, many passengers breaking into a cold sweat.

Even Kojiro and Kasumi’s pupils constricted, Eileen clutching Gu Xin’s hand tightly.

Gu Xin gently patted Eileen’s arm. He could feel her body trembling slightly—she was clearly terrified.

And understandably so, because the image showed the Saint Annu Vessel’s cargo hold.

But this cargo hold was packed to the brim with Wobbuffet and Electabuzz!

Everyone knew these Pokémon—infamous self-destructing maniacs, prone to exploding at any moment. And now, countless sleeping Wobbuffet and Electabuzz were piled together in the hold.

If even one of them exploded, it would undoubtedly trigger a chain reaction!

“This… how dare they?!”

Kasumi’s eyes widened in disbelief and terror, her voice sharp from the shock.

“Team Rocket’s madness truly lives up to its reputation.”

Gu Xin clicked his tongue. No wonder Team Rocket was Kanto Region’s largest and most evil organization.

This was insane.

“This…” Satoshi was stunned!

“They probably used special drugs to put the Electabuzz and Wobbuffet into a deep sleep and coma; they wouldn’t dare wake them up.”

Takeshi’s mouth was dry, but he tried to remain calm and analyze the situation, though he didn’t notice his voice trembling slightly.

This wasn’t a joke!

If all those Electabuzz and Wobbuffet exploded, the enormous Saint Annu Vessel would be blown to smithereens, and everyone on board would perish without a trace, their ashes scattered to the winds.

Even Team Rocket couldn’t be this crazy!

It was unnecessary, utterly unnecessary!

“But no one dares to gamble; it’s a gamble with their lives.” Gu Xin nodded in agreement. Apollo’s strategy was indeed extremely effective.

The passengers, seeing this, were overwhelmed with fear and couldn’t possibly gamble with Team Rocket.

What if something went wrong?

Life is precious; once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

Now they finally understood why Team Rocket was considered an evil organization.

Red remained silent, his gaze flickering at the large screen, his eyes serious.

Though strong, he had limits. If those Wobbuffet and Electabuzz triggered a chain reaction, the scene would be terrifying!

“I think everyone’s calmed down now. If you don’t cooperate, heh~”

Apollo’s laughter was low and grating.

“But rest assured, as long as you cooperate, we’ll get you back safely.”

In the captain’s cabin, Apollo wore a sarcastic and cruel smile. Unlike the passengers in the hall, he was in excellent spirits.

Induce despair, then offer hope—human willpower is so fragile.

This time, no passenger dared speak.

“Then, let’s begin.”

With Apollo’s words, Team Rocket members in the hall, each carrying a bag, approached to collect the passengers’ Poké Balls.

Seeing everything proceeding smoothly according to plan, Apollo nodded in satisfaction.

“Apollo sir, the target has been found.”

A Team Rocket subordinate reported to Apollo.

“Excellent. I hope Lance and that guy succeed. This plan must succeed, failure is not an option.”

Apollo nodded. He wasn’t interested in the passengers’ Pokémon; ordinary Pokémon were unworthy of his attention. This was merely a smokescreen.

To ensure foolproof success, not only had he and another of the Four Commanders, Lance, personally come, but they’d also brought in one of the Three Executives.

The Three Executives were the boss’s trump cards and shouldn’t be used unless absolutely necessary. Exposing them would be a huge loss for Team Rocket.

“Tell Lance and the others to finish quickly.”

Apollo rose and spoke to the subordinate. Lance and the Executive had a crucial mission, but he had another important matter to attend to.

“Yes!”

The subordinate replied and immediately left the captain’s cabin.

“Hm? What’s going on?”

But just then, Apollo saw chaos on the monitors in the hall.

The passengers and Team Rocket members were fighting?

Hadn’t the situation been controlled? How had it turned into this in the short time he’d spent talking to his subordinate?

Were these passengers suicidal? They actually dared to resist?

Apollo’s expression darkened. Even the Electabuzz and Wobbuffet couldn’t intimidate them?

But Apollo couldn’t actually wake the Wobbuffet. This mission was important, but not important enough to risk their lives.

Damn it!

Apollo cursed under his breath, grabbing his Houndoom and quickly left the captain’s cabin.

He had more important things to handle; he didn’t have time for those damned passengers. Once his task was complete, he would make those passengers understand the true weight of a high-ranking Team Rocket executive’s wrath!

Meanwhile, in the hall…

“Tch tch~ As expected of Satoshi.”

Gu Xin glanced at Satoshi, who was enthusiastically directing Pikachu in a battle against a Muk.

Apollo’s plan was sound, but he’d overlooked one special individual.

This person didn’t care about threats; overflowing with righteous indignation and fervent enthusiasm, his infectious spirit had a powerful influence.

A stirring speech awakened the passengers, inspiring them to fight back. As for the threat of the Wobbuffet? It was just a threat.

If you’ve got the guts, go ahead and blow it up!
(End of Chapter)

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