Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 353: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! []

Inside the Principal's Office

Samuel Oak and Professor Kukui, who had just arrived at the school, both frowned as they listened to Lillie's account.

If not for hearing it directly from Lillie, it would have been almost unimaginable that the Aether Foundation—a group known for rescuing Pokémon—could be secretly involved in illegal Pokémon research.

If anyone else had said this, they likely wouldn't have believed it. But since it came from Lillie, the claim carried credibility.

"Here's a key question: does President Lusamine know about this?" Luo Yuan asked, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

To Kukui and the others, the critical issue now was whether Lusamine, as the president of the Aether Foundation, was aware of these activities.

If she was unaware, it could mean rogue individuals within the foundation were behind it. In that case, they could work with Lusamine to root out the problem.

However, if Lusamine was not only aware but actively participating, the situation would be far more complicated.

Kukui turned to Lillie, awaiting her response.

"My mom... I'm not sure," Lillie said hesitantly.

Logically, there was no way her mother, as the president, wouldn't know about such major activities within the Aether Foundation. Yet in Lillie's heart, she believed her Pokémon-loving mother would never participate in something like this.

"If we can't determine her stance, this could be tricky," Kukui said, rubbing his chin as he frowned.

Without clarity on Lusamine's position, they couldn't involve her in the investigation.

And investigating the Aether Foundation would be no small feat...

For one, with only Lillie's testimony, they had no evidence to initiate an investigation.

Even if they could, they would need enough resources to take on the Aether Foundation, a veritable giant.

The harsh reality was that the Alola League was in a pitiful state compared to when the Johto League first formed. With only a handful of personnel at their disposal, even attempting an investigation felt like an impossible dream.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.

Hearing this, Lillie looked uncertain and lost.

When she escaped the lab with Nebby, she hadn't thought it through—her only hope had been that Principal Oak and Professor Kukui could solve the problem. She hadn't expected things to be this complicated.

Now, she was being hunted by Team Skull, unable to return home. The situation left her feeling utterly homeless.

Standing in the corner, Lillie appeared weak, helpless, and pitiful.

Just as Kukui was about to suggest that Lillie stay temporarily at his research lab, Luo Yuan spoke up.

"Lillie can stay with me," he said. "As her teacher, it's my duty to protect my students."

Since Luo Yuan intended to use this opportunity to get closer to the Aether Foundation, he wasn't about to let this chance slip away.

Hearing Luo Yuan's offer, Kukui glanced at Sabrina, who was standing beside him.

He had to admit that leaving Lillie with Luo Yuan and Sabrina was more appropriate.

After all, Kukui would need to contact the island kahunas and queens to discuss the issue with the Aether Foundation. He wouldn't have much time to look after Lillie.

On the other hand, Luo Yuan's strength and position as a teacher made him an ideal guardian.

"Alright, I'll leave Lillie in your care. Thank you, Luo Yuan," Kukui said.

As he prepared to leave, Samuel Oak, who had been examining Nebby, finally spoke up.

"This Pokémon's appearance reminds me of something I once read in a book. That was a long time ago, though, and I only recall it being related to Alola's ancient history," Samuel said, his tone uncertain. "I'll need to search through my library and consult with other professors to confirm anything specific."

Cosmog, known historically in Alola as the Child of the Stars, had been documented by the royal family at the time.

Luo Yuan wasn't surprised that Samuel Oak had come across such records.

"I'll leave the research on this Pokémon to you, Professor Oak," Luo Yuan said. "The sooner we have answers, the better. I'll go contact the island kahunas."

True to his reputation as both a Pokémon Professor and a wrestler, Kukui wasted no time. After speaking with Oak, he left the Pokémon School in a hurry, leaving behind a troubled Lillie.

Luo Yuan walked over to her and gently patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry. Everything will work out," he said.

"But... what if my mom really..."

"If that happens, leave it to me. I'll convince her," Luo Yuan said with a smile.

There was something reassuring about Luo Yuan's smile, imbued with the calming aura of Viridian Force. Lillie felt her anxiety ease.

She assumed Luo Yuan was simply comforting her, unaware of how serious he was.

Luo Yuan didn't elaborate further. Glancing at the time, he said, "Go grab lunch. We have activities this afternoon—don't be late."

At his words, Lillie froze. The memory of the classroom exercises and the terror they invoked resurfaced vividly in her mind.

"But Team Skull..." She started to voice her concern about being attacked, only to notice Sabrina's faint smile beside her.

She immediately recalled the scene of Team Skull trainers being turned into dolls and wisely swallowed the rest of her sentence.

With Sabrina around, perhaps Team Skull wasn't so scary after all?

As Luo Yuan and Lillie exited the principal's office, they saw Kiawe waiting outside.

"Hmm? Kiawe, is there something you need? Are you interested in the exercises from class? If you'd like, I can give you a set to take home," Luo Yuan said with a grin.

"No... no, that's not it!" Kiawe quickly shook his head, terrified that Luo Yuan might actually hand him a set of exercises. "I wanted to ask about the book you mentioned earlier in class—Secrets of the Earth. Where can I buy it?"

"Huh?" Luo Yuan was surprised. He hadn't expected to meet a fellow enthusiast of Giovanni's work.

"You're a Fire-type Trainer. Why the sudden interest in a book about Ground-types?"

Kiawe opened his mouth to explain, but Luo Yuan cut him off.

"No need to explain. It's good to enjoy reading. As it happens, I have a signed limited-edition copy from the author. It's yours." Luo Yuan handed Kiawe a copy of Secrets of the Earth, signed by Giovanni himself.

"The author is none other than Giovanni, the Kanto region's Ground-type Elite Four."

Luo Yuan figured this was a good way to spread Giovanni's reputation in Alola.

"An Elite Four..." Kiawe murmured, gazing at the book in his hands.

---

...

If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.

Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into something beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!

If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.

Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.

– Syr ✨