Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 376: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! []

Getting rid of Faba might satisfy Lusamine and ensure her cooperation, but Luo Yuan wasn't about to discard someone he still found useful.

Removing Faba now wouldn't align with Team Rocket's interests, so it was out of the question.

However, judging by Lusamine's expression, tolerating Faba's continued presence at the Aether Foundation seemed even harder for her than enduring neurotoxin-induced control.

After some thought, Luo Yuan offered a compromise.

"How about this: I'll have Faba transferred out of the Aether Foundation. We'll establish an Ultra Beast Research Institute in Alola, and he'll be in charge of the project. He won't appear before you again."

Despite his questionable character, Faba had unique insights into Ultra Beast research.

Since Ultra Beasts were one of Team Rocket's key objectives in Alola, creating a dedicated research institute and putting Faba in charge fulfilled their promise of a promotion while also resolving Lusamine's grievances.

Additionally, removing Faba from the Aether Foundation served multiple purposes. It would pacify Lusamine, and Luo Yuan's "home visit" would gain a valid outcome.

He could simply claim that upon visiting, he discovered Lusamine was unaware of Lillie's escape with Cosmog and pin all the blame on Faba.

In essence, this plan killed three birds with one stone.

---

Although this wasn't the outcome Lusamine had envisioned, knowing Faba would no longer be around was a small consolation.

Accepting the "out of sight, out of mind" solution, she begrudgingly agreed to Luo Yuan's proposal.

"Now, let's discuss how the Aether Foundation will integrate into Team Rocket moving forward," Luo Yuan said.

Resigned to the reality of her and the Aether Foundation's incorporation into Team Rocket, Lusamine's earlier embarrassment faded. She leaned back in her chair, listening to Luo Yuan's instructions.

"First, the Aether Foundation's existing structure will remain intact. You'll still be the chairwoman, Lusamine."

This had been part of the plan from the start. Team Rocket needed the Aether Foundation's façade to operate in Alola, and Lusamine, as its prominent figurehead, was indispensable.

Without her, Luo Yuan wouldn't have gone to such lengths to ensure her submission.

"A portion of the Team Rocket members I brought will join the Aether Foundation as its new security force."

Integrating Team Rocket operatives into the Aether Foundation was essential for maintaining control.

However, that wasn't the sole purpose.

During the invasion, Luo Yuan had witnessed firsthand the inadequacy of the Aether Foundation's defenses—they were laughably weak.

Even Hoenn's Aqua and Magma Teams were leagues ahead. Strengthening the foundation's security would benefit both sides.

Lusamine raised no objections.

She recognized her position as the loser and understood she had no leverage to negotiate.

"Next is the Aether Foundation's assets, which are critical. Team Rocket intends to use the foundation as a stepping stone to enter Alola's tourism industry. We'll need your cooperation on this."

Visit frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ for the b𝘦st novel reading experience.

Team Rocket was strapped for cash. Between Hoenn, Kalos, and the exorbitantly costly New Island base, funds were stretched thin.

According to Matori, Giovanni was desperate enough to split a single dollar in half.

With the Aether Foundation's financial support and entry into Alola's tourism market, Team Rocket's strained budget could finally breathe.

"No problem."

Lusamine had expected far more outrageous demands—perhaps something like assisting in the mass capture of wild Pokémon, which would have clashed with the foundation's usual practices.

To her relief, the requests were manageable, especially since the foundation's finances were still in good shape.

Oddly, it almost felt like joining Team Rocket wasn't as bad as she had feared.

Unknowingly, Lusamine showed signs of a developing Stockholm Syndrome.

Seeing her expression, Luo Yuan chuckled to himself.

You wouldn't be so calm if you knew just how deep Team Rocket's financial troubles ran.

For now, though, there was no need to mention that.

"That's everything—except for one more thing I'll need your personal cooperation on," Luo Yuan added.

"What is it?" Lusamine asked warily, her body tensing. Was this where he'd finally make his move?

"..."

Using telepathy to monitor her thoughts, Luo Yuan's lips twitched.

Why has her mind turned so strange now that we're no longer enemies? Is this some post-conflict mental relaxation effect?

"What are you thinking? I came here with my girlfriend, you know," Luo Yuan said, exasperated.

"What I need is your help addressing the 'home visit' situation. As Lillie's teacher, I came to visit regarding her issues. Now that everything is resolved, you, as her mother, should accompany me to clear up any misunderstandings."

Lusamine froze, realizing her misunderstanding.

Swallowing another wave of shame, she stiffened her expression and nodded.

She had once been furious at Lillie for running off with Cosmog.

But now, with the Aether Foundation entirely under Team Rocket's control, such issues seemed trivial.

In fact, she realized, it had been several days since she last saw Lillie, and she found herself missing her daughter.

Having agreed to the plan, Lusamine accompanied Luo Yuan to reassure the panicked Aether Foundation staff and Wicke, another foundation executive, following the earlier invasion.

As Lusamine was still highly respected within the foundation, her personal appearance and assurance that the crisis was resolved calmed most of the staff. While suspicions lingered, resistance had all but disappeared, and they reluctantly accepted their integration into Team Rocket.

Guzma returned to reorganize Team Skull, and Matori stayed behind to oversee the merger between Team Rocket and the Aether Foundation.

Luo Yuan, meanwhile, took Lusamine to Melemele Island.

Riding a giant Dragonite, they departed from the Aether Foundation's helipad and quickly arrived at the hotel where Luo Yuan was staying.

When they entered, they found a worried Lillie pacing in the lobby, clearly distressed over Luo Yuan's overnight absence.

"Lillie, I'm back," Luo Yuan called out.

"Teacher! And... Mom?!"

---

...

Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.

Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.

WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.

If you had fun, you know what to do:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

Heads up—Patreon's 50% off for all tiers during May. So if you were on the fence? Now's the time.

And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.

👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]

Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.

—Leaf