Ophelia stood before the massive office window, taking in the bustling view of Saffron City.
Behind her, a group of Machop and Machoke were moving various pieces of furniture and equipment, setting up the office space.
A modern, high-tech company was beginning to take shape.
"Oh my, little Ophelia, you finally realized that working as someone's secretary was a waste of your talent and decided to put your abilities to better use?" A strikingly beautiful girl with large eyes teased while playing a game, lounging on a newly placed luxury sofa behind her.
"It's not yet time to leave Silph Co. The preparation of Umbrella serves another purpose," Ophelia replied, glancing at the floating Chandelure above her friend's head. She felt its aesthetic didn't quite match the style of her new company.
Ever since she began researching the Veronica Virus, Ophelia had become increasingly fascinated by its mysteries. The passion for scientific research, which had long been set aside due to her undercover work in Shadow Ops, was reignited over the past two years.
To complete the expansion to a hundred personnel as part of her mission, she decided to register a company. Using ordinary people as employees was still an expansion of her organization.
Following Archer's remote advice, she ultimately agreed to name the company Umbrella.
Though she had no idea what the name meant, Archer had insisted on it so strongly that she eventually relented.
The company's office was situated in a prime location of Saffron City, not far from Silph Co., surrounded by a favorable environment—albeit at a steep price.
"Starting a pharmaceutical company all of a sudden—did you make some new discovery recently?" Mia Hjelle turned to Ophelia, curiosity shining in her eyes.
Her friend had been thriving at Silph Co., climbing to the upper ranks in just a year. Establishing a pharmaceutical company now could only mean she had made a major breakthrough—otherwise, there was no reason to split her focus.
"I discovered a protein that enhances Pokémon potential. It's still in the experimental stage, but it has already shown promising results," Ophelia stated casually.
A protein that enhances Pokémon potential?
Mia Hjelle's pupils contracted. The Hjelle family had extensive businesses across Kanto, including the pharmaceutical industry, and she was well aware of the immense potential such a drug could have.
"You plan to leave Silph and go independent?" she asked, frowning slightly.
Developing a new drug took years and required a massive investment of funds.
Silph Co. had cutting-edge pharmaceutical technology and equipment—if Ophelia could leverage them, she'd save a significant amount of effort.
The fact that she wasn't using Silph Co.'s resources meant she didn't want the company to have any ties to the drug.
That meant an opportunity for the Hjelle family…
"That's right. Silph Co. is too powerful. If I hand it over to them, what would be left for me?" Ophelia countered.
"Haha, if Silph Co. finds out about this, you won't last there much longer," Mia Hjelle chuckled.
"That's why I'm counting on you," Ophelia said seriously, meeting her gaze.
"..." Mia Hjelle frowned but didn't respond.
At this point, she understood what Ophelia was implying. But if Ophelia didn't trust Silph Co., was she truly willing to put her faith in the Hjelle family?
...
A fleet of combat helicopters roared across the sea, with a massive black aircraft trailing behind.
Still clad in his white lab coat, Dr. (Professor) Sebastian held a scanner, sweeping the ocean below and analyzing the pulse-like fluctuations on the device's display.
"A fierce battle definitely took place here. Judging by the residual energy readings, it was an intense fight between top-tier Pokémon," Dr. Sebastian concluded before turning to Giovanni behind him. "There's hardly any life detected within a ten-mile radius."
The lingering aura of destruction had scared away the local wild Pokémon.
Giovanni clenched his fist and pulled out his communicator, issuing an order.
"Deploy all available Team Rocket operatives from both Kanto and Johto. Search the entire ocean for Silver—dead or alive, I want him found."
The surrounding Rocket grunts flinched upon hearing the command.
Mobilizing all operatives from two regions—this was bigger than any previous Team Rocket operation.
They had assumed Giovanni's presence on-site was to assist Archer, but it turned out the real reason was that kid traveling with him.
It seemed the child had a deeper connection with the boss than they had imagined…
...
The silver moon hung high, its light shimmering across the vast ocean.
Lucius sat atop Silver's Feraligatr, slowly making his way through the sea.
Earlier in the day, after Anabel had taken away the fallen Espeon's body, Lucius used Silver's communicator to contact Team Rocket, urgently reporting that their aircraft had been shot down by a League elite and that Archer had been ambushed. After relaying the message, he tossed the communicator into the water.
Assuming Silver's identity was far less conspicuous than acting as Archer, a notorious fugitive.
He then released Silver's Feraligatr and rode it toward Unova.
Lucius had anticipated Giovanni would send specialists to search for them but had not expected Giovanni himself to appear. Thus, he dove underwater, waiting until the Rocket search planes had left before resurfacing.
Aside from evading Team Rocket, he had also issued strict remote orders to Anabel, forbidding her from revealing anything about the virus.
From Lucius's perspective, Anabel's ability to mentally control Celebi's body was not necessarily a bad thing.
She was a Champion-ranked leader and a true high-ranking figure in the League. Although her past memories were absent from Celebi's mind—meaning Lucius couldn't extract information—her future experiences and thoughts would be completely exposed to him. That alone was enough to keep her in check.
A controlled Champion leader was far more valuable than Archer ever could be.
Especially considering that three of her Pokémon had already been infected with the virus—three genuine top-tier Pokémon, each on par with Drake's Dragonite or the cloned Celebi.
With that leverage, she had no choice but to comply.
By now, Lucius had been traveling across the ocean for a full day. Under the moonlight, he spotted a massive ship heading his way.
It was the marine route from Castelia City in Unova to Vermilion City in Kanto—meaning the ship was Unovan in origin.
Bored from his time at sea, Lucius released Honchkrow, having it fly him onto the vessel.
"Hey, kid, where did you come from?" As soon as Lucius landed on the deck, a patrolling crew member shone a flashlight in his face.
"I'm a passenger. Just stepped out for some fresh air," Lucius said nonchalantly.
"Hah! Trying to fool me?" The crewman narrowed his eyes. "I bet you're a stowaway! How dare you sneak onto our ship? I'm taking you in!"
The crew member tossed out a Poké Ball.
A Krokorok emerged from the ball.
Lucius smirked. A Krokorok—still not fully evolved—and they were actually sending it into battle?
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