The target was set far away—so far that with ordinary human eyesight, even distinguishing the bullseye clearly was already difficult. To strike it with an arrow would require not just skill, but absolute confidence and mastery of archery.

Erika stood still, one hand holding her bow, the other holding the arrow. Both arms rested naturally at her sides, her posture calm and unmoving, like a master training beneath a waterfall. If not for the faint rise and fall of her breathing, one might have mistaken her for a statue.

At last, she moved. With one graceful motion, she raised the bow, drew the string, and loosed. A sharp whoosh echoed through the air—an instant later, the arrow landed dead center, piercing the bullseye.

“Phew…”

She exhaled softly, releasing the stale breath from her chest. The faint scent of perfume mixed with the warmth of her own body lingered in the air. Only after confirming the arrow’s perfect hit did Erika place her bow back onto the stand. She accepted a clean towel from a kneeling servant and dabbed the light sheen of sweat from her forehead.

“Lady Erika, a call from Cerulean City—Miss Misty is on the line.”

A servant approached, holding a phone respectfully in both hands as he knelt.

“Thank you.”

Erika accepted the phone with a nod of gratitude. She pressed the answer button, while the servants quietly filed out of the dojo, sliding the doors shut behind them.

“Erika! How did it go? Everything alright?”

No sooner had the device touched her ear than Misty’s lively and hurried voice rang out.

Erika set the towel aside on a tray, moved to sit cross-legged upon the tatami mat, and smiled faintly.

“…I’ve already entrusted that Eevee to him.”

“Ah, perfect! I knew it! I said the person I introduced would never let us down!”

Though Misty’s words brimmed with confidence, Erika clearly caught the sigh of relief on the other end.

Erika didn’t expose her. She simply sipped the warm tea before her and spoke gently.

“…That Eevee seemed to take a liking to him as well. Entrusting it to him puts my mind at ease. Misty, you truly introduced me to a remarkable person. Consider this a favor I owe you.”

“No need for favors! It’s enough that I’ve helped ease your worries, Erika. That way, we can both face Team Rocket with everything we have.”

Misty’s cheerful laugh rang like clear water.

“…Is he still with you right now?” she asked casually.

“He’s stepped out for now. I gave him a one-month pact: he has that time to train Eevee, and after that he’ll return to challenge my Gym. I can already see the determination in his eyes—he’ll likely throw himself into rigorous training. But—”

Erika paused, her tone shifting into something more intriguing.

“…Training alone has its limits. If he had a rival of equal strength to push him, his growth would be far faster.”

On the other end, Misty froze. A heavy silence filled the line. Just as she wrestled with herself, gathering the courage to blurt out, I’ll go to Rainbow City and train with him, Erika’s voice cut in first:

“…I already know where Logan is training. A week from now, I intend to seek him out. I’ve been a Gym Leader long enough—my strength hasn’t declined, but it hasn’t grown either. It’s time for me to hone myself again.”

The line went silent once more. Erika tilted her head slightly, feigning ignorance.

“…Misty? What’s the matter?”

“Ah? N-no, nothing! I just thought of something else.”

Misty’s flustered words tumbled out quickly, as if afraid Erika might catch her frustration in her tone.

“I can feel it, you know,” Erika continued calmly, sipping her tea with a serene smile.

“…Logan seems utterly indifferent about all this. Do you know why?”

Misty hesitated before answering, her voice uncertain.

“…Well, I’ve only really known him for a few months. And face-to-face? Barely a few days. Most of the time we just chat online. He’s… the type who doesn’t seem to care about much. If it doesn’t concern him directly, he stays distant. That’s why when you decided to bring him into our fight against Team Rocket, I hesitated. And if you’re planning to rally even more Trainers into this… isn’t it unfair to drag them into such a dangerous conflict?”

“…With Logan’s history against Team Rocket, even without us he’d still be drawn into this storm. Telling him now gives him a chance to prepare—to grow stronger before the inevitable. As for involving other Trainers… we have no choice. The gap between us and Rocket is far too great.”

Erika sighed softly, her weariness evident.

“…Setting aside Sabrina, Surge, and Koga’s betrayal, the sheer number of Rocket operatives alone—thousands, even tens of thousands—are all battle-hardened, systematically trained fighters. Each has real combat experience. On our side? Apart from myself, you, Brock in Pewter, and perhaps Blaine on Cinnabar… that’s all. Just four.”

“If we don’t rally more Trainers to our cause, Misty, our four cities alone cannot possibly stand against them.”

Her calm, analytical tone laid bare the cruel imbalance.

“…I’m sorry. Brock and I are just too weak,” Misty murmured, ashamed. As new Gym Leaders, the two of them were considered the weakest among Kanto’s Leaders—while Rocket had recruited nearly all of the strongest.

“…Should we seek out the Elite Four?”

Before Misty could finish, Erika’s refusal came swiftly.

“…This is our responsibility. We shouldn’t expect others to solve it for us. Besides, the Kanto Elite Four are shrouded in mystery. They appear so rarely that I sometimes suspect they’re even more dangerous than Team Rocket.”

Her words carried cool rationality and undeniable wisdom.

“Don’t overthink. In this war, we hold the moral high ground. Only a small fraction of Trainers would dare side with Rocket—after all, they’ve always been branded as terrorists. With the backing of loyal Trainers and the League’s official forces, our numbers actually surpass theirs. The true problem lies only in top-tier power.”

“…The older generation of Trainers has long since declined. But fortunately, among the new generation, many shine brightly. You’ve seen them too, Misty—Red and Blue. Both have immense potential. They’ll become valuable allies in this fight.”

Erika’s voice was steady, like that of a strategist orchestrating a grand campaign.

“Thankfully, you’re here to lead us, Erika. Otherwise, Kanto would already be doomed. I heard from the League’s High Chairman—he’s been doing everything he can to pull resources, maybe even call reinforcements from other regions.”

Misty’s relief was audible.

The Chairman of the Pokémon League might hold the title of ruler of the world, but in truth the League was nothing more than a loose federation. Each region governed itself, cities guided by Gym Leaders. The Chairman’s true role was to maintain balance and prevent collapse.

If Rocket succeeded in driving the League out of Kanto, the whole structure could fracture. Other ambitious regions might rebel, casting off League rule. Without the League binding them, conflicts between regions would flare—leading to chaos, perhaps even global disaster.

“…Still, distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. Our first duty is to rely on ourselves.”

Erika lowered her lashes, her tone gentle but firm. Then, unexpectedly, she shifted the conversation.

“…Misty, if you truly like Logan, you should be a little more proactive. Normally I’d say it’s unbecoming for a girl to chase first—but if you do nothing, you’ll gain nothing.”

“W-what?! Erika, what are you even saying?! I don’t like him! I just care because he’s one of the few friends I have, that’s all! Alright, I’ve got things to do, so I’m hanging up now! Call me if it’s important!”

Click. The call ended.

Erika sat in silence, listening to the empty beeping. Slowly, a sly, mischievous smile curled on her lips.

“…A tsundere girl will never find happiness. You said it yourself, Misty—you don’t like him. That puts my heart at ease.”

Setting the phone aside, she lifted her teacup, finishing the last sip. Raising her gaze to the ceiling beams of the dojo, her eyes glimmered with determination and quiet amusement.

“…There aren’t many remarkable men in this world. Once you miss your chance, that door may never open again. I’d rather grasp my destiny with my own hands than sit idly by and wait.”

Her smile deepened.

“Forgive me, Misty. But no matter what happens… we’ll still be friends.”

——————–

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep