CHAPTER 701: WHY SHOULD I, SAKAKI, EXPLAIN MY ACTIONS TO OTHERS?

That night, the 'Little Luxio' meteor shower did not arrive as scheduled.

However, not only the Verdanturf Town observatory, but many places witnessed a magnificent meteor shower.

People stepped out of their homes on the cool summer night, looking up at the sky, curiously pointing at the stars and speculating about the reason for this meteor shower.

Amid the burning meteors filling the sky, Rayquaza and its rider within the barrier passed through the night sky like a golden meteor.

Lu Ye, wearing the 'Rocket Outfit' spacesuit, returned from the outer atmosphere, with his destination being the Verdanturf City Space Center.

Countless researchers were excited and stirred, welcoming Lu Ye, Ruby, and Sapphire as heroes.

Steven stood smiling with one hand in his pocket, watching from afar outside the crowd.

Wallace crossed his arms, met his student Ruby's gaze, and nodded gently.

Lu Ye removed his space helmet, shook his black hair, and faced Rayquaza in the open outdoor area.

It coiled its body, spread its claws, with meteor after meteor streaking across the night sky behind it.

"Pleasure working with you," Lu Ye said with a smile.

Rayquaza remained silent for a moment, then nodded: "Pleasure working with you."

At the same moment, Teacher Lu heard the long-awaited notification sound.

[Ding! Special mission 'EpisodeΔ' completed!]

[Mission summary: Quell the conflict between Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, shatter the colossal meteor with Mega Rayquaza.]

[Mission reward: Random legendary item*1, Shiny Charm*1, Random valuable berry*1!]

Lu Ye: ?

I've almost unlocked all the berries in the Pokémon world!

Even experts hailed as 'Berry Masters' probably don't know as many berries as I do!?

"However... if I draw a spicy berry, I might be able to use it to create new dishes," Lu Ye thought to himself.

Teacher Lu planned to save the prize drawing and item inspection for later.

At this moment, the Verdanturf City Space Center was immersed in an atmosphere of crisis resolution and joyous celebration.

Ruby embraced his father Qianli, while Sapphire hugged her father Professor Birch.

Meowth, James, and Musashi also wanted to hug the executive, but Lu Ye stopped Meowth's flying tackle with a single hand on its forehead.

"Mmm... Executive!" Meowth waved its limbs in mid-air.

"Later," Lu Ye said helplessly, "I need to deal with Rayquaza first."

James and Musashi looked up at Rayquaza in the sky with awe, nodding like pecking chickens.

After dispersing the crowd of onlookers.

Lu Ye asked: "Are you returning to Sky Pillar?"

"Or perhaps circling the ozone layer for a global journey."

Rayquaza said calmly: "Lu Ye, you are not a suitable successor, but you are worthy of the name of Arceus's messenger."

After the meteor battle, Teacher Lu gained recognition from Rayquaza.

Teacher Lu suddenly recalled Arceus's enigmatic smile from back then.

'Lu Ye, when the world faces crisis due to legendary Pokémon, I believe you won't stand by idly.'

Teacher Lu's expression turned strange.

Damn... I've been played by Arceus!

Taking out the notebook from his shirt pocket, Lu Ye flipped through the pages and removed the attached pen.

"What are you doing?" Rayquaza leaned its head closer.

Lu Ye stuffed the notebook back, as if relieved of a burden, and said with a smile:

"Taking notes."

I think I glimpsed that the notebook was densely filled with the same name?

Rayquaza thought randomly:

"He must really love that person... or maybe that person owes him money..."

...

The crisis of the colossal meteor was resolved.

Rayquaza returned to Sky Pillar.

As for the other meteor mentioned in Olympia's prophecy, the Prismatic Meteor, Steven said he would return it to Meteor Falls.

After all, that was the treasure guarded by the Meteor People for generations, and Devon Corporation had no right to possess it.

The [Meteor Fragment] remained with Teacher Lu, still carrying the aura of 'Dragon Ascent'.

Mastering the move was definitely impossible... but whether Metronome could summon 'Dragon Ascent' was another matter.

Generally speaking, "Metronome" cannot summon most exclusive moves like Precipice Blades, Roar of Time, etc.

But there are always exceptions.

For example, Togepi, who had personally witnessed and interacted with legendary Pokémon, was clearly an exception...

If it had encountered Primal Groudon earlier and witnessed Precipice Blades, Togepi would have summoned Precipice Blades when facing Dan Emperor's Charizard back then. ṘÁꞐＯᛒĘṦ

Considering that Precipice Blades can't hit Flying types and has an extremely high miss rate, it perfectly suits Teacher Lu!

At the conclusion of the incident, Deoxys's whereabouts remained unknown.

The 'Individual 1' Deoxys that disappeared from space was not the same one that formed a bond with Red.

Lu Ye also didn't know where it went, presumably hiding in some corner, then seeking revenge against Giovanni.

Since it's looking for Giovanni, what does that have to do with me, the Rocket Team's instructor?

Lu Ye looked up at the starry sky.

Boss Giovanni shouldn't be unable to handle even Deoxys... right?

**

Hoenn region, Verdanturf Town.

A man in a suit with fierce eyes, hands in his pockets, looked up at the night sky.

Meteor after meteor streaked across the night sky, beautiful and brilliant, making people think of the epic battle between Rayquaza and Deoxys in space.

Lu Ye successfully making Rayquaza Mega Evolve truly surprised Giovanni somewhat.

But this wasn't the first or second time he had surprised Giovanni, just like the red-capped boy who single-handedly destroyed the Rocket Team headquarters years ago.

Giovanni stood quietly, suddenly raising his hand as Nidoqueen stood imposingly, roaring at the uninvited guest.

Aerodactyl flapped its wings, its sharp claws gripping a young man with neat black hair, red cap, and vest.

Landing lightly, Ash patted the dust off his clothes and greeted with a smile: "Uncle, long time no see."

Giovanni didn't turn around, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned as Nidoqueen's heavy fist burst with white light, smashing toward Ash!

Ash's eyes sharpened, Aerodactyl returned to its Poké Ball, and a red light burst forth. Snorlax stood imposingly in front, wrestling with Nidoqueen!

"You probably didn't come to battle me."

Giovanni found it somewhat boring, voluntarily recalling Nidoqueen to its Poké Ball, and turned around:

"Otherwise you wouldn't be at this level."

"I was just passing by," Ash explained, "I heard there was a meteor shower in Verdanturf Town, so I came with Ash... when flying over, I saw a familiar figure, so I came to check."

"Ash..."

Giovanni recalled the yellow-haired girl with the Power of Viridian and said calmly: "Truce today, how about that?"

The wrinkled Giovanni showed his unguarded back to Ash, hands in pockets, standing by the cliff gazing at the night sky.

"Perfect timing, let's enjoy the meteor display that Lu Ye shattered together."

Ash was slightly taken aback, walking to Giovanni's side and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

In the end, the one watching the meteor shower with Ash wasn't Ash.

It was Boss Giovanni!

"I heard..." Ash initiated conversation, "Team Rocket has transformed."

"Yes," Giovanni said indifferently, "Business transformation, to make it easier for me to pass a clean Team Rocket to Silver."

"Already starting to consider succession matters," Ash said in surprise.

"People always change... especially when influenced and inspired by others."

Giovanni paused, then said: "Let's not talk about this, I have an important battle today, you don't need to interfere."

"Battle?" Ash didn't understand.

Suddenly, an anomaly occurred.

In the night sky, a fiercely burning meteor charged straight toward the cliff where Giovanni stood!

Giovanni's face remained calm.

Red light burst forth, with a clanging sound, Beedrill shot out like a sharp sword, the power gathered at its two needles concentrating at one point to shatter the meteor!!

Bang!

The meteor shattered into pieces.

Ash looked at the purple crystal within the meteor, "Deoxys?"

"Not the one you're familiar with," Giovanni said, "There are some past matters that I must resolve personally."

Then, Giovanni removed his suit jacket, revealing a muscular, scar-covered physique in a white tank top.

Deoxys stretched its body, coldly staring at Giovanni.

"I won't explain anything to you, Deoxys."

Beedrill hovered at Giovanni's side, its double needles sharp, compound eyes crimson like two rubies.

Giovanni's gaze was sharp as he said coldly:

"Because I will defeat you with my own hands."

"Beedrill—Mega Evolution."

Mega Evolution, something only trainers with deep bonds can use.

Now, between Giovanni and Beedrill, it came effortlessly!

Bang!!

Rapidly crossing figures, sparks clanging and bursting forth.

Mega Beedrill radiated brilliant rainbow light, its double needles like sharp lances, its tail needle glowing faintly. With speed barely visible to the eye, its speed actually matched Deoxys!!

Witnessing Giovanni's battle with Deoxys, Ash suddenly understood what Giovanni had told him years ago.

'If you don't admit defeat, you can't become stronger.'

Clang!!

The outcome was decided.

Mega Beedrill's lance was just one centimeter away from the neck of Deoxys, who was supporting itself with both hands on the ground.

Giovanni stepped forward, looking down at Deoxys, and said coldly:

"I am stronger than you, so your revenge is meaningless."

Deoxys remained expressionless, but a trace of surprise flashed in its eyes.

Then Giovanni slowly stepped back, raised his hand to recall Beedrill to its Poké Ball, and put his hands in his pockets.

"Now, I'm letting you go. Go find your companion, Deoxys."

Giovanni's mouth curved in a mocking smile:

"When you and your companion become stronger, then try to defeat me."

Deoxys silently glanced at Giovanni, then stood up, its body transforming into the blade-like speed form, and flew away from the cliff.

Giovanni watched for a moment, then turned: "I thought you would attack me."

"I won't interfere."

Ash said seriously: "Because, Uncle Giovanni, this is your battle!"

Giovanni looked deeply at Ash.

"Childish."

Giovanni put his hands in his pockets, turned and left, his suited figure disappearing into the night.

"You missed your last chance to defeat me, Red, see you later."

...