Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 375: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! []

Despite her reluctance, Lusamine had no choice but to ask.

"Of course, it's the neurotoxin. You didn't really think being parasitized by Nihilego was a good thing, did you?" Luo Yuan said, staring at Lusamine.

Under his gaze, Lusamine thought back to her condition when she was parasitized.

At the time, she hadn't noticed anything unusual, but now, in hindsight, she recalled behaving far more exuberantly than usual—completely out of character for her.

"Those parasitized by Nihilego experience a significant boost in physical and mental capabilities. However, they also lose their rationality, acting purely on their desires and instincts," Luo Yuan explained.

In simple terms, the neurotoxin functioned like a potent stimulant—with the unfortunate side effect of reducing intelligence.

Total loss of inhibition... Lusamine quickly reviewed her actions, hoping she hadn't done anything embarrassing.

Before losing consciousness, she'd been entirely focused on dealing with Luo Yuan, so nothing seemed amiss. But she had no memory of what happened after Nihilego took control.

Without any awareness, surely she wouldn't have done anything strange... right?

"Don't worry too much. You definitely didn't do something like cling to me and beg me not to leave," Luo Yuan said, casually tossing the Beast Ball in his hand.

"..."

The way he said it only confirmed her worst fears. She must have done exactly that.

The thought of herself clutching Luo Yuan's clothes and refusing to let him go sent a wave of shame coursing through her. Her pale neck turned a deep shade of crimson.

But her attention soon shifted to the Beast Ball in Luo Yuan's hand.

Seeing it, her heart sank.

Had Luo Yuan captured Nihilego?

And with her Beast Ball?

Noticing her reaction, Luo Yuan smiled faintly.

He had deliberately shown her the Beast Ball to make a point—that Nihilego, which had once controlled her, was now under his control. If he wanted, he could use the neurotoxin to control her again.

As expected, after a deep breath, Lusamine finally set aside her defiance.

"What do you want?"

Attacking the Aether Foundation, going through all this trouble, even using a flimsy excuse like a "home visit"—Lusamine knew Luo Yuan's goal wasn't as simple as just taking over the foundation.

"Finally, we're getting to the point," Luo Yuan said with a slight smile. "It's not as complicated as you think. Our goal is for the Aether Foundation to join Team Rocket."

He leaned back and continued.

"In the past, Team Rocket's actions were... a bit high-profile. Right now, we can't afford to provoke the League any further. This time, we're taking a more discreet approach."

"Discreet?" Lusamine looked at him incredulously.

Her understanding of "discreet" seemed vastly different from Luo Yuan's.

Wouldn't a truly discreet approach involve infiltrating the Aether Foundation in secret, covertly taking control of its leadership, and gradually dominating the organization?

Instead, Team Rocket had shown up in airships, brazenly storming the Aether Paradise, breaking through its defenses, and seizing control outright. And he dared call this discreet?

Seeing her expression, Luo Yuan coughed lightly, realizing that their actions might have been... less than subtle.

Ever since the Hoenn incident, his methods had become increasingly bold, and old habits were hard to break.

"Ahem. Anyway... the process doesn't matter as long as the results are good. Simply put, I want you to lead the Aether Foundation into joining Team Rocket, evade oversight from the Alola League, and help cover up the fact that we've already taken over."

In its current state, the Alola League would never suspect the Aether Foundation had been taken over—as long as Lusamine didn't expose them herself.

"So, you want to annex the Aether Foundation, which I've spent years building, and you expect me to cooperate?" Lusamine asked, glaring at him in disbelief.

"I'm merely offering a proposal that benefits everyone," Luo Yuan replied with a shrug.

"And if I refuse?" Lusamine stared into his eyes, trying to glean his intentions.

At her words, Luo Yuan's lips curved into a faint smirk.

"I've considered that as well. Since you're Lillie's mother, I wouldn't go so far as to kill you. After all, I have to maintain my reputation as a stellar teacher.

"But..." He tossed the Beast Ball lightly in his hand.

"You can choose between 'neurotoxin control' and 'psychic control.'"

Though a controlled Lusamine wouldn't align with Lillie's idealized image of her mother, Luo Yuan wouldn't hesitate if she refused to cooperate.

It wasn't personal—just necessary.

"..." Lusamine didn't want to pick either option.

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

Whether through neurotoxins or psychic manipulation, the Aether Foundation would still end up under Team Rocket's control, and she would lose herself in the process.

In comparison, voluntarily joining Team Rocket seemed like the lesser evil.

The thought of seeing the foundation she had nurtured for years swallowed by Team Rocket made her chest ache.

But as the Aether Foundation's president, Lusamine eventually made the choice Luo Yuan had been waiting for.

"I'll join Team Rocket. But I have one condition."

"What condition? Feel free to ask," Luo Yuan replied. As long as she submitted, everything was negotiable—even if it required some personal sacrifice.

"Kill that traitor, Faba!" Lusamine growled through clenched teeth.

Having been forced to yield to Luo Yuan, all her anger had redirected toward Faba, the mole who had betrayed her.

Her hatred for him burned even brighter now.

"Faba, huh?" Luo Yuan mused, finding her demand unsurprising.

In fairness, Faba had been an excellent traitor.

Not only had he provided Team Rocket with critical intelligence during his time at the Aether Foundation, but he'd also guided them every step of the way.

Even now, by drawing Lusamine's hatred onto himself, he'd proven to be the perfect scapegoat.

However, Luo Yuan wasn't about to throw Faba under the bus. Betraying an ally after success went against Team Rocket's principles of rewarding loyalty.

---

...

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

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

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

—Leaf