Chapter 466: Chapter 466

Jubilife City was bustling with traffic, its skyscrapers standing in orderly rows.

As Sinnoh's most modernized city, Jubilife boasted a thriving entertainment industry.

Jubilife TV Station, renowned for broadcasting Contest Spectaculars and Champion Leagues, enjoyed high ratings across all regions.

Compared to Goldenrod Radio (once occupied by Team Rocket) and Mauville Radio (formerly led by Archie), Jubilife Radio maintained a clean record.

"Guess villainous organizations all share the habit of taking over local radio stations..." Lu Ye mused, gazing up at the massive tournament broadcast screen on the skyscraper.

"Then this Jubilife Radio shall be taken over by our Team Rocket, meow!" Meowth leaped up dramatically, waving its claws with grand ambition.

Passersby cast curious glances as Jessie and James covered their faces in embarrassment - we don't know this guy.

Lu Ye twitched his lips: "Meowth, I get you're excited..."

Meowth clapped both paws over its mouth, mumbling after a pause:

"S-sorry boss, got carried away, meow~!"

The thought of releasing its own record after completing this mission had kept Meowth awake all night.

Just teaching some brat to sing!

Such an easy mission would be child's play for a genius like me, meow~!

"Where is that brat?" James looked around. "Is he late?"

"Daring to be late for such an important mission!" Jessie clenched her fists, a vein popping on her red-haired forehead. "We must teach this disrespectful punk a lesson!"

"No need, Ash will be here soon..."

(Not worried about Ash - worried you'll get blasted off again!)

Lu Ye was quite accustomed to "Ash being late." He looked up at the radio station building:

"Let's go in first. Matori has already rented the venue."

"Watermelon-rind glasses girl?" The trio exclaimed simultaneously.

Thanks to the 'Instructor's' outstanding performance in Sinnoh, Giovanni had grown increasingly confident in delegating authority.

High-ranking 'Instructors' could directly issue orders to executive secretary Matori.

It was also due to the Instructor's "Rainbow Project" that Team Rocket's public image gradually improved.

While Giovanni contentedly continued managing his video channel, occasionally DMing Silver,

he also kept urging Lu Ye to buff his Pokémon's levels in "Pokémon"...

"Trying to make new players suffer, huh..."

Lu Ye could already imagine players equipping their "Suffering Masks" when facing "Giovanni of the Earth" in Silph Co.

But first, this MV would help lure more players into the game - Teacher Lu's current objective.

The group entered the building headed for the recording studio, with Meowth gawking at everything:

The polished marble floors, Sudowoodo potted plants, and their Audino guide...

"Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)／" Haunter cheerfully greeted the pink Audino.

The Audino tilted its head with a sunny smile.

Meowth translated: "It says nice to meet everyone~ meow."

Lu Ye: "Hah, it's happy too soon!"

Guided by Audino, the group approached the elevators when suddenly -

"Teacher Lu! I'm here!" came Ash's rushed shout from behind.

Ash came sprinting like the wind, Pikachu on his shoulder, cap pulled low.

Station staff exchanged excited glances:

"Teacher Lu is here too?"

"I saw him! Even more handsome than on TV!"

"Teacher Lu, good luck at the Lily of the Valley Conference!"

Amid warm laughter, everyone watched Teacher Lu enter the elevator.

Whatever important collaboration brought the champion trainer here today would make great office chatter!

Inside the elevator, Ash grinned:

"Teacher Lu, they know you're entering the Baby Cup too!"

Lu Ye glared: "What Baby Cup? I never enter Baby Cups!"

Ash scratched his messy hair sheepishly:

"Overslept this morning, that's why I was late..."

Then his eyes lit up as he noticed the trio behind Lu Ye.

"Are these the voice coaches you mentioned?"

An awkward silence filled the cramped elevator.

The doors opened revealing the casually dressed trio sweating bullets.

Lu Ye looked incredulous: "Ash... you don't recognize them?"

Ash crossed his arms, stroking his chin thoughtfully before shaking his head.

The trio dramatically collapsed.

Teacher Lu wiped his brow.

Classic Ash - can't recognize Team Rocket out of uniform!

"Here's a hint, meow!"

Meowth, dressed in a brown trench coat with hat and sunglasses like a little old man, said:

"We've known each other forever!"

Lu Ye felt this was getting ridiculous.

At this point, not recognizing them would be absurd!

Or do Team Rocket trio have a passive [Disguise LvMAX] skill against Ash!?

Ash studied the sweating Jessie and James, who immediately looked away.

Despite agreeing to help the boss...

Facing this brat still felt awkward!

Ash: "Senpai, who exactly are you..."

CLICK—as if triggering some mechanism.

Meowth dramatically shed its coat, landing between Jessie and James in their signature poses:

"Prepare for trouble—"

Lu Ye pushed them forward mercilessly:

"No time for your intro! Get moving!"

Dejected, the trio mumbled: "Yes sir..."

Two seconds later, Ash's brain finally processed:

"Pikachuu!" Pikachu jumped in front of Ash, cheeks sparking.

(That reaction time though...)

Lu Ye sweatdropped. Truly befitting the "Dumb Thing" title of type-disadvantage master.

Want that constitution? Traded his brains for it!

"Not here for Pikachu today, meow!" Meowth stated plainly.

"Pika?" Pikachu tilted its head, confused.

James proudly crossed his arms:

"We're the singing coaches Teacher Lu hired for you!"

"With guidance from this multitalented star, you'll debut in no time~"

Jessie produced a fan from nowhere, hiding her smirk:

"Though you'll never reach my level, ohohoho!"

"Enough chatter! Start practicing with Meowth!"

Meowth pushed the bewildered Ash and Pikachu into the recording booth.

"Eh? Wait, hold on..." Ash finally processed:

"So my singing teachers today are—"

Ash: "What a horrible feeling~~"

Trio: "Damn brat stealing our catchphrase!!"

The bickering group disappeared into the booth.

Lu Ye exchanged glances with Haunter.

"Gengarrr! ︿(￣︶￣)︿" Haunter shrugged helplessly.

Lu Ye mirrored the gesture: "Let's go in too."

"Gengar?" Haunter produced a microphone, wagging it temptingly.

"Not here - too many people. We'll perform for Sirfetch'd at home."

Doesn't playing music for wagyu supposedly improve meat texture?

Would that work on Ducklett too?

"Gengarr~" Haunter put away the mic.

(Can't argue with that~)

But we sang enough last night - today's for spectating!

Inside, the studio was divided into recording room and control booth.

Lu Ye sat outside wearing monitors, looking every bit the professional producer.

Through the glass, he watched Ash's group marveling at the high-end studio.

The monitors transmitted their discussion:

"Brat, can you even sing?"

"Y-yeah? I hum in the shower..." Ash said uncertainly.

"Hmm... should start with basic scales," James noted.

"Relax, Meowth will have you singing in no time~" Meowth bragged.

Lu Ye spoke into the mic:

"The sheet music's on the table. It's challenging - take your time."

The original series' OP "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master," sung by Ash's VA Rica Matsumoto,

would be extremely difficult for anime Ash to replicate.

But hearing "Ash-senpai" sing his own theme fulfilled Teacher Lu's little wish.

('Recreating Pokémon games, anime, and MVs in this world?')

Lu Ye shook his head as Ash's excited voice came through:

"Teacher Lu, these lyrics... they're amazing!"

Meowth examined the sheet: "Fits the brat's journey perfectly, meow~"

"Pikachuu!" Pikachu nodded enthusiastically.

[Leaving Pallet Town behind

My very best friend (Pikachuu!)

Though I can't promise

That I'll always win (That's okay!)

To be the very best like no one ever was

This dream will come true!]

"Aim to be a Pokémon Master..."

Meowth sang raspily while reading, lost in the moment.

"So simple yet determined!"

James wiped emotional tears: "I suddenly understand the brat now!"

"Idiots! We're supposed to teach, not get emotional!" Jessie scolded.

Ash clutched the sheet, sharing a look with Pikachu.

Flames of passion ignited in his eyes as he clenched his fist.

"I'll sing my heart out!"

Despite the cringe and secondhand embarrassment, Lu Ye found this Ash oddly cool.

How can one become a Pokémon Master if ashamed of their dreams?

Ash wore his dream proudly and pursued it relentlessly—

'Ash from Pallet Town - aim to be a Pokémon Master.'

Teacher Lu felt his youth returning, grinning:

"No rush - practice first. Professional musicians will accompany you in two days."

"Musicians!?" Everyone panicked.

"What? I'm good but can't play eight instruments and mix tracks simultaneously."

"That's exactly what I thought, meow."

"Professional bands cost a fortune!" The thrifty James gulped.

Lu Ye looked up, recalling Olivia's plan:

She'd contacted a Unova entertainment company, BW Productions, whose president Hilda agreed to co-produce the game and MV.

Hilda also recommended a professional band—

Unova's Poison-type Gym Leader and punk band "Plasma's" vocalist, Roxie.

Lu Ye had been stunned.

BW Productions was founded by the Unova protagonists from Pokémon Adventures.

Though he'd never met them, this bizarre connection proved Professor Oak's theory about Pokédex holders attracting each other.

Speaking of musicians...

Besides guitarist Roxie, Galar's Dark-type Gym Leader Piers was also a tenor vocalist.

Lu Ye only remembered Piers because his sister Marnie was adorable...

"Roxie?" Jessie recalled, "That punk rock girl!"

James: "Since when do you follow Unovan bands?"

"Read about her in Lumiose Fashion Weekly."

Jessie said, "Last issue featured actress Karine, the one before had that girl."

"If Team Plasma's coming..."

Ash's eyes sparkled, "Does that mean I can challenge Roxie's Gym!"

Meowth smacked Ash's head with a rolled-up newspaper:

"Focus on learning the song first, meow!"

Under Meowth's supervision, Ash cleared his throat:

"I'll try the first line now~"

Outside, Lu Ye crossed his arms sternly:

"Ready? Haunter, positions!"

"Gengarr~!" DJ Haunter gave a thumbs-up.

"Yo yo yo, Rotom Radio, rap time, yo!"

The Rotom Dex floated midair, blaring electric rap.

(That phone's fully charged now?!)

Lu Ye nodded solemnly at Ash.

Under the trio's expectant gazes, Ash belted out:

Now that's the stuff!

But Team Rocket immediately covered their ears in agony.

"He's completely lost in the song!"

Lu Ye's hair stood on end as he ripped off his headphones.

This was auditory hell!

Imagine three-day fermented Muk, Meowth's nails on chalkboard, and Machamp's Throat Chop as music!

"Gengar..." Haunter lay dazed on the console.

Lu Ye shouted: "Stay strong! Take them off!"

"Gengarr!" Haunter removed them, traumatized.

Ash finally stopped, scratching his head:

"Was it... that bad?"

"No." Meowth shook its head.

"Oh good." Ash grinned.

"It was catastrophically awful, meow!" Meowth lamented.

"Ah..." Ash looked to Pikachu dejectedly.

Pikachu nodded firmly, tapping the sheet music with its tail.

After a pause, Ash reignited, flames of determination rising:

"I'll master this song!"

Because these lyrics are mine and Pikachu's true feelings!

The trio teared up watching them.

"Pikachu's telling Ash not to give up, meow!" Meowth cried.

James glowed with maternal determination.

"We'll make Ash sing this properly!"

Ash paled at the "motherly" trio:

Lu Ye facepalmed outside.

Team Rocket becoming Ash's mom friends?

Inside, the trio patiently taught Ash basic scales.

Meowth smacked Ash's head:

"You're supposed to sing 'Ah,' stupid brat!"

"You didn't say that!" Ash protested.

Teacher Lu couldn't bear interrupting this heartwarming scene.

"Roxie's band arrives tomorrow..."

He murmured, "Three days... can Ash do it?"

The studio door opened suddenly.

A pink balloon wobbled in, politely closing the door behind it.

Noticing Lu Ye's stare, the balloon puffed up indignantly, hands on hips—one clutching a microphone.

The anime's most elusive Pokémon, seemingly without a trainer yet always following Ash...

Known for singing and doodling, having saved Ash countless times...