Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [473] [40 PS]

For Luo Yuan and Sabrina, this was undoubtedly good news.

But it did leave them owing Lorelei a favor.

"Let's remember to thank Lorelei properly next time we get a chance," Luo Yuan said.

Sabrina shook her head. "She said it was to thank you—for helping drive off Team Galactic during their attempted invasion of the Sevii Islands."

Luo Yuan didn't quite know how to respond to that.

We all know the truth behind that… If Team Rocket hadn't been fishing for leads during the Sevii incident, Team Galactic wouldn't have even bothered stirring up trouble over there.

Still, whatever the reason, a fully funded vacation with Sabrina wasn't something to complain about.

"When's the actual exchange event scheduled for?" Luo Yuan asked.

Knowing the date would help him plan ahead.

Sabrina had already looked into it. "There's plenty of time. It's set for two weeks from now. Galar needs time to make preparations on their end too."

"Apparently, they don't just want a cultural exchange this time. They're looking to establish some kind of economic partnership with Kanto as well."

"Economic?"

That single word immediately made Luo Yuan think of the Macro Cosmos Corporation—the entity that held a stranglehold on Galar's entire economy.

There was a saying in Galar:

From birth to death, no Galarian escapes Macro Cosmos.

This behemoth, led by Chairman Rose, had monopolized nearly every industry in the region—aviation, railways, energy, telecommunications, construction, banking, media… everything.

Compared to them, even Devon Corp and Silph Co. seemed like small-time players.

Officially, the Galar League was in charge of the region.

But anyone who'd actually been to Galar knew—Rose was the true emperor of the land.

And now this conglomerate wanted to open trade with Kanto? Luo Yuan couldn't help but feel suspicious about their motives.

His brow furrowed as he pulled out his communicator and dialed Giovanni's number.

The hologram flickered to life, revealing Giovanni seated at his desk in the Viridian Gym. "Luo Yuan. Something on your mind?"

"Boss Giovanni, I'd like to know the real details behind this cooperation with Galar."

Luo Yuan was convinced there was more going on than what was written in the report Sabrina had given him.

If he asked Lance, the man probably wouldn't tell him much anyway—so Luo Yuan decided to go straight to the top.

Giovanni's expression didn't change, as if he had expected this question.

"The cooperation with Galar, huh? So you've figured it out too."

"What's really going on here?"

There was no way the Kanto League could be blind to what letting Macro Cosmos into the region would mean.

It would send shockwaves through Kanto's entire economy.

Aside from Silph Co., which had grown into a major multinational, no other company in Kanto could remain unaffected.

And in a direct competition, none of them could match a corporate empire like Macro Cosmos.

Of course, Giovanni had already thought of all this.

So when Luo Yuan asked, he gave a direct answer:

"This wasn't decided by one or two people. It was a decision made by the entire League."

Luo Yuan's eyes narrowed. "The entire League?"

Giovanni nodded. "That's right. The entire League."

Though the Pokémon League was technically a loosely organized body composed of regional branches, that didn't mean there wasn't a central authority.

On the contrary—under the leadership of President Damalanche, the League Council held considerable sway over the regional Leagues.

When Giovanni said "the entire League," he clearly meant this central governing council.

Which meant that this so-called "Galar proposal" wasn't initiated by Galar at all—it was something arranged by the League Council.

"Then what's their real goal?"

It can't be that they just took bribes from Macro Cosmos, right?

Luo Yuan had never thought much of the bureaucrats in the League Council, but even they weren't that shameless.

Plus, the Council had representatives from both Kanto and Johto—people who protected their regions' interests. Taking bribes seemed… unlikely.

But Giovanni didn't answer the question directly. Instead, he posed another:

"If Macro Cosmos enters Kanto's market, who do you think it will affect the most?"

Luo Yuan paused to think. "Silph? No… wait—"

His eyes widened. "It's us. Team Rocket!"

Suddenly, everything clicked.

Right now, aside from Silph Co., Team Rocket controlled more industry in Kanto than anyone else.

Over the past year, Team Rocket had expanded at an astonishing pace.

Backed by their "Tech Hunters" and the power of captured Legendaries, they had aggressively extended their influence across multiple sectors. At this point, they were practically operating in broad daylight.

If Macro Cosmos moved in, Silph might hold its ground—but Team Rocket's foundations were far less stable.

They would be the ones hit hardest.

One wave of economic pressure, and unless they used "non-standard" methods, Team Rocket's business empire wouldn't be able to stand up to Macro Cosmos.

Understanding this, Luo Yuan finally saw the League's deeper game.

At the end of the day, this was all about suppressing Team Rocket's growing power.

The League's out to get us. Again.

It was no wonder they now saw Team Rocket as a thorn in their side.

But really, it wasn't hard to see why.

Team Rocket had already infiltrated six regions. One more step, and their influence would span the entire world.

At that point, who would hold the final say—the League… or Team Rocket?

Even if the League had been slow to react before, no one could stay complacent now. Anyone with half a brain would realize the time had come to act.

Giovanni nodded, confirming Luo Yuan's conclusion.

"And the reason they're sending you to Galar," Giovanni added, "is precisely because you're a Silph Co. shareholder. They're hoping Silph will side with Macro Cosmos against Team Rocket."

"That's something Lance will likely explain to you before you leave Kanto."

This move was clearly calculated:

By co-opting Silph and pitting it against Team Rocket, they hoped to avoid infighting among allies while recruiting a powerful partner for their offensive.

Step by step, the League Council had carefully laid the groundwork.

First, sever Team Rocket's economic lifelines.

Then, apply pressure on their regional influence.

And when the Tech Hunters are stretched too thin running damage control, they'll lose the ability to pose a real threat to the League.

But…

Too bad.