Chapter 141 — League VS Team Rocket: Preparations for the Imminent Battle

At the Indigo Plateau, in the conference room of the Kanto League headquarters.

"Chairman Damaranchi! The Kanto League must take responsibility for this!"

President Silph, who usually maintained the image of a kindly elder, shouted with his face alternating between red and pale with anger.

This was understandable, as the old man had just had a brush with death, and the person who saved him wasn't even a trainer from the Kanto League.

It was just a young boy.

In President Silph's current view, the Kanto League was nothing but a bunch of incompetent fools!

What a waste of all the taxes he paid them every year!

"Yes, yes, of course, please calm down."

Damaranchi, knowing he was at fault, repeatedly tried to soothe the other party's emotions.

Nevertheless, the old President Silph still gave some face to this League authority figure.

His anger subsided slightly, but his fists remained tightly clenched on the conference table as he berated:

"You must not let Giovanni get away! Find him! If the Kanto League can't accomplish this much, then Silph Co. might have to consider relocating to another region."

When President Silph made this statement, the faces of all the high-ranking League council members present changed dramatically, and they hurriedly tried to persuade him:

"Please calm down, President."

"Yes, please rest assured, we will definitely resolve this matter."

"We in Kanto will certainly seek justice for your company!"

It was no wonder these council members were so frightened.

After all, Silph Co. paid enormous taxes to the Kanto League every year.

If Silph Co. were to relocate, it would directly affect the quality of life of these officials.

Lance barely contained his disgust at these parasites' revolting expressions as he spoke coldly:

"Speed is of the essence. If we're going to act, we must do it quickly, or else Giovanni will escape."

Even the council members who disliked Lance agreed with his proposal at this moment.

If they didn't deal with Team Rocket soon, things could get more complicated.

"Mr. Damaranchi."

Just then, a Kanto League staff member rushed to Damaranchi's side and whispered in his ear:

"Two Elite Four representatives from Galar have a document from Chairman Rose to deliver to you."

Damaranchi nodded to show he understood and responded:

"Have them wait, I'll speak with them in my office later."

After the meeting deciding to launch a full assault on Team Rocket ended, Damaranchi immediately met with Raihan and Bede in his office.

Raihan handed over the documents regarding Rose's proposal for hosting the Pokémon World Championship Series to Damaranchi.

Although he had just finished a headache-inducing meeting, this was nothing for the ever-busy Damaranchi.

"I watched the previous Galar Star Tournament, you both performed very well."

Damaranchi first smiled and praised the two, then took the documents and began reviewing them carefully.

The more he read, the deeper his brows furrowed.

Rose's proposal for this World Championship was essentially about integrating trainers from across the entire Pokémon continent into a ranking tournament.

It had both advantages and disadvantages - the benefits being that it could increase public enthusiasm for Pokémon training and help the League develop more and stronger trainers.

The drawbacks needed no explanation - it could potentially intensify conflicts between regions.

But regardless, this matter was too important for Damaranchi alone to decide as Chairman; he would need to discuss it with representatives from other regions.

Raihan and Bede hadn't expected an immediate response either, and after receiving Damaranchi's acknowledgment, they prepared to leave.

Before leaving, Bede suddenly asked Damaranchi:

"Chairman, is the Kanto League planning to move against Team Rocket?"

"Hmm!?"

Hearing Bede's words, Damaranchi's expression changed slightly, "How did you know?"

This plan had just been decided in the meeting half an hour ago.

"Master predicted it. He said once Giovanni's identity was exposed, the League would definitely not let him go."

As she said this, Bede's eyes showed a hint of pride.

"That man again?"

Damaranchi pondered thoughtfully.

"Do you need our help, Chairman?"

Raihan interjected.

At these words, Damaranchi fell silent.

"No need."

Just then, someone walked in from outside - it was Lance.

Lance strode up to Damaranchi and handed him a stack of documents, saying:

"Chairman, these are the battle plans I've prepared for raiding Team Rocket."

Then, Lance narrowed his eyes and glanced at Bede and Raihan from the corner of his eye, adding:

"This is our Kanto business. We don't need outsiders meddling in our affairs."

"Like a dog biting Lu Dongbin..."

Raihan muttered under her breath a proverb she'd learned from Sun Wuming, then pulled Bede away and left.

...

...

In a two-story house in Pallet Town.

"Recently, there was a large explosion at Silph Co., but citizens need not worry, as this was merely due to an error during new product testing..."

On the TV news, the anchor was reporting on the previous Silph Co. incident.

Sitting on the sofa, Sun Wuming couldn't help but laugh:

"So this is what they mean by 'what you see is what we want you to see'?"

This house had been purchased by the Aether Foundation, specifically so Lusamine could focus on recovering from her illness during this time.

Currently, Lusamine and Lillie, mother and daughter, were upstairs.

After finishing their morning training routine, Sun Wuming's group was sprawled on the sofas like lazy fish, waiting for the extremely domestic Serena to feed them from the kitchen.

Knock knock knock~

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Coming~"

Marnie, who had been lying on another sofa swinging her feet, put on her slippers and walked to the door.

Opening it, she saw a woman wearing light red casual clothes standing outside. Though not strikingly beautiful, she exuded the unique mature charm of a middle-aged woman.

"Hello, I'm Hanako, and these are my sons, Red and Ash."

The young mother first bowed to Marnie, then introduced the two boys standing on either side of her.

After a brief pause, Hanako continued:

"I heard that the gentleman who saved my eldest son lives here, so I came to express my gratitude..."

At these words, Marnie couldn't help but examine Red, whose face was still wrapped in bandages, making him look almost like a half-mummy.

"Please come in."

Marnie stepped aside slightly.

"Thank you."

Hanako returned a smile.

...

"Ah~ It's Mrs. Oak..."

Seeing Hanako's visit, Sun Wuming unconsciously uttered this name.

Fortunately, his voice was soft enough that Hanako didn't hear it, otherwise it would have likely caused some unnecessary trouble.

"Hello everyone, I'm Ash, and my dream is to become a Pokémon Master! This is my partner Pikachu!"

Facing everyone in the room, Ash grinned and delivered his unchanged catchphrase of 20 years.

The Pikachu on his shoulder also waved its little paws like it was rubbing its eyes, adding: "Pika pika!"

Red merely nodded, said the words "Red," and spoke no more.

Only when he saw Sun Wuming did he add, "Thank you for saving me."

"We're back."

Just then, Raihan and Bede returned from Indigo Plateau.

"Let me tell you, that Lance is really unlikeable, he's definitely going to be single forever... oh, we have guests?"

Just as Raihan was complaining while pulling Bede into the room, she froze upon seeing Hanako and her two sons.

...

...

About half an hour later.

Hanako and Serena brought out the dishes from the kitchen.

"Serena is really skilled at cooking, I wonder who will be lucky enough to have her in the future."

After sitting down, Hanako looked at Serena with increasing approval while secretly making eye signals to her two sons.

Serena smiled somewhat embarrassedly, then replied without mercy:

"I'm sorry, Aunt Hanako, but I don't like their type."

At these words, the smile on Hanako's face became rather awkward.

She turned to look at her two sons.

The eldest was quietly eating with his head down, while the younger one was like a furry enthusiast, holding Pikachu in his arms and feeding it.

Sigh, perfect examples of those destined to be single forever.

Red maintained that women would only slow down his Poké Ball throwing speed.

Ash wondered: Women? What are women? Are they as cute as my Pikachu?

During the meal, Sun Wuming also chatted briefly with these two protagonistic brothers from the original story.

After completing their journey through the Kanto region.

The brothers planned to head to the Johto League to participate in the Silver Conference.

After all, they'd already been through Kanto once, and doing it again would lack some freshness.

Moreover, the Johto League Champion was also Lance, and Red had sworn to avenge his defeat at the Indigo League.

"Oh?"

Sun Wuming stroked his chin with interest, imitating a washing machine as he began to think.

If he let Marnie and the others participate in the League tournament too, it would probably be quite interesting.

Just then, Bede suddenly changed the topic:

"Master, you were right - the Kanto League is going to launch a crackdown on Team Rocket."

At these words, Red's face changed dramatically.

His targets for revenge weren't just Lance, but also Giovanni!

That heartless villain who used Pokémon for illegal business.

However, when Red made a sudden movement, the bandaged wounds sent searing pain through his body.

Thinking back to all his Pokémon being severely injured and left in Professor Oak's care...

It seemed this score couldn't be settled anytime soon.

"That sounds interesting! Let's go together, Pikachu!"

Ash's habit of joining in the excitement surfaced again.

"No way!"

Hanako immediately threw cold water on her second son's enthusiasm.

If your big brother who's so strong ended up like this, wouldn't you just be going to your death!?

...

...

After dinner, Sun Wuming and the others bid farewell to Hanako and her family.

Marnie, Bede, and the others began their evening training.

Meanwhile, Sun Wuming took a solitary walk along the verdant paths of Pallet Town.

"You've been watching for so long, do I need to invite you to come out?"

On the quiet path, Sun Wuming suddenly spoke up.