Chapter 146 — The Lonely Hanako

Based on the intelligence provided by Officer Jenny, it can be confirmed that Team Rocket's escapees haven't left the Kanto mainland.

Or rather, they haven't gone to other regions.

Therefore, it's certain they're still in the Kanto region, or perhaps they've moved to the Johto region!

"Chairman, should we issue arrest warrants for Giovanni and his group immediately?" 

Officer Jenny inquired.

Stroking his beard, Mr. Pokemon pondered for a while before saying:

"We must issue one for Giovanni, but as for Sabrina and the other three... let's put that on hold and investigate secretly."

No one objected to Mr. Pokemon's decision.

Even Lance and Karen, who were the most righteous among those present, could understand his reasoning.

To reveal that three Gym Leaders and an Elite Four member were Team Rocket spies all at once.

It would be a devastating blow to the Kanto League's credibility.

Giovanni's crimes were the most severe, so his warrant was non-negotiable.

As for Sabrina, Koga, and Lt. Surge.

After much deliberation, Mr. Pokemon decided to cancel their public warrants and conduct secret arrests instead.

"I'll take responsibility for the Johto region,"

Lance said coldly.

Though they couldn't be certain whether Team Rocket remained in Kanto or relocated to Johto.

Lance's investigator's instinct told him they had gone to Johto.

That rat Giovanni - he would catch him personally!

After saying this, Lance left without looking back.

"Still so arrogant after losing. If a stronger trainer comes along, he'll be the first one replaced!"

A senior council member was very displeased with Lance's attitude.

Lance's personality had always made him prone to making enemies, but before this incident, his 100% mission success rate had left these people with nothing to criticize.

Once Lance slipped up, they immediately pounced on him.

"Well then, let's move on to the next topic,"

Mr. Pokemon frowned as he changed the subject:

"After the Indigo Conference, we were supposed to have the Silver Conference... but looking at the current situation, we won't be able to hold it."

"After all, with an Elite Four member defecting, and Johto likely becoming Team Rocket's new base of operations, it's best to avoid holding such large-scale events."

Agatha also expressed her agreement.

Mr. Pokemon nodded appreciatively.

Throughout the meeting, two matters went unmentioned.

One was Lance being taken hostage.

In the meeting, Mr. Pokemon only said Lance had suffered a regrettable loss to Giovanni.

He didn't mention Lance being taken hostage, as that would have been too embarrassing.

The second was the matter of Giovanni's Senzu Bean.

After returning, Agatha had reported this to Mr. Pokemon.

She also relayed Sun Wuming's reasoning.

As League Chairman, Mr. Pokemon thought long and hard before deciding to conceal this matter.

Who knows what kind of trouble those council members who love stirring up chaos might cause otherwise.

Moreover, Mr. Pokemon didn't want Sun Wuming to develop any ill feelings toward the League.

A trainer who possessed several Legendary Pokemon and could physically fight a Tier 1 god.

Mr. Pokemon didn't want to push him into opposing the League.

...

...

The next day, on Kanto's morning news.

"Under the brave fight led by Champion Lance and countless Kanto League trainers, the evil organization Team Rocket led by Giovanni has finally been repelled. Starting today, the League has officially issued an arrest warrant for Giovanni..."

On TV, a female anchor whose looks barely rated a 70 out of 100 was reporting the day's news.

When Giovanni's face - the strongest Gym Leader in Kanto - appeared on the arrest warrant on screen.

Countless viewers watching their TVs let out gasps of surprise.

If just Giovanni alone could frighten them this much.

If Sabrina, Koga, and Lt. Surge were added, it would turn their world upside down.

Meanwhile, in a villa in Pallet Town.

Sun Wuming's group, eating breakfast while watching this news, all showed peculiar expressions.

Brave? Repelled?

How could they say "brave" when Lance was taken hostage?

Team Rocket clearly withdrew on their own, yet they call it being "repelled"?

"How shameless,"

Marnie commented bluntly.

"This is politics,"

Lusamine smiled. Despite being a woman, she had carved out her own place in Alola's upper circles.

Her body was slowly recovering, but at least she no longer needed a wheelchair.

The news broadcast continued.

The female anchor announced that due to operational errors by League management interns, this year's Johto Silver Conference would be cancelled.

Blaming it on the interns?

Why did this approach seem familiar to Sun Wuming?

"The Silver Conference is cancelled?"

In another modest house in Pallet Town, Ash jumped three feet high upon hearing this news.

"Where should we travel to next?"

Ash wondered worriedly.

"Ash, don't shout while eating,"

Hanako lightly tapped Ash's forehead, saying:

"Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova - there are so many regions, why not challenge any of them? Or you could stay home and keep Mom company~"

Rubbing his head, Ash said:

"No way, I'm going to become a Pokemon Master, how could I stay at home all day?"

A trace of melancholy appeared in Hanako's eyes.

Where did this brat get the nerve to say that?

How many days a year did he actually spend at home?

He'd barely stay before running off again.

Meanwhile, Red, still wrapped in bandages, also showed a hint of regret.

He had planned to get his revenge on Lance at the Silver Conference.

But... was the reason for the Silver Conference's cancellation really that simple?

"I'm going to train,"

After finishing his meal, Red wiped his mouth and headed out after leaving these words.

Seeing this, Ash quickly followed, shouting:

"Wait up, big bro Red, I'm coming too!"

"These troublesome boys, they never think about home."

Watching her two sons leave, Hanako complained as she started clearing the dishes.

Feeling a bit lonely...

...

"Hey Red, are your injuries mostly healed?"

As soon as Red and Ash stepped out, they met some familiar faces.

It was Pallet Town's other famous pair of brothers, Green and Gary.

"Oh, if it isn't stupid Ash? Don't you know how to wipe your mouth after eating? It's disgusting~"

Gary didn't miss a chance to mock Ash, pointing at his mouth corner.

Ash instinctively wiped it and found there really was some milk left unwiped at the corner of his mouth.

If anyone else had said this, Ash's thick skin wouldn't have minded.

But coming from Gary, he couldn't help but get angry.

"Want to have a practice battle?"

Red said tersely.

"Your Pokemon haven't recovered yet, right? I, the great Green, don't want to take advantage of someone's weakness."

Green waved his hand dismissively, then turned to his brother:

"Gary, why don't you battle Ash? We older brothers can give you some guidance from the side."

"Huh? With stupid Ash? That's too boring, I'll definitely win."

Gary looked disgusted.

"You jerk Gary! Stop talking nonsense! I made it to Top 16 in the Indigo Conference, while you only reached Top 32!"

Ash shouted, pointing at Gary.

At these words, Gary looked like he'd eaten something terrible.

But he couldn't argue back.

He wanted to say it was because he had bad luck in the Top 32, meeting someone at near Elite Four level, which was why he got eliminated.

But saying that would make him look like a sore loser.

Meanwhile, Ash had gotten lucky, meeting a weakling in his Top 32 match.

Gary started rolling up his sleeves, "You want to fight? Come on!"

Ash shouted: "Who's afraid of who? Bring it!"

BOOM!!!

Just as the two fifteen-year-olds were about to childishly fight,

A dull explosion echoed through Pallet Town, and the four brothers vaguely felt the ground trembling beneath their feet.

"What incredible power,"

Green frowned.

"Over there,"

Red had already started moving, running toward the eastern direction.

Seeing this, the other three quickly followed.

...

...

Near the villa bought by the Aether Foundation.

Lillie's Golisopod lay powerless on the ground.

Across from it, Serena withdrew her Aegislash and said to Lillie:

"I apologize, Miss Lillie."

"Uh... mm."

Lillie showed a smile worse than crying, though her beauty remained unaffected due to her high looks.

Still, losing to a girl who had become Sun Wuming's disciple less than half a year ago made Lillie feel terrible.

Especially seeing how all the other girls except herself were using new Pokemon, she felt even worse.

BOOM!!!

Another explosion identical to earlier rang out.

It came from Marnie's Guzzlord and Bede's Buzzwole clashing nearby.

Every time these two truly heavyweight Pokemon collided, they produced this eardrum-rattling impact.

"Wow! These Pokemon look weird, but they're so cool!"

Just then, four young boys ran over.

One of them, with a Pikachu on his shoulder, exclaimed.

Who else could it be but Ash?

Seeing these four, Sun Wuming's eyes also showed a hint of interest.

Aren't these the four brothers of Pallet Town?

Sun Wuming made a gesture, signaling Marnie and Bede to stop training.

"Have your injuries healed, Red?"

Sun Wuming greeted.

"Mm, mostly."

Though it still hurt, Red put on a brave face.

"You all seem pretty strong. How about it? Want to battle me?"

Green showed an eager expression, his eyes fixed on Guzzlord and Buzzwole, two Pokemon he'd never seen before.

Green's words made something click in Sun Wuming's mind, sparking an interesting idea.

"Fighting here would be too small-scale. Why not meet at the League tournament instead?"

Sun Wuming had this thought while watching the Indigo Conference broadcast back in Alola.

Against Red, Green, and Ash - these protagonists of the original story - how would Marnie, Bede, and the others he had trained perform?

It was exciting to think about.

"A League tournament? Yeah!"

Ash was the first to jump up, "I want to participate too, let's all battle there!"

"Your skill level isn't worth it."

Gary mocked.

"Shut up, you Top 32 dropout!"

Ash had found the perfect way to counter Gary.

"You looking for a fight?!"

Gary started rolling up his sleeves again.