Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

With Giovanni as the Champion of the League… just imagine it.

Lt. Surge commanding Vermilion Gym, Sabrina ruling over Saffron Gym, Koga's sister Aya in charge of Fuchsia Gym, and Blaine overseeing Cinnabar Gym.

Combined with Team Rocket's deep-rooted influence across Kanto, the idea of Team Rocket taking control of the Kanto League doesn't seem so impossible.

At that point, they'd be pulling the strings from both the legal and underground realms, with Giovanni as both Team Rocket's Boss and the head of the Kanto League. Team Rocket's influence would grow unprecedentedly.

Hearing Luo Yuan's theory, Matori immediately shook her head.

Having served as Team Rocket's secretary for years, Matori's mindset was firmly divided: the League was the League, and Team Rocket was Team Rocket. The idea of Giovanni becoming Champion? It was a little too far-fetched.

"Don't dismiss it so quickly. Think about it—Giovanni's identity isn't compromised, and his strength is unmatched. Why not give it a shot?"

Luo Yuan's words sent Matori into deep thought.

"I'll pass your suggestion to Giovanni... Also, there's one other piece of unconfirmed news."

"What is it?"

"It seems the League is trying to track down the Legendary Birds. They might be planning to use their power against us, Team Rocket."

"Is that so... Understood." Luo Yuan's response was nonchalant.

He didn't look down on the birds, but thinking the three birds could take on Deoxys and Mewtwo? That was a bit naive on Lance's part.

After catching up with Matori about the situation in Hoenn, Luo Yuan ended the call.

Looking at his Pokémon, who had already finished their morning training, Luo Yuan called out with a smile:

"Take a break. Once we've eaten, we'll head out."

---

Team Rocket Base

Matori handed a freshly organized financial report to Giovanni.

"Boss Giovanni, due to a drop in tourism, our revenue this month has halved compared to last month, excluding losses from New Island and the Celadon Base."

"A fifty percent decrease... Understood." Giovanni stroked Persian's head with one hand while glancing over the report with the other.

"There's one more thing. I just told Luo Yuan about Koga's plans to enter the Elite Four, and he had a rather bold proposal."

"Oh? And what was it?" Giovanni put down the report, his expression curious.

As Team Rocket's chief secretary, Matori was no stranger to unconventional ideas. A suggestion that Matori deemed bold had to be something noteworthy.

"Luo Yuan suggested that you, Boss, might want to enter the Champion race yourself."

Giovanni froze momentarily, then fell into a contemplative silence, a slow smile forming on his face.

"Well now… that's quite intriguing…"

Truthfully, Team Rocket's growth had reached a bottleneck. Having taken over Kanto, Johto, and the Sevii Islands, they were facing limited expansion options and were even considering the Orange Archipelago—a region they once found unworthy of attention.

If things continued as they were, Team Rocket could soon face stagnation.

Giovanni's research on Mewtwo and sending Luo Yuan to establish a foothold in Hoenn were all strategies to prevent this.

Now, Luo Yuan's suggestion offered Giovanni a new path to explore.

Hearing Giovanni's response, Matori's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't expected Giovanni to seriously consider the proposal.

Giovanni looked up and said, "Tell Luo Yuan his idea has merit. I'll think it over."

"And… Hunter J has arrived in Hoenn, hasn't she? The Alola expansion can wait for now; focus on reinforcing our Hoenn operations."

Matori nodded. "Understood!"

---

Luo Yuan had no idea that his offhand idea had resonated with Giovanni, inspiring him to consider a different path forward.

By this time, Luo Yuan had already left the island and arrived at the Saffron Gym.

The Trainer guarding the door shivered upon seeing Luo Yuan approach.

He remembered Luo Yuan vividly.

The last time he had seen him, Sabrina had instantly used her psychic powers to turn him into a mindless guide.

Now, seeing Luo Yuan again, the young Trainer immediately bowed at a perfect ninety degrees. "Mr. Luo Yuan, please come in. Lady Sabrina is currently battling a challenger."

"Hmm…" Luo Yuan noticed the odd looks from passersby at the entrance. Though he didn't care much, it still felt a little awkward.

Making a mental note to ask Sabrina to assign this Trainer to a different position, he walked through the Gym unimpeded.

Opening the main doors, he saw a young Trainer in a mini-skirt directing a Blastoise to use Bite against Sabrina's Alakazam.

Sabrina, who had been planning to let the challenger land a hit and earn the badge, froze when she noticed Luo Yuan enter.

Instantly, her plans changed.

With a wave of her hand, she ordered, "Psychic!"

Sensing through telepathy that Sabrina wanted to end the match, Alakazam's eyes gleamed blue, and its spoons began to tremble.

It then crossed its spoons into an "X" shape.

Wham!

A torrent of psychic energy surged from Alakazam's body.

"Blastoise, dodge it!" the young Trainer shouted, sensing danger.

But he had overestimated himself—and underestimated the speed of Alakazam's Psychic attack.

Boom!

The concentrated psychic blast sent Blastoise flying backward.

Before it could hit the ground, Alakazam's Psychic held it midair, then smashed it heavily into the ground.

A full-force Psychic attack from an Elite Four-level Alakazam wasn't something Blastoise could withstand.

Within mere seconds, the Trainer's would-be "victory" turned into bitter defeat.

Crushed by the sudden turn, he withdrew his fainted Blastoise, looking up at Sabrina with smoldering determination.

"I'll be back!"

With that, he left the Gym, half-running with Blastoise in tow.

"Treating challengers like that—isn't that a bit harsh? Aren't you worried about complaints?" Luo Yuan asked Sabrina, completely ignoring how he'd once crushed young Trainers with Gyarados to save time.

"This is the Saffron Gym," Sabrina replied with a smirk, her tone filled with confidence.

The history of Saffron Gym stretched back to the founding of Saffron City itself, its power rivaling that of Celadon City's Celadon Gym under Erika's leadership.

Thanks to Luo Yuan, Sabrina had also joined the board of Silph Co., further enhancing Saffron Gym's influence.

In short, even if Lance himself came by, there wasn't much he could do if Sabrina decided not to cooperate.

"As long as you're sure of it." Luo Yuan casually dusted some dirt off Sabrina's shoulder.

---

Ahem! Gather close, esteemed audience! Do you comprehend the privilege of basking in my radiance? Truly, you're witnessing history in the making—a performance unparalleled in the annals of Fontaine!

Ah, but don't get distracted! Let me be clear: this brilliance isn't conjured from thin air. No, no, no! It requires effort, dedication, and… well, a touch of your generosity. If you fancy being part of something truly extraordinary, do step forward here: [patreon.com/WiseTL].

Oh, but wait! You're probably wondering, "Furina, how can someone as magnificent as you need assistance?" To that, I say: why deny mortals the honor of contributing to such greatness? Supporting me is supporting art, and who doesn't want to say they were instrumental in a legend's rise?

Now, off you go. Make your offerings, and perhaps, perhaps, I'll acknowledge you in my next soliloquy!

— Furina ✨