Inside the Team Rocket Base
After giving Giovanni a brief summary of the operation, a satisfied smile appeared on Giovanni's face.
"Excellent work," Giovanni said, stroking his Persian's fur. "Kalos is too far from Kanto, and considering our current shortage of manpower, your arrangements are the most suitable for the situation."
Developing the commercial sector quietly and letting the Kalos division provide a steady stream of funds for Team Rocket would alleviate the financial strain caused by the loss of the Rainbow Game Corner and the establishment of the Hoenn branch.
"I plan to introduce the holographic communication technology from Kalos to Kanto," Luo Yuan explained. "For this, I intend to collaborate with Silph Co."
There were three reasons for choosing Silph Co.
First, as a massive corporation and a Kanto-based entity, Silph Co. had the most comprehensive distribution network, allowing the holographic communication technology to expand rapidly.
Second, Silph Co. had been struggling with innovation in recent years and was eager to explore new directions. Their willingness to invest in Professor Oak's groundbreaking Pokémon research proved how desperate they were for fresh opportunities. This made them likely to offer favorable terms.
Lastly, with Luo Yuan's recent acquisition of a 3% stake, he now owned 8% of Silph Co. Keeping the profits within the family was only logical.
Giovanni had no objections. As long as it brought funding to the organization, he was satisfied.
"Speaking of funds…" Giovanni lifted his hand from Persian's head. "Your arrangements for those three during the Indigo Plateau Conference were spot on."
"Oh?" Luo Yuan looked curious. It had been a while since he last paid attention to the trio's progress.
Giovanni continued, "Their serialized reports have now exceeded a million copies in sales per issue."
"Even though the Indigo Plateau Conference has concluded, they've transitioned to writing Pokémon news articles. Their content on team compositions and Pokémon training techniques has kept sales steady."
"...Well, they're certainly entrepreneurial geniuses," Luo Yuan remarked.
In just under a month, with only a small amount of seed funding, the trio had managed to build a successful venture and establish themselves in Kanto's media industry.
It seemed that the saying held true: Jessie, James, and Meowth could succeed at anything—so long as it wasn't capturing Pikachu.
"So, Giovanni, do you have new plans for them?" Luo Yuan asked.
Giovanni nodded.
Previously, he hadn't noticed their potential, but now that he had, such loyal and capable subordinates couldn't be wasted on mere reconnaissance missions.
"Let them establish a new game corner in Goldenrod City," Giovanni said.
Since the Rainbow Game Corner in Celadon City had been shut down by the Pokémon League, Giovanni wasn't about to let the matter rest. Goldenrod, being more developed, was the perfect location for a new game corner.
However, Goldenrod already had an existing game corner, meaning the new one would face direct competition. To avoid exposing Team Rocket's involvement, this task would be entrusted to Jessie, James, and Meowth.
The trio had finally earned Giovanni's attention and trust—the opportunity they had always dreamed of.
"I'm sure they'll love it," Luo Yuan said with a smile.
---
In Saffron City
After completing his report at Team Rocket's headquarters beneath Viridian Gym, Luo Yuan left and headed to a restaurant in Saffron City.
Feeding a fry to his Sylveon, who was nestled in his arms, Luo Yuan looked across the table at Gary.
"So, you're planning to compete in the Silver Conference in Johto?" Luo Yuan asked.
Gary nodded. "If Ash is going, there's no way I'll fall behind him."
"But that guy's off in the Orange Archipelago, participating in the Orange League—a competition that isn't even officially recognized by the Pokémon League. What's he thinking?"
Hearing this, Luo Yuan chuckled.
The Orange League, being a regional Pokémon League, wasn't particularly formal and held little prestige. To Gary, Ash's decision to compete there seemed like a waste of time, especially after his respectable Top 8 finish in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
"Who knows? Maybe Ash will gain something valuable from the experience," Luo Yuan said. "The League is working on formalizing the Orange League, after all."
If not for the split between Kanto and Johto, the Orange League's recognition as an official league would likely already be underway.
Gary considered this and nodded, no longer dwelling on it. He was brimming with confidence about his upcoming journey to Johto.
He believed his loss in the Indigo Plateau Conference was due to the absurdly strong competitors that year. Without those powerhouses, and with Luo Yuan already a future Elite Four, who could stop him in the Silver Conference?
Luo Yuan saw Gary's confidence and chose not to dampen his spirits.
After all, Gary had no idea that both Karen and Will were planning to use the Silver Conference to qualify as Johto's new Elite Four.
The outcome was already set in stone, but there was no harm in letting Gary enjoy the process.
As the saying went: it's the journey, not the destination, that matters.
---
At Silph Co.
Not long after his conversation with Gary, Luo Yuan received a call from the president of Silph Co.
The president's expression was a mix of excitement, curiosity, and confusion.
He had just received an unexpected message from Kalos. Malva, an Elite Four of Kalos, had contacted him on behalf of the Holo-Communication Company, proposing a collaboration.
Though the president was familiar with holographic communication technology, he was puzzled. He had no prior dealings with the Holo-Communication Company. Why had they approached him?
After much deliberation, he decided to summon Luo Yuan, who had been interviewed by Malva during the Indigo Plateau Conference, to get some clarity.
Naturally, Malva's approach had been orchestrated by Luo Yuan.
However, outwardly, Luo Yuan maintained a thoughtful and puzzled demeanor.
After a long pause, he cautiously said, "I'm not entirely sure either, but this seems like a good thing."