Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 380: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! []

As dusk fell, the festival in Iki Town began in full swing.

This traditional event, held on Melemele Island, honored Tapu Koko, the guardian deity of Alola. The festival attracted not only locals but also numerous tourists eager to witness the celebrations.

Currently, two trainers were locked in a heated Pokémon battle on stage. According to Alolan tradition, these battles were offerings to Tapu Koko, seeking its continued protection over the island.

However, Luo Yuan couldn't care less.

After all, Tapu Koko couldn't even take on his Tapu Slow... err, Slowbro.

Sitting beside Sabrina and Lusamine, Luo Yuan turned to the latter.

"Chairwoman, there's something I forgot to ask you earlier."

"Hm?"

Lusamine glanced at Lillie, concerned that Luo Yuan might bring up Team Rocket in front of her daughter.

Though she had joined Team Rocket herself, Lusamine was adamant about keeping Lillie uninvolved—at least until she was an adult.

Lusamine's concerns were misplaced. Luo Yuan had no intention of exposing Lillie to Team Rocket just yet.

Instead, he pulled an invitation card from his pocket.

"This invitation—didn't you issue it?" he asked.

"The Silph Company?" Lusamine nodded, but confusion flickered across her face. "How did this end up with you?"

Surely, Luo Yuan hadn't harmed the Silph representatives she'd sent the invitation to?

Given his reputation, the possibility wasn't entirely far-fetched.

"..."

Noticing Lusamine's wary expression and sensing her thoughts through psychic abilities, Luo Yuan felt exasperated.

"Do you really see me that way?" he asked dryly before clarifying.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself: Luo Yuan, Elite Four of Johto and shareholder of the Silph Company."

"A Silph shareholder?"

Lusamine blinked in surprise, never having considered that Luo Yuan might hold such a position.

"That's because you haven't paid enough attention to Kanto," Luo Yuan remarked.

As the youngest Elite Four member in Johto's history, Luo Yuan had been the face of Silph Company's marketing campaign across Kanto. Anyone in the region could tell you about his association with the corporation.

Lusamine: "..."

She had to admit, this was an area she hadn't explored.

"Honestly, if it weren't for your invitation, I might not have come to Alola at all," Luo Yuan continued.

If not for seeing Lusamine's letter, Luo Yuan might have directed Team Rocket's efforts toward Sinnoh, clashing with Team Galactic instead.

"!"

Lusamine had always assumed that Team Rocket's annexation of the Aether Foundation was a premeditated move.

To learn that her own invitation was the catalyst left her utterly stunned.

I invited Team Rocket to take over the Aether Foundation myself?!

The bitter irony wasn't lost on Lusamine.

Her voice tinged with regret, she explained the reasoning behind her invitation.

"I noticed the potential of Silph's holographic communication devices in Alola and wanted to propose a partnership."

If she had known it would bring Team Rocket to her doorstep, no amount of technological allure would've convinced her to send that letter.

With the Aether Foundation now under Team Rocket's control, Lusamine could only rue her decision, powerless to change the past.

Luo Yuan, however, found the idea intriguing.

"Honestly, it's a pretty solid proposal," he said, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

While he had already used his rapport with Hala to garner support for Silph's operations in Alola, Hala's influence was limited to his role as an Island Kahuna.

In terms of business acumen, the Aether Foundation was unmatched in Alola.

A partnership between Silph and the Aether Foundation would reduce unnecessary expenses for Silph while providing Lusamine's organization with a lucrative new venture. It was a win-win.

Without hesitation, Luo Yuan called the Silph Company president, directly proposing the collaboration.

After a brief conversation, the president readily agreed.

"Sounds good. Let's do it!" the president said, glancing at Lusamine through the video call.

The deal wasn't just appealing on its merits—it also made the president wary of any deeper ties between the Aether Foundation and Team Rocket. He had no desire to obstruct such a collaboration, nor to find himself entangled in it.

Lusamine: "..."

Watching Luo Yuan and the Silph president casually decide the future of Alola's telecommunications industry in mere minutes, Lusamine felt as though her worldview had been upended.

Could it be... is Silph controlled by Team Rocket too?

Though hesitant, she agreed to the tentative partnership, planning to visit Kanto in the near future to finalize the details and sign the contract.

With the deal settled so quickly, Luo Yuan was in high spirits. As he prepared to end the call, the Silph president stopped him.

"Luo Yuan, there's something we need your help with on our side," the president said, his expression troubled.

"What is it? If it's within my ability, I'll help," Luo Yuan replied. He had never seen the president look so uneasy.

"Our plan to expand into Hoenn has hit a major roadblock due to aggressive resistance from Devon Corporation. The entire operation has ground to a halt."

The president sighed, his frustration evident. He hadn't expected Devon Corporation to rally so effectively under pressure, even while facing scrutiny from the Pokémon Association.

"Well, that's not surprising," Luo Yuan remarked.

Devon's communication technology was a cornerstone of its business. It made sense for them to fiercely defend it.

"What do you need from me?"

Luo Yuan wondered if the president intended to involve Team Rocket directly. If so, that would create even bigger problems for Silph.

But the president's next words left Luo Yuan dumbfounded.

"What? Pokémon duels?"

This was absurd. Did they think this was Kengan Ashura?

---

...

Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.

Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.

WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.

If you had fun, you know what to do:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

Heads up—Patreon's 50% off for all tiers during May. So if you were on the fence? Now's the time.

And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.

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Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.

—Leaf