The scene once again returned to the park in Saffron City.
"I understand. You've both done very well, Blue, Red. But from here on, don't do anything rash. I'll contact the League myself."
Through the video call, Professor Oak's expression was unusually serious after listening to Blue's report. His tone carried a rare weight as he spoke to both Blue and Red.
Silph Co. one of the world's most powerful conglomerates had been taken over by Team Rocket, with even its president reduced to a captive…
This was no trivial matter.
Team Rocket…!
"Don't worry, Grandpa. We'll be careful," Blue replied, giving Red a quick sideways glance.
If it weren't for Red, he wouldn't have bothered getting involved in this mess. If the sky was falling, there were taller people to hold it up. The Pokémon League would handle Team Rocket eventually.
Blue's only goal had always been to become the world's strongest Trainer. He had never once wavered in that ambition. Everything else politics, crime, or chaos meant nothing to him.
But this time was different. This was a request from Red — his lifelong rival and, in a way, his closest companion. It was the first time Red had ever asked him for help, and Blue couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"I'll have my assistant bring Delia to my lab. You can rest assured, Red," Oak added after a moment of silence, his voice softening slightly.
Although the old professor had long since retired from battling and devoted himself to research and with most of his contemporaries were either gone or too old to fight that didn't mean he was powerless.
Protecting a single woman like Delia was still well within his capabilities.
"Thank you very much, Professor Oak."
Red bowed deeply. He finally felt a weight lift off his chest.
Ever since the S.S. Anne incident, his family had been living under the shadow of Team Rocket's threats, and that burden had never left him.
"No need to be so formal, Red. You've always been one of my pride and joy. Keep doing your best this year too."
Professor Oak's elderly face softened into a kind smile. He had watched both Red and Blue grow up along with Ash and Gary and he was fond of all of them.
Ash's sincerity and love for Pokémon touched his heart, while Red's natural talent had left him in awe.
"I will," Red said earnestly.
Beside him, Blue muttered under his breath, "You don't have to butter him up so much."
"For now, stay out of Silph Co. Don't take any reckless actions on your own. Once the League decides how to move against Team Rocket, I'll contact you immediately."
"Team Rocket has taken control of the Silph Co.'s building, which means everyone inside is a hostage. You must not act on your own. Understand?"
After smiling briefly, Oak's tone turned grave again, emphasizing his warning.
This was an unprecedented situation. Team Rocket had crossed the line, kidnapping the president of Silph Co. wasn't just a crime; it was an act that shattered the delicate balance between Trainers and ordinary civilians.
Oak was certain of one thing: the League would make a move. A decisive one.
They needed to send a message to the world, to every criminal organization watching.
"We're not kids anymore, you know. We won't rush in blindly, Grandpa, you can relax."
Blue's tone was casual, but Red nodded silently beside him. He had thought about trying to rescue the hostages himself until he remembered the terrifying figure of Lucas on the S.S. Anne.
If he acted recklessly now, he might only alert Team Rocket and make things worse.
"That's good, then. We'll leave it at that for now."
After ending the call, Professor Oak sat in silence, his brows furrowed deeply.
It was truly a time of turmoil…
He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. Team Rocket's activities had been increasing lately too frequent, too bold. Now, they even dared to occupy Silph Co.?
After some thought, Oak opened his contacts list and found one name Loki, the League Chairman. He had to be informed immediately.
…
Aether Paradise, Alola Region
Lucas and his group had returned to the man-made island. The skies had cleared once again, the ocean glistening peacefully beneath the sun.
The four Tapus, after confirming that Necrozma had been subdued, didn't linger. Instead, they acknowledged Lucas's power even offering him several Z-Crystals as a token of respect.
Though he wasn't particularly fond of using Z-Moves, gifts from the island guardians were not something one could easily refuse. He accepted them politely.
"Mr. Lucas, I'll be turning in for now."
After dinner, Lusamine stood up, her elegant face showing a trace of exhaustion. Clearly, she was worn out.
"Of course, President Lusamine. We should all get some rest," Lucas replied with a nod.
Even for someone as strong as him, fatigue was still a part of being human.
After they finished eating, Faba took Phyco his team to another villa arranged by Lusamine, while Lucas, Marnie, and Green returned to their own quarters.
He had just stepped out of the shower when his phone buzzed on the nightstand.
It was Giovanni.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, lit a cigarette, and leaned against the bed frame before answering.
"Yo, boss. What's up?"
"Lucas, where are you right now?" Giovanni's voice was calm and deep, carrying that unmistakable authority.
"I'm in Alola, taking a little vacation. Why, got a job for me?"
"The League is moving soon," Giovanni said flatly. "The time has almost come."
"So soon?" Lucas's brows furrowed slightly. Giovanni's words could only mean one thing — the decisive battle between Team Rocket and the League was about to begin.
But it was happening far earlier than he had expected.
"Team Rocket's strength is already sufficient," Giovanni continued. "But if the League has any sense, they'll take some time to prepare. I've already sent in a spy."
Inside the top floor of Silph Co., Giovanni stood before the vast cityscape of Saffron, his reflection faint in the glass.
That "secretary" the one who had supposedly escaped Silph's grasp had been under his control all along. The "escape" was nothing but a performance orchestrated by Giovanni himself.
The fact that she was saved by Oak's grandchild and sponsored trainer, Blue and Red, was merely a convenient coincidence, one that made the deception even more convincing.
"All the better," Giovanni muttered with satisfaction.
"I understand. Should I return now?" Lucas asked after a pause.
Since Giovanni had decided to move forward, Lucas would naturally cooperate. After all, he had been waiting for this day as well.
"Not yet. The League will still need some time. Loki won't waste such a perfect opportunity, he's been eager to uproot us for years."
Giovanni let out a low chuckle, though his voice was as cold as steel.
For the Kanto region, Team Rocket had long been seen as a cancer, a plague that had to be excised.
And now, the League finally had its excuse.
Giovanni would even feed them "key intelligence" through his spy, manipulating the narrative, guiding the League exactly where he wanted them.
They wanted a war? Then he would give them one — on his terms.
Silph Co.'s Building was located in the heart of Saffron City, if the League wanted to launch a full-scale attack there, it would be a logistical nightmare.
"Understood," Lucas replied with a faint smile. "But if I may be honest, our odds don't look particularly good."
"There's no such thing as absolute certainty," Giovanni said quietly. "A wise man like you should understand that, Lucas. All we can do is plan, prepare, and move the odds in our favor."
"This battle is inevitable. And I believe… Team Rocket will emerge victorious."
He paused for a moment. Then, with an icy calm, he added:
"If we fail, then it only means Team Rocket was never worthy of surviving in the first place."
"I see… understood. I'll return soon."
After hanging up, Giovanni stood by the window, looking down at the glittering lights of Saffron City.
"Mewtwo… the Three Birds Project… everything is ready." His voice was calm, but his eyes burned coldly. "Pokémon League let's see if you can withstand the storm I've created."
Mewtwo was almost fully mature now, and Giovanni would soon depart for New Island to claim it.
The genetic experiments with the legendary birds were nearing completion, and he had already sent Koga to seize the Gym Badges required for control.
Everything was in place. His time was running short — this would be the final gambit to decide Team Rocket's fate.
And this city, Saffron, the beating heart of Kanto's economy would be the perfect stage for it.
…
Lucas exhaled a slow stream of smoke, staring up at the ceiling.
So… the war was coming.
"The person on the phone just now — that was Giovanni, wasn't it?"
Marnie stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair, her expression curious.
"Yeah," Lucas said calmly. "Team Rocket's about to go to war with the League."
"So soon? It's only been, what, a month since Silph Co. was taken? Has the League already discovered it?"
Marnie's eyes widened in surprise.
"No," Lucas shook his head. "It's Giovanni himself. He's the one who decided to start it. He can't wait any longer."
Even Marnie, who wasn't deeply involved, could tell this was premature.
If they simply maintained control of Silph Co. and exploited its resources, Team Rocket could have grown even stronger before making their move.
But Giovanni had chosen otherwise.
"He must have his reasons," Lucas murmured, his tone softening.
Yes, he was almost certain now. Giovanni's illness must have reached its final stage. That was why he was forcing this decisive battle before his time ran out.
Otherwise, a man like Giovanni would never act so hastily.
"This battle… it's going to be massive," Marnie said, tilting her head thoughtfully.
She could already imagine the chaos. Team Rocket, a colossal organization built from the shadows of Indigo going head-to-head with the League itself.
The scale would shake the world.
…
Indigo Plateau
"Hello? Sam? It's been ages since you last called me."
In his office, having just finished a meeting, League Chairman Loki noticed a missed call and immediately rang back.
Oak and Loki were old friends, both had once been top Trainers in Kanto.
"You sound in good spirits," Oak noted.
"Haha, can't help it," Loki chuckled. "Those kids in the Championship Series have been doing great. Our region's reputation is soaring."
Lance had defeated Leon. Bruno had beaten Raihan.
Indigo's prestige had never been higher.
But Oak's next words wiped the smile from his face.
"I'm afraid what I'm about to tell you won't make you happy."
"…What is it?"
Loki's expression hardened, his white eyebrows knitting together. Oak wasn't someone to joke about serious matters.
And when Oak finished explaining the situation with Silph Co., Loki's hand slammed down on his desk with a loud crack.
Outside the office, his secretary immediately rushed in, startled.
It was the first time anyone had ever seen the gentle League Chairman lose his temper like that.
"Is this information confirmed?"
Taking a deep breath, Loki waved the secretary away and lowered his voice.
"My grandson and his friend rescued the secretary of Silph's president from Team Rocket. The information came directly from her," Oak said solemnly.
"I'll investigate immediately. Thank you, old friend," Loki replied after a pause, his tone low and heavy.
Team Rocket…
How dare they.
To seize a major corporation, to take hostages, to trample the peace of civilians, this was an affront not just to the Pokémon League, but to the entire world.
For the first time in decades, Loki felt pure rage burning in his chest.
If left unchecked, this could destroy the fragile balance between Trainers and ordinary citizens.
If one evil organization could do this and go unpunished, others would follow — and the world would descend into chaos.
"Team Rocket…"
His voice was low and ice-cold, but his hands were steady again.
He forced himself to calm down. This had to be handled with precision.
Not just to win — but to win beautifully.
The League had to strike swiftly and decisively, eradicating Team Rocket from Kanto once and for all.
The prelude to the final battle had begun.
(End of Chapter)