Chapter 551: Subjugating Arceus

In the border region between Kanto and Johto, an abandoned Pokemon Center that has been deserted for many years stands quietly.

Outside the once seldom‑visited, ruined wasteland, now the barriers are clear and the aura is grim.

On both sides of the road, the League's and Rocket Team's top executives and core forces stand, the two camps facing each other from afar, a subtle yet tense atmosphere filling the air.

On the Rocket Team's side, suppressed murmurs rise and fall, full of resentment and opposition.

"Damn, this is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime sight. Never thought our Rocket Team would ever cooperate with the League."

Chakra crossed his arms, his tone dripping with contempt and awkwardness, unable to accept the absurd situation from the bottom of his heart.

Sird followed closely, sarcastically echoing, his eyes hiding deep displeasure: "Exactly, I really can't understand what Banmu Laoda is thinking, planning to let that stinky brat Huo La inherit the whole Rocket Team—utterly ridiculous."

"All quiet."

Ma Zhishi spoke in a deep voice, cutting off the two's complaints, unwilling to let them run wild, "Stop gossiping and disturbing the Boss's business talks."

Hearing that, Sird immediately aimed his sarcasm at Gym Master Ma, "Gym Master Ma, speaking of this cooperation, you're the only real winner. Once the deal is sealed, perhaps your Gym Leader position can be restored—congratulations."

"After all, being a stable League Gym Leader is far more comfortable than licking blood on the tip of the Rocket Team's blade, isn't it?"

The deliberate mockery instantly darkened Ma Zhishi's complexion, about to retort.

A cold, indifferent hissing of smoke sounded from the side first: "If you put it that way, all of us who lurk in the League and sit in gyms are just here to enjoy the League's comfort?"

A wisp of purple smokescreen suddenly dispersed, A Ju's figure slowly floated up, the Weezing beside him surrounded by icy poison gas, his aura chilling.

Having been rebuked on the spot by A Ju, Sird's face changed abruptly, his heart tightened, and he forced all his subsequent complaints back down, daring not utter another word.

"Enough, everyone shut up."

A steady, firm voice suddenly suppressed all noise.

A man with purple‑styled hair stepped forward, exuding overwhelming deterrent power. He was the Poison Snake Instructor, one of the Rocket Team's Five Great Commanders.

When he spoke, every Rocket Team member present restrained their hostility, fell silent, fearing any private remark might become a joke and earn the League's scorn.

Compared with the chaotic, turbulent atmosphere on the Rocket Team's side, the League's camp opposite appeared exceptionally steady and orderly.

At the front of the line, Red led, followed by Bilan, Xiao Gang, Ash and other newcomers.

Although they also whispered and exchanged messages, each bore a proper demeanor and disciplined bearing, with no complaints or infighting; their aura was clean and resolute, a stark contrast to the Rocket Team's agitation.

Inside the abandoned Pokemon Center, the atmosphere was solemn and tense.

Rocket Team and League personnel sat opposite each other at a table, clearly divided, their auras confronting, a silent tension spreading throughout the room.

On the Rocket Team side, led by Banmu, core seniors such as Natsume, Zhenniao, Fulin Duo attended, and even the Five Great Commander Yu Jinxiang personally arrived, making the lineup unprecedentedly grand.

The League side likewise boasted a stellar lineup: Dande, Professor Oak, Kikuko, Sird, and Lozi all took seats, representing the highest authority of the Pokemon League.

Huo La sat quietly behind Professor Oak, his fingertips lightly rubbing a few Pokeballs in his palm.

These were the Pokeballs that Bilan and others had specially retrieved for him after the Hoenn war ended, now all returned to their original owner, back in his hands.

After a brief silence, Banmu was the first to speak, his gaze falling on Professor Oak opposite him, his tone carrying a faint smile and playfulness: "Professor Oak, this should be my first formal meeting with you since arriving in this world. I must say, you look almost exactly the same as in my memory, still that aged figure."

Professor Oak heard this, calmly ran his fingers through his snow‑white hair, and laughed brightly: "Is that so? I actually feel in top shape—can eat, drink, sleep, full of spirit, not a hint of age."

Kikuko's grandmother furrowed her brows, her tone crisp and sharp, with no hint of evasion: "Stop the useless chatter, get straight to the point and resolve the matter."

Professor Oak gave Kikuko an awkward glance, then turned to Dande beside him. Now the League, with Dande as Alliance Leader, still held the negotiating power in his hands.

Dande cleared his throat lightly, sat upright, and looked solemnly at Banmu, opening directly: "Banmu, since we both can sit here for talks, it means you have fully accepted all the conditions we previously set."

"Today's negotiation is essentially a procedural step, finalizing the concrete matters of subsequent force alignment and combat coordination. But before that, I must, on behalf of the entire League, formally thank the Rocket Team for its support on the Unova Battlefield."

Mentioning the Unova battle, everyone's expressions relaxed slightly.

Previously the Unova Battlefield had been deadlocked, the outcome uncertain, the situation once teetered on collapse. After the Rocket Team threw its full force into the fight, the tide turned instantly.

This time the Rocket Team deployed three commanders, with senior forces pouring out en masse, overwhelming power sweeping the Unova Battlefield and utterly crushing the enemy's defenses.

Quiche's and Lysandre's chances of a comeback vanished, leaving them forced to surrender; they have now been detained by the League in its exclusive prison.

"No need for polite thanks."

Banmu spoke plainly, his tone blunt and unflinching, showing no claim to credit, only cold reality: "If we hadn't settled all conditions in advance, this support to Unova would never have happened. By then Unova's fate would have been just like Hoenn's—falling completely into our Rocket Team's hands."

Those words made the League members' faces darken, looking especially grim.

But they were powerless to rebut; at the time the League's main forces were all deep in the Unova Battlefield, intending to relieve Huo La, only to find themselves burned out, watching the Rocket Team helplessly.

Seeing the League's heavy atmosphere, Banmu showed no sign of easing, and briskly returned to the main topic: "Enough idle talk."

"I have already given Huo La the status of Rocket Team Heir. All the conditions you previously proposed, I have fully complied with. Including letting the original me of this world resume command of the Rocket Team, I have no objections."

His gaze sharpened suddenly, sweeping over all the League seniors present, each word resonant, sealing the sole core of the meeting: "I am here today for one purpose—formally invite all the League's top forces to join me in subjugating Arceus!"