Chapter 16: You Can't Treat Me Like a Beast of Burden Either

"Is there a problem?"

Mewtwo glanced strangely at Guzma.

"I have no experience being a boss or anything."

Guzma spoke with a troubled expression; he was just a delinquent, after all. When had he ever done anything proper?

Let alone being the boss of an entertainment city.

"And, Young Master, aren't we a dark organization?"

"Who told you dark organizations don't need to do business?"

Mewtwo frowned slightly, but then sighed. True, the Skull Gang's caliber was exactly what it was.

"Guzma, running the organization also requires money. Although money can't do everything in this world,"

"but to get things done, you can't do without money. Do you understand what I mean?"

Mewtwo explained to Guzma with earnest persuasion.

Guzma looked completely blank, clearly indicating to Mewtwo that he didn't understand.

"Forget it, let's put it simply. We, the Team Rocket organization, support so many subordinates. Do we not need to pay them wages?"

"Uh..."

"What 'uh'? You don't tell me you never pay wages to the underlings who follow you?"

"..."

Guzma and Burmy exchanged a glance, both falling into an awkward silence.

"Also, organization uniforms, base construction, networking, intelligence gathering, collective operations, and so on—all of these require money."

"Especially networking. No matter what, it cannot be avoided. The Pokémon League is powerful. If we don't spend money to offer some benefits and bribe some internal League personnel, how can the organization develop better?"

Mewtwo introduced each point one by one.

However, Alola didn't require networking for now, since this place didn't even have a League; just pay attention to the Island Kahunas of each island.

Guzma's eyes were already spinning, while Burmy listened very seriously.

"Right now, we are just starting in the Alola region, so we need to invest a lot of costs. However, we don't need to worry about these initial funds; they will be provided by the Kanto headquarters."

"But it is best to become self-sufficient as soon as possible, so the entertainment city project must open immediately. The entertainment city can bring us substantial revenue."

Lance added.

"And Mr. Guzma, you have quite a reputation in the Alola region. The news of you opening an entertainment city can bring sufficient attention, allowing our entertainment city to become known to people faster."

Caitlin also spoke with a smile.

"But Boss... Mr. Guzma's reputation isn't positive..." Burmy said with some worry.

Guzma indeed had a loud reputation in the Alola region, but it was the reputation of a bully, not a positive one.

"It doesn't matter. We can ask a newspaper to publish an announcement. The content could be 'Guzma Turns Over a New Leaf' or 'Guzma's Past'. Just write two emotional little articles," Mewtwo said casually.

"What we want is traffic and attention. A small amount of negative comments bashing Guzma in the early stage doesn't matter."

Mewtwo was very confident in his entertainment city. The most important project inside the entertainment city was the arcade!

And the rewards in the arcade, Mewtwo believed, were enough to attract people!

The Saffron City Arcade in Kanto, which was popular throughout Kanto, was opened by Team Rocket, bringing in very considerable annual revenue.

"Guzma, you don't need to do anything. Just show up at the opening of the entertainment city. You can leave the daily management to your deputy; they are all professional talents."

"Oh, oh, oh, then no problem!"

Guzma nodded. This put his mind at ease. Managing a company and such was really not his specialty.

He still preferred to just go beat people up.

"Also, Burmy, once the clothing factory matter is settled, take people to recruit more subordinates. We need enough manpower."

"Yes."

"Alright, you two go notify your subordinates first."

After speaking a couple of simple words, Mewtwo signaled that the two could go handle matters outside.

Guzma and Burmy walked out.

"This counts as resolving the Skull Gang. It wasn't too troublesome." Mewtwo stretched, feeling relatively relaxed.

"With this, no dark forces in the Alola region can pose an obstacle to us."

"Mm, start cleaning up the Hunter Organization these next few days. I don't want to hear news about this trash in the Alola region."

Mewtwo said indifferently. The so-called Pokémon Hunters were a 'profession' that accepted commissions from employers and completed tasks to receive rewards.

For example, Hunter J in the anime was one member of the Hunter Organization.

Mewtwo had no good feelings for the Hunter Organization. The Hunter Organization was one that took a slice of the pie from the many businesses of dark organizations.

What the Hunter Organization could do, dark organizations could do too. Dark organizations also accepted some commissions, after all, who doesn't love a big money bag?

But Mewtwo hated the Hunter Organization. The reason was simply that the Hunter Organization cared only about rewards. As long as the reward was in place, they would accept any task.

Mewtwo, who had transmigrated and been reborn, had feelings for Pokémon. He did not like people who treated Pokémon purely as tools or trading chips.

Precisely because of this, under Mewtwo's influence and Giovanni's tacit approval, Team Rocket now basically did not conduct genetic experiments and rarely snatched Pokémon from passersby.

Mewtwo considered himself not a good person, but he had his own set of bottom lines.

You can be bad, you can be evil, but at least be a villain, not a pure beast.

However, the Hunter Organization cannot be eradicated. Where there is demand, there is a market. That is the world.

Even the world-dominating Pokémon League cannot eradicate dark organizations and the Hunter Organization. That is the reason.

The reason humans are human is that they are full of desires.

Even in this Pokémon world, which is mostly filled with truth, kindness, and beauty, it is the same.

"Caitlin, I'll leave this task to you. How about it?"

Mamon looked toward Gardenia and smiled at her.

His attitude toward Gardenia was still rather special, because in his view Gardenia had that potential.

Team Rocket currently only had two Champion-level members, Giovanni and himself, but Gardenia had a chance to become the third!

"Of course, it would be my pleasure." Gardenia nodded with a faint, elegant smile.

Dealing with those notorious Hunter organizations was no burden at all for Gardenia.

"Mm, Gardenia, you could also go design a set of your own uniform. If you go to those rather shady places, a pretty dress like yours is bound to get dirty."

Mamon took a look at the gorgeously dressed noble Young Lady and tossed out a teasing remark.

"The young master is right. It would be best for Miss Gardenia to prepare a uniform for missions."

Lance agreed with a smile.

"Alright, then I'll go back and think about it." Gardenia nodded with a light smile. Her own Team Rocket uniform, huh?

Gardenia fell into thought. This would be her work outfit in Team Rocket—she had to design it well.

"Right, when you're not usually busy, Gardenia, you can also find Lance or Guzma to spar with." Mamon offered Gardenia another suggestion.

He always believed that battle was the best special training.

"?"

Lance stiffened. The expectant look Gardenia cast his way made his scalp tingle.

It wasn't that he was unwilling—mainly, Gardenia had time, but he didn't!

No, young master, lately I've been so busy I barely have my feet on the ground—where would I find the time to spar with Gardenia??

Besides, isn't the most idle one you, young master? You could spar with Gardenia yourself.

You can't just use me like a pure workhorse, can you?

If you keep this up, I'm going back to Kanto, you bastard!

Mm, Lance was feeling a bit nostalgic for those leisurely days in Kanto, back when he could even go out shopping for little cakes every day.

(End of this chapter)