Chapter 187: If Only Mamen Could Become the Unova Champion

"Senior, did I go too hard?"

Mamen looked at Clay, whose expression was shifting between light and shadow, with an apologetic face and a very gentle tone.

"..."

Clay's facial muscles twitched a few times, but what could he say at this point?

It was he who had taken the initiative to test Mamen's strength, and it was he who had told Mamen to go all out, and now he had been thoroughly thrashed...

"Not at all. If anything, I'm the one who made a fool of myself in front of you. Young man, your strength is truly outstanding."

Clay composed his emotions and sighed in admiration at Mamen.

Although known as the "Underground Boss," Clay was still a man of great character.

But he was truly impressed by Mamen; this strength... it was just too exaggerated.

And most importantly, Mamen was still so young. It wasn't as if Clay had never seen a genius before.

For instance, he had met two genius girls this year, both of whom were the kind of "monsters" that couldn't help but make him sigh with emotion.

But the black-haired youth from Kanto before him was clearly even more absurd.

"Phew~ I told you, Dad, Mr. Mamen is incredibly strong."

Clay's daughter let out a long sigh of relief and couldn't help but chide Clay.

Clay gave an awkward, sheepish smile.

"Thank you for the praise, Senior. There is still much room for improvement for a junior like me," Mamen replied with a smile.

"It's getting late. Senior, Miss Clay's daughter, the two of us will take our leave now."

Mamen spoke to bid farewell; his main purpose for coming to Driftveil City was to find Ghetsis.

"Is there something urgent? Mamen, if you aren't in a rush, why not have a meal first? I know a restaurant that tastes very good."

Clay tried to persuade him to stay, as he truly wanted to be on good terms with this young man.

Although they had just met, based on Mamen's strength and his conduct, Clay could assert that this child's future was absolutely limitless!

If not for considering the girl with the stunning appearance and temperament by Mamen's side, he wouldn't even mind letting his daughter spend more time with Mamen.

If Mamen could become a couple with his daughter, Clay would wake up laughing in his dreams!

However, it was unclear what kind of relationship Mamen had with Caitlin; perhaps the two weren't a couple?

Clay felt that his daughter was so cute and had such good talent, maybe there was a chance?

"There is indeed something I need to handle at the moment. Thank you for your kind offer, Senior. Let's have a casual meal together if there is an opportunity later."

Mamen politely and tactfully declined.

"Alright then. If you need any help, you can tell me. In this Driftveil City, I still have some influence."

Hearing this, Clay did not force the issue and said with a smile.

"Understood."

Mamen nodded at Clay's daughter and left with Caitlin, while Clay and his daughter walked them all the way to the entrance of the Gym.

"A dragon among men~" Clay sighed as he watched Mamen's back.

"I just wonder what this young man is doing in Unova?"

Clay was quite curious; with Mamen's current strength, he couldn't possibly be here in Unova for a journey of training, right?

"Do you know about this Mamen's background?" Clay asked his daughter.

"Hmm~ I really don't know about that. At the time, I was only focused on his strength. Dad, you really don't know—in every single match, he only used one Annihilape, and in the finals, he used that Annihilape to sweep all six!"

Clay's daughter tapped her chin with her slender fingers, thinking for a moment, then clicked her tongue adorably.

"With his talent, that's not surprising." Clay was not at all surprised now.

Well, after all, he had experienced it firsthand.

"Right! I remember the live chat mentioned that Mr. Mamen seems to be the son of an official Gym Leader from Kanto," she suddenly recalled.

"I see. So he has an official background," Clay nodded.

"Such a young and powerful youth... if only he could become our Unova Champion."

Clay couldn't help but remark.

"Pfft~ That's probably very difficult, Dad. Mr. Mamen is from Kanto, after all."

"That's why I said 'if,' since our Unova is currently..."

Clay sighed in his heart. As a Unova Gym Leader, Clay naturally hoped that his region would become increasingly prosperous.

Yet, things were going against his wishes; Unova was becoming more and more lackluster lately...

Alder had completely become a wanderer. If fresh blood like Mamen could take over from Alder and lead Unova, then Unova would surely flourish.

Well, he hoped Mamen came to Unova for the sake of the Champion position.

After all, the Champion in Kanto was the "Invincible Lance." Mamen was still young; perhaps he just lacked the confidence to challenge Lance, so he came to Unova?

Clay pondered; perhaps there really was such a possibility! If it were such a good thing, Clay would be very happy.

Clay even felt that Alder would probably be so happy he'd grin from ear to ear if he could hand the Champion position to Mamen.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Mamen and Caitlin had just walked out of the Driftveil Gym.

"Caitlin, what do you think about our organization recruiting people from Blueberry Academy?"

Mamen mused; this was something he had just thought of.

"Eh?" Caitlin's brain stalled for a moment.

"Although Blueberry Academy is not as good as Naranja Academy, the students cultivated there are also very outstanding. They are much better than the ordinary members recruited from the streets."

Mamen said, feeling that this was feasible.

Naranja Academy was the best Pokémon academy in Paldea and one of the top academies in the world.

It is worth mentioning that the history of Naranja Academy could be traced back eight hundred years, while the Pokémon League had only been established for a little over a hundred years.

That speaks for itself.

As a sister school to Naranja Academy, although Blueberry Academy hadn't been established for long, because of Naranja Academy's resources, the students there were also very outstanding.

At the very least, they were definitely better than people recruited from the streets and had more potential.

Come to think of it, Team Rocket could indeed establish a few more Pokémon academies to cultivate fresh blood; it would be more convenient to use talent they had trained themselves.

Mamen made a note of this to implement it once he returned. In every region where Team Rocket had planted its flag, they would establish a few schools!

"This... the idea is indeed possible, but I'm afraid it won't be that easy to succeed."

Caitlin pondered for a moment and said tactfully.

She felt that if it were a normal company, enterprise, or even a faction, there would probably be no problem recruiting from Blueberry Academy.

But they were the evil organization, Team Rocket!

"Actually, it's not that difficult. We can start by using a corporate name, specify the benefits and treatment to attract those students, and then privately ask for their opinions."

Mamen said with a smile. Any faction wanting to develop could not do without talent resources.

And Mamen knew very well that Blueberry Academy still had "great talents"!

For example, the Blueberry League Elite Four and Champion, modeled after the League—Clay's daughter was currently one of the Blueberry League Elite Four.

It had to be said, her potential was very good; she was at least Elite level, and she wasn't old yet, so she might have a chance to challenge for the Champion level in the future.

Most importantly, Blueberry Academy had Kieran!

Kieran's talent was extremely high. As the protagonist's rival in the *Scarlet and Violet* DLC, Kieran's potential was beyond doubt.

After "turning dark," he defeated the entire Blueberry League in a short time to reach the top as Champion, and his strength truly reached the Champion level.

Well, although he was still no match for the protagonist and Nemona, it could be said that Kieran's talent in the *Scarlet and Violet* series was only inferior to the protagonist and Nemona.

And Kieran could be won over. After all, Kieran's temperament was actually extreme in some ways, and it was precisely because of this that he "turned dark."

"It's feasible." Caitlin agreed upon hearing this.

"Later, I'll have Gladion prepare, and then..."

Before Mamen could finish, his phone rang; it was Zinnia calling.

"Mamen, Mamen! I saw that Ghetsis you mentioned! You guys hurry over!"

Zinnia's rather excited voice came through the phone.

"Good." Mamen raised an eyebrow; he didn't expect Zinnia to give him such a surprise.

Inside a park, a middle-aged man wearing gorgeous and eerie robes was currently giving a speech to the passersby.

Zinnia was leaning against a tree, watching him with great interest.

"My name is Ghetsis, Ghetsis of Team Plasma."

Ghetsis's voice was quite magnetic and very infectious.

"Today, what I want to talk to everyone about is the topic of liberating Pokémon. Have you ever thought about it?"

"We humans and Pokémon have lived together until now, and we are indispensable partners to each other. Perhaps many people think this way, right?"

"But, is that really the truth?"

What kind of nonsense is this guy spouting?

Zinnia tilted her head in confusion. She didn't understand what Ghetsis was trying to express. Was he saying that Pokémon and humans were not actually in a mutually dependent relationship?

Is something wrong with him?

Zinnia was stunned. If Ghetsis really wanted to express this idea, he was truly out of his mind—even more sick than Team Magma and Team Aqua.

"Could this just be our own wishful thinking as humans?" Ghetsis continued his low-toned speech.

"Trainers drive Pokémon as they please and only boss around their working partners. Who can say for sure that such things don't happen?"

"Everyone, Pokémon are different from us humans; they are creatures hiding unknown possibilities. There are many aspects of them worth learning from!"

"And what should we do for such Pokémon?"

Ghetsis raised his arm, his tone extremely impassioned.

"That's right! Let Pokémon be liberated! Only in this way can humans and Pokémon begin to achieve true equality!"

Moron!

Zinnia could only give a two-word evaluation of this.

Moreover, she had roughly guessed Ghetsis's intentions: to have people "liberate" their Pokémon, while he himself kept his own.

In this way, wouldn't he become superior to everyone else?

But fortunately, when Ghetsis finished speaking, no one around applauded, which showed that these passersby at least still had brains.

Otherwise, Zinnia would really have to wonder if the brains of the people in Unova were only as big as walnuts.

Clap, clap, clap~

And just at this moment, loud applause rang out.

Zinnia was stunned; was there really an idiot who agreed with Ghetsis's theory? Were they brain-dead?

The surrounding passersby also had varied expressions, presumably thinking much the same as Zinnia.

But the difference was that Ghetsis was overjoyed at this moment and looked toward the source of the sound.

He discovered it was a black-haired youth with a handsome appearance and outstanding temperament; that gorgeous long black windbreaker made it clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person!

"What you said is truly excellent, my lord Sage; it spoke exactly to my heart."

Mamen grinned, his tone extremely sincere.

"Young man, to be able to understand my thoughts at such a young age, your future is limitless," Ghetsis said, very gratified.

"My lord Sage is too kind. Since you have such a great ideal, then surely you must have already led by example, right?"

Mamen asked with a smile.

Ghetsis's brows furrowed imperceptibly. Lead by example? That was absolutely impossible. Actually release his own Pokémon? Wasn't that something only an idiot would do?

"That is only natural; I have long since 'liberated' my Pokémon," but this did not stop Ghetsis from lying through his teeth.

"That's good, then I can rest easy."

Mamen took out a Poké Ball.

"Young man, if you also want to liberate Pokémon, you should go to the wild," Ghetsis thought Mamen was preparing to follow his example and "liberate" his own Pokémon right here.

"You misunderstand, my lord Sage."

Mamen revealed a big, friendly smile.

"?" Ghetsis was stunned.

"I mean, since you have already released your Pokémon, my lord Sage, I don't have to worry about you fighting back."

Mamen smiled very healthily.

"??" Ghetsis's brows locked tightly.

"Ghetsis, you inherently evil cultist, surrender now! Today, I shall represent the righteous Team Rocket and deliver legal judgment upon you!"

Mamen's voice was loud and full of vigor.

"???"

Ghetsis was dumbfounded.

What did this guy just say he represented? The righteous what?

(End of chapter)