Chapter 43: Sakaki Hehe, Sakaki Not Hehe

A Gym Leader's son actually became a senior executive of Team Rocket?!?!

This kind of thing...

Cynthia furrowed her delicate brows, carefully reading the brief introduction on her phone.

Last year he set out on a journey from Pallet Town, and the first time he entered the Shi Ying Conference he displayed astonishingly powerful strength, crushing his way through to the finals, and in the finals he still easily shut out his opponent.

Cynthia looked at the accompanying photo; the person in the picture was indeed Mamon, and it was even a picture of Mamon holding up the Shi Ying Conference championship trophy.

Although, judging from the picture, she didn't see much of a champion's joy on Mamon's face.

For a moment, the several people fell silent.

"If I remember correctly, Gym Leader Sakaki is the strongest Gym Leader in the Kanto region."

Morty spoke in his characteristically listless voice.

"The world is full of uncertainties; perhaps we should ask the Kanto side?"

Hala quietly voiced his own thoughts, seeking the others' opinions.

Last year's Shi Ying Conference champion, the son of a Kanto Gym Leader, giving up such a brilliant future to throw himself into the evil organization Team Rocket.

If this news got out, it would absolutely be a 'bomb.'

"What's more critical right now is, Mamon is Sakaki's son, so what about Sakaki?" Liza frowned and asked.

This was a very simple relational inference: Mamon is a senior executive of Team Rocket, so as Mamon's father, could Sakaki also be a member of Team Rocket?

The several people fell silent once more.

Sakaki is an official Gym Leader of the Kanto League; if he were a member of Team Rocket, that would be no laughing matter.

"I don't think so. Mamon isn't stupid; would he reveal his identity so recklessly without worrying about implicating Sakaki?"

Kukui shook his head and analyzed.

This was a very simple rational analysis, because it was simply too unreasonable; Mamon had never even thought about hiding his identity.

If Sakaki really were also a Team Rocket member, wouldn't that expose him directly?

"Let's notify the Kanto League, and we also need to investigate why Mamon joined Team Rocket. A young man like this..."

Hala sighed; if they could find the reason, the best outcome would be getting both Mamon and Caitlin to quit Team Rocket.

Otherwise... it would be too much of a pity.

They're all such outstanding young people, especially Mamon—a champion-level debut in his very first year, what an astonishingly brilliant genius.

"And Tapu Fini is still in his hands too."

Hala was deeply worried; without Tapu Fini, what would become of Melemele Island?

"Find their whereabouts, and I will help you."

Cynthia said to Kukui and the other three; after speaking she gazed into the distant sky. At some point, the sun had been hidden by thick dark clouds.

Cynthia's feelings remained very complicated.

……

Elsewhere, Mamon and the other two used Teleport several times to return to Mamon's villa.

"Caitlin, you can't stay at your villa anymore; go operate out of Akala Island." Mamon said to Caitlin.

This time, because of Cynthia's sudden appearance, Mamon's objective actually hadn't been achieved.

But it didn't matter; in that case, they could just modify the plan.

"Mm." Caitlin nodded.

She understood what Mamon meant; Cynthia wouldn't 'let the matter rest,' and her residence had long been exposed. Before, it was fine.

But if Cynthia found out, she would definitely come looking.

"Or you could stay here with me? Kukui and the others won't make a move against us unless they're absolutely certain."

Mamon offered another suggestion—strength was the greatest confidence!

Mamon himself was powerfully strong; even if his location was exposed, if Kukui and the others wanted to act they'd have to be fully prepared.

Otherwise, not only would they fail to capture Mamon, the battle would also damage the surrounding environment and buildings, and even injure civilians.

That is absolutely not something Kukui would be willing to accept; and most important, paying all those costs only to fail to capture Mamon would make them a laughingstock.

So even if they knew Mamon's location, Kukui and the others absolutely wouldn't act rashly.

Cynthia was indeed strong, but Mamon truly didn't fear Cynthia and Kukui; if it were Lance and Diantha, Mamon would actually be somewhat wary.

Of course, if you added Steven, facing three champion-levels at once, Mamon would genuinely feel pressure.

But would Kukui really swallow his pride and call for reinforcements? Mamon reserved judgment on that.

"I'll go to Akala Island, Mamon. I want to get stronger!"

Caitlin's gem-like beautiful pupils were full of resolve; Cynthia's appearance had indeed stimulated her considerably.

"Leave all the operations on Akala Island to me."

"Alright, don't be impatient, Caitlin. I will help you. I have always believed in you; you are no worse than Cynthia."

Mamon gazed at Caitlin for a moment, then smiled gently and encouraged her.

"That's right, my lord is right. Young Lady Caitlin, you are excellent—no worse than anyone." Lance also said the same.

Mm, having heard the exchange between Caitlin and Cynthia, he also roughly understood a lot.

"Thank you." Caitlin pressed her lips together, thanked Lance, and her beautiful eyes gazed softly at Mamon.

Regardless, with Mamon's support, she felt a great sense of security.

Cynthia, I will definitely catch up to you!

Mamon took out his phone, thought for a moment, then spoke to Caitlin.

"In a while, Caitlin, come with me to the Ultra Space. Although there are no Psychic-type Pokémon among the Ultra Beasts, you can still see if there's one you want to train."

"Ultra Beasts?"

Gardelia tilted her head in puzzlement at the words.

"It's a special kind of creature here in Alola. They say they don't actually dwell in the present world, and they're all very dangerous. The League once sent people to deal with them, but not only did they fail, some of them were killed by the Ultra Beasts," Lance explained.

"But information on Ultra Beasts is very scarce, and it's classified. Domino only managed to dig up this much."

Gardelia turned her searching gaze toward Mammon.

"Mm, what Lance said is correct. But Ultra Beasts are also a kind of Pokémon, and they're all very powerful. If raised well, a single well-trained Ultra Beast could easily become the backbone or ace of a team."

Mammon nodded. The only pity was that among ordinary Ultra Beasts there were no Psychic-types, otherwise it would have been a perfect fit to reinforce Gardelia's team.

When the chance came, he'd take Gardelia to Area Zero in Paldea.

Compared to Ultra Beasts, the Paradox Pokémon—Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, Iron Crown—were all quite strong, since their base species stats were already high to begin with.

"Mm, I'll go with what you say."

Gardelia's smile was elegant and reserved, though what she said really didn't sound like something a noble Young Lady ought to say.

But that was genuinely what she thought. She trusted Mammon, and if Mammon said so, then it was definitely worth a look.

Just then, Mammon's video call connected, and Giovanni's mature face, wearing a faint smile, appeared on screen.

"Hey, Dad."

"Mammon, what's up?"

Giovanni seemed to be in a good mood—after all, Mammon had been in Alola for so long and had finally given him a video call.

He must be missing me, right? I should find time to go to Alola and visit the kid too.

"It's like this, Dad. Today I had a little scuffle with the Island Kings here in Alola, and the Sinnoh Champion Cynthia was there at the time. Get things ready on your end—the Kanto League should be reaching out to investigate you soon. Don't slip up."

"???"

Giovanni's smile froze instantly.

(End of chapter)