Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!-Chapter 400: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [] [40 PS]

Luo Yuan's ambition to take over Mauville City was bold enough to shock Hunter J.

She glanced at him, realizing that this fearless ambition must be why Luo Yuan had risen to become Team Rocket's second-in-command.

Compared to his level of ambition, hers seemed insignificant.

Beside them, Matori, ever efficient, was already pulling up detailed information about Mauville Holdings on the holographic projector.

"Mauville Holdings was once a company on par with Devon Corp, primarily focused on energy industries," she began.

"However, a series of strategic missteps led to severe financial losses, forcing the company into bankruptcy."

She highlighted two major projects that had sunk the company.

"The first was the Sea Mauville offshore energy platform. It was their flagship operation until Devon Corp developed '∞ Energy,' inspired by the Ultimate Weapon of Kalos legend. This technology, which converts Pokémon life energy into power, rendered Sea Mauville obsolete, forcing its abandonment."

"The second was the Neo Mauville Project. At the time, the project was overseen by Iron Wattson, now the Mauville Gym Leader. Wattson discovered that the project would harm the surrounding Pokémon ecosystem. Citing environmental concerns, he halted the project, which directly led to Mauville Holdings' collapse."

Matori paused before adding, "There's also a rumor tied to internal investigation files. Some evidence suggests that Wattson may have been bribed by Devon Corp to sabotage the Neo Mauville Project, effectively betraying Mauville Holdings. However, this has never been confirmed, as the company dissolved before it could be investigated."

Hunter J raised an eyebrow at the sordid details. "Big corporations sure are messy."

The brutal reality of corporate warfare stood in stark contrast to the cohesion within Team Rocket, where Giovanni handled strategy and Luo Yuan led internal operations and external expansion.

Together, they had forged Team Rocket into an unyielding force.

---

"So, where do we start?" Matori asked, turning to Luo Yuan.

Though Mauville Holdings seemed like a swamp of complications, Luo Yuan didn't hesitate.

"We start with Iron Wattson," he said.

Regardless of whether Wattson was a traitor or not, he was the key to acquiring Mauville Holdings and reviving the Neo Mauville Project.

"Start with him?"

"Exactly. The Neo Mauville Project was shelved due to concerns about its impact on the local Pokémon ecosystem. But now, with the Aether Foundation's expertise in conservation backing us, we can propose a viable, sustainable plan."

The advantages of partnering with the Aether Foundation were already becoming clear.

As a globally recognized Pokémon conservation organization, their endorsement would smooth over any environmental concerns and make the project's approval much easier.

"And if Wattson refuses?" Hunter J asked, though she immediately regretted it.

As expected, Luo Yuan shot her a look that said, Are you serious?

"If he agrees, that's great. If not..." Luo Yuan smirked. "Since when did Team Rocket become a charity organization?"

---

Mauville City

Mauville City, one of Hoenn's largest metropolitan areas, was bustling with activity.

However, the city had seen no expansion since the Neo Mauville Project was abandoned years ago. While still lively, its growth had stagnated.

"Our infiltration of Mauville City is complete," Hunter J reported as she, Matori, and Luo Yuan (disguised using Ditto) stood outside Mauville Game Corner.

Luo Yuan glanced at the building, its constant flow of customers making its purpose clear.

Another Team Rocket base, modeled after the infamous Celadon Game Corner.

Luo Yuan couldn't help but grin.

It seemed Giovanni had a habit of building game corners as bases in every region, perhaps as a way to exorcise the lingering bitterness of Celadon's downfall.

"Good thing the League doesn't know," Luo Yuan mused. "Otherwise, they'd have a field day investigating game corners and uncovering Rocket bases everywhere."

Jokes aside, Luo Yuan knew how valuable these game corners were.

The steady flow of untraceable cash provided Team Rocket with a reliable income and a means to launder other revenue streams.

They were critical to the organization's operations.

Skipping a tour of the game corner, Luo Yuan led Hunter J and Matori to Mauville Gym.

Upon entering, a staff member glanced at them and quickly dismissed them.

"This isn't an open challenge day. We're not accepting any battles. Please leave."

They had been mistaken for rookie Trainers looking to challenge the Gym.

Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow and gestured to Matori.

She stepped forward. "We're here to discuss a business proposal with Leader Wattson."

The staff member hesitated. "A business proposal? The Leader didn't mention any appointments."

Luo Yuan sighed internally. It seemed their efforts were off to a rocky start.

Deciding not to waste time, Luo Yuan snapped his fingers, and his eyes briefly glowed blue.

The staff member's expression shifted from confusion to deference.

"My apologies, Mr. K. Please come in. Leader Wattson is waiting inside."

That's more like it.

Following the now-pliant staff member, Luo Yuan, Matori, and Hunter J navigated through the Gym's maze-like puzzle traps, meant to test Trainers.

Finally, they found Iron Wattson, who was busy working on a machine with a wrench in hand.

Seeing the group approach, Wattson frowned. "Didn't I say I wasn't accepting challengers today?"

He turned to the staff member for an explanation.

The staff member, still under Luo Yuan's control, quickly explained, "Leader, this is Mr. K. He and his associates are here to discuss a business opportunity."

"Business?" Wattson murmured, surprised.

It had been years since anyone had approached him with such a proposition.

The last time was when he had been part of Mauville Holdings' management team.

---

...

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