Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

The moment the referee declared the match over, Dragonite swayed its head happily.

Under Luo Yuan's command, it had performed spectacularly in this battle, sustaining only negligible damage. The cheers from the audience made it even more ecstatic.

For the spectators, watching Dragonite achieve a one-on-three victory had been a thrilling experience.

In Kanto, Dragonite wasn't just a beloved Pokémon—it was a regional symbol.

While the Pokémon world generally lacked regional prejudice, people always cheered for their hometown heroes.

Watching Dragonite decisively defeat a trainer from Hoenn filled Kanto's audience with pride.

Fans waved and shouted toward Dragonite, who basked in the attention.

Why did I waste all those years on that island? Dragonite mused. This is the life I want—cheering fans and bright spotlights!

"Lost… I actually lost…"

For Keita, this was an outcome he couldn't have imagined before arriving in Kanto.

He had expected to at least reach the semifinals of the Indigo Conference, if not further.

Yet, he hadn't even made it past the first round of the preliminaries.

"Damn it, if only I hadn't used Aggron…"

Keita hadn't even sent out his second main Pokémon, Swampert, leaving his core strategy untested.

Of course, the possibility of Swampert also being crushed by Dragonite wasn't something he wanted to consider.

After applying some healing spray to Ludicolo's injuries, Keita returned it to its Poké Ball.

He looked at Luo Yuan and said sincerely, "I hope you win the championship!"

It wasn't sarcasm.

Keita genuinely hoped Luo Yuan would achieve a good result in the Indigo Conference.

After all, losing to the eventual champion was far more respectable than being defeated by an unknown rookie. It would at least prove that his own strength wasn't completely lacking.

Luo Yuan merely smiled at the comment, choosing not to respond.

After confirming the match results with the referee, Luo Yuan hopped onto Dragonite's back.

Giving its head an affectionate pat, he said, "Let's go."

Dragonite stretched its neck, gave a triumphant roar, and then took off into the sky, its massive wings propelling it upward.

The spectacle left the audience and observing trainers stunned.

"That's… one way to make an exit," one of the trainers muttered as they exchanged glances.

---

Just as the trainers were about to leave, three figures in trench coats, masks, and sunglasses approached them, blocking their path.

"Interested in something exclusive?" whispered James, leaning toward one of the trainers.

"???"

The trainer stared, utterly confused.

Jessie rolled her eyes and smacked James on the head.

"Can you not sound so shady? You're making us look like we're selling something illegal!"

As James clutched his head in pain, Meowth stepped forward.

"Would you like to purchase recordings of the matches? We've got the freshest and most comprehensive footage from all the preliminary arenas, nya~!"

Meowth opened its coat to reveal a row of freshly burned DVDs still warm from production.

After Luo Yuan had handed them a start-up fund, the Team Rocket trio had taken it as a personal challenge from both Giovanni and "K."

For days, they had racked their brains for moneymaking ideas.

Beyond selling souvenirs like commemorative pins and badges, they had also started hawking drinks, popcorn, and disposable rain ponchos for unexpected downpours.

When they realized this year's Indigo Conference was unusually competitive, James came up with a brilliant idea:

Sell match recordings of strong contestants.

Since the preliminary rounds weren't broadcast, many trainers had a genuine need for intel on their rivals. This presented a lucrative opportunity.

The trio had even requisitioned additional manpower from Team Rocket's HQ under "K's" name to record footage from every arena.

"Uh…"

The trainer looked at the DVDs and then at the still-grimacing James.

He hesitated briefly before relenting. "Alright, I'll take one."

Hearing this, Jessie beamed.

"Two thousand PokéDollars, please!"

The price wasn't high—equivalent to about ten Poké Balls.

For most trainers, it was pocket change.

Moreover, the production cost per DVD, even accounting for labor, was less than two hundred PokéDollars.

With a profit margin like that, the trio was raking it in.

The trainer reached for his wallet, but Jessie, impatient, snatched it, pulled out two thousand PokéDollars, and handed back the wallet along with the DVD.

Then she moved on to the next trainer.

This time, the sale went much smoother.

Humans are naturally competitive creatures.

Knowing that rivals had access to intel they didn't, trainers with even a shred of ambition couldn't afford to fall behind.

After the second sale, word spread, and the remaining trainers quickly understood what Jessie, James, and Meowth were selling.

In no time, a line formed, trainers eagerly waving cash to buy the recordings.

Even casual spectators couldn't resist.

For just two thousand PokéDollars, they could watch an entire morning's worth of battles, including preliminaries they'd missed.

The trio's inventory sold out entirely, leaving some would-be customers empty-handed.

Finally breaking away from the crowd, Jessie, James, and Meowth slumped into a secluded corner, clutching a pile of cash.

"So much money!"

"With this, Giovanni and K will definitely promote us to executives!"

"That's right, nya~!"

Their spirits soared.

The trio resolved to expand their recording operation, aiming to earn enough to secure their promotions as soon as possible.

---

Meanwhile, Luo Yuan was blissfully unaware that the Team Rocket trio had found a wildly successful business model by selling recordings of his battles.

Of course, even if he had known, he likely would've just laughed it off.

After all, showcasing Dragonite's strength was part of his plan.

With everyone's attention fixated on Dragonite, his other Pokémon could remain hidden in its shadow.

No matter how much intel his rivals gathered, knowing about Dragonite alone wasn't enough to truly prepare for him.

---

T/N: That's right! Charizard is the strongest!