If this video spread, Silver Rowan's threats toward Shiro and the others would instantly become public, and the reputation of the Jhoto Alliance would plummet.
It wouldn't disappear from the political map, but its credibility would be shattered. Trainer participation in Jhoto would sharply fall—and since Pokémon species were nearly identical between Jhoto and Kanto—most trainers would simply choose Kanto instead.
"Despicable…" Silver Rowan growled as he glared at the footage displayed on the Shadow Clone Ash's phone.
Ash and the others burst out laughing.
Especially Shiro—he nearly doubled over.
"That's rich coming from you," Ash said, dismissing the clone and shaking the phone lightly.
"You were the one who attacked first."
"You already took what you wanted. Delete the video."
Silver Rowan's voice trembled. The situation had collapsed entirely, and he now clung to the faint hope that the recording wouldn't circulate. If it did, the stain on his name would follow him for life.
"Don't panic."
Ash tilted his head slightly, his expression mocking.
"Cousin, maybe my ears are broken, but I could've sworn the Champion of the Jhoto region just offered me all his family's precious medicine stock?"
"I heard it too," Shiro replied immediately. "Such generosity. Truly heartwarming. Someone practically shoving treasures into Ash's hands."
The implication was obvious:
Extortion disguised as gratitude.
Though Ash had many formulas from the System, plenty of rare herbs no longer existed anywhere—like the ones used for Rare Candy. His demand for high-grade herbs wasn't just greed; it was necessity.
"Pfft—"
Two soft laughs slipped out at the same time.
Lorelei and Chie Aoyama, despite their mature, composed demeanors, couldn't hold back and covered their mouths quickly.
"…Fine. I'll give it."
Hearing their laughter and facing the humiliation, Silver Rowan clenched his teeth and yielded. He knew refusing wasn't an option—not this time.
"Good. I'll wait for your herbs. Make sure they're precious, not defective scraps. And the quantity—large. As long as I'm satisfied, this video won't see the light of day. Otherwise…"
Ash didn't need to finish.
Silver Rowan understood perfectly.
Ash's smile, in that moment, felt unbearably hateful to him.
He hadn't just failed to take advantage—he had instead delivered everything to his opponent on a silver platter.
Worse, the recording showed him threatening others with a life-saving resource, treating ordinary people like disposable pawns. If it leaked, the Jhoto region could survive, but his family would be annihilated.
Especially the Takahashi and Sato families—they had long held resentment, even though their surface cooperation with the Rowan family appeared strong. Behind the scenes, they despised how Silver Rowan used his Champion status to siphon benefits.
If this scandal broke, they would be the first to strike.
Thinking this far, Silver Rowan felt cold sweat trickling down his back.
"Wait!" he called as Ash turned to leave. "I already agreed. Delete the video."
Ash paused and looked back at him.
"Champion Rowan… do you take me for an idiot, or do you think your IQ is too high?"
His voice sharpened.
"We'll talk after I have the goods in hand."
Because of Silver Rowan's words, Ash paused and slowly shook the phone in his hand.
"But what if you decide you don't want to delete it afterward?" Ash asked calmly. "And how am I supposed to trust you?"
His words made Silver Rowan's expression collapse.
I'll delete it after I get what I want?
That implied it might never be deleted at all.
"Trust?" Ash sneered. "Why would I care whether you trust me? I only need one thing—the goods. Understand? And do you still think you have a choice?"
Ash lifted the phone casually.
"Oh—almost forgot," he added, his tone light but sinister. "I don't mind if the other families buy this video off me with their precious herbs. So you might want to hurry. Time doesn't wait."
Silver Rowan's face turned ashen.
Especially when he noticed the gleam in Ryo Takahashi's eyes—the intent to seize the opportunity if Rowan failed.
Ash, Shiro, Lorelei, and Agatha looked on with amusement.
Watching the supposed Champion of Jhoto being toyed with in Ash's palm was almost embarrassing.
Damn you… wait for me.
Silver Rowan glared at Ash's retreating back, hatred boiling in his chest. He couldn't resist Ash's personal strength—but Pokémon battles were different.
In his mind, Ash's Pokémon couldn't possibly be that strong, even after seeing the video earlier.
But that only showed how blind he truly was.
"Let's go."
After Ash and the others left, Silver Rowan forced himself to turn around.
At the same moment, Ryo Takahashi discreetly sent a message to his father.
If the Takahashi family obtained the video, they would no longer be suppressed by the Rowan family.
Their strength was already superior, yet they were constantly pushed down because Silver Rowan held the Champion seat. The Rowan family had siphoned benefits while stepping on others—deep resentment simmered beneath the surface.
"Didn't expect you to have something like that up your sleeve, Ash," Shiro said happily as they walked.
"That was way too satisfying."
"I keep remembering Silver Rowan's expression," Lorelei added with a faint smile. "It makes me want to laugh all over again."
The aura she released with that smile made Ash swallow unconsciously.