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Hulbury Town.
"By the way, Hop, how strong are you now?"
Mammon took out the contract and then asked Hop.
After all, he was about to have Hop sign a contract, so he naturally needed to understand his current level. Although Mammon knew very well that Hop was definitely qualified for a Senior Executive contract.
"It's not me bragging, Mammon, but my strength is still very strong! I'm only a little bit weaker than Gloria!"
Hop confidently puffed out his chest. Well, ever since he started his journey, he had never won against Gloria once.
But he was also a Trainer who had obtained all the Gym Badges.
"Oh? Only a little bit weaker than Gloria?" Mammon feigned surprise.
"Then it seems my luck is pretty good, to have such a powerful fan."
Then Mammon couldn't help but smile.
"Hehe~ After all, I can't embarrass Big Brother, so I usually work very hard."
Hop awkwardly rubbed his nose, then scratched the back of his head and chuckled innocently.
It was clear that Hop was truly a pure and innocent young man.
But it was precisely because of this that he was able to selflessly comfort the Shield King Zamazenta, who was suffering from the Gigantamax energy, in the game.
One must know that at that time, the Shield King Zamazenta had truly gone berserk due to the Gigantamax energy entering its body. Approaching it could very likely result in being attacked and harmed.
However, Hop, worried about the Shield King Zamazenta's safety, chased after it, comforting it, and never gave up even when attacked.
Finally, because of Hop's sincerity, he was blessed in disguise and gained the Shield King Zamazenta's recognition.
In some respects, Hop and Ash were actually very similar: both innocent, both deeply loved Pokémon, and both yearned to be the strongest.
So, Mammon actually had a good impression of Hop.
"Who is your Big Brother?"
Platinum asked curiously.
"My Big Brother is Leon! He's a very amazing Champion," Hop replied proudly.
Leon was indeed Hop's first idol, and it was precisely because of this that Hop never gave up on his efforts. One of the reasons was that he didn't want to embarrass Leon, so he desperately wanted to become a qualified Trainer.
Upon hearing this, Caitlin and the other two women looked at Hop with some surprise. Leon's younger brother, huh?
"So he's Leon's younger brother? No wonder."
Mammon looked at Hop, who awkwardly scratched his head again under the gaze.
"Yes, Big Brother has always been my goal. I also want to become a powerful Champion like Big Brother."
"Is that so? But I actually think, Hop, you are very different from Leon."
Mammon patted Hop's shoulder and said with a smile.
"Huh?" Hop was stunned.
"Hop is Hop, and Leon is Leon. You are different people and have different paths."
Mammon's words had a deeper meaning.
"Champion Leon is very strong, but Hop, don't blindly Mimic your Big Brother. If you do, you will never be able to catch up to Champion Leon's footsteps, and this is certainly not your own path."
"Although I don't know your thoughts, I hope you can understand this point: your future is your own. You can learn from others' paths to success, but ultimately, if you want to reach the peak, you must find your own Champion will."
Mammon spoke earnestly to Hop.
In fact, among the rivals in 'Sword and Shield,' Hop was the character with the most development, because his growth was quite winding.
But this also proved Hop's potential, and Mammon was quite optimistic about him.
"My own path?" Hop was somewhat lost in thought upon hearing this, his eyes a little vacant.
This was the first time someone had taught him with such patience and detail.
What was his path? He recalled his journey.
Actually, his journey had been very difficult. He had never once defeated Gloria, not even once. Not only Gloria, but he couldn't even beat Bede…
It seemed that failure had always been his constant companion, like a shadow.
Yes, for Hop, it truly was 'failure like the wind, always by my side.'
Although Hop possessed an unimaginable inner resilience, how could he not be affected?
For a period after losing to Bede, Hop fell into confusion and struggle. During that time, he even sealed away the Poké Ball of his beloved Wooloo, all for the sake of becoming stronger.
But later he understood that he couldn't abandon his bonds with Wooloo and the others. He wanted to become stronger, but he also couldn't abandon his 'weak' Pokémon.
"That's right, it looks like you're still a bit confused, Hop. Let me tell you something."
Mammon looked into Hop's eyes and said in a gentle voice.
"When striving towards a higher goal, ninety-nine percent of people will not have a smooth journey. Encountering setbacks and confusion is an inevitable path."
"But what can we do? By overcoming these high walls of difficulty, these setbacks will only become nourishment for our gradual growth, until we stand on that highest peak."
"So, always face your inner self and your dreams, and move forward with unwavering determination. Then everyone will hear our story, understand?"
Mammon's voice was like a gentle breeze, not heavy, but it dispelled the confusion in Hop's heart at that moment, bringing him back to his senses.
"I understand! Mammon, thank you!"
Hop's eyes gradually cleared, and his tone once again became enthusiastic and energetic.
Yes, failure actually… isn't scary! It's the nourishment for his gradual strengthening.
Hop deeply agreed with Mammon's recent words, because wasn't this his own personal experience?
Although he had never won against Gloria, and although failure accompanied him like the wind, he had always been getting stronger!
One day, everyone in the Galar region would look up to him, Hop!!
Hop looked at Mammon with admiration. As expected of his second idol, Mammon!
"Strength, ideals, belonging, Hop, I believe you will one day obtain them, and by then, you will surely surpass your brother Leon. Do you have confidence?"
Mammon asked with a smile.
"I do!!" Hop answered very loudly, very excitedly.
Caitlin looked at Mammon and Hop with a strange expression. Why did these words sound so… familiar?
"Very good, very spirited." Mammon nodded with satisfaction, then handed the contract to Hop.
"Then sign it, Hop. From today on, you are a Senior Executive of Team Rockets."
"Yay!"
Hop didn't hesitate, didn't even look at the contract, and directly signed his name at the bottom of it.
Because he trusted his idol, Mammon. Mammon would never deceive him.
"You fellow, you signed without even looking? What if there were unfair terms in the contract?"
Mammon looked at Hop, who handed the contract back, both amused and exasperated.
This guy trusted him too much.
"Hehe~ I trust Mammon." Hop chuckled innocently, scratching his head.
"Should I thank you? In the future, you need to be more careful about these things, understand? It's a good thing it was me, otherwise, you might have been a slave for the rest of your life."
Mammon found it incredibly amusing. This Hop truly possessed a purity untouched by the world's corrupting influence.
Before Hop could respond, a pleasant female voice drifted over.
"Mammon is right, Hop. You really don't have any Miracle Eye. You're definitely going to suffer losses in the future."
The beautiful orange-haired woman walked over, swaying her slender waist, and playfully tapped Hop's head.
"Ow, ow, ow, Sonia, what was that for?!" Hop cried out in pain, clutching his head.
"It's all because you're too reckless. Really, it's a good thing this person is Mammon."
Sonia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"Tch…" Hop pouted.
"Mammon, Miss Caitlin, long time no see."
Then Sonia greeted Mammon and Caitlin with natural grace.
Caitlin nodded in response.
"Actually, it hasn't been that long. Miss Sonia, why are you here?"
Mammon looked at Sonia with considerable curiosity.
"I was preparing to investigate a ruin nearby, but I didn't expect Hulbury Town to have so many people these past two days. I heard something big happened in Motostoke City."
Sonia replied, seemingly a little troubled.
"As for Motostoke City, the matter has been resolved. We just returned from there," Mammon replied.
Upon hearing this, Sonia was quite curious and wanted to know more about the situation in Motostoke City.
"Chairman Rose will release a statement very soon about the details. And Hop, this is the Senior Executive's identification badge, for you."
Mammon handed the silver badge of a Team Rockets Senior Executive to Hop.
"Yes! Haha~ From today on, I'm also a Team Rockets Executive! Sonia, isn't it cool?"
Hop was overjoyed, taking the badge and jumping around, even showing it off to Sonia.
"Cool, very cool." Sonia replied with a hint of helplessness, looking at Hop, who was like a child.
This kid, is he really that happy to join Team Rockets? This might not necessarily be a good thing. I wonder what Leon will think…
"And then, if you become a Senior Executive of the organization, you can choose one Ultra Beast to train. Hop, see which one you like."
Mammon gestured with his phone to Hop, letting Hop choose an Ultra Beast.
"Wow! There's a benefit like this too?"
Hop's eyes lit up. This was a complete surprise.
But with an Ultra Beast available, Hop naturally wouldn't give it up.
Sonia, seeing this, also came over curiously to take a look. Ultra Beast, if she remembered correctly, were very precious Pokémon from Alola.
"Emmm… I feel like they're all very powerful."
Looking at these Ultra Beasts, Hop bit his finger, deeply conflicted. He felt like he liked all of them.
"Mammon, which one did Gloria choose?"
Hop thought for a moment and asked Mammon.
"Gloria chose Nihilego."
"Then I'll choose Kartana!"
Hop said decisively. The Rock/Poison-type Nihilego was weak to Steel-type. If there hadn't been any Ground-type Ultra Beasts.
Hop would have chosen a Ground-type no matter what, to counter Gloria's Nihilego!
Next time, he would definitely defeat Gloria!
"No problem. Once we enter Hulbury Town, I'll have someone teleport Kartana over," Mammon said with a smile.
Mammon didn't have any particular thoughts about Hop choosing Kartana to counter Nihilego, as this kind of type-advantage choice wasn't strange.
Moreover, in a full battle, one would also have to successfully match up.
"That's great! I'm going to have an Ultra Beast soon!"
Hop was incredibly excited.
"No, such good news must be told to Big Brother!"
Hop impatiently took out his phone, ready to tell this joyful news to his older brother.
Seeing this, Sonia hesitated to speak, while Mammon's eyes lit up.
"I'm sure Champion Leon will also be happy for you, Hop," Mammon smiled brightly.
"Hehe~ I think so too."
Hop's smile was equally brilliant, and he had already dialed the number.
In a short while, the call was connected.
"Hop, what's wrong?"
Leon, still in Motostoke City, was with Raihan, watching Rose arrange work for the construction foreman. Leon spoke gently.
"Big Brother, where are you?"
"I'm in Motostoke City. There's something urgent here." As if remembering something, Leon added.
"By the way, Hop, I also happened to have something I wanted to talk to you about recently. Let's meet up in the next couple of days."
Leon felt it necessary to solemnly remind his dear younger brother to stay away from Mammon, lest he be 'charmed' by him.
"Alright, I'm in Hulbury Town. Big Brother, I have some good news to tell you!"
Hop's voice was very cheerful.
"Oh? What good news? Did you beat Gloria?" Leon smiled. Every time he talked to Hop, he felt genuinely relaxed.
After all, no one understood his younger brother's innocent nature better than Leon.
"No, not that yet, but I'll defeat her one day!" Hop pouted.
"It's Team Rockets! Big Brother, I just met Mammon from Team Rockets, and Mammon even agreed to let me join Team Rockets!!"
"…"
"Big Brother, Mammon is super cool! And he's so gentle. I think joining Team Rockets is truly the wisest decision I've ever made. I must work with Mammon to eliminate the darkness in this world! To make the sky of this world clean and beautiful!"
"…"
"And do you know, Big Brother, Mammon even encouraged me! Strength, ideals, belonging! He said I would surely have them all in the future, and I would definitely surpass you, Big Brother. Super cool! Hehe~ I think so too! I will definitely surpass Big Brother!"
"…"
"Big Brother, why aren't you talking? Big Brother? Hello? Hello? Big Brother, are you still there? Are you listening? Strange, the call hasn't hung up. Big Brother, what's going on?"