Eliminating the local forces?
Cain wanted that more than anything!
If those forces weren't cleaned out, it was as if leeches were silently feeding on Hoenn's regional resources.
Though it was impossible to eradicate them all, that was why Juan only asked Cain to deal with the ones causing the most disturbance. All those factions were already on the League's records.
After all, Team Heaven had remained quiet and thus stayed out of the League's sights.
"Also, the remnants of Team Magma and Team Aqua have completely disappeared for now. Be cautious when acting—if you find them, report immediately," Juan added.
Cain nodded.
"As for the forces that remained calm during this incident, evaluate if there's room for maneuvering. Integrating them or even cooperating in different ways is possible—but make sure they hold no hostility toward the League. When dealing with underground forces, the best way is often to use other underground forces."
As he said that, Juan hesitated for a moment.
It went against his own ideals, but he had to admit—it was a practical and efficient method.
For example, in Mauville City, compared to other cities plunged into chaos, the calm was almost unnatural.
That was because Team Heaven kept things under control, and the city's thugs didn't dare make a move.
Some people were like that: they didn't fear the League, but they did fear the local organizations that lurked in the shadows. They knew that even if the League caught them, as long as they didn't commit unforgivable crimes, their lives wouldn't be in danger. But those dark forces knew no such mercy — provoke them, and there was only one word: kill.
Thus, after falling completely under Team Heaven's control, Mauville City's crime rate plummeted. Those very statistics now sat on Juan's desk.
"Understood!" Cain replied once more.
After that, Juan went on to distribute and assign more duties and tasks.
From that list, it was clear the Hoenn League was determined to strengthen its overall power, in every aspect, to provide better conditions for trainers.
For instance: lowering the requirements to receive a starter Pokémon, reducing the cost of treatment and lodging in Pokémon Centers for trainers not directly affiliated with the League, and regulating the prices of common market materials like Poké Balls, basic medicines, and Repels...
All of that would come out of the League's pocket.
From start to finish, the League's finance minister hadn't shown a single smile, his brow deeply furrowed.
That was all money! It was flowing away like water. At first glance, the numbers seemed small, but he could already foresee it — before long, the entire Hoenn region would be teeming with new trainers.
And with Cain as an example — a civilian-born trainer who had managed to become an Elite Four — how many more ordinary people would now step forward, walking the trainer's path without hesitation?
...
While the Hoenn League was deep in meetings, gatherings were also being held across other regions. The main topic: Cain had become one of Hoenn's Elite Four — and not just that, the youngest ever.
Seventeen years old, only a few months away from turning eighteen.
"Hahaha! Lance, your title as the youngest Elite Four has just been stolen by your good friend," a booming voice rang out, accompanied by a bare, muscle-bound torso covered in scars. It was Bruno, Kanto's Fighting-type Elite Four.
Hearing that, Lance smiled faintly. "It happened fast. Cain's growth rate astonishes me — it makes me feel inferior."
"Even though my Pokémon's raw power surpasses his, right now I only have a single-core strategy. If we fought, I'm not sure who would win. After all, I'm not like Steven — he can completely counter Cain's double Sandstorm core."
"Tsk, that's not something a Kanto Elite Four should be saying. As Kanto's greatest Dragon-type trainer, Lance, how can you — who's never feared anything — now be giving credit to others and downplaying yourself? No one's ever broken your record of challenging Bruno eighteen times in a row."
The one who spoke was an elderly woman with a cane and a sly smile — Agatha, the Ghost-type master, Kanto's Elite Four of Ghosts.
In another seat sat a man with a white scarf and an expression as cold as his Ice-types — Pryce, the Ice-type Elite Four.
But he said nothing. Eyes closed, he simply rested.
The others were used to that.
Hearing Agatha's words, Bruno grimaced. "Lance, how about I let you take my spot as the Third Elite Four, and you stop challenging me?"
When Lance first joined the Elite Four, both by order and strength, he had been placed as the fourth.
For someone as proud as him, that was unacceptable.
And so began the famous streak of eighteen consecutive battles.
Though he hadn't won a single one, Bruno suffered bitterly through it; he knew that pain well.
Lance shook his head. "No need. I know there's still a big gap between us. But thanks to Cain, I've found the key to my second core. Once I perfect my dual-core strategy, I'll challenge you again — and next time, I won't lose so miserably."
"Oh?" At those words, both Bruno and Agatha looked surprised. Even Pryce, who'd had his eyes closed, opened them slightly to glance at the confident Lance.
"Hahaha! Truly worthy of being Kanto's first genius. I didn't expect you to find your second core so soon. Don't worry — when you complete it, I'll fight you with everything I've got. Otherwise, I might just end up losing!" Bruno laughed heartily, as if the thought itself pleased him.
"In that case," Agatha suggested, "why not start an Elite Four Tour? It'll be perfect training for your second core. Begin with Kanto and Johto — once you've mastered it, travel to other regions and show them that Kanto's genius is second to none."
An Elite Four Tour?
Lance paused for a moment, then nodded decisively. "Alright! I'll start the Tour."
His face radiated confidence and fighting spirit.
At that moment, Pryce rose, walked toward the door, paused, and before leaving, said one sentence:
"The true genius of Kanto... has always been there."
Hearing that, Agatha and Bruno's expressions immediately changed.
Lance, however, didn't understand who he was referring to and asked curiously, "Agatha, Bruno — who does Pryce respect that much?"
Agatha and Bruno exchanged glances, then with a trace of resignation and bitterness, Agatha answered:
"That person... you already know him. It's Giovanni, the current leader of Team Rocket."
(End of chapter)