Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 374: This Is Team Rocket’s Future! (BONUS)

Sinnoh, Sunyshore City.

After spending a few more days in Sunyshore, Johan bid farewell to Flint, Volkner, Maylene, and Jasmine before boarding a flight to the Hoenn region.

He had been in Sinnoh long enough, and honestly, he was starting to miss his own bed.

Besides—

If he calculated correctly, it was almost New Year's.

He couldn't just leave the Indeedee siblings at home to celebrate alone, right?

Sunyshore City Airport.

"Mr. Johan, I have some news. The League just sent it to me recently."

Before parting, Volkner spoke up.

"Oh?"

Was it about the League's reward?

After all, he had helped pacify that giant baby Regigigas. Surely, they would reward him with at least ten or twenty million Pokédollars, right?

"Uh... The Sinnoh League headquarters has officially invited you to participate in the next Lily of the Valley Conference, with no prerequisites required," Volkner said, glancing at his phone.

At the same time, he handed Johan an invitation letter detailing the tournament schedule and basic rewards.

After a brief silence—

Johan finally asked uncertainly,

"That's... it?"

"That's it."

Johan adjusted his glasses slightly, deep in thought.

Was this supposed to be his reward for helping with Regigigas?

Just a free pass to enter the Lily of the Valley Conference?

Did they seriously think that was enough?

Should he cancel his Hoenn trip, wake up Regigigas, and take it on a stroll to Lily of the Valley Island?

Sensing Johan's dangerous train of thought, Volkner quickly added,

"Yesterday, Elite Four Bertha called me. She said the Sinnoh League is still carefully considering the matter. They want to ensure you receive a reward that is absolutely satisfactory."

"You should have said that earlier— uh, I mean, protecting the Pokémon world is everyone's responsibility. Rewards aren't important."

Johan straightened his expression.

Flint scratched his head.

So... was he asking for a reward or not?

"Alright, see you next time."

Waving, Johan stepped into the airport.

After he was out of sight, Flint elbowed Volkner and lowered his voice.

"Does Johan want the reward or not?"

Having spent the past few days with Johan, Volkner had gained some understanding of him.

Without hesitation, he replied,

"He wants it. And he wants it soon!"

On the flight from Sunyshore City to Rustboro City.

"Lily of the Valley Conference, huh?"

Johan skimmed through the invitation letter Volkner had given him, mainly glancing at the rewards.

It was pretty similar to what the Indigo League offered.

However, the invitation did specify that these were base rewards, implying there was a more advanced version available.

"I'm not exactly short on money right now... I'll think about it later."

Johan casually stuffed the invitation into Gengar's mouth.

He still had over five million Pokédollars in his savings.

Cynthia's payment for the Regigigas research would likely be deposited in the next couple of days—at least another seven or eight million Pokédollars.

Plus, whatever the Sinnoh League was planning to reward him with.

He wasn't short on cash.

Over ten million Pokédollars!

For the first time, Johan actually felt financially comfortable.

And—

He had successfully recruited Alcremie for the café.

With the combined talents of the Indeedee sister and Alcremie, business was bound to boom.

At least for a while... money wouldn't be a problem.

Probably.

There was still plenty of time to think about it.

"Yimay~~"

Just like Gengar, Alcremie was pressed up against the airplane window, staring curiously at the scenery outside.

It was the little one's first time on a plane, so everything fascinated it.

From outside the plane window, one could see a large purple face and a small, cream-like face side by side.

—

Kanto, Viridian City. Team Rocket's Base.

"Boss!"

Matori's high heels clicked rapidly against the polished tiles as she excitedly approached Giovanni, holding a package in her hands.

"You're back."

Giovanni had just finished his workout. Wearing a sleeveless training shirt, his well-defined muscles were on full display—causing Matori's face to flush slightly.

"Yes!"

She nodded vigorously, then handed over a neatly wrapped pink gift box.

Giovanni raised an eyebrow at the unusual color choice but accepted it anyway.

Matori, full of curiosity, leaned in slightly.

She was eager to see what Johan had sent Giovanni.

After all, it was a gift from Johan, so she didn't dare open it herself.

As Giovanni unwrapped the packaging, a plain cardboard box was revealed.

Inside—

"Meow... Meowth?"

Matori blinked in surprise.

It was a plush toy of a Meowth!

Johan's gift... was a Meowth plushie?

She cautiously glanced at Giovanni's face but couldn't tell what he was thinking.

It wasn't that Johan's gift was bad. In fact, he had accurately pinpointed Giovanni's love for cats—after all, the boss had adopted an entire group of stray Meowth at the base.

It was just... not quite the kind of surprise she had been expecting.

"Hah."

Suddenly, Giovanni chuckled.

"Huh?"

"B-Boss?" Matori asked cautiously.

"Tell Johan that I really like this gift. He was thoughtful," Giovanni said with a smile.

"Y-Yes, sir..."

Matori nodded, but her confusion only deepened.

A Meowth plushie... made Giovanni this happy?

Was there some kind of hidden meaning behind it?

Giovanni seemed to notice her puzzlement. Or maybe, since the next phase of their operation involved this very subject, he decided to explain.

"You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

Matori's expression grew even more bewildered.

Giovanni lifted the Meowth plush and said,

"This is the next step."

"The... next step?"

"We're going to commercialize the characters from Meowth & Pichu, building brand recognition, attracting a loyal fanbase, and then—selling merchandise," Giovanni said confidently.

"Merchandise?!"

Matori blinked before realization struck.

She got it!

Johan's gift wasn't just a plushie—it was an actual business plan!

The animated series Meowth & Pichu had already built a solid fanbase.

With continued episodes, more supporters and fans would emerge. Eventually, people would want to buy official Meowth and Pichu merchandise.

And if managed properly—

Merchandising could be far more profitable than the show itself.

Plushies, capsule toys, keychains, figurines, stationery, clothing—it could all form a massive industry.

But even that wasn't the real plan.

In Giovanni's eyes—

This was about integrating Team Rocket into the daily lives of ordinary people.

Imagine—

If things went smoothly, starting with basic items like figures and plushies, they could expand into clothing, stationery, keychains, even household goods like water bottles and wash basins.

Slowly but surely—

Team Rocket would weave itself into everyday life.

Once their brand was solidified, they could expand into various industries, producing all sorts of daily necessities.

What was this?

This was a grassroots takeover—a bottom-up strategy to surround the Pokémon League by embedding Team Rocket into society itself!

Not only would Team Rocket establish itself publicly—

But it would do so in a way the League couldn't directly oppose.

Was this just a plush toy?

No.

This was Team Rocket's future!

"...No wonder Johan is so highly regarded," Matori murmured.

At the same time, she felt a heavy weight on her shoulders.

It was clear—this project would fall under her responsibilities.

—

"Like it? Glad to hear that."

"Grateful? Haha, it's just a simple plushie. No need to be so formal."

"Alright, next time I'll drop by for a visit."

Johan hung up his call with Matori and rubbed his chin.

"Looks like Giovanni really does love cats... A single Meowth plushie made him this happy?"

"If I send him a life-sized Persian plush next time, will he be over the moon?"

"This guy's actually pretty easy to get along with..."

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

Walking through the familiar streets of Rustboro City, he spotted his café in the distance.

Waiting at the entrance—

The Indeedee siblings.

"Ai~yi~~"

"Ai, ai-yi~"

After giving them a big hug, Johan released his Pokémon.

It had only been a few days, but the reunion was full of excitement.

"Yimay?"

Alcremie shyly peeked out from behind Johan, looking at them.

"Ai-yi?"

The Indeedee sister, who had already noticed Alcremie, immediately stepped forward with a warm, gentle gaze.

"Yimay~"

A gentle Indeedee sister, a shy Indeedee brother, and an understanding Alcremie—

The café's lineup had leveled up once again!

Johan looked at the little ones getting acquainted again and clapped his hands.

"I got you all some gifts!"

Bringing back gifts after a trip had practically become a household tradition.

The moment he said that, all the Pokémon's eyes lit up.

Gengar, in particular, was the most eager, floating closer with an excited "Ka-kaah!"

Johan chuckled and began distributing the gifts one by one.

For the Indeedee siblings, he had brought a set of beautifully carved wooden serving trays from Sinnoh, perfect for use in the café.

For Alcremie, he had specially picked up a set of premium cream-based ingredients—something it could use to experiment with new flavors.

For Gengar, he had gotten a ghostly-patterned scarf, something stylish yet fitting for its mischievous nature.

For Charcadet, he had found a high-quality polishing stone, perfect for maintaining the shine of its armor.

And for Ninetales—

"A special brush. It's made with fine bristles designed for Fire-type fur, should feel really nice."

"Oowoo~" Ninetales rubbed against him, clearly pleased.

Seeing everyone happily examining their gifts, Johan felt a sense of satisfaction.

Home.

This was home.

Though he had traveled far and seen much, the feeling of returning to the café, to his Pokémon, to the ones waiting for him—it was something irreplaceable.

As the afternoon sun cast a golden glow over Rustboro City, Johan stretched lazily.

"Alright, let's get back to work. Business won't run itself."

With that, the daily routine of the café resumed, but this time, with an even stronger team.

And who knew?

With Alcremie now part of the crew, maybe the café really would become famous for having the best cakes in Hoenn.

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Powerstones?

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