Chapter 240: Closed-Door Meeting
The eight matches for the Top 16 to Top 8 were spread across four days, with two matches each day.
Aside from Gary defeating Ash, both Ash and Ethan were eliminated in the Top 16, while Silver, being stronger than Ethan, successfully advanced.
Asahi, holding Eevee in his arms, said to Silver and Gary, "Based on the current brackets, if both of you keep winning, the finals will be an internal battle between you two."
Hearing this, Silver glanced at Gary, then shook his head.
He had struggled to make it into the Top 8, so reaching the finals seemed nearly impossible.
Just then, Ethan slapped Silver's shoulder and grinned, "Come on, partner! I believe in you!"
Silver looked at Ethan, who flashed a big smile and gave a thumbs-up, his white teeth shining.
After a brief silence, Silver eventually nodded.
"I'll fight for both of us."
…
Kanto League Headquarters — Meeting Room
Lance, Asahi, and Agatha sat in the meeting room for a small internal Kanto League meeting.
"The League Council has agreed to your proposal," Lance said.
"Hmm…" Asahi nodded.
After waiting a while without hearing more, he asked, "That's it? … And then?"
Lance blinked. "And then what?"
"… Don't tell me the Council held days of meetings just to discuss this one thing," Asahi said, speechless.
"Uh…"
Lance looked slightly embarrassed.
Though Lance didn't say anything, Asahi could guess the answer just from his expression.
Asahi: "…"
He knew the Council was inefficient, but this was ridiculous.
The plan was already prepared — they just had to approve it — yet it took them this long.
Unbelievable…
"It's not entirely the Council's fault. The recent Galactic Team attack also took up a lot of their resources," Agatha added, speaking up for the Council.
Asahi shrugged, showing he didn't really care.
His direct superior was the International Police, so even if Lance became Champion in the future, he'd still have to deal with the League Council's bureaucracy.
After all, even Champions couldn't bypass the Council when making decisions.
Thinking about this, Asahi gave Lance a sympathetic look.
Noticing Asahi's expression, Lance immediately understood what he meant.
… It really was a headache.
…
Moving past the complaints about the League Council…
Asahi pulled a tablet out from Gengar's belly.
"I received some intel from Giovanni — it's about the people involved in the recent attack."
As he spoke, Asahi's expression turned thoughtful.
When Giovanni had contacted him, even Asahi was surprised.
After all, it was usually Asahi who reached out to Giovanni first. For Giovanni to make the first move was quite rare.
It was clear that Asahi's deliberate teasing earlier had thoroughly exasperated Giovanni.
But when Giovanni tried to exchange intel with him, Asahi only needed a single line to send Giovanni's blood pressure soaring:
[Thank you for the information. Unfortunately, we at the International Police never trade with criminals. :) — Asahi]
What a pity Asahi couldn't witness Giovanni's reaction in person.
Suppressing a small sigh of regret, Asahi shared the intel with Lance. "Lance, do you recognize this person?"
Lance's expression turned a bit awkward.
Even now, he still found it absurd — both in theory and reality — that Asahi had somehow established a line of communication with Giovanni.
Yet, his hands were honest, and he quickly opened the file Asahi had sent.
The document was incredibly detailed — name, gender, age, home address, personal relationships, and even the person's Pokémon team. It was more comprehensive than the League's own database.
After skimming through the information, Lance's brows furrowed. "It seems to be someone from the League's logistics department… Is this the person who attacked the prosecutor?"
Lance was well aware that Team Rocket had infiltrated the League at various levels, but he had never imagined that one day, Giovanni himself would provide intel on his own moles.
Asahi nodded. "Let's verify it… Though, knowing Giovanni, he wouldn't play petty tricks with something like this."
"If it checks out… deal with it swiftly."
Agatha, who had been silently listening to the exchange between Asahi and Lance, was thoroughly stunned.
If she understood correctly, Asahi had just said that Giovanni voluntarily handed over information about a Team Rocket agent — the very person responsible for the recent attack on the League prosecutor?
A criminal organization taking the initiative to expose their own undercover operative… Was this some kind of new trend?
Had she grown too old to keep up with the times?
While Agatha was wondering whether she should just retire and live out her days in peace, Asahi smoothly shifted the topic to the Indigo League.
"Lance, I've partnered with the Silph Company this time. We're using the Indigo League to create a celebrity trainer."
"…Gary?" Lance guessed immediately.
Lately, every major newspaper had been hyping Gary as the frontrunner for the championship.
Lance had assumed it was simply because Gary had gained popularity…
He hadn't expected Asahi to be the mastermind behind it all.
Hearing this, Agatha also recalled Professor Oak's grandson.
"Aren't you worried it'll backfire? What if Gary doesn't win the championship?"
Despite Gary's solid performance in the Gym challenge, Pokémon battles were full of unpredictability.
"A bit of pressure is a good motivator," Asahi replied with a slight smile. "Gary's been training under me for a while — he can handle it."
"Even if, worst-case scenario, Gary doesn't win the championship, building a celebrity trainer is still a win for the Kanto League."
Lance nodded in agreement.
But given his understanding of Asahi, he knew Asahi wouldn't bring this up unless he needed something from him. "So, what do you need me to do?"
"I need you to do this during the finals… then this…"
Asahi laid out his plan step by step.
After listening to everything, Agatha once again confirmed to herself — she really was old.
…
Asahi met Cynthia at a café. She was wearing a beige trench coat, holding a spoonful of ice cream about to enter her mouth.
Casually, Asahi sat down across from her and placed his tray on the table. Without hesitation, he asked, "Vanilla? Why not chocolate?"
Hearing him, Cynthia glanced at the two chocolate ice creams on Asahi's tray. The look of anticipation and happiness on her face froze.
Right… why didn't she pick chocolate?
Chocolate was delicious too!
Cynthia was instantly paralyzed by indecision.
Asahi smiled. This was a little "weakness" he had discovered after spending the past few days with her.
But this wasn't the time for teasing — he had more important matters to discuss.
"I proposed to the League Council that we send Koga to assist Sinnoh. They've agreed, and the partnership will be officially announced after the Indigo League finals." Asahi's words pulled Cynthia out of her ice cream dilemma.
"Really?" Cynthia's face lit up with surprise and delight.
Despite her usual composed and sophisticated demeanor, the way her excitement broke through created a stunning contrast…
Pulling his gaze back, Asahi nodded. "But there's a catch — while Koga has agreed to cut ties with Team Rocket and rejoin the League, he's still in a probation period… I'll need you to keep an eye on him."
It was a small request, and Cynthia saw no reason to refuse.
Gaining an extra ally was a welcome surprise, especially since, according to Asahi, Koga wasn't just a Gym Leader — he possessed the strength of an Elite Four member.
With him on their side, taking on Team Galactic would be much more manageable!
"I speak on behalf of the Sinnoh League — thank you for your help," Cynthia said earnestly.
Asahi waved his hand.
"We're all part of the League — it's only natural."
Just as Cynthia was about to say something more, Asahi's devilish smile returned. "So… have you decided which ice cream flavor you want yet?"
Cynthia: "…"
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