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"You sure are bold, aren't you?"
Peony couldn't help but chuckle.
"Do you know Rose's current standing?"
Although Peony rarely paid attention to the Galar League anymore, even so, he knew Rose's current position in Galar.
To say that Rose is the most outstanding League Chairman in Galar's history is absolutely accurate.
Moreover, the Macro Cosmos Group now virtually monopolizes all markets. To surpass Rose in Galar?
It's no exaggeration to say that it's simply a pipe dream.
"What about it?" Mammon retorted.
"Even if Rose holds absolute power in Galar, at the end of the day, he's just a local emperor of Galar."
Mammon's lips slowly curved upwards.
"But, Peony, do you understand Team Rockets?"
"Starting from the Kanto region, Alola, Hoenn, Unova, Sinnoh, Kalos, our Team Rockets' flag has been planted across these regions."
"The League, the Champion, none of them can stop Team Rockets' development. Team Rockets will sooner or later become an organization that rivals or even surpasses the League."
Mammon's tone wasn't heavy; it even conveyed a hint of nonchalance.
But precisely because of this, the strong, inherent confidence in his words caused Peony's pupils to constrict slightly.
"That's impossible!"
Peony exclaimed in disbelief.
Yes, this should be impossible!
The Pokémon League has ruled the world for over a hundred years, almost covering all regions. Even if an underground organization could develop, it would be no difficult task for the Pokémon to suppress it.
"Why is it impossible, Peony? Your understanding is too shallow."
Mammon tilted his head, watching Peony.
"Just like when you became the Galar region's Champion, what a great opportunity that was. You proved your ability, you became the peak individual in the Galar region."
Peony's dark, large face sank again.
"But what next? After Rose became Chairman, what did you do?"
"You didn't think about using your Champion status to continue proving yourself to everyone; instead, because you didn't want to work with Rose, you resigned from your Champion position and fled the Galar League."
"Do you know why you've always been inferior to Rose? It's because your understanding is too narrow."
Mammon spoke mercilessly.
"You scoundrel!" Peony clenched his fists, staring intently at Mammon.
However, Mammon didn't care. Although his physique wasn't as robust as Peony's, his body had been blessed by Arceus.
If it came to a physical fight, even if Peony had been adventuring for years, he wouldn't be Mammon's opponent.
Besides, were the Gengar and Marshadow in Mammon's shadow just for show?
"Even Rose, he was only the runner-up in the Champion Cup, while you genuinely became the Galar Champion. At that time, didn't you already have a stronger point than Rose?"
"If you hadn't left the Galar League back then, but instead diligently fulfilled your Champion duties and worked hard to improve, people would have been proud of you. How would you have been inferior to Rose then?"
Mammon's question made Peony pause.
Yes, in fact, at the moment he became the Galar Champion, he was already stronger than Rose, wasn't he?
But he himself, due to his animosity towards Rose, gave up that glory.
Seeing her father suddenly fall silent, Peonia pursed her lips but still didn't say anything.
In reality, Peonia didn't understand the conflict between Peony and her uncle Rose, but she respected her father's choice.
"There are many opportunities in a person's life, but many people miss them for various reasons."
Mammon continued.
"Peony, you yourself abandoned that opportunity, and then weakly evaded it until now, the gap between you and Rose has grown wider and wider."
Mammon didn't want to discuss the conflict between Peony and Rose too much, as it was an issue between the two brothers, and it was meaningless for outsiders to say who was right or wrong.
Moreover, it was precisely because of his dislike for Rose that it was more advantageous for him to win over Peony.
"Look at you now, the former Champion of the Galar region~ But how many people in Galar still remember you now?"
Mammon said with a smile.
He wasn't speaking nonsense. Although Peony was the previous Champion of the Galar region, his tenure was simply too short.
Although he did have some fans, by now, the people of Galar almost only remember the current undefeated Champion, Leon.
Peony? He truly was unknown now.
Let alone Peony, even the Champion from two generations ago, Mustard, had greater fame than Peony.
After all, although Mustard retired earlier, he was invincible in his youth and still holds an unbreakable record to this day.
18 years undefeated!
This was Mustard's undefeated record, a record no Champion has broken to this day, and Mustard is also the only known Trainer of Urshifu in the world.
Urshifu is a Legendary Pokémon.
So, among the three Galar Champions, Peony was the least famous.
"What about it?" Peony said indifferently.
"I don't care about this empty title."
"You don't care, but are you truly content to remain in obscurity like this? Even with a clear opportunity right in front of you?"
Mammon asked Peony directly.
Peony's breathing grew heavy again.
"You've missed one opportunity already, and now I can give you another chance, Peony."
"As long as you accept this badge and join Team Rockets, I will give you the resources and capital to take a chance."
"Otherwise, you can continue to be your anonymous adventurer, taking your strength and enjoying your old age with your daughter, forever avoiding your older brother."
Mammon's tone was very calm.
As Mammon finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
Peony looked down at the golden badge in his hand, his expression constantly changing. Clearly, he was currently brainstorming.
Joining Team Rockets would naturally mean his current peaceful life would leave him.
But what if he didn't agree? Mammon's words truly moved him.
Content?
How could he be content? If he had truly let go, how could he react so strongly to hearing the name 'Rose'?
He was actually very unwilling!
Why? Why did he have to live his entire life in the shadow of the name Rose?!
Peonia couldn't help but grasp her father's hand, offering silent encouragement and support.
Peony glanced at his daughter. Peonia nodded, indicating that she would support whatever decision Peony made.
"Why should I believe that you can truly help me?"
Peony took a deep breath, speaking to Mammon in a low voice.
"Why? Because my name is Mammon!"
Mammon's lips curled up, and he slightly raised his head, his arrogant voice reaching Peony and his daughter's ears.
Arrogant!!
"In this world, there's nothing I can't do, no place Team Rockets can't reach!"
"That's a very domineering statement. If that's the case, as long as you can defeat me, I'll join your Team Rockets."
Peony's deep eyes gazed at Mammon. Although his intuition told him that this young man was extremely powerful.
But no matter what, trying to persuade Peony with just words was far too presumptuous.
"Of course." Mammon shrugged.
A battle was certainly necessary. After all, he needed to show Peony some muscle before he could join with confidence.
"Mammon, let me handle the battle with Mr. Peony."
Suddenly, Caitlin, with a faint smile, spoke to Mammon.
"Consider it a welcome for a new colleague."
She was quite eager to see the level of the former Galar region Champion.
"I don't have a problem with that."
Mammon raised an eyebrow at her words, looking towards Peony.
Originally, he was planning to showcase their strength with a Legendary Pokémon, but letting Caitlin do it wasn't out of the question either.
Peony frowned slightly, his scrutinizing gaze assessing Caitlin.
She looked splendid and beautiful, but a Trainer's strength wasn't simply judged by appearance.
"Caitlin, one of the organization's six top executives. I'd like to ask for your guidance, Mr. Peony."
Caitlin didn't mind Peony's impolite gaze, gracefully bowing slightly.
"Alright then." Peony didn't say much more at her words.
Top executive? Meaning Champion-level?
Perfect, he also wanted to see the level of Team Rockets' other top executives.
Everyone arrived near an energy spot outside Freezington. As long as there was an energy spot, it meant Gigantamaxing was possible.
"Mr. Peony specializes in Steel-type, right? Sister Caitlin might be at a bit of a disadvantage against him."
Platinum looked at Peony and Caitlin, who were already ready, still feeling a little worried for Caitlin.
After all, Caitlin specialized in Psychic-type, while Peony was an expert in Steel-type.
Although Steel-type doesn't resist Psychic-type, it does have resistance to Psychic-type attacks.
After all, the Steel-type is truly noble.
How noble? It has resistance to ten types! And it's also immune to Poison-type.
There are only eighteen types in total, ten types are not very effective against it, and Poison is even immune to it. Only Ground, Fighting, and Fire-type are super effective against Steel.
Simply terrifying.
"Caitlin, right? I don't really like bullying women, but I'm sorry, I won't hold back in this battle."
Peony took out a Poké Ball and said to Caitlin in a deep voice.
"Please don't worry, Mr. Peony, I am not a delicate girl."
Caitlin maintained her elegant and composed demeanor, her tone unhurried.
"Furthermore, you don't need to hold back. Please use your full strength, otherwise, you might suffer a very unsightly defeat."
Caitlin said with a faint smile.
How did she manage to be so elegant yet so arrogant at the same time?!
Peonia looked at Caitlin with sparkling eyes. She was simply too beautiful!
"Oh? So confident, aren't we? It's been a long time since I've encountered such an interesting opponent."
Peony grinned at her words, his blood seemingly boiling at that moment.
How many years has it been?
Since resigning as the Galar Champion, he had never been able to battle at full strength, but today, it seemed he could.
"Wahahaha~ Don't disappoint me too much!"
Peony laughed loudly, throwing out his first Poké Ball with force.
"Perrserker!"
The Poké Ball opened, a white light flashed, and a bipedal Pokémon with a predominantly gray body landed in front of Peony.
It was Perrserker, which evolves from Galar Meowth, a pure Steel-type.
"Come on! Let me see just how good Team Rockets' top executives really are!"
"I'm really looking forward to it!"
Peony looked at the beautiful and elegant Caitlin across from him with a fierce fighting spirit. Team Rockets' top executive, he hoped she wouldn't disappoint him.
Pokémon Trainer Peony, here to challenge!