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"So, Mammon, what are your thoughts on the initial rankings for the World Championship?"
Then, Charles Goodshow asked Mammon.
The initial rankings were what bothered Charles Goodshow the most at the moment.
After all, once the World Championship was announced, it couldn't proceed without initial rankings. Otherwise, would the regional Champions have to fight for rankings like ordinary Trainers?
It would be meaningless and a waste of time. Besides, no matter what, since it's a ranking system, there should be a target to challenge from the beginning, right?
"How do you plan to arrange this, Chairman?" Mammon asked in return.
"We'll use the Champions, Gym Leaders, famous Trainers from various regions, and outstanding Trainers from regional tournaments to establish the initial rankings."
Charles Goodshow replied. This was the most stable method they had discussed.
"No problem." Mammon nodded.
"Logically, for the initial Eight Masters and the top-ranked Trainers, using the regional Champions, along with Trainers like Mustard and Anabel, would be best."
"But what about you, Mammon? Are you participating in this World Championship?"
Charles Goodshow looked at Mammon. This was the most important reason he had invited Mammon.
"If you participate, what ranking do you want?"
Mammon's strength was beyond doubt. After all, during the Saffron City battle, Mammon single-handedly defeated Giovanni and Lance with just an Ultra Necrozma.
His immense power was undeniable. If Mammon wanted to participate in the World Championship, placing him at the No.1 spot among the initial Eight Masters would be perfectly fine.
"Of course I'll participate in the World Championship."
Mammon answered without hesitation. Are you kidding? How could he miss this World Championship?
He had caught so many Pokémon; were they meant to be kept at home for retirement? Of course, he had to show them to the world!
"As for my ranking, Chairman, just put me at the bottom of the Ultra Ball tier."
Then, Mammon stated the ranking he had already decided on.
???
Immediately, everyone present looked at Mammon in astonishment, almost wanting to put question marks directly on his face.
Including Caitlin.
Silence. The atmosphere in the office fell silent.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Mammon innocently looked at Charles Goodshow and the other two.
"The bottom... of the Ultra Ball tier?" officer Jenny hesitated for a moment, asking tentatively.
"That's right." Mammon nodded calmly.
Upon receiving Mammon's response and confirming she hadn't misheard, officer Jenny couldn't help but look at Mammon with a strange expression.
"Mammon, isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Giovanni said helplessly.
You, the dignified boss of Team Rockets, whom everyone knows is the world's No.1, actually want to go to the Ultra Ball tier to 'bully the weak'?
What do you mean? Didn't you find it boring when you participated in the Indigo Plateau Conference?
"What's inappropriate? Where is it inappropriate?" Mammon felt that this old man was a bit inconsiderate and was very displeased.
"Last year, I was just an Indigo Plateau Conference Champion, and that was last year, so it doesn't hold much weight. Placing me in the Ultra Ball tier is perfectly appropriate."
"Mammon, you are still the boss of Team Rockets."
Charles Goodshow felt that Mammon simply wanted to bully the weak.
"I'll still arrange you as the No.1 of the Eight Masters. I don't think anyone would object."
"I refuse!" Mammon rejected without hesitation.
He didn't want to be set as the No.1 of the Eight Masters. That way, wouldn't he only be able to wait for others to challenge him?
But the problem was, even Giovanni wouldn't challenge Mammon. Giovanni wasn't stupid.
In that case, besides the Eight Masters Tournament, wouldn't Mammon be unable to fight any battles? He had so many Pokémon, all waiting eagerly.
"Precisely because I am the boss of Team Rockets, I cannot have any special privileges. I must prove to the world through my actions that my ranking is earned by my own strength!"
"And not by underhanded means."
Mammon said righteously.
No, I think anyone who knows you wouldn't doubt your ranking.
Hearing Mammon's upright and grand statement, Charles Goodshow, Giovanni, and officer Jenny were all speechless.
"You brat, you're not going to climb the ranks by stepping on me, are you?"
Giovanni narrowed his eyes slightly, giving a rare, forced smile.
Speaking of which, if Mammon were to rush the rankings, wouldn't he eventually fight him?
"How could that be, Dad? You're my biological father." Mammon's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was very serious.
"However, on another note, I actually have a Water-type team that I've always wanted to use to spar with your Ground-type team, Dad, to prove that I am the strongest Water-type Trainer in the world!"
But in a flash, Mammon grinned.
That's right, he would definitely use his Water-type team to take on Giovanni and clear Fathead Fish's name!
Fathead Fish would surely be so happy it would spray water.
Damn it, Giovanni almost laughed in anger.
"Alright, since you insist so strongly, Mammon." Charles Goodshow sighed helplessly, rubbing his forehead.
After all, it seemed Mammon wouldn't compromise.
"What about the others? Caitlin, Zinnia, N?"
Charles Goodshow then asked about the rankings of Caitlin and other Team Rockets Top Executives.
After all, the strength of these Top Executives was exceptionally outstanding, no less than that of the Alliance Champions.
Charles Goodshow still had to consider their thoughts to avoid misunderstandings and unpleasantness.
"Whatever you arrange, Chairman." Caitlin replied with her usual elegant and poised smile, neither subservient nor arrogant.
"Chairman, just arrange it as you see fit. They won't mind. If they truly want to challenge for a ranking, they'll fight their way up themselves."
Mammon replied casually.
"Alright, then they'll all be placed in the Ultra Ball tier. For the initial Eight Masters, I will arrange all the regional Champions at the top."
Charles Goodshow was relieved to hear this and said so.
He was actually quite relieved. After all, the best arrangement for the initial Eight Masters ranking was indeed the regional Champions from various regions, which could avoid public opinion at the beginning of the tournament.
Although the specific ranking order would inevitably lead to some opposition among regional Champion fans, those were minor issues.
As for the subsequent competition for rankings, that had nothing to do with the initial rankings.
"No problem." Mammon nodded.
"And then the second matter." Charles Goodshow pondered for a moment, then sighed helplessly.
"Mammon, as you know, the Kanto Region is now integrated with both Kanto and Johto. However, due to the vast territory of the Johto Region,"
"This has made management quite inconvenient, and the Johto Region also has eight official Gyms. However, Trainers traveling in Kanto are more likely to challenge Gyms in the Kanto Region."
"There aren't many challengers for the Gyms in the Johto Region, which is also a problem."
Charles Goodshow explained the inconveniences.
And most crucially, because the Johto Region was 'unpopular', talent was also being lost!
For example, Norman, who was originally from Johto, wasn't he poached by the Hoenn League?
Norman was an Elite Trainer, and most importantly, he had a 'monster' daughter!
That's right, it was May!
When Charles Goodshow learned of this, he was truly heartbroken. Norman was one thing, but May, wasn't she clearly the next Giovanni or Lance?
Although Kanto didn't lack talent, having one poached by the Hoenn League still made Charles Goodshow very displeased.
This originally belonged to Kanto!
Mammon understood immediately.
"So, after discussions among our Alliance high-ranking officials, we unanimously decided to separate the Johto Region and establish the Johto League."
"However, there is a rather pressing issue at the moment."
Charles Goodshow continued.
"Johto Elite Four?" Mammon understood.
"That's right. Giovanni must remain in Kanto. I've discussed it with Lance, and he's willing to go to Johto to serve as the Johto Champion. Lance's prestige is already high, so he's very suitable."
Charles Goodshow said.
"Also Agatha, Agatha is already very old, and she plans to retire at the end of this year. This means we will be short of six Elite members."
Johto needs four, and Kanto is losing Lance and Agatha, so it needs two.
"Chairman, what's the use of telling me this? Kanto has so much talent." Mammon raised an eyebrow, looking at Charles Goodshow with a half-smile.
"Don't joke with me, Mammon. Ash, Blue, and others are all currently your Team Rockets executives."
Charles Goodshow said helplessly.
"And Lance also mentioned to me that he has also joined your Team Rockets."
Speaking of this, Charles Goodshow's eyes were truly quite complex. Although he probably knew that Lance would likely appreciate Team Rockets' ideals.
But he didn't expect Lance to actively join Team Rockets... Lance, oh Lance~
But what was strange was that Lorelei didn't join Team Rockets with Lance? This, in turn, surprised Charles Goodshow.
"I see, Chairman wants to ask me for people." Mammon feigned sudden realization.
"Team Rockets has many Senior Executives and Top Executives, and the Alliance and Team Rockets are now in a cooperative relationship, so we would like to borrow a few executives from your organization to serve as Elite members here in the Alliance."
"Mammon, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
officer Jenny's tone was still very polite. It sounded absurd, but in reality, the relationship between the Alliance and Team Rockets was already very delicate.
After all, the regional Champions of Unova, Kalos, and Alola are all Team Rockets executives, and Lance, who is about to become the Johto Champion, is also a Team Rockets executive... so having a few more Elite members actually doesn't matter.
"No problem. Who do you want, Chairman?" Mammon naturally wouldn't refuse; this was not a bad thing for him at all.
"Caitlin? Are you willing to serve as an Elite?"
Charles Goodshow's eyes immediately turned to Caitlin, the young woman who often accompanied Mammon.
This one is truly not simple!
Not only is she an extremely strong Psychic-type Trainer, but she is also a Psychic, and she even defeated Cynthia in the Saffron City battle!
Caitlin: "..."
Caitlin saw Charles Goodshow's expectant gaze, and even her elegant smile stiffened for a moment.
"This... I'm sorry, Chairman, I'll have to decline your kind offer. I might not be suitable; I just want to be with Mammon." Caitlin subtly refused.
How could she have the mind to serve as an Elite?
She didn't want to be separated from Mammon. Besides, she was preparing for pregnancy, and once she conceived Mammon's child, she would need to rest well and wouldn't have time for work.
"I see, what a pity." Charles Goodshow expressed his regret.
"Mammon, what about N?"
But next, Charles Goodshow set his sights on N.
N, the chosen one of the Ideal Dragon God, this person was truly not only powerful and handsome but also possessed a disposition that greatly satisfied Charles Goodshow.
"I'll ask him when I get back. As for N, I'm not sure if he'll agree." Mammon pondered for a moment before replying.
"Alright, and then Zinnia... Karen..."
Charles Goodshow named his preferred candidates one by one; there were too many to choose from, simply too many!
And Mammon realized that Charles Goodshow was picking all Top Executives.
But that made sense. With Top Executives available, why would he want Senior Executives? Champion-tier held much more authority than Elite-tier.
"I will inform them, but Chairman, I can't guarantee that they will all agree."
"No problem, I understand." Charles Goodshow replied with a smile.
"And then, the last matter."
Charles Goodshow changed the subject, looking at Mammon with a peculiar gaze.
"Mammon, is Cynthia with you?"