In Mamon's own words, since he had come to this world, a life without traveling was incomplete.
Banmu, who doted on Mamon, agreed. Staying cooped up had its limits, so he personally saw Mamon off from Tokiwa City.
Then…
About five months into Mamon's journey, at Tokiwa Gym:
"Did Mamon send you here?"
Banmu regarded the black-haired, pure-looking girl in front of him with a subtle, scrutinizing gaze.
The girl was cute and fair-skinned, but that wasn't important. What mattered was that, according to her, she had come on Mamon's recommendation to learn under Banmu for a while.
"Yes, Uncle Banmu. I'm Mizuki. Because I'm not old enough to start traveling, Mamon said I should stay and learn from you for a while," the girl said shyly.
Why are you blushing while talking? And…
Banmu's brow furrowed ever so slightly as he observed her more carefully.
So Mamon actually wanted him to mentor this girl? What was he thinking?
It wasn't really difficult—just taking on a gym apprentice.
But Banmu wasn't keen on having a stranger so close to him, especially since his true identity was something he couldn't reveal.
What if something went wrong?
"And what's your relationship with Mamon…"
After a moment's thought, Banmu prepared to ask Mizuki about her connection with Mamon in his deep, magnetic voice.
"Oh! Mamon also said that if I were to have a baby, I should give birth here with you," Mizuki added, her voice dropping, ears flushed with embarrassment.
Hearing this, the boss of Team Rocket and the shadowy force of Kanto froze completely.
He was utterly stunned, rooted to the spot.
After a long silence, Banmu muttered, "Ah?"
…
Recalling this, Banmu looked at his son, legs on the coffee table, enjoying Masato's massage, completely carefree, and massaged his temples in headache.
The cute, porcelain-like boy Mamon had been in his childhood was long gone…
"Mamon, what are your plans next?" Banmu asked.
He had never hidden anything from Mamon, nor had he ever mapped out a path for him.
He respected his son, especially after what had happened ten years ago.
"Of course I do! That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you, Dad."
At that, Mamon signaled Masato to stop and rose to sit across from Banmu.
"Dad, what do you think Team Rocket in Kanto is like now?" Mamon asked, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"Speak freely."
Banmu poured himself some tea and sipped.
"Let me put it another way—does Team Rocket in Kanto still have room to grow?"
Hearing this, Banmu immediately understood Mamon's meaning, and so did Masato.
As the strongest underground organization in Kanto, Team Rocket had already reached its limits in this region.
"Do you mean expanding the organization into other regions?" Masato adjusted her glasses, frowning.
As Banmu's secretary, though lacking much trainer talent, she was clever, or she wouldn't have stayed by Banmu's side all these years.
Banmu sipped his tea in silence.
"The boss has already sent the Three Beast Warriors and Bisas to the Johto region," Masato reminded.
Strictly speaking, Johto was still part of Kanto, but its territory was vast. The League had plans to let Johto become independent for easier management.
"No force in Johto can stand against the Three Beast Warriors—it's only a matter of time."
The Three Beast Warriors and Bisas were senior Team Rocket members; few trainers in Johto could match them.
"But it's useless. Even with Johto's resources, we still can't compete with the Kanto League."
Mamon shook his head.
"And you, Mamon? What's your idea?" Banmu asked without comment.
"Dad, we don't need to fight the Kanto League over every inch of land. Maintaining the status quo here is enough," Mamon said with a smile.
"Flying-type corps under Dragon Warden are strong, plus the old lady Kikuko, and Shiba and Kōna—four champion-level trainers. No need to challenge them now."
Indeed, the Kanto Elite Four were formidable, especially Dragon Warden.
Of course, Dragon Warden wasn't invincible; Mamon felt his father Banmu was at least his equal.
But the Kanto Elite Four were undoubtedly the strongest in the world!
Last year, Mamon had seen Kōna in action—the terrifying blizzard was beyond what any Elite Four Pokémon could perform.
Without a doubt, the Kanto Elite Four were a special, enhanced version.
"So we can keep expanding! Take over the underground world in other regions!"
"But, Young Master, other regions also have dark organizations. Making enemies of them isn't wise," Masato said, frowning further.
"Other regions' dark organizations? Ha!"
Mamon laughed, full of scorn.
"You know, Masato, I've always believed that our Team Rocket is the strongest dark organization in the world. The rest? Just trash."
"The Lava Team and Ocean Team in Hoenn—pathetic groups led by pathetic people, obsessed with expanding land and sea. Ridiculous."
"The Galactic Team in Sinnoh is a joke. Their power is okay, but their ideology—destroying and recreating the world—is insane."
"Unova's Plasma Team is a bit troublesome, but not really. Pathetic."
"Kalos' Flame Team and Galactic Team are similar—crazy. And Alola's Skull Team is just a gang."
"As for Galar and Paldea, those regions don't even have a notable dark organization. We'd be like fish in the sea if we went there."
Mamon mocked and dismissed all the dark organizations of other regions with unhidden disdain.
Banmu listened with interest, curious where Mamon had gotten such detailed intelligence.
Although Team Rocket dominated Kanto's underground, the regions were separated by vast oceans. Besides, the local League already had enough trouble—who had the time to watch other regions' "rivals"?
"Then, Mamon, since you know so much, which region do you want to start with?" Banmu asked with a faint smile.