"Which region should we start with?"
Damian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he unrolled a massive world map across the desk and turned to Matori with a playful smirk.
"What do you think, Matori?"
Matori remained silent for a moment. Her instincts were conservative; she felt that such a massive leap might be premature.
However, since both the Boss and Damian were leaning in that direction, her job wasn't to debate it anymore—it was to figure out how to make it work.
"Based on your analysis, Damian, Galar and Paldea would be the most suitable candidates," Matori said after a moment of calculation. "Neither region has an established criminal syndicate, which leaves us plenty of room to operate."
"Theoretically, you're right," Damian replied, leaning back comfortably with his legs crossed. "But your thinking is still too cautious—and a bit narrow."
He paused, his voice dripping with casual confidence.
"If we want to expand, we have to look at the highest potential for profit. Galar might not have a 'criminal syndicate' in the traditional sense, but the entire region is under the thumb of Chairman Rose and his Macro Cosmos Group."
"In fact, out of all the regions, trying to grow under the shadow of Rose's conglomerate is a nightmare. Macro Cosmos is one of the most powerful corporations on the planet. They control over fifty percent of Galar's economy."
Damian's eyes flickered with a cold light.
"Every industry, from energy to entertainment, has their fingerprints on it. If you want to get technical, the real 'criminal organization' of Galar is Chairman Rose and Macro Cosmos."
Matori blinked, momentarily stunned by the perspective.
"We'll go to Galar eventually, but not yet," Damian muttered.
His mind drifted toward the Energy Plant and the "source of Dynamax" hidden within—Eternatus. One day, he'd walk in and take it, but today wasn't that day.
"Paldea is the same. That region is managed far too strictly by Chairwoman Geeta. It's too stable for a hostile takeover right now. Compared to those two, regions like Hoenn or Sinnoh are actually much easier to infiltrate."
"It seems I failed to consider the corporate landscape," Matori said, adjusting her glasses with a small bow of apology.
"Haha, don't worry about it. You haven't done the homework I have," Damian waved it off.
"So, Damian," Giovanni interjected with a faint, intrigued smile. "What is your actual choice?"
Damian didn't hesitate. He pulled a coin from his pocket and slammed it onto the map, right over a chain of tropical islands.
"Alola."
"The 'Team Skull' in Alola is nothing more than a bunch of street thugs. But Dad, do you know what makes Alola the most special place in the world?"
Damian grinned, flashing his white teeth in a look that was both wild and predatory.
"It has no League," Giovanni answered, his own smile deepening.
Matori froze.
"Exactly! Alola has no Pokémon League!" Damian's eyes burned with naked ambition.
"Professor Kukui has been dreaming of establishing an Alola League for years. He's visited Kanto countless times to plead his case, and every single time, the Kanto League has shot him down."
"But Alola will have a League eventually. It's inevitable. The Pokémon Association won't ignore a goldmine like that forever."
He pointed to the archipelago on the map.
"As a resort destination, Alola's tourism is the most developed in the world. Their beaches and oceans are top-tier, and their 'Island Challenge' is famous."
"If we take over Alola now and secretly back a puppet to become the future League Chairman... the entire region will be in the palm of our hand."
Damian laughed, a bold, unrestrained sound. "Doesn't that sound like fun?"
Matori was speechless. She thought they were talking about expanding a crime syndicate—not secretly seizing control of an entire sovereign region. The scale of her Boss's son's vision was terrifying.
"Heh... Hahaha!"
Giovanni began to clap, genuinely impressed. This was his son: young, ambitious, and possessed of a frightening amount of nerve.
"Then I'm putting you in charge of this project, Damian."
Giovanni could tell his son was serious. Ever since he was a child, Damian only showed this kind of drive when he found a challenge worth his time.
"No problem, Dad. Restoring the glory of Team Rocket is my duty!" Damian quipped with a sharp grin.
"You brat," Giovanni chuckled. "Restoring the glory? We haven't even lost it yet."
"Alright, Dad. How many people am I getting?" Damian asked bluntly.
"As for Grunts and Elites, how many do you want to take?"
"I don't care about pawns," Damian said, making a dismissive gesture. "Trash is everywhere in the streets—I can recruit more in Alola. What I need is real muscle. Which Executives am I taking?"
The room went quiet. That was the real question.
"The Three Beasts are currently in Johto. The Executive Trio are tied up with local operations, and the Four Executives are needed to keep Kanto running," Giovanni replied thoughtfully.
"So you're telling me you aren't giving me a single Executive? Dad, don't be a cheapskate."
Damian's face shifted into a look of mock betrayal so fast that Matori nearly choked on a laugh.
"I want Archer! You have to give me at least one person who knows how to follow orders."
Archer was one of the Four Executives. While his combat strength was strictly at the Elite Four level, his management skills and IQ were top-notch.
"I can't give you Archer. I need him for the organization's core management," Giovanni refused immediately.
"Fine. Give me Proton then, and a few lower-level Executives."
Giovanni paused for a moment before nodding. "Deal."
"Perfect. Just you wait, Dad. I'm going to build you an empire!"
Damian stood up, feeling satisfied. His "vacation" as a regular trainer was over; now it was time to find some real entertainment.
In Damian's mind, Team Rocket was the only true evil organization in the world. Organizations like Team Magma were just amateurs.
He was going to swallow them all, recruit the strongest trainers, and eventually form the ultimate power: Rainbow Rocket.