"Mr. Taro Sasaki! What a relief! Seeing your grandson safe and sound is truly the best news one could hope for."
President Goodshow (达马岚奇) arrived on the scene with practiced gravitas. He turned a sharp eye toward Officer Jenny. "Officer Jenny, well done. If you hadn't discovered the truth behind Tenshi Sasaki's kidnapping in time, the boy might have been in grave danger."
He then turned back to Taro, his voice dripping with forced sincerity. "Mr. Sasaki, I must offer my deepest apologies for the League's negligence. This incident occurred in Viridian Forest, and the Gym Leader of Viridian City is guilty of a severe dereliction of duty."
"Though he has only recently taken office, he bears undeniable responsibility for such a violent crime happening on his watch. Rest assured, the League will handle this with strict impartiality to ensure justice is served."
Goodshow's eyes flickered toward Feng Che, who was standing nearby. He assumed Feng Che was there to beg for forgiveness, and he wasted no time in redirecting his political fire toward the young man.
Taro and Tenshi Sasaki watched in disbelief as Goodshow seemed ready to strip Feng Che of his position right there on the spot. Several of Goodshow's aides tried to whisper a correction, but the President waved them off, intent on his performance.
"President Goodshow, if I may be so bold... you seem to have jumped to conclusions without knowing the facts," Taro interrupted, his voice like ice.
"Mr. Feng Che is my grandson's savior and a most honored guest of the Sasaki family."
"I demand you retract your statements immediately."
Taro's face darkened with displeasure. "I am profoundly disappointed in the Kanto League. Does the administration now only exist to shift blame after the fact? You find a scapegoat and call it 'justice'?"
"I will have to seriously reconsider the Sasaki Group's ongoing cooperation with the Kanto League. My grandson has had a terrible shock and is exhausted. We will be leaving now so our private doctors can attend to him."
Goodshow stood frozen, the words hitting him like a physical slap. His pupils contracted in shock as he realized the magnitude of his blunder. He had just slandered the savior of the most powerful financial magnate in the world, to the man's face.
"He... he saved Tenshi?" Goodshow stammered, his face paling. "Mr. Sasaki, wait! You misunderstand—let me explain!"
Taro ignored him with a cold snort, ushering Tenshi onto the private jet. The engines roared to life, leaving Goodshow standing in the dust.
The President's face flushed from pale to a deep, embarrassed crimson. He spun around, his eyes burning with fury as they landed on Feng Che.
"Feng Che! You were standing there the whole time just to watch me make a fool of myself, weren't you?!" Goodshow spat, his spittle flying.
"President Goodshow," Feng Che replied coldly. "You were the one who began hurling accusations without checking the situation. You slandered me in front of Taro Sasaki. As your subordinate, I remained silent—which was giving you more face than you deserved."
The gloves were off. With the backing of the Sasaki family, losing a Gym Leader position meant nothing to Feng Che. Besides, the real power in the League was shifting toward Agatha. Goodshow, having lost the Legendary Birds and failing to reclaim the Dragon Corps, was a paper tiger. If he lost the Sasaki family's financial backing, he would be marginalized into a mere figurehead.
"Fine. Very well, Feng Che," Goodshow hissed. "Just you wait." He stormed off, his dignity in tatters.
League Headquarters
News of the farce in Viridian City reached Agatha's ears within the hour.
"Goodshow is truly regressing," she cackled to herself. "To go in guns blazing without an investigation... and to insult a savior in front of Taro Sasaki. Tsk, tsk. He just torched his own funding."
"And that boy, Feng Che... he's more resourceful than I thought. Not only did he flip the script, but he secured the heir to the Sasaki fortune as his disciple."
On the Sasaki Private Jet
Taro Sasaki reviewed the dossier on Feng Che. "Haha... this can't be everything on him."
He set the files aside. "But one thing is certain: Feng Che is a formidable trainer. To rise from nothing to a Gym Leader with such rare Pokémon in just one year? He must have extraordinary methods."
"It looks like Tenshi is the one lucky to have him as a teacher. A talent like that only lacks resources. If we provide them, we secure the protection of a future Champion."
Taro looked at his secretary, Sai. "Wealth is a target in this world, Sai. Without strength, we are just a fat piece of meat for other conglomerates. Some have Champions, others have Mythical Pokémon. My relatives dared to touch Tenshi because they were testing me. If I hadn't reacted, they would have come for my throat next."
"I thought Goodshow was a man of action when he captured Rayquaza," Taro sighed. "But he let it escape and lost to Team Rocket. It's time to sever our ties with him, and this kidnapping is the perfect excuse."
One Month Later
Feng Che stood before the brand-new Viridian Gym, feeling a surge of pride. The facility was a marvel of modern architecture, divided into three tiers:
Level 1: Battle & Training. A massive arena with seating for over 10,000 spectators.
Level 2: Breeding & Research. State-of-the-art diagnostic and nursery equipment.
Level 3: Living Quarters. Home for the staff, including Koko and Pakado, who managed the day-to-day operations.
The Viridian Badge was now a majestic tree radiating white light, symbolizing the life force of the forest.
Now for the most important part: the Gym's specialty type, Feng Che thought. If I use multiple types, Goodshow will find a technicality to harass me. Based on my current team—Aerodactyl, Corviknight, Rowlet, and Gyarados—Flying-type is the best fit.
He had plenty of Flying-types in his nursery—Pidgeot, Swoobat, Mantine. Even though he specialized in Flying, the League rules (much like Blaine's use of Rhydon) didn't strictly forbid other types in battle, but he needed a consistent theme for challengers.
I'll need to catch more mid-tier Flying types for standard challengers, he mused. Just then, a young Tropius flapped its leaf-wings and landed beside him, nuzzling his hand. It was one of the many Pokémon he had rescued.
"Haha, do you want to help me defend the Gym, Tropius?"
The Tropius nodded eagerly. Feng Che tapped its head with a Poké Ball, and it clicked instantly—a voluntary capture.
I have my 'Resort' Pidgeot pair at the Gym Leader level to anchor the team, he planned. But I still need a few more heavy hitters.
Suddenly, his communicator buzzed with a new notification.