A bit different... is she?
Cynthia fell silent after hearing those words. She carefully thought back to what she had just said.
Because she had been by Damian's side recently, she had inevitably been influenced by him. However, in Cynthia's view, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, looking back at her old self, Cynthia felt that she used to be far too soft.
"Perhaps. Regardless, President, I do not suggest going to war with Team Rocket. Whether we consider Sinnoh's current strength or the negative impact of such a battle, it isn't appropriate."
"Most importantly, we have no chance of winning," Cynthia said seriously to President Goodshow.
"Not even a little?" President Goodshow was shocked.
"Not even a tiny bit. Just looking at Damian alone—even if the forces of three Leagues were deployed, I'm afraid they still couldn't take him down."
Cynthia shook her head. She was actually being conservative with that statement.
"Furthermore, the Team Rocket led by Damian is fundamentally different from the Team Rocket of the past. The evidence is clear in Alola, Hoenn, Unova, and now even Kanto."
Cynthia's logic was very clear.
"Team Rocket hasn't been acting recklessly. They have simply taken over the underworld. They haven't harmed innocent civilians, and they are even cleaning up other evil organizations and hunter groups."
"Cynthia, your stance is already starting to lean toward Team Rocket," President Goodshow noted sharply, giving her a warning.
"I am simply providing a logical analysis. No matter what, I do not suggest that Sinnoh goes to war with the Sinnoh branch of Team Rocket," Cynthia answered calmly.
"I understand. Then let's call a meeting to notify everyone," President Goodshow said. He looked at Cynthia for a moment but didn't say anything else.
Cynthia nodded.
Even though she and President Goodshow were the two most powerful people in the Sinnoh region, such a big decision still had to be announced to the high-ranking members of the Sinnoh League.
As for the councilors who might object?
If they object, they can go fight Team Rocket themselves.
"I heard Damian is a very young boy," President Goodshow said as he stood up, speaking as if it were just a passing thought.
He had seen photos of Damian. Notably, he had also seen the couple photos of Damian and Cynthia that had circulated before.
At the time, he had wondered if Cynthia had finally opened her heart to someone. But he never expected that the boy would be from Team Rocket.
"That's right." Cynthia was silent for a moment. "He is the strongest trainer of this era."
"It's a pity. Such a brilliant child... otherwise, he would have been a good match for you, Cynthia."
Goodshow smiled at her. He had often wondered what kind of man could possibly be worthy of someone as excellent as Cynthia. It seemed Cynthia did have someone tangled up in her life after all.
"President, please don't tease me. Between me and Damian... it's complicated."
Cynthia shook her head. If Damian weren't part of Team Rocket... no, even then, it wouldn't be simple.
Her heart was a mess. She couldn't even explain her feelings for Damian to herself.
Technically, her current situation with Damian was mostly caused by his pushy behavior.
But in the end, it was also because Cynthia hadn't strongly refused him. She had just gone along with it. Perhaps she didn't actually dislike him.
Otherwise, Cynthia believed that if she had strictly rejected him and shown strong resistance, Damian wouldn't have forced her.
Several times, Damian had stopped at the final step. This proved he wouldn't truly force himself on her.
But she hadn't completely rejected him either.
Cynthia felt conflicted, but she shook her head and followed President Goodshow out.
The Meeting Room
"What? We have to recognize the legality of Team Rocket's businesses?"
"I disagree!"
"That's right, President! Team Rocket is a criminal organization! Just yesterday, a Team Rocket Senior Executive broke into the Lily of the Valley prison in broad daylight! They killed members of the Berlitz family and then just walked away!"
"How can we allow such villains to take root on our Sinnoh soil?"
The meeting room exploded the moment President Goodshow announced the news. Many councilors stood up angrily to voice their thoughts.
"Quiet."
President Goodshow tapped on the table, signaling for everyone to settle down.
"This is the result of a serious discussion between myself and Cynthia. Cynthia, why don't you say a few words?" President Goodshow looked at her.
"Champion Cynthia, why did you make such a decision? Where does this leave the dignity of the Sinnoh League?" an elderly councilor asked in a heavy voice.
"First: This is a choice I made after careful thought. Team Rocket is extremely powerful. The consequences of going to war with them are too severe, and the chances of winning are slim."
"If we lose, and Sinnoh is ruined and people die, who will be responsible?"
"Will it be you? Or will it be me?"
Cynthia stood up slowly. Her presence as the Sinnoh Champion was cold and heavy. She scanned everyone in the room as she spoke.
Her direct questioning made the entire room fall silent.
"Second: I'm sure you have all seen the data on Team Rocket. Since you think we can fight, then tell me—who is going to go out there and do the fighting?"
"Is it you? Or is it me?"
The room remained silent.
"Third: If you are confident you can win, you can go fight Team Rocket yourselves. Do not make the League's combat personnel face a war they cannot win just to suffer a humiliating defeat."
Cynthia's voice was flat, showing no emotion.
"Fourth: This decision is a notification, not a negotiation. I am not asking for your opinion."
"Please remember: I am the Champion of Sinnoh."
Hiss!
Flint, the Sinnoh Elite Four member with the red afro, quietly took a sharp breath. He looked at Cynthia in shock.
Holy cow.
Did our Champion eat gunpowder today? Why is she so intense?
Flint had only seen this side of Cynthia during battles, when she was commanding her ace, Garchomp.
Normally, Cynthia was calm and composed in daily life. She only showed this kind of pressure when she was fighting seriously.
Flint exchanged looks with Lucian and Aaron. All of them looked completely lost.
Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
That Evening
After finishing dinner, Damian decided to make a video call to Platinum.
"Hello? Damian, what's up?"
The call connected quickly. Platinum's clear voice came through. There were sounds of fighting in the background.
"Platinum, what are you doing?"
"Oh? I just found a small base for a hunter organization. I'm about to take it down."
Platinum spoke about it as simply as if she were talking about what to have for dinner.
Since joining Team Rocket, Platinum felt like she had discovered a whole new world. Being able to fight evil organizations and hunters every day was just great.
The only annoying part was when those rude people from Unova were around. They used to steal her missions every day.
Platinum really wondered: You're from Unova, why don't you go back to Unova and do missions in your own region? Why are you doing missions in Sinnoh like crazy?
But since the Unova people left Sinnoh, Platinum felt like she was in heaven.
Now, Platinum no longer felt the same reluctance she had at the start. She realized Damian hadn't lied to her; Team Rocket really was different from the rumors.
"Alright. Let Paul know. You guys are coming back to Kanto with me in a few days."
Damian nodded.
"Huh? Going to Kanto?"
Platinum blinked and tilted her head, confused.
"Yeah. Team Galactic has been mostly dealt with here in Sinnoh. The hunter organizations aren't a threat anymore, so I don't need you guys here to clean them up."
Damian replied.
With the collapse of Team Galactic, the biggest threat in Sinnoh, only small-time criminals remained. Team Rocket had already handled most of them.
As for the hunter organizations, they were now hiding from Team Rocket everywhere they could. Team Rocket was too strong. They couldn't win.
"I'm taking you to Kanto to relax for a few days. Then we head to the next region."
"Okay!"
Platinum's eyes lit up. A new region meant more merit points.
"By the way, send a message to your father to let him know you're safe. Since you're going on a long trip, it'll keep him from worrying too much."
"Emmm... but my father still doesn't like Team Rocket very much."
Platinum bit her lip. She had contacted Mr. Berlitz once during this time.
First, Mr. Berlitz asked if she was okay. Then, he immediately told her to quit Team Rocket.
No matter how much Platinum explained that she was doing well and improving quickly, Mr. Berlitz believed she only said those things because she was being threatened by Damian.
This gave Platinum a headache.
"It seems Mr. Berlitz is a bit close-minded. People who can't accept change tend to be like that."
"As long as you're happy, Damian," Platinum said, her tone awkward but polite.
Who is the reason my father has such a prejudice against Team Rocket?
Platinum couldn't help but complain in her head. Back then, Damian had used threats and kidnapping. Mr. Berlitz had almost broken down because of it.
"Platinum, you've learned some bad habits lately. You even know how to be sarcastic now," Damian raised an eyebrow.
"I have not!" The young lady of the Berlitz family didn't sound very convincing.
"You should spend less time learning from Paul. He's smart, but his way of doing things doesn't suit you."
Damian felt that Paul must have rubbed off on Platinum.
"Also, I think I can explain."
"Although I did use some rough methods to take you away from Mr. Berlitz back then, I only did it because I had no other choice."
Damian let out a sigh.
"I didn't expect Mr. Berlitz to still hold a grudge against me. But I believe he will understand in the future."
"Even though he has lost a daughter for now, he will definitely gain even more later on."
Damian spoke with total confidence.
In the future, Mr. Berlitz would definitely get back more than just one daughter.
"???"
Platinum tilted her head in confusion on the screen. She had no idea what Damian meant by that.
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