Chapter 68: You're All Going to Regret This!
Video call.
Kukui had pulled together Hala, Olivia, and Nanu — the three remaining Kahunas — and invited Lusamine as well.
In his view, Lusamine was one of Alola's pillars. Her perspective mattered.
"So. What do you all think? Do we accept Mammon's offer to coexist?"
Kukui rubbed his temples, exhausted. He genuinely couldn't make up his mind.
Hala's brow was deeply furrowed. Nanu exhaled a long, practiced sigh. Lusamine, attending one of these Alolan leadership meetings for the first time, said nothing.
"I refuse."
Olivia was first. She had zero goodwill toward Mammon, and in her view, Team Rocket was an evil organization — full stop. No amount of smooth talking changed that.
"Kukui, let's be clear about what we're dealing with. Team Rocket is a wanted criminal organization. The Kanto League has them on their list. How can we possibly agree to coexist with them?"
"This is our Alola. We don't need Team Rocket's help."
Her voice was sharp with outrage.
"And that Mammon captured Tapu Fini — a guardian that has protected Alola for generations!"
"Island Queen Olivia," Lusamine said quietly. "I should mention — it's no longer just Tapu Fini."
Olivia blinked. "What?"
"According to Aether Foundation intelligence, the Rocket executive Caitlin was spotted on Akala Island's beach with Tapu Lele. It appears Tapu Lele has been captured."
Olivia's face went red in real time.
"Those BASTARDS—"
Tapu Lele was Akala Island's guardian. More than that — Tapu Lele had personally chosen her as Island Queen. This was personal.
"Hala, Nanu, President Lusamine — what do you think?"
Kukui turned to the others. Olivia was a definitive no; that was already settled.
"I…" Hala hesitated visibly.
"I'll go with whatever you all decide," Nanu said, in the tone of a man who had given up on most things.
"Starting a war with Team Rocket right now isn't wise," Lusamine said carefully, "but allowing the Alola branch to develop without restriction isn't a sustainable position either. I'll defer to the group."
Same as Nanu, essentially. Majority rules.
"I'll speak plainly," Hala said, his voice settling into something grave. "At present, Team Rocket has shown no outright threat to Alola. If that remains true, short-term coexistence is not an unreasonable strategy."
This was all contingent, of course, on the Alola branch continuing to present as the relatively restrained operation it currently appeared to be.
"Hala—" Olivia stared at him.
"Olivia." His tone was firm. "A full confrontation with Team Rocket is not something we can afford right now. We cannot win it."
"Mammon's strength alone is a serious problem. And now there's Caitlin, who's apparently captured Tapu Lele. If we go to open war, I can't promise the peace and stability Alola has right now will survive it."
"But—" Olivia bit her lip.
"The Alola League's establishment is overdue, and that has to take priority. We can't fight on two fronts." Hala's gaze was steady. "Wait for the next generation. Once Mitsuki and Hau grow into what they're becoming — we won't need to fear Team Rocket."
He was betting on the newcomers. Mitsuki, who was something close to a prodigy. And his grandson Hau, who had his own kind of talent.
Once those two came into their own, Alola wouldn't need outside support to push back.
A temporary compromise, for a better future.
And the waiting period wasn't wasted — they could watch the Alola branch closely. If Team Rocket genuinely maintained this relatively harmless profile and kept its distance from the Kanto branch, true coexistence might not be impossible in the long run.
"Then we agree on this for now," Kukui said, reaching his conclusion. "Coexistence, watch their movements, and quietly work to limit their expansion."
The priority right now was the Alola League. Everything else came second.
"I still disagree. A person like him doesn't compromise out of goodwill — he never does. There's an angle here." Olivia wasn't moving.
"Let's vote. Majority rules."
Kukui sighed quietly. He understood Olivia's position. But what was the better option?
The result was what it was: Kukui and Hala both voted for temporary coexistence. Nanu quietly raised his hand. Lusamine abstained. Olivia voted against.
"You're all going to regret this," Olivia said, her laugh edged with anger.
"Olivia. Be rational. Majority rules."
Hala frowned at her. She was principled, but her principles had pushed into something too absolute. Still young.
Olivia clenched her jaw and ended the call.
She thought Kukui and the others had lost their minds. Coexisting with an evil organization. Had they all gone completely soft in the head?
"So. How do I make a smooth transition to the Boss position…"
On a Hau'oli City street, Mammon strolled in excellent spirits, a bag of snacks in one hand. Tapu Fini drifted alongside him, working through a Casteliacone with great focus and deep satisfaction.
Shell Lady had concluded that this was an excellent life. Considerably more interesting than drifting around Poni Island every day with nothing to do.
Kukui's reply had come in. He'd agreed to the terms — with conditions attached, naturally. Mammon couldn't go after Tapu Koko or Tapu Bulu. And Tapu Fini was expected to head to Poni Island soon and select someone to serve as the new Island Kahuna.
Mammon had agreed to both.
Alola was essentially settled. The open-facing businesses were safe from interference for now. And the underground operations — Aether Foundation, the Pokémon Ride Shop, and others — could develop freely.
Alola would take the shape of Team Rocket eventually. It was only a matter of time.
As for Hala betting everything on Mitsuki and Hau — Mammon could only think: the old man is dreaming.
Ula'ula Island. Aether House.
"Miss Mitsuki, a delivery for you."
An Aether Foundation staff member handed Mitsuki two Poké Balls.
"Oh thanks! Wait — why are there two?"
She tilted her head, puzzled. Her boyfriend had definitely told her it was one last night.
"They're probably both wonderful Pokémon. Go on, open them!" Lillie smiled warmly from nearby.
"Yes, yes, open them! Let's see what your boyfriend got you~" Acerola was already leaning in.
"He's such a worrywart, honestly." Mitsuki grinned. "I'm already this strong and he still thinks I need more Pokémon."
She stepped outside and released both Balls at once.
"Yiya~"
"Yi~"
One call was bright and melodic — a bird's clear, beautiful cry. The other was airy, hollow, strangely flat.
"Oh WOW—"
Acerola's eyes went huge, fixed on the left: a bird Pokémon with magnificent ice-blue wings.
Lillie's gaze went to the right, and stayed there.
A pale, milky-white Pokémon. Something like a jellyfish.
She knew what this was.
How does he have one of these?
She'd told herself she didn't want to think about it. But the pieces kept assembling themselves in her mind, each one clicking into place with quiet, inevitable certainty.
Lillie stood very still, her expression dimming, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Why does it have to be like this…
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