Following Agatha's words, the whole scene fell into silence.
Ma En and Launce were both speechless, especially Launce. He hadn't expected Agatha to think so highly of Ma En that she was willing to give Zapdos to him. After all, there weren't many opportunities to become the trainer of a Legendary Pokémon.
On the other hand, after his initial shock, Ma En seriously considered accepting the offer. However, he quickly dismissed the idea.
His special ability made Ghost- and Dark-type Pokémon the best choices for him, and Zapdos didn't fit within that category. More importantly, he knew he wouldn't be able to command Zapdos properly. Carrying it around would be like having a bomb strapped to his back—it could turn on him at any time.
After careful thought, Ma En decisively gave Agatha his answer.
Agatha, however, didn't seem surprised. In fact, a satisfied smile appeared on her face as if she had anticipated his response.
"But Grandma Agatha, won't the League have objections if you keep Zapdos?" Ma En asked.
Agatha scoffed. "If they have any objections, they can come raise them themselves. Whoever wants it can try taking it from me personally."
Hearing this, Ma En and Launce could only smile awkwardly. Especially Launce, who was now convinced that both grandmother and grandson were equally ruthless.
"But I don't intend to keep this Zapdos," Agatha continued. "So, I'm giving you full rights to decide its fate, Ma En. Whether you want to use it yourself or trade it for resources is up to you."
Ma En blinked. "Really? Grandma, didn't you say you wouldn't give me any special treatment?"
Agatha chuckled. "The biggest credit for solving this incident goes to you and that kid from the Yulong family next to you. I'm simply rewarding you accordingly."
Then her tone darkened. "The League was completely humiliated by those sewer rats this time. They owe me a favor for stepping in to handle this mess."
She smirked. "And if you plan to trade Zapdos for resources, make sure to bleed the League dry. It'd be a waste to let those resources sit unused by those incompetent fools."
Her words dripped with disdain for the League's leadership.
Ma En and Launce exchanged awkward glances but didn't refute her. After all, they couldn't exactly disagree with her assessment.
---
Making the List
After hanging up with Agatha, Ma En pulled out a pen and paper and began listing what he could demand in exchange for Zapdos.
As Ma En jotted down item after item, Launce—who was sitting beside him—couldn't help but feel sorry for the League.
Suddenly, Ma En turned toward him and asked, "By the way, Launce, does your Yulong family want Zapdos? I can give you a friendly price."
Although Ma En's smile seemed friendly, Launce felt a chill down his spine. He instinctively waved his hands in refusal.
"No thanks! I only train Dragon-type Pokémon!"
Ma En shrugged and moved on to his next potential buyer. He pulled out his Pokédex and called Steven Stone.
The moment the call connected, Ma En greeted him with:
"Steven, do you want Zapdos? It's on sale at a bargain price!"
There was 30 seconds of silence from the other end before Steven Stone finally answered.
"No. Absolutely not."
And just like that, Zapdos had been rejected twice in a row.
If Zapdos knew it was being auctioned off like an old bicycle—only to be flat-out rejected—would it burst out of its Poké Ball and fry Ma En with a Thunderbolt?
---
The League's Reaction
It didn't take long for representatives from the Pokémon League to arrive in Cerulean City.
After all, even if Ma En wasn't interested in Zapdos, there were plenty of others who would jump at the chance to become a Legendary Pokémon's trainer.
However, the moment the League officials saw the list of demands Ma En had prepared, their faces turned red with anger.
One of them even slammed his fist on the table. "This is outrageous! The demands on this list are completely unreasonable! The League will NEVER agree to such conditions!"
Of course, Ma En hadn't expected them to accept everything right away. He understood the art of negotiation—always start high and let the other party bargain it down.
After all, in business, the key was to ask for more than you actually expect.
Ma En wasn't particularly talented in his past life, but he had been doing business for years. He had enough experience to know how this game was played.
Launce watched the heated negotiation from the sidelines, observing as Ma En went back and forth with the League officials.
After some intense arguing and crossing out some of the more ridiculous demands, the League representative finally gritted his teeth and agreed to the deal.
The League promised that the exchange would be completed within three days.
---
Meanwhile, at Team Rocket's Secret Base in Viridian City...
Deep inside Team Rocket's secret base, Lt. Surge stormed down a corridor, his face twisted in rage.
He pushed open the doors to a conference room, where several Team Rocket Executives were already gathered.
The moment he stepped inside, a mocking voice greeted him.
"Well, well, if it isn't our dear loser, Lt. Surge!"
The speaker was Proton, one of Team Rocket's Executives. He smirked, leaning back in his chair.
Beside him, Archer and Ariana chuckled, exchanging amused glances as they looked at Lt. Surge with mocking eyes.
"Proton, you bastard!" Lt. Surge growled. "If the Weavile you lent me hadn't been defective, I wouldn't have failed!"
Proton scoffed. "Hah! You got beaten by a couple of kids, and now you're blaming me? Pathetic. I should be charging you for Weavile's medical expenses."
Just as Lt. Surge was about to fire back, the screen in the conference room lit up.
A woman's face appeared on the monitor—Manori, Giovanni's secretary.
The moment she appeared, all four Executives immediately shut up and straightened in their seats.
As Giovanni's right-hand woman, her presence meant that Giovanni had important orders to relay.
"Executives, Giovanni is busy, so I will deliver the next mission briefing."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"First, we are to approach Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron City, and attempt to recruit her into Team Rocket. Her full dossier will be sent to you shortly. However, if she refuses, you are NOT to provoke her."
She then turned her gaze toward Lt. Surge.
"At the same time, Giovanni has strictly forbidden any retaliation against Ma En or Launce."
Lt. Surge's fists clenched. "Why!?"
Manori's expression remained cold.
"Because Ma En is the grandson of Elite Four Agatha, and Launce is the future heir of the family. Team Rocket has already drawn too much attention from the League. Giovanni does not want to create any new enemies that might interfere with the New Island Project."
At the mention of the New Island Project, Lt. Surge fell silent.
He knew that this project was Team Rocket's highest priority, and everything else had to take a backseat.
Still, when he heard Agatha's name, he couldn't suppress a shiver.
---..-------------------------------------
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