"It's been two days since the message was sent out. Why haven't I seen Sir Leo yet..."
In the grand hall of the Coast Kingdom's palace, Joffrey paced back and forth, his steps quick and restless.
Unlike the downtrodden figure he had been two months ago, Joffrey was now brimming with energy, his hefty frame quivering with every step he took. However, despite his renewed vigor, the impatience in his movements was unmistakable.
The root of his agitation could be traced back to the first match at the Pokémon League Conference...
Last month, as a VIP3 trader, Joffrey had managed to arrange a qualifying match with another VIP3 trader. The negotiations had gone smoothly, and the opposing party had agreed to hold the battle in the Kingdom of Coast.
Seeing this as a perfect opportunity, Joffrey had planned to showcase the excitement of Pokémon battles to his people and had even launched an extensive promotional campaign.
But when the other party arrived at the Coast Kingdom's port aboard the navy's top warship, Joffrey made a shocking discovery...
"The real fool here is me!"
Joffrey never expected that Sir Leo, who had been making waves across the East Blue Sea, had actually struck a deal with the Navy Hero, Garp!
What stung even more was that the battle never took place.
The opponent simply summoned a colossal Gyarados, which instantly intimidated Joffrey's Pidgeot.
In the world of pirates, Gyarados's presence was as overwhelming as the Conqueror's Haki.
Against such a formidable Pokémon, even a stronger one could be terrified into submission!
Joffrey was stunned, but he quickly realized the situation.
As a naval hero, Garp had access to resources far beyond what a small, struggling king like Joffrey could muster.
A few days later, Joffrey received an invitation to participate in an open ranking league organized by a merchant association.
At the time, Joffrey thought to himself...
"I'm a VIP level 3 trader, why should I fear you level 2 merchants?"
Without hesitation, Joffrey accepted the challenge.
The outcome, however, was all too predictable.
Leo had provided Joffrey with a Pidgeot of mediocre qualifications, barely at level 20.
Facing merchants who had poured all their wealth into the strength of their Pokémon, Joffrey was utterly defeated.
The loss left Joffrey speechless for days.
It wasn't just the defeat that bothered him—it was the sheer humiliation of it all!
After much contemplation, Joffrey made a decision a few days ago...
"To hell with heavenly gold! I'm going to buy a powerful Pokémon!"
And so, Joffrey sent a trade request to Leo and received a positive response.
But after waiting for two days, his impatience only grew.
It was like placing an order for an expensive item online after days of research, only to find that the delivery was taking far too long.
Exhausted from pacing, Joffrey leaned against the castle window, looking out at the sky with a mix of helplessness and frustration, shouting:
"Lord Dimensional Merchant, when will you come!?"
Just then...
Perhaps moved by his sincerity, or maybe it was sheer luck, a mysterious voice echoed from the sky.
"Since you've asked so loudly..."
"Then I shall answer you with benevolence!"
Whoosh!
A peculiar hot air balloon appeared out of nowhere before Joffrey, as if it had traveled through space and time.
At that moment, the sun in the sky seemed to transform into a spotlight, casting its rays directly onto the actors who were about to take the stage.
Joffrey instantly noticed the two figures standing back-to-back on the edge of the balloon, gazing down intently.
As he stared in bewilderment at the scene before him...
Three figures suddenly leaped from the balloon, landing neatly on the window sill.
Besides the two mysterious individuals, there was also an unusual cat.
Joffrey immediately recognized it as the Pokémon Meowth.
The man and woman then began striking dramatic poses as if they were performing on stage.
The woman tossed her long hair and declared:
"To protect the world from devastation!"
The man, with a rose in his mouth, added:
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket, traveling through the dimensions!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
With Meowth's final cry, the trio's iconic and flamboyant introduction came to a close.
At that moment, Joffrey wasn't sure if it was just his imagination...
But even though it was broad daylight, he seemed to see a sky full of stars behind the duo!
"You... who are you...?"
Joffrey stammered in shock.
James twirled the rose in his hand, letting its petals fall as he looked Joffrey in the eye, then pulled out a Rotom tablet and said:
"Joffrey Laurent, VIP level 3 member of the Chamber of Commerce of All Worlds. You sent a trade request, correct?"
"Uh... yes... that's right."
Joffrey replied, still dazed.
Jessie stepped forward, locking eyes with Joffrey and said sternly:
"We are business assistants dispatched by the All Worlds Chamber of Commerce..."
"From today onward, all transactions in the East Blue Sea of the Pirate World will be handled by Team Rocket!"
Jessie, who had been given permission by Leo to retain the name [Team Rocket], declared proudly.
At that moment, Meowth waved its paw and continued:
"Now, the trading information bar should appear in your mind. Just select the items you want to trade and click confirm!"
"This..."
Joffrey, feeling a bit lost, suddenly sensed something in his mind and instinctively closed his eyes...
Sure enough, as Meowth had said, the trading interface appeared.
After some thought, Joffrey immediately selected the savings worth about 2 billion Berries he had prepared earlier and clicked confirm.
All of a sudden!
In the palace treasury, two-thirds of the treasures and Berries vanished without a trace.
Holding the Rotom tablet, James nodded to Meowth and Jessie with the confidence of a seasoned secretary.
The next moment...
The trio's expressions transformed into warm, welcoming smiles, radiating an aura of friendliness.
Meowth said, "The points have been redeemed successfully. Your current point balance is 4,000 points. What would you like to purchase?"
"..."
Joffrey, still adjusting to the trio's rapid mood changes, paused for a moment.
But as soon as he heard Meowth's question, he quickly shouted:
"Pokémon!!! I want to buy a powerful Pokémon!!!"
"Very well..."
"What is your budget? How many points do you want to spend, and what are your specific requirements for the Pokémon?"
James asked.
"This..."
Joffrey took out his Rotom phone and pondered for a moment.
He was no longer the clueless novice he once was.
He had gained a solid understanding of Pokémon.
In his mind, he already had a clear choice...
A Pokémon that combined strength and poison, resembling the mighty Groudon...
Nidoking!!!
(End of this chapter)