Seeing the skyrocketing viewership numbers in the livestream, Scott was over the moon.
Especially when Gengar stood its ground against Metagross in the final match, refusing to retreat and forcing a mutual knockout with Destiny Bond — that moment caused the stream to reach its peak.
When was the last time our Battle Frontier was this popular?
Scott was practically hearing the cha-ching of Pokédollars as the flood of comments in the livestream showed hundreds, if not thousands, of people expressing their desire to challenge the Battle Frontier.
This prosperity... exactly as I wished!
Scott glanced at the battlefield.
Additionally...
There had always been rumors that Johan's battles were notoriously destructive to the arenas.
But after witnessing today's matches...
Turns out rumors aren't always true.
The battlefield only needed minor repairs here and there, nothing that would cost much.
What a profitable day~!
Scott hummed a cheerful tune.
Ten minutes later.
"Ka-kaah~~ (ˊ〇ˋ*)"
Gengar stretched lazily, yawning while munching on a Revive Seed. Though it had physically recovered, its energy seemed a bit drained.
"You really don't want to try this?"
Johan held up a bottle of Energy Root, raising an eyebrow.
"Ka-kaah!"
No way!
Gengar crossed its arms in a firm X, shaking its head without hesitation.
It was exhausted from the battle, not brain-dead.
Energy Root? That bitter stuff was something only Kubfu would enjoy, often brewing it into tea and reciting some philosophical nonsense like:
"One must endure bitterness before tasting success!"
Why torture yourself on purpose?
Meanwhile, Anabel approached after tending to her Pokémon.
"Mr. Johan, this is proof that you've conquered the Battle Tower — the Symbol of Ability."
She handed over a golden badge engraved with the Battle Tower's silhouette.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar quickly grabbed it, biting down lightly. Its eyes sparkled.
It tugged at Johan's sleeve.
"Ka-kaah! ≧(▽｀)≦"
It's real gold!
Johan chuckled, shaking his head.
"Look at you, acting all stingy."
Sure, it was gold.
But the real reward was the prize money and points from clearing the tower.
"Thank you," Johan said, accepting the badge.
Anabel then smiled.
"Mr. Johan, if you have a moment, may we have a chat?"
"Chat?"
Johan hesitated briefly before nodding.
"Sure."
At a nearby café within the Battle Frontier, Johan, Steven, Flannery, Roxanne, and the Pokémon — including Gengar, Ninetales, and Jirachi — gathered at an outdoor table.
Gengar sneakily invited Jirachi to try some coffee.
Moments later, Jirachi's face scrunched up in disgust, tears welling in its eyes.
In Johan's mind, the telepathic complaints were relentless:
"Gengar... mean! Gengar... bad!"
Only after Charcadet offered Jirachi a slice of sweet cake and Johan bought it a plush toy did the little creature finally stop pouting.
Still, it clung to the plushie and shot Gengar the occasional glare, its cheeks puffed in frustration.
"It's odd that it chose a Mimikyu doll," Johan muttered.
Anabel couldn't help but chuckle at the scene.
"Such an adorable little thing," she said, her gaze softening as she watched Jirachi.
Once the Pokémon were settled, Johan and Anabel moved to a quiet corner inside the café.
Anabel got straight to the point.
"Mr. Johan, do you know who those people last night were?"
Johan feigned confusion, tilting his head.
"Weren't they just poachers?"
Of course, Johan knew they were Team Aqua members.
But explaining that — along with how he knew their identities — would raise far too many questions.
Anabel nodded, not suspecting anything.
"That's what they claimed. But after digging deeper, we discovered they belong to a group called Team Aqua."
"Team Aqua..." Johan echoed, pretending to process the name.
"We're still investigating their goals, but it's clear they're not just ordinary poachers."
Anabel's expression turned more serious.
"I wanted to warn you to be cautious. Something about them feels... dangerous."
Johan nodded.
Dangerous?
You have no idea.
"I also have another matter to discuss."
Anabel's tone became even more formal.
"On behalf of the International Police, I'd like to officially invite you to join us."
Johan blinked in surprise.
His expression grew complicated.
Join the International Police?
Why did this plotline feel oddly familiar?
Undercover? Double agent?
Let's not forget — Johan was already an undercover Rocket executive!
Although Giovanni hadn't officially confirmed it, Johan was well aware of his hidden status.
Before Johan could respond, Anabel continued:
"This invitation comes at the recommendation of Champion Drake, Elite Four Agatha, the Officer Jenny family, and Looker himself."
Wait... Agatha?
Drake and the Officer Jenny family made sense.
But why would Agatha be involved?
Oh, right.
Agatha, like Drake, was the head of Kanto's investigative division.
And the investigative division worked closely with the International Police.
"Ms. Anabel, I'm just an ordinary teacher. I don't know if I'm suited for such a role..."
"Ordinary?"
Anabel couldn't help but chuckle.
What "ordinary" teacher could almost sweep a seasoned Frontier Brain like herself?
However, she explained patiently:
"You wouldn't be an active agent. We're offering you a special advisory position — rank: Superintendent."
Superintendent?
In the manga, Black held the same rank.
And advisor?
Johan couldn't help but smirk internally.
Advisory positions were often honorary — a title given to people of influence.
"The cases we handle often involve complex, dangerous situations..."
Anabel's expression darkened.
"Many agents, and their Pokémon, suffer trauma that leaves lasting scars..."
Like Nanu?
Johan immediately thought of the retired police chief from Ula'ula Island, who once worked for the International Police.
Anabel's words resonated with Johan.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized he wasn't entirely against the idea.
"And I've heard you're particularly... opposed to poachers."
Johan's expression hardened.
"No proper trainer would condone poaching."
He wasn't lying.
Several of Johan's Pokémon — like his Ninetales and Indeedee siblings — had tragic histories involving poachers.
Anabel seized the moment.
"We're currently cracking down on a cross-regional poaching ring. The International Police could use your expertise."
Johan fell silent.
The offer was tempting.
Helping to heal trauma, fighting poachers...
"I need some time to think it over," he finally said.
Anabel nodded.
"Of course."
They exchanged contact information before parting ways.
As Johan sat quietly, his thoughts were interrupted by a message from Matori.
She explained how Team Aqua had attempted to gather information on Johan through Rocket channels — and how those responsible were now "indefinitely reassigned" to the mines.
Johan couldn't help but chuckle.
Honestly... being a Rocket executive has its perks.
With Team Aqua too scared to make direct moves, and the League handling official investigations...
Maybe he could play both sides?
Why not aim for the top in both worlds?
The idea made him grin, but he shook his head.
It can't be that easy.
"Mr. Johan, should we head back to the hotel?" Flannery asked as they left the café.
"Back to rest?"
Johan glanced at the setting sun and grinned.
"We've barely started."
"Huh?"
Roxanne blinked in confusion.
"You want to challenge another Frontier facility?"
"Gengar's exhausted," Flannery pointed out.
"Ka-kaah! (￢з￢)σ"
False accusation!
Johan patted Gengar's head with a laugh.
"Gengar deserves a break. But the rest of you seem eager."
He turned to the Pokémon.
They all nodded enthusiastically — especially Jirachi.
"Johan, keep going! Let's keep going!"
"Well, which one should we try next?"
Jirachi pointed excitedly toward the Battle Pike.
The Battle Pike resembled a giant Seviper, with 140 randomly generated rooms inside.
It was all about luck.
Johan gulped.
"Luck-based?"
His companions gave him skeptical looks.
"Are you sure about this?" Steven asked.
Johan glanced at Jirachi.
Maybe its Serene Grace can help?
With a determined smile, he declared:
"All right!
Today... let's test our luck!"
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Powerstones?
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