Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

These 20 million correspond to all the necessary materials for the quality enhancement potions, excluding the main ingredients.

This includes all the secondary materials required for the evolution of Cain's Pokémon.

With the exception of the main ingredients for Kirlia's evolution into Gardevoir, Cain now possesses all the necessary components to craft the quality enhancement potions for his Pokémon.

For a good while, he won't need to travel long distances in search of these materials.

Additionally, Cain also visited several Pokémon specialty stores to acquire new species.

It wasn't for personal use, but to populate the island he owned.

His main goal was to increase the number of Pokémon on the island, strengthen the ecosystem, and prevent the disappearance of species that could disrupt the environmental balance.

On this occasion, he prioritized the purchase of Grass-type Pokémon.

The island still had somewhat sparse vegetation, and an increase in the number of these Pokémon could help improve air quality and ecosystem stability.

Grass-type Pokémon usually don't feed on other Pokémon, allowing them to grow while benefiting the forest at the same time.

Cain didn't need them to be wild Pokémon; in fact, those that had already been domesticated could help manage the ecosystem more easily.

He bought species like Oddish, Paras, Bellsprout, Tangela, Hoppip, Sunkern, and Shroomish, all excellent for his purpose.

Since these Pokémon were common and easy to find, their market value was quite low.

He selected individuals with noticeably above-average quality, knowing he could improve their abilities over time through controlled interventions.

He acquired nearly one hundred Pokémon, all with acceptable quality, for a total of 20 million Pokédollars.

However, the most notable purchase was the acquisition of three Bulbasaur and four Chikorita.

Since these starter Pokémon were highly sought after, even those of average quality had exorbitant prices.

The individuals he managed to acquire ranged between Light Green and Dark Green quality, without reaching Light Blue quality.

Even so, these seven Pokémon cost 20 million Pokédollars.

In total, he spent 40 million on the acquisition of over one hundred Pokémon.

Adding the 20 million in auxiliary materials and the 40 million in moves, Cain had spent a total of 100 million Pokédollars.

The money might seem like a lot, but spending it took only a few minutes.

With all his purchases made, he left the black market.

Instead of heading to the inspection agents' area, he returned to his hotel.

Once there, Slowking established a psychic barrier to prevent anyone from listening, and Cain took out the special Team Rocket communicator.

He dialed Umbra's number.

The call was answered quickly.

"Mr. Umbra!" Cain said respectfully.

The voice on the other end took a moment to respond.

"What is it?" Umbra asked, with a clear tone of fatigue.

"Sir, I'm currently in Goldenrod City."

"Oh?"

Umbra immediately sounded more interested.

He knew well what Team Rocket was doing in that city.

It was understandable that a member like Cain was there during the trade event, but not that he was contacting him directly.

"The League has tasked me with investigating Team Rocket's recent activities. They're beginning to worry about the lack of visible movements from our organization."

Cain got straight to the point, no beating around the bush.

There was a brief silence on the line.

"Put me through," said a new voice.

Cain instantly tensed up.

It was Giovanni.

"Hello, Cain, this is Giovanni," he said in a calm but firm tone.

He didn't speak with arrogance or superiority, but with the natural authority of a leader addressing one of his subordinates.

"Boss!" Cain responded respectfully.

"You say the League sent you to investigate our activities..."

"That's right. At first, they didn't pay much attention to our apparent restructuring, but after a long period with no public sightings of our operations, they've begun to suspect."

Giovanni took a moment before responding.

"Tell them we're gathering resources and that we intend to collaborate with Lysandre Labs from Kalos to develop custom combat uniforms."

It was a simple explanation that Cain could use to give a convincing report.

"Understood!"

Cain remembered seeing uniforms similar to those of the future Team Flare at the auction, but he hadn't considered the possibility that Team Rocket might be negotiating with them.

Perhaps Team Flare didn't exist yet, and everything operated under the name Lysandre Labs.

If Team Rocket wanted to collaborate with them, they first needed to evaluate their reliability.

If the lab survived the League's investigation, it meant they were a valuable ally.

If it was eliminated, then it wasn't worthy of working with Team Rocket.

At the same time, this would divert the League's attention to another target.

Giovanni had managed to kill two birds with one stone, without lifting a finger.

"By the way, since you were at the auction, you should keep an eye on the major families that participated in it. Report any irregularities to the League."

Cain felt a chill.

It wasn't just a double play—Giovanni was achieving three objectives at once.

Not only was he drawing the League's attention away from Team Rocket, but he was also generating internal conflicts within the League itself.

While this wouldn't cause a drastic shift, it would certainly buy Team Rocket the time they needed.

"Understood!" Cain grasped the strategy immediately.

"But..." Giovanni continued.

(End of chapter)