Annihilating local forces?
Aoki couldn't ask for more!
If these forces weren't eliminated, they would be like leeches, silently draining the nutrients from the Hoenn region.
However, it was certainly unrealistic to clear them all out, so Adams only asked Aoki to clear out the most active ones. The Alliance had records of all these forces.
Anyway, the Sky Team was perfectly well-behaved and wouldn't enter the Alliance's radar.
"Also, the remnants of Team Magma and Team Aqua have all completely disappeared for now. Be careful when you're working, and report immediately if you find them," Adams added.
Aoki nodded.
"As for those forces that remained very well-behaved during this incident, see if there's any room for maneuver. You can incorporate them or even form a different kind of cooperation, but you must ensure they have no hostility towards the Alliance. To deal with these underground forces, it's most convenient to use other underground forces."
When he said this, Adams hesitated slightly.
This went against his principles, but he had to admit it was a very effective and efficient method.
For example, Mauville City was excessively stable compared to other turbulent cities during this incident.
This was precisely because the Sky Team was well-behaved, and the small-time criminals in the city didn't dare to cause trouble.
Some people are like that; they don't fear the Alliance but fear those local dark forces. Because they are smart, they know that even if they are caught by the Alliance, as long as they haven't done too many unforgivable bad deeds, they don't have to worry about their lives. But those underground forces won't talk about good or bad deeds with you; if you provoke them, it's one word: kill!
So, after the Sky Team gained complete control of Mauville City, the crime rate plummeted. These statistics were now on Adams' desk.
"Yes!" Aoki responded again.
Then Adams assigned and distributed more work and tasks.
From these work lists, it was clear that the Hoenn Alliance was preparing to enhance its overall strength, with various aspects aimed at providing convenience for different trainers.
For example, lowering the threshold for receiving starter Pokémon, reducing the cost of treatment and accommodation charged by Pokémon Centers to non-Alliance-affiliated trainers, and regulating the prices of common market goods, such as Poké Balls, ordinary healing potions, and sprays, etc...
All of this was paid for by the Alliance itself.
From beginning to end, the head of the Alliance's Ministry of Finance never truly smiled, his brows tightly furrowed.
This was all money, just being thrown out. One or two people couldn't really see the impact, but he could foresee how many trainers would emerge in the Hoenn region in the coming period.
Coupled with Aoki serving as a role model for commoner trainers, who knew how many commoners would resolutely embark on the path of a trainer?
...
While the Hoenn Alliance was holding its meeting, other regions were also holding meetings, primarily discussing Aoki becoming a Hoenn Elite Four member, and currently the youngest Elite Four member.
A seventeen-year-old Elite Four member, still a few months shy of turning eighteen.
"Haha, Lance, your crown as the youngest Elite Four has now been snatched by your good friend." A man with a bare upper body, showing bulging muscles and many prominent scars, was none other than the Fighting-type Elite Four of the Kanto region, Bruno!
Upon hearing this, Lance smiled slightly, "It's truly fast. Aoki's improvement speed amazes even me; I feel ashamed of my inferiority.
Although my Pokémon are stronger than his in raw power, I currently still only use a single-core strategy. It's hard to say who would win in a battle against him, after all, I'm not Steven, able to ignore his double sandstorm."
"Tsk, those aren't words a Kanto Elite Four should say. As the most talented Dragon-type Elite Four of the Kanto region, Lance, your fearless nature actually boosts others' morale and diminishes your own prestige. Your record of challenging Bruno eighteen times in a row is something no one can surpass," said an elderly woman sitting nearby, holding a cane.
This was the Kanto Ghost-type Elite Four, Agatha, the supreme commander of the Ghost Legion.
In another seat sat an expressionless, older man with a white scarf draped straight around his neck, the Ice-type Elite Four Lorelei!
However, Lorelei remained silent, showing no intention of joining their conversation.
He just sat there with his eyes closed, resting...
The other three were clearly accustomed to his state.
Hearing Agatha's words, Bruno's face soured, "Lance, how about we discuss something? I'll give you the third Elite Four position if you stop challenging me."
After becoming an Elite Four member, Lance was the fourth Elite Four, whether by order of entry or by strength.
How could this be easily accepted by Lance, the proud Dragon-type Elite Four?
Thus, the astonishing eighteen consecutive battles occurred.
Challenging Bruno eighteen times in a row, though he never won once, it made Bruno suffer immensely, a bitter experience only he knew.
Lance, however, shook his head, "No need. I know there's still a big gap between us.
However, inspired by Aoki, I've found the key to my second core! Once I successfully master the dual-core strategy, I'll challenge you again. By then, I shouldn't lose so badly."
"Oh?" Hearing Lance's words, Bruno and Agatha showed a hint of surprise. Even Lorelei, who had been keeping his eyes closed, had a slight gap appear in his eyes, looking at the confident Lance.
"Haha, as expected of our Kanto region's first genius. I didn't expect you to find your second core so quickly. Don't worry, when your dual-core strategy is complete, I'll definitely fight you with all my strength, otherwise, I really might lose," Bruno said with a hearty laugh.
It was as if Lance finding his second core brought him great benefit.
"In that case, why don't you start the Elite Four Tour? It's perfect for honing your second core. First, tour Kanto and Johto, and once your dual-core strategy is complete, go to other regions and let them see that our Kanto genius is by no means inferior," Agatha also spoke.
Elite Four Tour?
Lance was slightly stunned, then nodded, "Alright! Then let's start with the Elite Four Tour."
Just by Lance's expression, one could tell he was full of fighting spirit and confidence at that moment!
At this moment, Lorelei stood up, silently walked to the door, stopped, said a sentence, and then left the room.
"The most talented person in the Kanto region has always been..."
Hearing Lorelei's words, both Agatha and Bruno's expressions changed simultaneously.
Lance, however, didn't know who Lorelei was referring to and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Agatha, Bruno, who is the person Lorelei holds in such high regard?"
Agatha and Bruno exchanged glances, then Agatha, with a hint of helplessness and bitterness, said, "You know this person too...
It's the current leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni!"