"The unit price the Kanto League secured was 200,000 Poké Dollars per order.
The official public price on the online shop is 250,000 Poké Dollars.
As for the other Kanto families, their order prices range between 250,000 and 350,000 Poké Dollars."
"Ash told us to set the price ourselves, but this is obviously a test. That means we absolutely can't try to gain petty advantages here. The price cannot be lower than the online shop's official rate, nor can it be lower than what the other Kanto families received."
"Didn't I say this before?"
"When we intercepted Ash's interests earlier, we would return that loss—in full, or even doubled—through future cooperation prices. Now is exactly that opportunity."
"Then… Uncle, what do you suggest?" Katsuta asked again.
"Previously, when Ash tested the waters through the online shop, didn't I ask you to offer a high price to establish cooperation in advance?"
"I think that price was very appropriate."
"It's higher than what the other Kanto families are paying, but not so high that Ash would feel we're trying to exploit his sense of gratitude."
"And 500,000 Poké Dollars per order is a price our Tsuchihara Family can comfortably accept."
"Remember this well, Katsuta—this isn't about a single business deal with Ash."
"We're building a long-term relationship."
"A Trainer like Ash—one with extraordinary talent and limitless potential—his friendship alone is worth far more than money could ever measure."
"In short, maintaining good relations with him will never be a mistake."
"I understand, Uncle." Katsuta nodded solemnly, taking his words to heart.
-----
Pallet Town
"Even though they previously offered 500,000 Poké Dollars per test order to gain an advantage… now that they're allowed to set the price themselves, they're still willing to pay 500,000."
"Not bad."
"The Tsuchihara Family is sincere, and their clan head has more decisiveness than I expected."
"Ash nodded lightly.
"Rotom, sign the contract at that price."
"When this contract expires, whether it's helping Magikarp learn Tackle or assisting other Pokémon with skill learning, offer the Tsuchihara Family the same preferential rate as the Kanto League."
"OK~ Loto!!" Rotom responded immediately.
"Oh, right."
"Rotom, call Viridian Gym and let them know I'll visit this afternoon after lunch."
"The Pokémon they previously asked me to help treat can be sent over to Viridian Gym in advance."
The reason Ash had agreed three days ago to help treat that special Pokémon—yet hadn't gone immediately—was simple:
The contracts with the major Kanto families hadn't been signed yet.
Before the contracts were finalized, all cooperation was merely verbal, lacking any legal force. The web of shared interests that would secure his safety hadn't been fully established either.
Going to Team Rocket under those circumstances would mean one less layer of protection.
Having transmigrated and lived a second life—in the Pokémon world no less—and reborn as Ash Ketchum, the original anime protagonist…
In this world, Ash had finally gained what he once longed for but never truly possessed:
a home, family, friends, bonds, and companionship.
He cherished everything he had now—deeply.
Which was why he placed immense importance on his own safety and refused to take unnecessary risks.
Especially when his current strength was still insufficient—being cautious was never wrong.
"OK~ Loto!!" Rotom replied, immediately following Ash's instructions and placing the call to Team Rocket.
-----
Viridian City · Viridian Gym
"Boss, Meowth just reported that Ash called earlier. He said he'll come over this afternoon after lunch and told us to make preparations."
Inside the same large office Ash had seen during the video call, Matori, wearing narrow metal-framed glasses and sporting a doll-like face, reported calmly to the middle-aged man seated on the sofa.
Hearing this, Giovanni's stern, icy expression softened into a faint smile.
"As of 12:00 noon, every major Kanto family that reached cooperation with that kid has received his signed contract. Their partnerships are now officially in effect."
"And only after that did he call us."
"Bold, yet meticulous. His actions leave no cracks at all."
"The more I see, the more I admire him."
"If he were part of Team Rocket, I'd groom him as my successor without hesitation."
"That kid's temperament and methods… he has the makings of an underworld king."
"No—far more than that."
"He has the potential to become a godfather who controls both the shadows and the light."
Giovanni gazed into the darkness ahead, his words and expression filled with undisguised admiration.
"Ash is indeed exceptional," Matori replied coolly.
"But the titles of ultimate underworld king and godfather of black and white alike—only you deserve those, Boss."
"Compared to you, Team Magma's Maxie, Team Aqua's Archie, Team Galactic's Cyrus, Team Plasma's Ghetsis, and Team Flare's Lysandre combined don't even amount to a fraction of your greatness."
Her tone was calm and emotionless, yet beneath that composure lay near-fanatical reverence.
Giovanni paid her praise no mind and spoke evenly:
"Notify Dr. Fuji about Ash's visit this afternoon. Tell him to be ready."
"The research on the Gene Stabilization Serum hasn't made any progress. When he heard Ash agreed to help, that old man rushed over from New Island immediately."
"He's been waiting three days now—he's practically about to lose his mind."
"Yes, Boss."
Matori relayed the message through her earpiece to the underground base beneath the Gym.
-----
Pallet Town → Viridian City
After lunch and a short rest, Ash pushed open the gate to his yard, mounted the bicycle he'd borrowed from Gary, and pedaled along the dirt road toward the outskirts of Pallet Town.
It had been half a month since his last trip to Viridian City.
The previous time, he'd gone there to buy Pokémon food and a phone—only to be ambushed and chased down on the outskirts highway by Jessie, James, and Meowth on his way back.
That encounter had been genuinely dangerous—and humiliating.
Under Team Rocket's threat, Ash hadn't dared leave Pallet Town for nearly half a month afterward.
Even purchasing Pokémon food and supplies, he'd paid extra just to have shops deliver them directly to his doorstep.
And ever since the "Drowzee Incident," Ash had become even more cautious.
Now, whenever customers sent their Pokémon to him through the online shop, he would meticulously check whether the Pokémon harbored any hostility toward him.
Because in this world—
Being careful wasn't weakness. It was survival.
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