Mega Stones truly aren’t common goods. In theory, only Hoenn and Kalos have them—those regions’ exclusive battle system.

Just like how “Wishing Stars” only fall in Galar—each region has its own signature treasure, and Arceus’s “great hand” is clearly still at work, trying to give every land its unique relic.

“This is indeed useful to me, and beating the Area 8 Boss was on my schedule anyway.”

“I accept.”

“If it were the me from not long ago, facing the Area 8 Boss would’ve felt quite tricky. But now, I’m brimming with confidence.”

“Even so, I don’t intend to get careless. I hope that Lucarionite reaches me fast.”

Scott-san coughed lightly. “That is excellent news.”

“The stone will be sent to Unity Tower, then rushed to Black Skyscraper via our International Police express airlift.”

“Once you enter Area 8, I’ll leave from here.”

“HQ also has great confidence in your strength…”

“I heard you defeated one Ultra Beast in the Nature Preserve and successfully contained a second. You’ve made a major contribution to the peace of our world.”

That part was in Professor Burnet’s report—fighting dangerous beings from another world also falls under the International Police’s purview.

“Mm… HQ wishes to extend you an invitation…”

“That is, a special officer position dedicated to Ultra Beasts—the Interworld Countermeasures Division.”

“This post is, in fact…”

Scott-san gave a quick explanation.

The Ultra Beast Countermeasures HQ—UB Countermeasures—isn’t a standard branch of the International Police, but a very special unit.

Looker and Anabel both belong to it in the later era.

Very few Trainers can truly combat and investigate Ultra Beasts.

Once, the International Police had such experts.

But due to lack of intel and various reasons, the “protected bait” they were supposed to use ended up dying.

It was a major failure of the International Police.

Hikaru: “I know. That man is Alola’s Island Kahuna, Nanu. He took all the responsibility upon himself.”

Scott-san: “You actually know? Heh… Nanu… He did resign from the International Police because of that incident. He believed it was his plan’s failure and his lack of ability that caused the bait’s death.”

Hikaru of course knows.

The Ultra Beast that caused Nanu and Looker’s tactical failure was Guzzlord.

Scott-san:

“Enemies from beyond our world aren’t just Ultra Beasts.”

“There may be other, even more terrifying things.”

“That’s why we urgently need strong Trainers—we cannot let tragedy repeat.”

“Human malice, while powerful, can still be restrained.”

“But nature’s malice reasons with no one. It is like a natural disaster.”

He fell silent for a while, then sighed:

“My strength doesn’t match this Area either. So I don’t plan to battle you.”

“Here is the gate key.”

“But please be careful.”

“The man standing at the skyscraper’s apex is setting an evil plan in motion—he’s drawing Area 7’s experts here with enormous bounties!”

“His purpose needs no words.”

“By the rules of the challenge, I can’t help you in battle—but I do have a medical license.”

“So, if your Pokémon are injured, let me handle recovery.”

As they finished talking—thud, thud, thud—

Footsteps surged from every direction toward the central room!

From every room across Area 7, Trainers came flooding all at once to where Hikaru and Scott were!

“That’s him! We found you!”

“No mistake—the guy with the steel bug and the treasure chest ghost! If we knock him out, we get a massive bounty!”

“I’m going to the top of the Skyscraper and getting rich!”

“The broadcast said if we can scout out all of the rest of his Pokémon, there’s a fat reward too!”

“Seeing so many of us—even if you’re Elite Four level, you’ll lose here! The battle rules here aren’t like the outside!”

“Welcome to the danger zone where strength is everything! Prey on the weak, flee from the strong!”

With desires and dreams of every sort, the Trainers gathered. They cracked their knuckles, brimming with fighting spirit!

And their Trainer types varied wildly.

They weren’t all Elite Trainers—there were even Battle Maids, Backpackers, cram school Kids, Youngsters, Researchers…

If we’re only talking power inside the Skyscraper—those four “little elites” at Blueberry Academy would be nothing special here.

“No problem. All the same.”

Hikaru glanced down.

Gimmighoul was already dancing, as if urging, “C’mon, start the brawl!”

“If you want to see how many I’ve got, that’s fine—let’s clear the field in one go!”

Scott-san was taken aback. “There are almost twenty Trainers here, you’re going to…?”

Hikaru: “Even a hundred would be the same. In fact, the more the better.”

“In singles, you have to be cautious in your approach. But once it switches to a multi-opponent melee, there’s much less to think about, isn’t there?”

“Then let’s seal the sky, the earth, and the storm!”

“Gurroaar!”

“Gururururu!”

Walking Wake and Archaludon roared as they appeared in radiance, exuding overwhelming majesty!

Tempests, torrents, steel, the aura of dragons…

Lilligant and Iron Valiant took left and right—one still, one swift—gleaming with sacred light!

The power of nature, the magic of Fairy…

Lastly, Torterra stomped onto the ground with a heavy thud, while the slightly shy Celesteela hid behind Torterra; but being so huge, it only made the sense of “pressure” worse.

Hikaru: “The battle will end in an instant!”

“My Pokémon—you see them!”

Torterra slammed its forelegs down!

Lilligant leapt into a strange dance, whipping up a flurry like falling snow!

The valiant blade on Iron Valiant shone with a fierce pink light!

Dragons roared, dancers swung their blades, and the behemoths made heaven and earth thunder!

Earthquake. Petal Blizzard. Dazzling Gleam.

Twister. Breaking Swipe. Air Cutter!

Scott pressed down his hat; his heartbeat thundered. For a moment it felt like the end of the world—heaven collapsing and earth sundered!

What kind of power is this?

They were all moves that could hit every opposing target—

Area-of-effect attacks!

When the dust settled and the roaring and wailing ebbed, the Area 7 challengers who’d rushed in lay sprawled all over. Their Pokémon fell in sheets as well!

“Cooool~”

Gimmighoul poked its head out of the chest, whistling in delight!

Haha, my teammates and I are awesome—our combined output can shake the world!

You rabble! Behold your fate!

Time to happily loot the bodies!

Scott’s face went blank. He turned his head stiffly and heard the mutter of a defeated Psychic:

“I came here to meet opponents like this… that’s why I came…”

“But… I guess not. This is no longer at a level I can stop.”

Hiss—

Scott drew in a sharp breath.

“Is that it? Area 7 completely purged…”

“Only the Boss remains!”

Hikaru: “Right. So, Scott-san, please help these Trainers recover.”

“I’m not the one who needs healing.”

“And the Boss is already here.”

Down the dark corridor, the Boss Room opened by itself. Area 7 Boss Marcello walked out with heavy steps.

The probing operation had succeeded.

So—what was the price!

“I’m Marcello, Boss of Area 7. Rather than wait for you to come to me, I’ll come out myself!”

“You beat Haru Shion, the new ‘BOSS’ who then joined the BOSS Fan Club. Do you want to be an idol of the battle world like her?”

Hikaru shook his head. “No, I never thought that. That lady added me on her own.”

Marcello raised his Pokégear. “Is that so? But every battle in Black Skyscraper is broadcast!”

“Look. You already have a huge fanbase. On the Skyscraper’s official promo account, they’re choosing whom to support.”

He lifted the device.

“That’s right—battling is both forging and show. To attract more people to fight here—though we don’t even know who operates that ‘official’ account; even the mayor of Black City doesn’t know…”

“But your fame has surpassed every Area Boss here! In popularity you’re second only to Haru Shion!”

“My supporter rate versus yours… Only 27% support me!”

Hikaru fell into thought.

“What exactly is this ‘BOSS Fan Club’? Just a fan circle for battle?”

Inside the Black Skyscraper, it did exist—mentioned by a Battle Maid.

It seemed to be a community that idolized the Area Bosses.

Marcello let out a tense laugh.

“Pursuing strength and beauty is human nature.”

“Black Skyscraper is a challenge facility. Those rated as BOSS earn money, wealth, status—even authority over an Area.”

“Develop your and your Pokémon’s potential, constantly surpass stronger Trainers!”

“Even after leaving the Skyscraper, per your BOSS ranking, you’ll be scouted by challenge facilities and the League across the regions.”

“You might become a Gym Leader, a Frontier Brain, even a member of the Elite Four—of course, since the Skyscraper hasn’t been around long, only a few have done so. To this day, no one has reached the top.”

“In short, it’s an organization to realize self-worth—and to attract more people.”

“And now, the one who is the BOSS in this Area isn’t me—it’s you! So I’m issuing my challenge!”

“Go, Gyarados!”

[Emergency!]

[All Trainers in Area 7 have been defeated! Repeat, all have lost the ability to battle!]

[The opponent holds more than six Pokémon! Someone who doesn’t use the storage system!]

[Area 7 Boss Marcello disconnected—lost the ability to battle!]

[Zzz… Even I lost. Everything’s up to you.]

The messages from the comms room left the other Area Bosses silent.

The gatekeeper of Area 7 was defeated as well.

To be honest, once Haru Shion fell, Marcello losing was only a matter of time.

But Giovanni was delighted.

As soon as Area 7 was cleared, he had already put on his trench coat and black hat.

He gripped his Poké Ball, rolling it in his palm again and again.

It had been a long time since he felt his blood boil like this.

When Red defeated him, he didn’t feel pain.

But at Tohjo Falls, when he was beaten, he realized for the first time—his ability was far from enough.

If Team Rocket was to surpass its past self, the old methods had to change. He needed to recruit more powerful Trainers from challenge facilities.

Thus, to temper himself, he came to this place dubbed “Unova’s hard mode.”

First message: “A monster from outside appeared in Area 8.”

Second: “An unmentionable secret BOSS is closing in from space.”

Third: “Some despicable nobody wormed into Haru Shion’s cheering squad.”

Fourth: “…An unknown defeated the gate Trainer!”

Fifth: “A legendary Trainer opened Area 8’s gate!”

The gate gave a soft hiss as cold mist seeped out. Giovanni watched, perfectly composed, as the man from the black doorway walked in.

“I am a man who calls himself the strongest.”

“We both rose here over countless defeated Trainers.”

“To be worthy of those who fell before us—let’s battle.”

“I am the Boss of Area 8—Lambert.”

Though Giovanni still used an alias, Hikaru already knew him.

That classic look could fool the International Police, but not the “viewers.”

Team Rocket’s disguises are famous for their many holes—about as convincing as Clark Kent’s glasses—but in a world where everyone’s face-blind, they work scarily well.

And by now, Hikaru could also feel it: at the very top, a vast time-force from space ticked and flowed.

It was watching him—and seemed somewhat afraid!

In the game, starting from Areas 8, 9, 10, Boss Trainers will use legendary Pokémon.

In reality, no random stranger is handing those out. And the Area 8 Boss here isn’t right—Lambert should be Area 9’s Boss.

Giovanni didn’t skimp on praise:

“At your level, you rank near the top of the BOSS class.”

“Even if you left this Skyscraper, in any region you could become someone like a Frontier Brain. As a Gym Leader, you’d be overqualified.”

“How about we make a deal: if you lose, work with me—I have a grand project. I’m looking for powerful allies.”

“The Trainers before Area 7 were strong, but each had their own hang-ups and shortcomings.”

“I’ve always been waiting—for someone stronger, like you!”

“Of course, I’ll pay you rewards beyond imagination—whether wealth, power, status, or even rare Pokémon…”

After meeting Hikaru earlier, for some reason Giovanni’s thinking shifted a little.

To make Team Rocket great again, powerful Trainers as backbone officers are essential.

But the traditional operating model no longer suits the times—change is needed.

Perhaps the tempering in the Black Skyscraper changed his mind, Giovanni mused.

Either way—

When recruiting, the key is to burn money—and be very willing to burn it!

As for ideals vs reality—everyone’s ideals differ; unifying them is hard. Even he couldn’t claim he could do it perfectly.

Only profit can make people temporarily set aside their differences.

Hikaru smiled.

“Sorry. I’m not interested in your grand project.”

“That has to do with reviving Team Rocket, doesn’t it?”

“…You know me?” Giovanni was a little surprised.

Hikaru: “I recognized you the last time we met—the self-styled strongest man, former Viridian City Gym Leader, Team Rocket’s boss, Giovanni.”

“Thanks for your help last time.”

“Heh… so that’s why you aren’t interested in my plan.” Giovanni smiled. “You saw through it—I am recruiting you.”

“But you’re not wrong—I do favor you very much.”

“However, the Team Rocket I want you to join is a new Team Rocket—it’s not the old, outdated one.”

“The world changes; hearts change. March in step with the times—that’s Team Rocket.”

Hikaru: “If Team Rocket plans to go straight, build a brand, and wash clean, that’s nice—but I’m still not interested.”

“I’m heading to the higher floors, so please exit here.”

“Perhaps we’ll meet again.”

The battle ignited in an instant!

Giovanni hadn’t expected to recruit a top master on the first try—top masters all have their pride!

Then let power do the talking. Between the strong, battle is the shortest path to understanding!

“The upper floors? That’s the realm of Time.”

“Having been defeated by Time myself, I’m sensitive to that force. The feeling you give me is exactly the same as those two youths who appeared at Tohjo Falls!”

“So that thing is calling you—the Area 10 I couldn’t reach.”

Hikaru: “Area 10?”

Giovanni: “Yes… Area 9 is in fact nothing. But the Boss on Floor 10… hm hm, the entity that suddenly descended to replace a human and seized two Areas—he’ll astonish you.”

“More attuned to Time than I am… Perhaps you are the Area 9 Boss it has been waiting for!”

Giovanni’s eyes grew solemn.

Someone stronger than he…

The power of Time existed in the young man before him—and once again, he himself would fight the one tied to Time!

No matter where he goes, he can’t escape this pattern—it was so at Tohjo Falls, and still so here!

But he is patient.

Team Rocket’s hand is invisible—some think they never joined Team Rocket, yet they’ve long been part of it. That used to happen often.

Though Team Rocket is waning, that doesn’t mean his “connections” have faded.

The “skin” of Team Rocket can change—he’s done it often.

And now, even the “insides” under that skin can change as well.

Team Rocket… can truly do scientific R&D, build rockets, pursue interstellar exploration—even move into entertainment.

In fact, those two directions are things Team Rocket already dabbled in.

Intelligence brokerage, medical tech, ecological restoration, ancient civilization research, logistics… Team Rocket’s industries and fields are many and varied—just as the sources of profit are many and varied!

It need not be confined to one domain—this world is built on mutual deception.

Team Rocket can negotiate; it can love the League and the Pokémon world.

Because people want different things, business exists. So there should be all kinds of ideas in the world!

Sometimes, a shift in thinking takes only a moment.

Will you become the wall that blocks me… or come to my side and become my tool?

The future is frightening because it’s unknown—and delightful for the same reason!

Mm… one more thing!

That little treasure chest dancing at the guy’s feet makes me want to throw heaps of cash at it—Giovanni banished the absurd thought at once.

“Ahem!”

“If you don’t want wealth, status, or power, then there’s only one thing you seek.”

“And that is ‘knowledge through experience’!”

At times, battling and trading insights—handing over “life’s experience” and “the secrets of strength”—is its own currency.

Even if the other party doesn’t appreciate it, that’s fine.

Sometimes the “return” on your investment isn’t immediate—especially for those who long for ideals and the future!

“How nostalgic—this kind of fight that makes my blood boil, with nothing holding me back!”

“Then… come feel it for yourself—my strongest Earth Secret!”

“Rhyhorn! Use High Horsepower!”

(End of Chapter)

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