"I'd like to collaborate with you personally."
Rose stared directly into Lucas's eyes, his magnetic voice carrying a weighty depth.
"The Galar region's latest energy source currently comes from Eternatus. Although it's quite abundant for now, it will eventually run out," he explained gravely.
"And Dynamaxing as well—it relies entirely on Eternatus's energy."
Rose had clearly spelled out his reason for coming here: Dynamaxing.
Right now, Galar was standing out on the global stage thanks to the unique phenomenon of Dynamaxing. It was precisely because of this that the region had attracted so many trainers from around the world. Compared to other regions, Dynamaxing was Galar's only true advantage.
And Rose—dreaming day and night to see Galar grow, thrive, and dominate—saw it as his responsibility and duty as the chairman to make that happen.
And the key to realizing that vision was Eternatus.
"I see," Lucas's gaze flickered slightly, realizing Rose's true intent.
The energy that powered Dynamaxing came from energy dens scattered throughout Galar. But where did those dens come from?
They were born from the shattered remains and leaked energy of Eternatus's body, which had been blown apart three thousand years ago.
However, those energy dens weren't an infinite resource.
Take the Crown Tundra, for example—it no longer had any Dynamax energy dens, because Eternatus had already absorbed all the available energy there. Without those spots, Dynamaxing was impossible in the Crown Tundra.
Without Eternatus, it was safe to say that Galar would eventually lose its ability to Dynamax altogether. Energy spots were a finite resource. The only way to maintain them would be if Eternatus actively chose to inject new Dynamax energy back into those dens.
Only then could Galar retain its unique Dynamax phenomenon.
"Chairman Rose, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but Eternatus is currently lacking energy itself—let alone having any to spare for you," Lucas replied after a brief pause, shaking his head politely.
It was the truth. His Eternatus didn't have any excess energy to offer. In fact, energy to Eternatus was the same as life itself.
Let alone helping Galar—it hadn't even returned to its full power yet.
"Besides, Galar's two heroes are extremely hostile toward Eternatus. If Eternatus shows up in Galar, they certainly won't sit back and do nothing."
Lucas added with a faint chuckle. Zacian and Zamazenta were no small matter either, and both were notoriously unfriendly toward Eternatus.
"At the moment, Galar still has a sufficient supply of energy, and I personally am willing to offer Eternatus energy to aid its recovery," Rose said, shaking his head. For now, Eternatus's energy in Galar was still plentiful.
All the major energy dens were stable and didn't require Eternatus to maintain them.
His visit to Lucas wasn't about the present—it was about preparing for the future.
"As for the Sword and Shield heroes… I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about them," Rose added with a trace of helplessness. His feelings toward Zacian and Zamazenta were… complicated.
Undeniably, they were heroes of Galar, but their hostility toward Eternatus was extreme. Still, Rose wasn't surprised—after all, to Galar, Eternatus was historically seen as a catastrophe.
Had Lucas not stolen Eternatus when he did, and Rose's plan had gone into full swing, Zacian and Zamazenta would surely have shown up to stop it.
"In that case, I'd be very willing to work with Chairman Rose," Lucas said with a slight smile, rising from his seat and reaching out a hand.
This was a total win for him.
At this point, he didn't need to give anything in return—yet he gained the cooperation of Galar's league chairman. Even better, Rose was willing to provide energy to keep Eternatus active.
Why wouldn't he agree?
As for future energy support to Galar… that would just be a matter of convenience. Eternatus wasn't a mindless energy-devouring monster—it could regenerate energy, though it consumed more than it recovered.
And as for Zacian and Zamazenta—he would settle the score with them sooner or later.
"Pleasure doing business with you. And since this is our first meeting, here's a small gift I've prepared for Mr. Lucas."
Rose smiled, clearly pleased. While things hadn't gone according to his original plan—he had wanted his people to control Eternatus—securing a partnership like this still brought him relief.
He took a gift box from his aide and handed it to Lucas.
"You're too kind, Chairman Rose."
Lucas raised an eyebrow but didn't refuse. He opened the box and saw a Poké Ball resting quietly inside.
"I didn't have much time to prepare, so I could only manage a simple token. I hope Mr. Lucas doesn't mind."
Rose's smile was full of charm. Knowing Lucas's strength, he figured the best gift would be a high-quality Pokémon—something he'd paid dearly to acquire through Oleana and her connections with hunter groups.
After all, top-tier Pokémon were rare worldwide.
"No, not at all—Chairman Rose really went above and beyond," Lucas said genuinely.
He hadn't expected Rose to be this generous. Technically, Lucas was supposed to be his enemy—he had broken into the energy plant and destroyed a third of Hammerlocke City.
Yet Rose had set aside all grudges, taken the initiative to seek a partnership, and even brought a gift.
What a terrifying man.
Lucas's gaze shimmered slightly. That level of tolerance and foresight was simply astonishing. No wonder he'd managed to develop Galar into such a thriving region.
Rose was truly an exceptional leader.
He had a clear understanding of what he needed, what he had to do, and always looked not just at the present—but far into the future.
"Maybe breaking into the energy plant while you and Leon were gone was one of the best decisions I ever made," Lucas said casually, not hiding the past from Rose.
"I was simply careless… but I do admire you, Mr. Lucas. Honestly, I would have loved to catch Eternatus myself. But alas…" Rose gave a bitter chuckle.
He had no regrets—what was done was done. Besides, he genuinely admired Lucas now—for his strength, his cunning, and his methods.
"May I ask what your plans are for the future?"
Rose changed the topic with casual curiosity.
"Pardon my honesty, but Team Rocket is still a criminal organization. Though powerful now, it can't stand against the global might of the Pokémon League," he said politely, trying to soften the blow.
He didn't know Team Rocket's full strength, but to him, it was just a regional group. How could it possibly contend with the enormous, worldwide power of the Pokémon League?
Frankly, in his heart, Rose believed Team Rocket was doomed.
Lucas was powerful, and even had Eternatus—but that wasn't enough to overturn the world.
Eternatus was terrifying, yes—but not invincible. The League's true power wasn't fully visible from the surface.
With unknown black technology and countless champions in their ranks, a single Eternatus simply wasn't enough to cause a global upheaval.
"Thank you for your concern, Chairman Rose. I'll keep that in mind," Lucas replied with a calm smile.
"If anything ever changes, Mr. Lucas, know that Galar will welcome you," Rose said in a low voice, his deep eyes flashing.
He really wanted Lucas to join Galar. That was his real goal all along.
As for Lucas's affiliation with an "evil" organization? Rose didn't care.
Because to him, Team Rocket was doomed anyway.
So, once it crumbled, Lucas would be a free agent—and Rose saw no reason not to recruit him.
Rose had always been a far-sighted man, eager to discover and nurture talent.
And Lucas? Lucas was exceptional talent.
With Lucas and Leon—two top-tier champions—under his wing, and himself overseeing Galar's future, Rose could already envision Galar overtaking Kanto.
Even pushing the Kanto League off the throne wasn't out of the question.
"…He's trying to recruit him," Green muttered, casting a shocked glance at Rose.
Smart and quick-witted, she immediately saw through Rose's intentions.
The Galar chairman was openly trying to poach a Team Rocket member?
But thinking about Lucas's strength… Green fell silent.
It wasn't that unreasonable.
"I suppose I'm pretty in demand," Lucas chuckled, stroking his chin.
Even Galar's chairman had taken a huge risk just to extend him an olive branch.
Strength truly was everything.
He had more escape routes than he could count. Even with his "dark past," in a world where life was valued above all else and capital punishment didn't exist, even if he failed and got captured—
So long as he "repented" properly, the League would be eager to bring him in.
"Ugh, don't let it get to your head," Marnie rolled her eyes and muttered coldly.
Still, she felt a tinge of pride—Rose had once been her idol, and now he was actively trying to win over her man.
Even if Lucas didn't care, she felt joy in her heart.
"Haha~ Let's go. Time for Saffron City."
Lucas laughed, pulling Marnie close and planting a kiss on her delicate cheek—an action so natural and practiced it was almost routine.
Their relationship had been openly affectionate since that morning.
They'd already kissed, touched—only the final step remained.
Marnie blushed faintly, but didn't say anything.
Green: "I feel like all my strength has been drained from my body…"
Her expression soured as she looked at the ground in defeat. It was bad enough getting caught—but now she had to watch this?
Public affection in broad daylight? She was a hostage, not a third wheel!
And worst of all—
"Sigh…"
She let out a long sigh. If they were going to Saffron, that probably meant a flight or a train. Which in turn meant they were headed for Johto.
A whole year had passed, and she was finally being dragged back.
Too bad she hadn't even gotten to see her parents. She'd gone to Pallet Town, stolen her Wartortle—but shortly after Ho-Oh had taken her, her family had moved away.
With a heavy heart, Green followed the pair into Saffron.
But—
"Unova? What are you going to Unova for?"
Green looked at the ticket in her hand, puzzled.
This wasn't how the plot was supposed to go.
Was the Masked Man in Unova now? But with how much of a shut-in he was, would he really travel that far?
"Where did you think we were going?"
"Aren't you taking me back to the organization?"
"Don't pretend you want to go back," Lucas scoffed.
Green scratched her cheek awkwardly. She feared Lucas, sure—but she was terrified of the Masked Man.
"Then why did you even capture me if you're not taking me back?"
She looked at Lucas, lips pursed in confusion.
This whole reunion… Lucas really had changed.
Back in the organization, he was arrogant and insufferable. Now… not so much.
Still annoying, but with some newfound humanity.
Green glanced at Marnie hanging on his arm. Yeah—this girl probably had a big role in that.
"Green, you still talk too much. Be a good little background character and shut up."
Green took a deep breath, veins popping on her forehead. She clenched her fists and turned away slowly.
Can't afford to fight.
Fine. I'll tolerate it.
Damn you, Lucas!
I'm not a background character—your whole family's a background character!
(End of Chapter)