https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-372-Gramps-Shadow-Snatch-I-Want-to-Learn-It-/12936654/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-374-Long-Life-Strikethrough-Immortality-/12936656/
Chapter 373: The Future of Team Rocket!
Chapter 373: The Future of Team Rocket!
Sinnoh, Binhai City.
After spending a few more days in Binhai City, Master Jing He bid farewell to Daye, Denji, Ali, and Ami, and boarded a plane bound for the Hoenn region.
He had spent quite some time in Sinnoh, and he was starting to miss his own bed back home.
Moreover, it seemed like the new year was approaching.
He couldn't possibly leave Nurse Joy and her brother alone to celebrate the new year, could he?
Binhai City Airport.
"Master Jing He, I have some news that the League just sent to me recently."
Denji spoke to Master Jing He before their parting.
"Oh?"
Could it be that the League's rewards have finally arrived? After all, he had pacified the giant baby Regigigas; surely, they would offer a reward of at least a few million.
"The Celestia League Headquarters has sent a letter inviting Master Jing He to participate in the next Bellflower Tournament without any prerequisites." Denji glanced at his phone and said.
At the same time, he handed over an invitation letter detailing the schedule of the upcoming Bellflower Tournament and some basic rewards.
After speaking, the group fell into a brief silence.
After a while, Master Jing He hesitantly asked, "Is that all?"
"Yes."
Master Jing He gently adjusted his glasses, deep in thought.
Could this be the reward for his assistance in calming Regigigas? Just an invitation to the Bellflower Tournament—who do they think they are?
Should he not return to Hoenn and instead go wake up Regigigas, then head to Bellflower Island? Sensing Master Jing He's thoughts, Denji quickly added, "Yesterday, Champion Kikuno called me and said that the Celestia League is being very cautious and deliberating carefully. They want to give you a reward that will truly satisfy you."
"You should've told me earlier, no wait, protecting the Pokemon world is everyone's responsibility, so the reward doesn't matter." Master Jing He said sternly.
Daye scratched his head, unsure if Master Jing He wanted the reward or not.
"Let's go, see you later."
Master Jing He waved goodbye and entered the airport.
Once Master Jing He was out of sight, Daye nudged Denji with his elbow and asked in a low voice, "Does Master Jing He want the reward?"
After spending a few days with Master Jing He, Denji had come to understand him quite well.
"He does! And he wants it as soon as possible!" Denji replied confidently.
On the plane from Binhai City to Kanazawa City.
"The Bellflower Tournament?"
Master Jing He briefly skimmed through the invitation letter Denji had given him.
He mainly scanned through the rewards.
They were similar to the rewards from the Quartz Conference.
However, it was specifically noted that these were the basic rewards, suggesting that there might be more advanced versions.
"I don't seem to be short on money right now. Let's just leave it at that for now."
Master Jing He stuffed the invitation letter into Gramps' mouth.
He still had over five million League Coins in his possession, and Sharon's task reward, estimated to be around seven to eight million League Coins, should arrive in the next few days.
Adding the reward from the Celestia League...
Over ten million League Coins!
For the first time, Master Jing He felt a slight sense of financial security.
Moreover, he had successfully hired Creamy Frost to work at the cafe.
He believed that with Nurse Joy and Creamy Frost's combined efforts, the cafe's business would surely flourish.
At least for the time being, they shouldn't be short on money, right? Probably.
After all, there was still time.
"Eema~~"
Like Gramps, Creamy Frost was also peering out the window of the plane, filled with curiosity.
This was the little one's first time on a plane, and everything was new to her.
If one were to look out the window at that moment, they would see a large purple face and a small, milky-white face.
Johto Kasuga City, Rocket Team Base.
"Boss!"
Shin Niu's high heels clicked against the smooth tiles, creating a "clack-clack" sound as she approached Banzai, holding a box in her hands with excitement.
"I'm back."
Banzai, fresh from his workout, wore a sleeveless shirt that showcased his well-defined muscles, causing Shin Niu's cheeks to flush slightly.
"Hmm!"
Shin Niu nodded vigorously and then handed over the gift box, wrapped in a layer of pink packaging.
"This is a gift from Master Jing He for you, Boss."
Banzai's expression became slightly odd as he took the gift.
Shin Niu immediately showed her curiosity, leaning in to take a closer look.
She was also very curious about what Master Jing He had sent as a gift for Banzai.
After all, it was a gift from Master Jing He, and she didn't want to spoil the surprise by opening it ahead of time.
As the packaging was removed, a plain paper box was revealed.
Inside the box, Shin Niu's expression turned blank.
It was a cute Mewtwo plushie!
Master Jing He's gift...
She glanced at Banzai cautiously, but she couldn't discern any signs of joy or anger on his face.
It wasn't that Master Jing He's gift was bad, as Banzai's love for cats was well-known, and he even kept a group of stray Mewtwos at the base.
She just felt that the gift didn't quite meet her "expectations" and lacked a bit of surprise.
"Hmph."
Suddenly, Banzai let out a soft chuckle.
Huh?
"O-Old... Mr. Fuji?" Shin Niu tentatively called out.
"Tell Jinghe that I really like this gift. He's thoughtful." Banzai said with a smile.
"O-Okay."
Shin Niu nodded.
But her confusion only deepened.
Even if Mr. Fuji truly adored Mewtwo, given his status, a Mewtwo plushie shouldn't bring him this much joy, should it?
Could there be a hidden mechanism?
Perhaps sensing Shin Niu's confusion, or perhaps because the matter at hand was related to her, Banzai glanced at her and asked, "Didn't you understand?"
Understand what?
Shin Niu's eyes grew even more perplexed.
Banzai shook the Mewtwo plushie in his hand and said, "This is the next step."
"T-The next step?"
"After branding the characters from 'Mewtwo and Pikachu,' building their reputation, and attracting enough fans and supporters, we'll start selling merchandise." Banzai spoke with unwavering confidence.
"Merchandise?!"
Shin Niu was taken aback, but then her expression changed to one of sudden realization.
She truly understood!
So, Jinghe's gift wasn't just a plushie; it was indeed the "next step"!
With the ongoing broadcast of 'Mewtwo and Pikachu,' it had already garnered a massive following.
As the series continued, the number of supporters and fans would undoubtedly grow, and eventually, there would be a demand for merchandise featuring Mewtwo and Pikachu.
It's important to know that if managed well, merchandise could be far more profitable than the television series itself.
It wasn't just about plushies; there were also gachapon, trading cards, figures, stationery, clothing, and so much more, spanning numerous aspects and forming a massive industry chain.
In truth, Shin Niu's understanding wasn't quite comprehensive.
In Banzai's eyes, this was an opportunity to use merchandise as a gateway to infiltrate the everyday lives of ordinary people in the Pokemon world.
Imagine this.
If all goes well, starting with figures and plushies—the 'hard' merchandise—and gradually expanding to clothing, stationery, keychains, water bottles, and even face basins—the 'soft' merchandise—the Rocket Team would slowly but surely permeate every aspect of ordinary people's lives.
By establishing their brand through merchandise, they could then diversify into various daily items and utensils.
What was this?
It was a strategy to start from the bottom, from the lives of every ordinary person, and create a siege on the Pokemon League from the ground up!
Not only would this put the Rocket Team out in the open, but it would also put them in a position that even the League couldn't easily challenge!
Was this gift just a plushie?
No.
This was the future of the Rocket Team!
"No wonder it's from Teacher Jinghe," Shin Niu muttered.
At the same time, she felt an even greater sense of pressure and responsibility.
There was no need to ask; this would undoubtedly become one of her tasks.
"You like it? I'm glad you do."
"Thank you? Haha, it's just an ordinary plushie, no need to be so formal."
"Alright, I'll drop by next time."
Jinghe ended the call with Shin Niu and gently rubbed her chin.
"It seems Mr. Fuji really loves cats. He's so happy with just a Mewtwo plushie."
"If I were to give him a life-size Meowth plushie next time, wouldn't he be overjoyed?"
"This uncle is quite easygoing."
Walking along the familiar streets of Kanazawa City, she spotted the cafe in the distance.
And standing at the entrance, waiting, were the Love Manager Siblings.
"Eevee~~"
"Eevee, Eevee~~"
Jinghe gave the two little ones a big hug and summoned her Pokemon.
After not seeing each other for a few days, everyone was delighted.
"Eevee, Eevee?"
Creamy Frost was a bit shy, hiding behind Jinghe and stealing glances at them.
"Eevee?"
The Nurse Joy Sister, who had noticed Creamy Frost earlier, immediately approached and looked at the little one with gentleness.
"Eevee~~"
With the kind Nurse Joy Sister, the slightly shy Nurse Joy Brother, and the considerate Creamy Frost, the cafe's "team" just got even better!
"It feels like we've assembled the best support team," Jinghe muttered.
The Nurse Joy Sister, with her 'Mental Creator' ability and moves like 'Magic Room' and 'Attract,' and the Nurse Joy Brother, whose support abilities were slightly inferior.
Add to that Creamy Frost, with moves like 'Decoration,' 'Angel Kiss,' and 'Partner Search,' and the combination of the Nurse Joy Sister and Creamy Frost, even if they just added any random Pokemon, they'd feel unstoppable.
If they teamed up with Gramps, even Jinghe might find herself trembling.
The tactics and combinations were simply endless.
And if they added a Happiny or Heal Bell to the mix, it would be the perfect support team!
But of course, they were the "Dessert Squad," and while they might be fun to play with occasionally, they might not be the best choice for serious battles.
Jinghe clapped her hands as the little ones became familiar with each other again.
"I've got a gift for all of you!"
Bringing gifts after an outing had become a habit in Jinghe's family.
(End of Chapter)
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