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After the battle, Mammon slowly walked into the arena.
"Well done, your improvement is immense, Paul. As expected, I didn't misjudge you."
Mammon praised Paul.
Paul bowed slightly to Mammon and said nothing. He was still very grateful for Mammon's recognition and guidance.
Mammon allowed him to see a broader world and provided him with a better environment for growth.
"Ash, you lost, you know."
Mammon looked at Ash, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"…"
Ash, holding the newly awakened Pikachu, didn't look too pleased at the remark, but he didn't argue.
Although he was extremely annoyed at the moment, a loss was a loss. He had indeed been defeated by Paul just now.
Ash wasn't a sore loser; the main point was that losing to this foul-mouthed guy truly left him feeling unwilling.
"According to our agreement, you owe me a favor now, right?"
"…Yes, but I won't do anything bad."
Ash nodded with difficulty, but immediately added.
"Ash, that's not right. Could you please not look at our new Team Rockets with outdated eyes?"
Mammon raised an eyebrow.
The Ash trio remained silent.
"Team Rockets' original Evil Leader has been dealt with by me. I am the current boss of Team Rockets, and I am not some low-level villain."
Mammon said casually.
So, you're not denying that you're a villain at all, are you?
Misty couldn't help but inwardly complain. And Mammon, who could take down Team Rockets' original leader, looked even more dangerous no matter how you viewed him, right?
You know, how many years had Team Rockets been entrenched in the Kanto region? Team Rockets was utterly vicious and notorious, and the Kanto League constantly sought to eradicate them.
But there had been no effective progress, and that mysterious Team Rocket Leader could even be called the 'Source of Darkness,' the origin of all evil.
However, that Team Rockets was taken down by Mammon.
"Are you trying to say that Team Rockets isn't an Evil Organization now?" Brock couldn't help but ask.
"If I say no, will you believe it?" Mammon retorted.
And Brock fell silent.
"Prejudice in people's hearts is a great mountain. No matter how I proclaim to the outside world, it ultimately won't have much effect."
Mammon sighed with emotion.
Ash scratched his head. How should he put it? He actually felt a little sympathetic towards Mammon?
Perhaps it was just as Mammon said, the past impression was too deeply ingrained. An organization still bearing the name 'Team Rockets' would instinctively be perceived as the same old nefarious Team Rockets.
But Brock and Misty were not so easily 'bewitched' by Mammon's words.
He certainly sounded wronged, but was it true?
Mammon's arrogant display, widely broadcast from his takeover of Goldenrod Radio Tower, surely wasn't something he was forced to do at knifepoint, was it?
This person…
The disconnect between Mammon's current demeanor and his past actions was simply too great.
Which one was the real Mammon?
Brock and Misty couldn't tell, but in any case, it was always right to be skeptical first!
"So what exactly do you want Ash to do?"
Brock changed the subject. He and Ash were good travel companions, but in a sense, Brock occasionally treated Ash and Misty as his younger brother and sister.
He couldn't just watch Ash get conned by Mammon.
"Team Rockets' goal is actually very simple: to purge all other Dark Organizations and forces, including the Hunter Organization. This world doesn't need such trash."
Mammon didn't answer directly, but instead articulated a part of Team Rockets' philosophy.
"That's a good thing." Ash felt it made a lot of sense.
Evil Organizations and the Hunter Organization are the absolute worst of the worst!
"Yes, you think so too, don't you? Ash, as expected, my judgment of you was correct. You truly are a very righteous person."
Mammon smiled, a very sunny smile.
Ash awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Caitlin and the other two stood behind Mammon, and even Platinum looked at Ash with a somewhat strange expression.
"Hold it!" Brock quickly stepped forward to interrupt, patting Ash's back, signaling him to clear his head.
"Mammon, what exactly do you mean?" Brock repeated the question.
"If we want to eliminate these Dark Organizations, we also need more like-minded companions so that we can restore a bright and clear world!"
"So that the sky of this world can always be clear and blue!"
"So that the people living in this world can always wear happy smiles."
Mammon's words were passionate and very inflammatory.
At least Ash was very excited at the moment, listening and nodding repeatedly. Yes, this is what he wanted!
If this world didn't have those Evil Organizations, it would truly be wonderful!
"Ash! For the sake of this world, are you willing to join us?"
"I am willi… Mmphphph."
The excited Ash was about to agree without a second thought.
"Hold it!"
Misty immediately grabbed Ash by the neck and covered his mouth. The tired electric mouse in Ash's arms was innocently dragged down and fell to the ground, letting out a wail.
"Ow! What are you doing, Misty!"
Ash quickly broke free and picked up the electric mouse with a pained expression.
"You willing to what?! You idiot, is that something you can just say casually?!"
Misty punched Ash on the head, speaking with a frustrated tone.
"That's right, Ash, don't just believe his one-sided story." Brock also said in a deep voice.
Mammon raised an eyebrow and let out a light tsk.
If it weren't for Misty and Brock, Mammon was truly confident he could have completely misled this simple, hot-blooded guy, Ash.
After all, shouting slogans was too easy.
But the problem was, Brock and Misty were still very rational.
What a pity.
"Huh? But…" Ash genuinely felt that what Mammon said made a lot of sense and was very sincere.
"Exactly, whatever he says, is that what it is? Are you stupid?" Misty couldn't hold back.
"And haven't you noticed? He's been talking about other Evil Organizations the entire time. What about his own Team Rockets?"
Misty noticed this point, her eyes uncharacteristically sharp.
Ash was stunned by the remark.
"If I'm not mistaken, eliminating and absorbing other Evil Organizations to expand your Team Rockets, making Team Rockets the sole dominant force in all regions—that's your real goal, isn't it?"
Brock added in a deep voice.
The three stared at Mammon. Mammon narrowed his eyes slightly, then a wide smile gradually spread across his face.
Clap Clap Clap~
He raised his hands and applauded Brock and Misty.
"Well said, indeed. As expected of those who were once Gym Trainers, you're both promising individuals."
Mammon said with a praising smile, showing no signs of annoyance from being exposed.
It must be said that while Brock and Misty's talents weren't exceptionally outstanding, they were indeed very reliable.
And to say their Trainer talent wasn't outstanding, that was relative to whom they were compared; in reality, their talents were considered exceptional among ordinary people.
"You're not denying it?" Misty was stunned.
"Why should I deny it?" Mammon feigned surprise, tilting his head and retorting.
"Do what you've said conflict with what I've said?"
Indeed, Misty and Brock had guessed his true intentions, but so what?
"We eliminate those Evil Organizations, then manage their territories, ensuring that this world doesn't breed more darkness."
Mammon looked at the trio.
"Both of you, whether it's procedural justice or outcome justice, it's still justice, our Team Rockets' 'justice.' Is there a problem?"
Procedural justice refers to the legitimacy of actions, and their act of eliminating Evil Organizations is itself an undeniable act of justice.
Although after eliminating Evil Organizations, their members would not be handed over to the League, Mammon would absorb all of them into Team Rockets for 'reformation.'
If there were truly incorrigible ones, they would be sent to mine. While a bit extreme, it could still be considered helping society deal with lawbreakers, right?
Outcome justice is achieving the desired result regardless of the means.
And for Mammon, both the actions and the outcomes were correct.
"This…"
Misty's mind froze.
Is this right? It seems not. Is it not right? It seems right again.
So, is it right or not?
"Ash, I sincerely invite you to join us and punish those Dark Organizations with us. Are you willing?"
Mammon extended a sincere invitation to Ash.
"Huh? I…"
Ash wasn't as impulsive this time, although he felt that what Mammon said seemed to be fine.
But joining Team Rockets, why did it feel so strange?
But to refuse? It felt a bit regrettable. Crushing Evil Organizations, that was also something Ash looked forward to.
"Ash, isn't your goal to be a Pokémon Master?" Brock reminded Ash after a moment of silence.
Although he didn't know how to refute Mammon's words at the moment, Brock still felt that Team Rockets wasn't very trustworthy.
In short, always question first!
"Oh right, my dream is to be a Pokémon Master, Mammon. I can't join your organization."
Ash suddenly remembered. Becoming a Pokémon Master was his childhood dream, and he absolutely couldn't give that up.
"Actually, it won't delay you. And there are many excellent Trainers your age in the organization. Mutual exchange and progress will actually be very beneficial to your growth."
Mammon chuckled, then pondered for a moment.
"In any case, I still admire you very much, Ash. But you and your companions probably have many concerns."
"In that case, why don't you sign a temporary contract and become a temporary member of our organization? There are no restrictions on you, and when the organization has activities to combat Evil Organizations and the Hunter Organization, you can also participate. How about it?"
Mammon asked the Ash trio.
"Temporary member?"
Brock and Misty exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes.
"Yes, what you're worried about is nothing more than me deceiving you, isn't it? Then become a temporary member. Firstly, it's convenient for you to understand most of the organization's usual activities, and secondly, you can also participate in some activities and experience them."
Mammon said with a smile.
"This should be fine, right? It won't bind you in any way, nor will there be any mandatory content."
"In that case… we can try?"
Misty hesitated for a moment, then tentatively suggested to Ash.
"Okay!"
Ash thought about it and nodded in confirmation.
And then…
"Wow!! All these Pokémon can be exchanged?!"
"Is this forum really that lively? There are too many people, and there are even people from Unova and Hoenn."
"So many items…"
"I want to take this mission. A Nidoking overlord at Mt. Moon attacked and injured three passersby. Investigate the cause of its rampage, and if necessary, capture and subdue it."
The Ash trio exclaimed one after another as they looked at the organization's app on their respective phones.
Evidently, their horizons had broadened.
Moreover, the atmosphere felt completely different from what they had imagined. The forum had many posts discussing Pokémon breeding, complaining about missions, and sharing daily life.
There were even many short videos of interactions with Pokémon. (Blueberry Academy students made a great contribution)
Is this really Team Rockets' organization app?
That's right, Mammon also took the opportunity to have Misty and Brock sign a contract as well; they were, after all, also potential assets.
Hmph hmph Hahaha
Watching Ash's excited expression, Mammon couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.
He finally managed to convince them to join!
Team Rockets' Ash, on the scene!!
Mammon couldn't even imagine what Red's expression would be like when he heard the news that his younger brother Ash had joined Team Rockets.
Just thinking about it was thrilling!