Chapter 403: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [403] [50 PS]
Although the proposal Luo Yuan handed to Iron Wattson was meticulously prepared by Matori, she couldn't help but notice something odd.
If she recalled correctly, Luo Yuan hadn't contacted Lusamine even once since proposing Neo Mauville as Team Rocket's next target.
Using the Aether Foundation's name without informing Lusamine, its president, seemed absurd.
Furthermore, before leaving Alola, Matori had reviewed the foundation's future plans. The Aether Foundation's financial resources were already stretched thin. While it was a wealthy organization, finding room for such a significant investment wouldn't be easy.
"How did you know I was about to call Lusamine?" Luo Yuan asked, holding up his communicator to show Lusamine's number already half-dialed.
Pocketing the device, he continued dialing as he answered Matori's second concern. "Whether the Aether Foundation has money or not doesn't matter. We're only borrowing their name for credibility. The real funding will come from Team Rocket."
"If the Aether Foundation can't finance it, we can. And if Team Rocket's resources fall short, I've still got reserves of my own. Worst case, we can leverage the funds from Flare Team and Lysandre Labs. With those resources, we'll have more than enough to acquire Mauville Holdings and restart the Neo Mauville Project."
While the deal would appear as an Aether Foundation investment, the actual funding needn't come from them.
Using the Aether Foundation's reputation was strategic. Not only did its status as a Pokémon conservation organization lend legitimacy to the project, but Alola's recent entry into the League meant the region was enjoying a subtle but significant preferential treatment.
As an Elite Four member, Luo Yuan was well aware of these dynamics. Involving an Alola-based organization like the Aether Foundation would make the acquisition easier and reduce resistance.
Hunter J, surprised by how far-reaching Luo Yuan's considerations were, found herself growing even more impressed by him.