"Hmph, Bertha is truly a cunning old fox, sitting back and waiting for the highest bidder."
"She is testing our limits to see if the chips we're offering are worth her alliance against the Gardenias," Bordeaux cursed inwardly, though a professional smile remained plastered on his face.
After an entire afternoon of grueling negotiations, Bertha finally relented. The Bertha clan would provide the Temple and the League with precious berries and mineral resources at cost. In exchange, the Temple and the League would take the frontline in the physical confrontation with the Gardenias.
This was to be an economic war—a contest of sheer endurance and hidden depth. While the Temple possessed vast reserves, those were the foundations for their eventual world-conquest; they wouldn't spend them lightly. As for the League, their primary power base wasn't in Sinnoh; shipping resources from other regions would incur astronomical costs. Thus, they had no choice but to rely on the local "land snake," the Bertha family, to gather the necessary supplies.
"Finally, we've pulled the Bertha clan onto our warship."
"High Priest Red Star, please tell the Pope: the favor I owed him is now repaid. From now on, the League and the Temple owe each other nothing," Bordeaux said, his expression grave. "This is our last joint operation. Once this storm passes, we go our separate ways."
The Bounty Hunter's Wrath
"Report, President Kumanokawa! A large number of our contracts are being abandoned."
"The mission board is backlogged with expired requests. Clients are canceling left and right, heading straight to the Gardenias to post their jobs instead," a thin, rat-faced hunter reported nervously. "Our revenue has plumted to near zero."
"Stop whining to like it's a funeral!" Kumanokawa roared, his massive fra trembling with rage. He looked down at the assembled mob of bounty hunters. "Brothers, the Gardenias are cutting off our lifeline. How should we respond?"
"BLOOD FOR BLOOD!"
"BLOOD FOR BLOOD!" the rcenaries scread, their voices shaking the hall.
"Good! We move out now to storm the Gardenia estate," Kumanokawa shouted over the din. "The first man to breach their gates will be promoted to Vice President of the Guild!"
The Gardenia War Room
"Patriarch! It's bad! The Bounty Hunters' Guild is gathering a massive force to invade us!" Seventh Elder Qi scrambled into the room, nearly tripping over his own feet.
In his panic, he failed to notice a cold, striking woman sitting in the shadows of Feng Che's office.
"Stay calm, Elder. You lose your composure far too easily," Feng Che said, his voice as smooth as glass. "Take a breath and tell the specifics."
"Our mole in the Guild reports that Kumanokawa mobilized a mob of fanatics thirty minutes ago. They are coming for our heads!"
"The Bounty Hunters' Guild is nothing but a pack of jumping clowns; they are no threat," Feng Che said dismissively. "Our defenses are more than enough to repel a disorganized rabble. Our true enemies are the League and the Temple—they are the only lethal threats."
Feng Che tapped a finger on his desk. "If I've guessed correctly, the Temple and League will soon launch their own rit system to salvage their reputation. Elder, I want you to listen for that announcent. We are going to use our own rit points to 'buy out' their rarest resources."
"Since the Gardenias are supre in Grass-type cultivation and pharmaceuticals, I'll gladly take their rare ores and evolution stones. Do this secretly. Don't let them catch on that we are the ones draining their vaults."
"But Patriarch... what if they don't launch a rit system?" Qi asked cautiously.
"Unless they are idiots, they have no choice. Their reputation is currently in the gutter because of the berry crisis. They will copy my model. And when they do, I'll make them regret it. We will hollow out their treasuries while they think they're winning."
Feng Che's eyes flashed with a chilling frost, making the Elder shiver. Qi realized then that Feng Che wasn't just a powerful trainer; he was a master strategist who had already won the war before it started.
I should start digging graves for the League and Temple, Qi thought. Thank the gods he isn't our enemy.
The Shadow Queen
Once the Elder left, Feng Che turned to the shadow in the corner.
"Hunter J, are you interested in the Bounty Hunters' Guild?"
"I can provide the Gardenia family's full backing to put you in the President's chair," Feng Che said, his eyes locking onto hers.
Hunter J was a woman of sharp beauty and even sharper edges. Dressed in her signature black tactical suit and high-tech visor, she radiated a lethal competence.
"Mysterious Patriarch... I don't need help to take that chair," J sneered coldly. "Kumanokawa is a 'stupid bear.' He was never my equal. But I'm not interested in being a Guild President. I want to be the Underground Queen of Sinnoh."
"Are you willing to let soone as ambitious as hold that title? What if I threaten your rule?"
"I like ambition," Feng Che replied, his aura suddenly flaring. The sheer pressure of his presence made the air in the room feel heavy, causing J's heart to race. "I won't be in Sinnoh forever. If you can take the underworld, so be it. Besides... I have full confidence that I can suppress any 'ambition' you might have."
The pressure was suffocating. J took a ragged breath and nodded. "Fine. I'll work for you. Consider the entire Bounty Hunters' Guild my 'initiation gift' to you."
She reached out a red-gloved hand. As Feng Che shook it, J felt a sharp, montary sting in her mind.
"I've placed a ntal brand on your consciousness," Feng Che said calmly. "You cannot reveal my true identity. If you try, well... you know the consequences."
Arrival at Celestic Town
In Celestic Town, Professor Carolina and Cynthia watched as a massive transport plane—the largest in the Gardenia fleet—descended from the clouds.
The engines kicked up a fierce wind, but as the plane hovered over the ancient town, the gales seed to vanish instantly, as if suppressed by an invisible force.
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