On the ruins of Hammerlocke.
Leon held his phone in a daze. He felt like he had been struck by lightning. His entire world had collapsed!
In his eyes, there was confusion, disbelief, shock, and complete bewilderment all mixed together.
What did he just hear? His dear younger brother, whom he valued so much, had actually joined Team Rocket?
And Hop had even informed him of this "good news" at the very first opportunity.
"How could this happen?"
Leon murmured to himself in a lost voice.
Without realizing it, he had already hung up the phone. He needed to be alone right now. He needed some peace and quiet.
How did things turn out like this?
There was no doubt about Leon's mental strength, but after hanging up, he squeezed the phone tightly. The look in his eyes kept changing.
"Leon, what's wrong? Did something happen to Hop?"
Raihan looked strangely at Leon, who was standing still. Weren't they just talking on the phone? Why did he suddenly turn into this?
Was there some bad news? Speaking of which, Raihan actually liked Hop quite a bit. That kid's love and passion for Pokémon made Raihan very fond of him.
"Hop... he joined Team Rocket."
Leon's tone was incredibly complicated. It was more complicated than ever before, making his good friend Raihan feel startled.
It was because Raihan could even hear a hint of... grievance in Leon's voice?
"Gloria, Hop... they've all joined Team Rocket."
Leon's feelings were truly hard to describe at this moment. Gloria was the junior he admired the most. He had truly and sincerely believed that Gloria would be his most suitable successor, replacing him as the new Champion of the Galar region.
Leon looked forward to that day. He looked forward to Gloria standing before him for the final Champion battle, having a fair and square, all-out match, and then defeating him!
Because Gloria had that kind of potential. Leon recognized this point completely. Gloria was even more brilliant and talented than he had been when he first started.
Leon was not afraid of failure. As a senior, he had that awareness. He did not mind losing to a junior who challenged him in a wonderful and intense battle.
And Leon believed that person would be Gloria!
Then... Gloria became an officer of Team Rocket.
Even so, Leon had silently accepted it. Everyone has their own path. Although he was very sad, he still accepted it.
But, Hop... Hop! Why did you have to do this too?
You are my own blood brother!!
Leon bit his lip tightly. Even if Gloria "left," Leon felt that Hop would also be a good choice.
Hop's love for Pokémon and his pursuit of the top made Leon feel proud and touched. He believed that one day, Hop would be able to walk up to him and challenge him.
Hop was also a suitable successor!
But now, Hop had actually joined Team Rocket as well...
Hop! Don't you know your brother is the League Champion? Why? Why did you have to do this!
Leon was truly suffering right now!
The two juniors he thought so highly of had both been snatched away by Damian.
It felt like they were being stolen right out from under him!!
"Hop joined Team Rocket?" Hearing this, Raihan was incredibly surprised.
That kid Hop looked so honest and well-behaved. He didn't expect him to have such good taste.
Raihan couldn't help but click his tongue.
Not bad. His taste is as good as mine.
Raihan originally wanted to say that, but seeing Leon's sour face, he immediately changed his tone.
"That kid... he's really a disappointment. Didn't he consider your feelings at all, Leon? Such an important matter, he should have at least discussed it with you."
Raihan decisively blamed Hop, and he felt he wasn't wrong.
If he wanted to join Team Rocket, he would have to ask for Chairman Rose's opinion. That kid Hop actually didn't even notify his guardian?
Unbelievable!
"Sigh..."
Leon let out a deep, long sigh. Although his heart was truly a mess, what could he do now that the deal was done?
Force Hop to quit Team Rocket? Setting aside the fact that he wasn't that kind of overbearing brother, would Damian really let Hop leave Team Rocket so easily?
After all, Damian was very interested in Hop. Damian had said so himself.
"Raihan."
"What is it?"
"Are you going to join Team Rocket too?"
Leon cast a meaningful look at his friend. In the Galar region, besides Rose, his best friend was Raihan. They were definitely best friends.
First, it was the junior he liked most, Gloria. Then, it was his closest brother, Hop. What about his best friend, Raihan?
"Ahahaha..." Raihan laughed dryly. He felt like his scalp was going numb!
Because the pressure Leon was giving him right now was just too much, damn it!
Curse you, Hop!
"The next time I see Hop, I'll definitely give him a good lesson for you! That kid is just too unreliable."
Raihan decisively changed the subject and spoke with a righteous tone. His voice was very loud.
"Forget it. I will personally... verify it."
Seeing this, Leon understood everything. He only felt exhausted.
However, hearing Raihan mention teaching Hop a lesson, Leon's face darkened, and he suddenly began to laugh.
Hop, since you joined Team Rocket, you must feel that Team Rocket can give you what you want, right?
In that case, let me, your brother, verify it personally!
That upcoming battle... you must come and take part. I will come looking for you!
A dangerous look flashed in Leon's eyes.
Feeling Leon's heavy, oppressive aura and that particularly creepy laughter, Raihan swallowed his saliva and took a small step away.
Raihan, who had a record of ten losses against Leon, had never seen Leon make such a face.
He felt that poor kid Hop was in big trouble.
Damn it. If I join Team Rocket in the future, Leon won't be like this to me, will he? That's terrifying, you jerk!
It's all Hop's fault!
You have a brother who is the Champion. Why couldn't you just stay and develop in the Galar League?
...
"What's going on with big brother?"
Looking at the phone that was suddenly hung up, Hop couldn't help but scratch his head in confusion.
That's not right. Usually, big brother would never do this. He was always very gentle with him.
"Maybe it's because he's busy. We just came from Hammerlocke, and the situation there is quite special."
Damian said with a smile.
But in reality, Damian was laughing hysterically inside. He could already imagine Leon's face right now.
He wondered what Leon was thinking. Did his mind break?
It was a pity, a real pity, that he couldn't see Leon's funny expression with his own eyes.
"Is that so?" Hop still felt something was a bit off.
"Since Mr. Damian said so, it won't be wrong."
Sonia patted Hop on the shoulder. Actually, she could guess a little of the truth.
Leon had always seen Team Rocket as a great enemy. Even though Team Rocket had "reformed" now, he was probably still on guard.
And his own brother actually joined this once-hostile organization...
Sonia didn't even know how awkward Leon's current mood would be.
Sonia silently felt sorry for her childhood friend. He was probably feeling pretty bad right now.
"Okay." Hop was a simple-minded person after all. Since he couldn't figure it out, he stopped thinking about it.
Then Damian called back Eternatus, and the group walked into Hulbury together.
"There are so many people. They must all have come from Hammerlocke."
Entering Hulbury, one could clearly feel the difference compared to the last time they were here. Platinum looked at the large number of pedestrians walking along the seaside.
"Mm-hmm~ Hulbury isn't far from Hammerlocke, and it's a famous port town. There are indeed many people staying here temporarily."
Sonia nodded.
"I heard that all the hotels and guesthouses in Hulbury are completely full. Mr. Damian, I'm afraid you won't be able to stay here today."
Sonia said to Damian.
"That doesn't matter. Chairman Rose has a villa here. When we were coming, he already said we could stay there."
Damian didn't care. Besides, since Hoopa Unbound had broken through its constraints, distance was no longer an obstacle for Damian.
Once the golden rings of space opened, he could go anywhere he wanted.
Even without Hoopa, riding a Pokémon to other towns wouldn't be a problem.
"What a surprise. Are you and Chairman Rose on such good terms, Mr. Damian?" Sonia was quite curious.
"It's alright. Chairman Rose is a very friendly person." Damian shrugged.
"By the way, Miss Sonia, has your paper been published?"
"I've finished writing it and had my grandmother help me publish it. But many people are questioning it, which is quite frustrating for me."
Mentioning her paper, Sonia's fair face wrinkled up.
What she had published was exactly the true information about the Legendary Heroes. However, it was clear that many people didn't really believe it.
But Sonia firmly believed that what she said was the truth.
"I see. Challenging long-held history will definitely bring a lot of trouble. You should be careful about your safety, Miss Sonia. The descendants of the Galar royal family might cause trouble for you."
Damian reminded Sonia.
"Ah~ I know. But it's okay. I'm not a pushover either. And if I'm really forced into a corner, can I hire Team Rocket to send people to protect me?"
Sonia had indeed considered this point. After all, her paper was essentially slapping the faces of the descendants of the Galar royal family.
So during this time, she had always asked Hop to accompany her during her work exploring ruins. But this was indeed not a long-term solution.
After all, Hop was a Trainer, and he had to prepare for the Champion Cup.
"No problem. As long as you can provide payment, Team Rocket is very happy to accept this commission. So, Miss Sonia, won't you consider my original suggestion?"
Damian raised an eyebrow and looked at the young and beautiful Sonia with a smile.
"About joining Team Rocket..."
Sonia blinked. She naturally knew what Damian was referring to.
"Eh? Is Sonia going to join Team Rocket too?" Hop's eyes lit up, looking quite expectant.
He really liked Sonia as an older sister figure. After all, Sonia usually took good care of him. It would be best if they could join Team Rocket together.
"That's right. Team Rocket is still quite short on talented researchers. And Miss Sonia's research topic is exactly about legends and myths, right? If you join Team Rocket, there are many Legendary Pokémon that can give you inspiration."
"In addition, our Team Rocket members won't be bullied by anyone. You won't have to worry about safety issues at all."
Damian's words were not an exaggeration. After all, the game plot showed that the two crazy descendants of the Galar royal family were truly lawless.
To prove that the Legendary Heroes were their ancestors, those two would really do anything.
And those two people were actually not weak at all.
"Hmm~ Can you let me think about it some more?" This time, Sonia was really a bit tempted.
Lately, she had indeed received many threatening messages, which gave Sonia a sense of crisis.
And most importantly, Damian said that the Legendary Pokémon of Team Rocket could be provided for her to study and observe!
For Sonia, this was truly too tempting.
"Of course." The corners of Damian's mouth curled up slightly.
Well, Sonia joining Team Rocket was a sure thing now.
He hoped Leon would be okay when he got this news.