Ch. 241Greed
Chapter Summary: “Greed”
Key Plot Points and Events
- After Roy’s victory over Latios and Latias, event officials inspect Annihilape’s Poké Ball to verify that the Pokémon truly belongs to Roy and was not supplied by another person or organization.
- The inspection confirms that Roy purchased the Poké Ball a year earlier near Rustboro City. Joy Yanan also supports his claim, indirectly establishing that Annihilape is the evolved form of Roy’s former Primeape.
- A researcher from Ever Grande City attempts to pressure Roy into revealing the details of Annihilape’s evolution so he can use the discovery to advance his own academic career. Roy refuses and directs him to seek permission from Agatha and Professor Oak. Intimidated by Roy’s powerful connections, the researcher leaves.
- Roy secretly uses Ghost Power to frighten and humiliate the researcher with unseen attacks, forcing him to flee the arena.
- Videos of Roy and Annihilape defeating two Legendary Pokémon with synchronized punches spread online, causing Annihilape and Primeape’s popularity to surge.
- Trainers begin capturing Mankey and Primeape in large numbers, driving Mankey’s price from a few thousand Poké Dollars to as much as one hundred thousand. Several Pokémon Leagues respond by restricting excessive captures.
- Most trainers realize that their own angry Primeape are unlikely to evolve like Roy’s, especially after one Primeape destroys its trainer’s freshly cleaned house with Outrage.
- With his Popularity Points nearing three million, Roy purchases Chandelure’s Mega Stone and Malicious Armor from the System Shop. The Mega Stone remains undetectable to Lampent, while the armor is too small for Roy to wear.
- In Rustboro City, Headband Guy watches the battle footage and realizes that Roy’s Annihilape is the Primeape he once traded away.
- Headband Guy regrets the trade. His replacement Pokémon, Stunky, has injured him, required expensive restraints and training, and still failed to reach Gym Leader level. He is now nearly penniless.
- Believing the original trade may have violated Pokémon League regulations because it was not registered through an official trade machine, Headband Guy decides to reclaim Annihilape. He sells Stunky for far less than its value to fund a trip to Ever Grande City.
Character Developments
- Roy is shown to be confident, protected by influential allies, and increasingly powerful. He openly accepts scrutiny because Annihilape’s evolution is too difficult for others to reproduce. His growing fame also gives him access to rare evolutionary items.
- Annihilape is established as a uniquely powerful Pokémon whose evolution required trust, emotional control, mastery of Rage Fist, special training, and great physical risk.
- Agatha continues to protect and support Roy, serving as both his mentor and a major source of authority.
- The Ever Grande researcher is revealed to be ambitious and opportunistic. His scientific interest is mixed with personal greed and a desire for academic recognition.
- Headband Guy becomes consumed by regret and envy. His poor treatment and unsuccessful training of Stunky contrast sharply with Roy’s bond and success with Primeape.
Significant Themes
- Greed and opportunism: The researcher wants to exploit Annihape’s evolution for prestige, while Headband Guy wants to reclaim it only after seeing its extraordinary value.
- The importance of trust and partnership: Annihilape’s evolution is presented as the result of Roy’s bond, patience, specialized training, and Primeape’s emotional growth—not merely a purchasable technique.
- Fame and public influence: Roy’s victory transforms Annihilape into a sensation, affecting Pokémon prices, trainer behavior, and League policy.
- Regret and consequences: Headband Guy’s earlier decision to trade Primeape, combined with his abusive handling of Stunky, leaves him impoverished and desperate.
- Power protected by connections: Roy’s relationships with Agatha, Professor Oak, other regional professors, Elite Four members, and Steven shield him from exploitation.
Character Interactions
- Roy cooperates calmly with Officer Jenny during the inspection, trusting Agatha’s protection.
- Roy refuses the researcher’s intrusive questioning and redirects him toward Agatha and Professor Oak, using his influential network to establish boundaries.
- Roy’s unseen Ghost-based pranks punish the researcher after the confrontation.
- The public compares ordinary Primeape with Roy’s Annihilape, revealing how extraordinary Roy’s Pokémon truly is.
- Headband Guy’s memories of trading Primeape to Roy fuel his resentment and motivate his plan to reclaim Annihilape, setting up a likely future confrontation.