Team Rocket's submarine fleet slipped soundlessly into the pitch-black depths like silent behemoths of the deep.
They shut down their main engines and relied solely on silent electric propulsion systems to weave through the complex undersea mountain ranges, successfully shaking off the Pokémon League fleet's initial, aimless pursuit.
The conference room aboard the flagship was brightly lit.
Giovanni held a brief battlefield meeting.
He mentioned neither Lugia's departure nor the Pokémon League's bombardment, merely turning his gaze to the young man who had remained calm from beginning to end.
"Ye Li."
Giovanni's voice carried undisguised admiration.
"Your performance this time exceeded my expectations."
"From this moment on, I grant you supreme command over all the organization's operations, second only to myself."
This was an enormous, unprecedented grant of authority.
Every executive present, including Apollo and Athena, was shocked, but no one objected.
Ye Li had earned everyone's respect through his strength.
"Boss, I believe we should begin the next phase of our expansion immediately."
Ye Li did not decline. He stepped straight into his role.
He brought up the Kanto Region on the holographic map, then tapped firmly on its neighbor.
"Our next target should be the Johto Region."
Giovanni looked at that new territory on the map, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.
He nodded, agreeing to Ye Li's proposal.
"You will have full authority over all personnel assignments and resource allocation."
He had given Ye Li a blank check.
Meanwhile.
Pokémon League Headquarters, Indigo Plateau.
Inside the Champion Council Hall, the atmosphere was so oppressive it almost seemed to drip.
Lance and Lorelei stood side by side in the center of the hall, enduring a storm of harsh accusations from the conservative members of the Pokémon League Council.
"A crushing defeat! This was an utter, crushing