A new department

Apollo stood rooted to the spot, unable to accept the reality before him.

He had lost.

He hadn't lost because of his Pokémon's strength, nor because of his training ability.

His defeat was clear and unmistakable.

He had lost on tactics, on intelligence, and on his dismissal of Ye Li as an opponent from the very beginning.

From the first second of the match, he had fallen into Ye Li's carefully designed trap.

Every retreat, every dodge, even every hit taken without fighting back had laid the groundwork for that final, earth-shattering blow.

He looked at Ye Li, who had been helped up by his subordinates and was likewise nearly collapsing from exhaustion. The scorn and contempt in his eyes had turned completely into deep wariness.

This man was no weakling.

He was a venomous snake lurking in the shadows.

He usually appeared harmless, but once he seized an opening, he would bare his deadliest fangs.

After confirming that Eevee was merely exhausted and in no danger of dying, Ye Li's legs gave way, and he sat straight down on the ground, gasping for breath.

Medical staff also carefully carried Eevee away on a stretcher.

This victory had drained every last ounce of his mental energy.

From devising the tactics to the hellish training to directing the battle on the field, not a single step could allow the slightest mistake.

He had won, but it had been a narrow escape.

Now he only wanted a good night's sleep.

On the silent training grounds, Giovanni had remained expressionless throughout.

But after the referee announced the result, he slowly rose and led the applause.

His claps, crisp and forceful, broke the deathly silence.

They were also like a signal, announcing the first outcome of this power struggle between Team Rocket's old and new factions.

The other executives and members seemed to wake from a dream and began clapping as well.

The applause grew from scattered claps to a deafening roar.

This time, there was no mockery or disdain left in the applause, only heartfelt awe and respect.

Giovanni stepped down from the VIP seats and walked to the center of the field.

In front of everyone, he walked up to Ye Li.

"You did very well."

His voice carried through the loudspeakers across the entire training grounds.

"You proved that brains are sometimes more important than muscle."

"Not only do you possess an outstanding strategic mind, you also have the formidable ability to turn theory into practice."

Giovanni's words made everyone hold their breath.

They knew that Team Rocket's order might be about to change.

"An assistant position that involves nothing but handling paperwork no longer suits you."

Under everyone's astonished gazes, Giovanni announced a stunning decision.

"I hereby announce that, starting today, a new department will be established."

"-The Strategic Development Department."

"This department will operate independently of all combat and logistics departments, answer to no one else, and report directly to me."

Giovanni's gaze swept over all the executives present before finally settling on Ye Li.

"Its duties will be to chart the course of Team Rocket's future development, formulate all long-term strategies, and handle any problems that require 'special methods' to resolve."

"And the sole member and highest-ranking officer of this new department..."

Giovanni's voice rang out with authority.

"Will be Ye Li."

"He will be granted extensive authority to mobilize all intelligence, logistics, and noncombat personnel within the organization."

The appointment detonated like a nuclear bomb in everyone's minds.

Ye Li, a young man who had joined Team Rocket less than six months ago, had leaped from a lowly clerk to the head of a new department, wielding power almost on par with veteran executives like Apollo and Matori.

Ye Li himself was stunned.

He stared blankly at Giovanni, feeling as though he were dreaming.

He had only wanted to win a battle and save his own skin.

How had he... ended up as the head of some "Strategic Development Department"?

Looking into Giovanni's eyes, which brooked no argument, he knew that his little boat had now been firmly lashed to the enormous warship that was Team Rocket.

There was no turning back.