Chapter 0586: Team Rocket's Blind Box Economy

The moment Natsume and Cynthia stepped into the Sinnoh League headquarters, the entire lobby fell silent.

Cynthia needed no introduction—the noble and imposing Sinnoh Champion, a goddess in trainers' hearts.

Though approachable and kind to newcomers, few dared get close.

Even colleagues like Aaron and Flint would freeze at her mention, haunted by memories of Garchomp's dominance.

The statuesque golden-haired beauty carried an innate regal aura, her smiling gaze sweeping across the room like a queen's.

Beside her stood a handsome young man with the build of a Greek demigod, sunlight casting a halo around the pair.

A few staff members paused mid-step before resuming their duties.

"Is that Natsume-sensei?" a female staffer whispered to her companion.

"Yeah... He and Miss Cynthia look so perfect together..."

"Ship it! Hard!"

The murmurs were harmless—simple admiration for something beautiful.

Passing through the lobby's polished marble corridors, they reached the meeting room.

Natsume kept a firm grip on the shaking Dusk Ball, preventing Larvitar from raiding the buffet.

Cynthia rested a hand on her hip by the mahogany door, glancing back at Natsume.

"Wait here until the meeting ends, or scout the venue first?"

"Is Lucian inside?"

"Yes, he's overseeing the Light Screen barrier setup."

"Then I'll say hi before heading out."

Inside the conference room, the Elite Four's meeting was in full swing.

Aaron swayed side-to-side while explaining to a curious Flint:

"This is Vivillon from Kalos—20 unique wing patterns discovered so far!"

"Nice! They're all pretty!" Flint stroked his chin. "Got any water monkeys?"

"W-water monkeys?" Aaron blinked. "You mean Panpour?"

Lucian sat elegantly cross-legged in a wine-red suit, a hardcover book on his lap.

Adjusting his glasses, he said flatly, "Cynthia's returning soon. Have your reports ready."

"Mine's just one page!" Flint produced a crumpled sheet, nudging Aaron. "Yours?"

Aaron swayed harder. "Got dissolved by bug acid during a forest expedition yesterday!"

Flint: "...Try a better excuse."

Aaron: "Huh? This worked all through school!"

Granny Bertha sipped tea serenely from her thermos:

"This granny's memory is sharp. I'll recite mine."

Lucian: "..."

Why am I the only one with a dissertation-length report?!

The Sinnoh Elite Four lineup: A bug-obsessed prodigy, a battle-crazed idiot, a speedster granny...

And the overworked, scholarly Lucian.

Click— The door opened.

Cynthia leaned against the frame with a smile. "Long time no see, everyone!"

"Yo, Sister Cynthia!" Aaron raised a hand. "Lost my report. That's all!"

"Next~"

"Ahem, my turn." Flint coughed, then startled. "Natsume-sensei?!"

"Morning, all."

Natsume waved. "Just dropping by—don't mind me!"

Granny Bertha examined Natsume for the first time, nodding approvingly.

She'd taken an instant liking to him.

After all, granny had an eye for talent... especially the handsome kind.

Lucian opened his mouth, then closed it.

Why does your relationship drama increase MY workload?!

Just take over the Elite Four already so I can retire! ～(　TロT)σ

Aaron suddenly straightened, eyes darting between them before locking onto Flint.

Flint responded with a grave nod.

Aaron gasped—just as I thought!

Natsume-sensei got bullied into becoming Sister Cynthia's lackey!

"Now then, let's resume the reports..." Cynthia began.

Having confirmed Lucian's hairline remained intact,

Natsume nodded and shut the door—just as a chubby shadow crept from his feet.

"Gengar?"

"Next stop: the venue."

Natsume rubbed his chin. "Might even bump into some familiar faces!"

……

The Lily of the Valley Conference was divided into main stadium, sub-venues, merchant zones, and contestant villages - similar in structure to the Indigo Plateau Conference.

However, starting from the quarterfinals, battles would shift to full 6v6 format.

Additionally, the tournament followed standard "Four Move Limit" rules, restricting each Pokémon to four known moves during matches.

In the Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl anime, this conference emphasized strategic depth and tactical command.

The core challenge lay in maximizing four-move combinations through switching and defensive plays to overwhelm opponents.

Many considered the DP series the pinnacle of strategic battling in the anime, earning widespread acclaim from fans.

(Though this golden age wouldn't last - BW Ash would soon reset all strategic progress with cringe-worthy fights...)

Natsume shook his head. "This year's competitors will likely favor tactical approaches..."

If memory served, there'd be a Trick Room specialist, Tailwind teams, Spike stackers—

He coughed. "Just don't let this turn into another fan meetup!"

Beating rookies was one thing, but steamrolling actual fans might be excessive... probably.

The venue Pachirisu with activity - colorful banners fluttered between balloon arches as trainers mingled with their Pokémon.

Minccino and Bunearies scampered about while Natsume released his own companion.

Swoosh - every head turned toward the prideful Sylveon.

"Sylveon~" Sylveon surveyed the crowd with regal disdain.

Natsume tied a candy balloon to its feeler ribbon.

"Sylveon?" Sylveon tilted its head.

"Compensation for being too chubby to float," Natsume teased.

"Sylveon! (#｀皿′)"

Sylveon whapped him with ribbon-whips like a furious Chikorita.

Natsume barely flinched - Sylveon held back, and his own durability was becoming... concerning.

Thus the odd procession continued:

Sylveon leading with balloon-bobbling ribbons

Natsume munching dango from Gengar's "acquired" snack tray

Said Gengar shuffling along with stolen oden (￣～￣)

"Tastes great... where'd you get this?"

"Gengar?" Gengar scratched its head.

The stand said "Help Yourself" so I helped myself!

"Rotom! Go pay for this!"

The Pokédex zoomed toward the packed oden stall where Team Rocket's latest scheme unfolded:

"One blind box draw per order, meow!"

"Combo with juice for two draws plus savings!" James rubbed his hands.

Jessie banged a signboard: "Grand prizes include Natsume-sensei autographs! Sylveon plushies! Gengar hats! ILEX LEEKS!!"

The crowd surged like a tidal wave:

"Holy—another leek?! One more try!"

"The food's actually amazing though..."

"YES! I won first prize!!"

"10/10 would bankrupt myself again!"

Nearby vendors watched in religious awe.

"They're losing money on every sale!"

"This isn't food service - it's gacha addiction!"

"...I just really like their broth."

Natsume observed the chaos with mixed feelings.

James' merchant heritage shining through...

Officer Jenny arrived on motorcycle, sighing into her communicator:

"No violations found... the draws are technically free bonuses!"

Meanwhile, a certain Premier Ball burst open in anguish.

"Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)" Sirfetch'd clutched its precious leek, devastated.

Why use LEEKS as prizes?!

Natsume pondered. "Probably because... raffling Farfetch'd would be illegal?"

Sirfetch'd: ???

At a deserted stall down the lane, Green rested her chin in hand.

"Maybe I lack business sense... should just scam Red and Green..."

"No!" Green suddenly clenched her fist, rallying her spirits. "The beautiful Girl Green never admits defeat!"

"If I can just sell one Potion to Natsume-sensei, that'll count as a success!"