Chapter 1021: Press Conference Begins
Chapter 1021: Press Conference Begins
Two days later, Yuga learned from Steven about the unusual events that occurred in the Kanto region, were related to Gillruta, and that Gillruta ultimately meeting his demise in the Orange Island in Kanto.
Previously, due to the Ariana incident, Gillruta had been taken by the Rustboro City Police for questioning. However, after it was confirmed he had no connection with Ariana, he was released.
But now, Yuga feels there might still be some connection between them.
Unexpectedly, the renowned collector Gillruta had set his sights on the Legendary Birds Trio. Moreover, the Legendary Birds in the Orange Island were not ordinary; they were the three Legendary Bird Trio with a tittle as the gods of fire, ice, and lightning.
The wild Zapdos Yuga had encountered before was just an untitled wild Legendary Pokémon. Even if it were truly captured, the League might not interfere.
However, the situation with the Orange Island's Legendary Birds Trio was different. They possessed the power to cause world upheaval and had a close relationship with the Sea Guardian, Lugia. The League would absolutely not allow anyone to take advantage on them.
As a transmigrator, Yuga naturally knew that this matter would eventually arise. However, due to the passage of time, he had forgotten who caused this incident or when it would happen.
He never expected it would occur so suddenly.
But even if he knew, Yuga probably wouldn't intervene much. After all, with Ash around, there shouldn't be any problem. The protagonist's aura around Ash is quite something.
It's already October, and the various League competitions have long been ended. If he remember it correctly, It's about the time when Ash and his friends were in the Orange Island.
Even though the League has locked down this incident, the internal tremors within the League are foreseeable.
As the head of the Rite family, a world-renowned collector, Gillruta's egregious actions would certainly not bode well for the Rite family. Besides the League's inquiry, they'll have to spend a considerable amount of time dealing with internal family turmoil.
Sure enough, following this, Yuga received news of a change in leadership within the Rite family. The new head is Gillruta's cousin, and the one backing Gillruta's cousin's ascension is a foster child of the Rite family, Milolovid.
Logically, as Gillruta's younger brother, Milolovid also had the right to inherit the family leadership. Unfortunately, as a foster child, the Rite family members wouldn't allow someone without Rite family blood to take the position of family head.
However, even so, Milolovid's influence within the Rite family cannot be underestimated. Despite not gaining inheritance rights, he wields considerable power, as seen from his ability to ensure Gillruta's cousin's ascension to power single-handedly.
The previous head of the Rite family was Gillruta's father. His sudden death was soon followed by Gillruta's mother passing away. As the sole bloodline to the family head, Gillruta's assumption of the family head position faced little obstruction. This was also closely related to his abilities and the excellence of Milolovid.
Now that the bloodline of the Rite family's head has ended, the appointment of the new head of the Rite family would undoubtedly trigger significant controversy.
Fortunately, Gillruta himself was not associated with the League. His personal wrongdoings didn't affect the Rite family. Otherwise, he'd be the next Bridges, and the fate of the Rite family wouldn't fare any better than Bridges's family.
However, these matters aren't of much concern to Yuga. He can at most pay attention to external events. His primary focus right now is the collaboration with the League about the potion.
These days, Yagi has been frequently visiting the YoYo Day Care, discussing the details of their collaboration repeatedly. At this moment, Yuga is grateful for listening to his master's advice and choose to collaborating with the League. When it comes to doing business, he indeed lags behind the League's Minister Of Commerce.
Yagi has begun treating the Potential potion as a big project within the Commerce Department. Although the major share of the business's profits belongs to Yuga, according to Yagi, the Potential potion have a great importance. Thus, the League must take the lead in the broader direction.
After their discussion, the two decided to hold a press conference before the potion's released, and announcing its details to the public.
To generate sufficient buzz around the potion, Yagi gave a name to Yuga's Potential potion: "Innovation Potion." It signifies that the birth of the Potential potion marks an innovation in the potion field and implies that the Pokémon using the potion can gain a new life.
Soon, the promotion for the Innovation potion quickly went public. With the League backing it, the advertisements for the potion filled the streets and alleys of major towns, and causing quiet a stir. Yuga, the researcher of the potion, became a household name among trainers.
It must be said that Yuga has a knack for stirring up things. Just as the fervor surrounding the incident with Rayquaza had settled, now there's the matter of the Innovation potion.
And compared to Rayquaza, the Innovation potion is more intriguing and sparks more discussion. Not just anyone can touch Rayquaza, but the enhancement of a Pokémon's Potential is something all trainers are concerned about.
Once the advertisement for the Innovation potion was out, the phone lines at the Commerce Department of the Hoenn League were overwhelmed. Branches of the League from other regions were eager to confirm the authenticity of the Innovation potion. The Hoenn League was now in the limelight.
However, Yagi is adept at keeping secrets. No matter who calls, he just says one thing: Its a secret for now and stay tuned for the press conference!
To add weight to the upcoming press conference, Yagi plans to invite prominent trainers, so he sent invitations to the Elite Four and Champions from various regions.
Regardless of whether they can ultimately attend, the invitations were sent out in advance.
Not only did the phone lines at the Hoenn League's Commerce Department get bombarded, but Yuga's private line and the YoYo Day Care's phones were also incredibly busy. Calls came pouring in from both familiar and unfamiliar people, all inquiring about Yuga and the Innovation potion.
One of YoYo Day Care's collaborators is a pharmaceutical company, and the two parties have been working smoothly together on the Sweet Honey sales. This company was introduced to Yuga through Joyka, and the cooperation between the two parties has been quite pleasant.
However, ever since the ads for the Innovation potion went live, their boss has been calling Yuga incessantly, trying to get a piece of the potion pie. He even made more than ten calls a day, which made Yuga was really annoyed.
With the League as a business partner, Yuga has no need for outside interference and promptly declines any such proposals.
However, the other party did not give up completely, he even tried to approach Yuga through Joyka, but Joyka immediately refused their request and later informed Yuga of the incident.
She had initially introduced them to help Yuga, but now, this favor was causing trouble for Yuga, and she was not happy about it.
The pharmaceutical company, which was expanding its business, had received substantial assistance from the Joyka family. Joyka wasn't afraid of them and declined their requests confidently.
Upon learning about this, Yuga promptly blacklisted the company. If not for the existing business contract, he would have cut ties with them outright.
Once Yagi learned about the incident, he graciously told Yuga that after the current contract with the company expires, he would personally introduce a more reliable partner to Yuga.
Having influential connections does make things easier.
Mr. Kuni'o's position within the League is honorable, but there aren't many ways he can directly help Yuga in business matters. In this aspect, Yagi is more suitable. Although the major Pokémon Day Cares are under the care of the Breeder Association, the collaboration between the Commerce Department and the Breeder Association is inseparable.
Apart from sending invitations for the conference to his friends, Yuga also invited Steven, Robert, and Cynthia, who all assured they would try their best to make time to attend.
But there's this shameless Flint, uncertain if he could make it, yet he directly sent his Flareon to Yuga, claiming it was for a "Husband and Wife reunion."
The moment Yuga received the Flareon, he was furious. This guy not only swiped his Glaceon and Leafeon but now even dare to appear in front of him.
However, despite being angry, as the saying goes, once a daughter is married off, she becomes part of someone else's family. The Glaceon and Leafeon favor it, even having a child with it. Yuga had no choice but to take the Flareon in and let it reunite with the Glaceon and Leafeon.
And in the blink of an eye, the day of the Innovation potion's press conference arrived.
The venue for the press conference was the Pokémon Contest venue in Verdanturf Town. The space was ample, and the facilities were comprehensive, making it an ideal location for the event.
Due to the immense buzz surrounding the Innovation potion, the turnout for the press conference in Verdanturf Town was massive. People who received invitations and even those who didn't all came, resulting in a densely crowded conference scene.
Fortunately, Yagi was adept at handling such situations, and the event's order was maintained well.
The majority of attendees in Verdanturf Town were trainers, followed by media representatives from various regions. They all wanted to get firsthand information about the Innovation potion.
As time passed, more and more guests and media personnel arrived for the conference and were being arranged to take their seats by the Commerce Department's staff.
At that moment, Yuga was in the backstage, cross-checking the upcoming conference's schedule with Yagi when a staff member led a woman carrying a camera into the backstage area.
"Did I come to disturb? Gym Leader Shimizu seems very busy!"
Hearing the voice, Yuga turned to see a familiar face. His pupils slightly contracted, but immediately, he smiled and said, "Malva! Long time no see. Unexpectedly, you're here to join the excitement!"
Malva collected her camera and smiled gently, "Long time indeed. Did I disturb your work?"
Yuga casually replied, "Of course not. Malva, the member of Elite Four gracing us with your presence is already an honor."
Malva adjusted her eyes and said, "Gym Leader Shimizu is quite articulate. But today, I'm not here as one of the Kalos Elite Four. I'm merely a regular media worker. I hope to have the chance to interview the esteemed Gym Leader Shimizu, who has been making headlines recently. I wonder if I have that honor."
Yuga chuckled, "Haha... there will be an opportunity."
Malva detected the casual tone in Yuga's response but merely raised an eyebrow without reacting further, instead smiling back at Yuga.
"By the way, Are the one who come from Kalos is only you?" Yuga diverted the conversation.
"Not really. Diantha and I came together. Before coming in, I saw Sinnoh's Champion Cynthia and the Elite Four member Aaron too. They should be seated by now," Malva replied with a smile.
...
Yuga and Yagi were making final preparations backstage while the invited guests started arriving at the conference venue one after the other.
On the stage, there was a long table with several chairs. It was arranged for Yuga, Yagi, and others from the organizing team to conduct media interviews and introduce and promote the Innovation potion.
Below the stage were the seats for the media and the invited trainers.
The media and reporters occupied the back rows, some even standing along the aisles due to a lack of seats.
The front rows were reserved for the invitees. At this moment, multiple seats were occupied by prominent figures such as Professor Oak and Lorelei from Kanto, Karen from Johyo, Gym Leaders Norman and Wallace, Elite Four Phoebe, Champion Steven from Hoenn, Champion Cynthia and Elite Four Aaron from Sinnoh, Champion Alder and Gym Leader Drayden from Unova, and Champion Diantha and Malva from the Kalos region...
All the people with Significant influece from the League's various regions had been dispatched to attend the event.
Watching these distinguished individuals interacting in the front row, the trainers and media members below started buzzing with discussions.
"We're really in luck today. I never expected so many prominent figures to come. That Verdanturf Gym Leader is truly extraordinary!"
"Yes, indeed. Look at this. There are four regional Champions here! You don't usually see so many Elite Four and Champions gathered together."
"Not only that, even Professor Oak is here. Normally, he wouldn't attend such events."
"This is not surprising after all. This event is related to the League. I wonder if this 'Innovation potion' is truly as advertised. If it is..."
"The woman seated next to Kalos Champion Diantha is the new Sinnoh's Champion, right? I've only heard about her before, and now I finally get to see her in person. She's really beautiful; it's hard to imagine she became a Champion at such a young age."
"Indeed, she's quite impressive. But our own Champion from the Hoenn League is not any less powerful than her."
"Isn't this older Champion from Unova usually reluctant to join such events? Why is he here today?"
...
Diantha waited for a while but didn't see Malva returning, so she started conversing with Mr. Drayden sitting beside her.
However, Mr. Drayden was rather serious and relatively older, and as a result, couldn't find much common ground for discussion with a star like Diantha. Their conversation felt more superficial.
It was Mr. Alder, sitting next to Mr. Drayden, who noticed Diantha's boredom and boldly initiated a conversation with her.
Although Diantha wasn't very close to Mr. Drayden, she was an old acquaintance of Mr. Alder. She wanted to keep her distance from the disrespectful old man. Otherwise, she wouldn't have chosen to sit beside Mr. Drayden and separate herself from Mr. Alder.
The colder Diantha acted toward Mr. Alder, the more determined he became to flirt with the beautiful lady. Which is quite an improper approach.
Just then, Malva returned.
Seeing Malva sitting next to her, Diantha immediately ignored the chattering Mr. Alder and turned to ask Malva, "Where did you go?"
Malva shook her camera. "I did an interview."
Diantha intended to ask more, but Yuga and Yagi entered the venue from the backstage, causing an immediate hush among the audience.