According to the Strategy Division's analysis, the best course of action was to wait until Rose lost control of Eternatus before making a move. That way, they could maximize the benefits.
Once Rose inflicted serious damage on Galar, Team Rocket could swoop in as saviors. It would give them the moral high ground—and make it easier to establish deep roots in the region.
"The Strategy Division, huh…" Luo Yuan shook his head at his subordinate's question. "Though, I can't really blame them. The truth is, our organization has grown too fast. Their strategic thinking just hasn't kept up with the pace of Team Rocket's development."
"If we were still the old Team Rocket, their approach would be fine."
"But now? We're already a powerhouse second only to the League itself. Sure, their plan might earn us a wave of goodwill from Galar's people—but they haven't considered that Galar is already destined to become ours."
"If Galar takes damage, doesn't that mean we take damage?"
His subordinates exchanged looks, visibly stunned by Luo Yuan's perspective—that Galar was already theirs in all but name.
But the more they thought about it, the more it made sense.
If Team Rocket really did take control of Macro Cosmos, then wouldn't that essentially make Galar a Team Rocket territory?
There were a thousand ways to expose Rose's plan. There was no need to do it in a way that cost them their own resources.
Seeing the dawning realization on their faces, Luo Yuan nodded, satisfied.
He pulled out the Mysterious Mask he'd swiped from Looker earlier and slipped it onto his face.
Then he made his way to the gates of Hammerlocke Gym.
Hypnotizing the guards at the entrance, he stepped inside. After weaving his way through a maze of corridors, he arrived at the sealed door that led to the underground energy plant.
A large number of Trainers were stationed there—on high alert, guarding the passage as per Rose's orders. No one was to be allowed through.
The moment they spotted a masked man approaching with a group of shadowy figures, their posture instantly shifted to full vigilance.
A black-suited Trainer stepped forward, shouting:
"Halt! This area is currently off-limits!"
As he spoke, his hand moved instinctively to his belt, fingers brushing the Poké Ball at his hip, ready to act at the first sign of trouble.
Luo Yuan didn't spare him a glance. He walked forward without pause.
"I said halt!"
The black-suited Trainer raised his voice.
Realizing the masked figure wasn't here for a friendly visit, he moved to act.
But before he could even toss out his Poké Ball, a flash of blue light swept across him—and he froze on the spot, transformed into a living statue.
Luo Yuan kept walking.
The remaining guards, now sensing danger, scrambled to react.
But Luo Yuan was faster.
His eyes glowed with a fierce blue light—and any Trainer who met his gaze dropped instantly, unconscious before they could utter a word.
"It's [Hypnosis]! Don't look him in the eyes!"
After a dozen seconds, someone finally realized what was happening.
But it was already too late.
Over half the Trainers had already collapsed under Luo Yuan's psychic wave. The rest avoided his gaze, throwing out their Poké Balls in a last-ditch effort to stop him.
This time, Luo Yuan didn't lift a finger.
A third of the elite team behind him broke off, clashing with the remaining Galarian Trainers to keep them occupied.
Another third moved to seal off the exits, ensuring no one could escape.
The last third followed Luo Yuan as he stepped into the elevator leading to the underground energy plant.
As the elevator plummeted, the concentration of Galar particles in the air rose rapidly.
For most Galar citizens, today had started off like any other.
Sure, their beloved Champion Leon had suffered a humiliating shutout against Johto's Luo Yuan a week ago—but true to their optimistic nature, they hadn't let it get them down for long.
After all, even Steven had lost to Luo Yuan before.
Leon getting shut out didn't mean he was weak—it just meant Luo Yuan was too strong.
Rather than worrying about whether Leon could recover his pride in the future, the people of Galar were more focused on whether they'd manage to get their hands on Silph Co.'s latest limited-edition holographic communication device.
Rumor had it this limited edition came pre-installed with an assistant AI program—capable of providing Trainers with comprehensive Pokémon training analysis and the most optimal guidance.
Lines had already formed outside stores all across the region.
But just as Galar's citizens waited eagerly, phones in hand—
—an inexplicable chill surged through every heart.
It struck all at once. Without knowing why, everyone instinctively looked up in the same direction.
And there it was.
Above Hammerlocke, a massive vortex had formed in the sky—swirling with black and violet light, like a hole torn into reality. The sun disappeared behind it. The skies over all of Galar dimmed into twilight.
"What is that…?" voices murmured across the streets.
People stood frozen, eyes wide.
None of them had ever seen anything like it.
But something about the swirling, shadowy maelstrom set off alarm bells deep within.
A heavy sense of dread hung in the air.
Without thinking, many pulled out their newly purchased holo-comms, snapped a picture of the ominous sky, and began flooding the web with their footage.
"Strange phenomenon just appeared over Galar. Can someone tell me what the hell this is?"