Pokémon: Raising Abandoned Pokémon into Legends

Chapter 281: Hoenn-Kanto Exchange (Part 2)

"Promote their Hoenn region?" Rio raised an eyebrow. "You’re saying he wants to use this exchange to encourage people from our Kanto region to travel to Hoenn and boost their consumption?"

"Yes, that’s essentially it," the secretary confirmed. "The higher-ups believe there’s no other reason. Hoenn recently suffered the devastation of the ancient Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre’s battle. Many areas were heavily damaged, and their economy took a severe hit. They urgently need outside trainers to visit and spend money. Our Kanto League governs both Johto and Kanto—large regions with many people, located close to Hoenn. We’re their best option."

Rio’s eyes narrowed. Got it. Put that way, it makes perfect sense. In short, they want our Kanto League people to go to Hoenn and spend money to stimulate their economy.

"And do the higher-ups agree?" Rio asked.

The secretary replied: "The higher-ups said that since Hoenn is using the excuse of congratulating you on your championship to invite us to the exchange, we can’t refuse—otherwise, if other regions found out, our Kanto League would become a laughingstock. However, they believe that our Kanto League is full of strong trainers, and as long as we select excellent trainers, we should be more than capable of handling Hoenn’s challenge."

"Understood," Rio nodded. Since the higher-ups thought it was fine, he was fine with it. He trusted their judgment in these matters.

A week later, at the Indigo Plateau.

Rio stood on a platform, facing ten trainers recommended from both the Johto and Kanto regions. They would accompany him to the inter-regional exchange in three days. All were under fifteen years old.

As Rio scanned them, something felt off. They all seemed to be rich kids—everyone was wearing designer clothes. Not a single one was dressed plainly. While raising strong Pokémon did require financial backing, surely there should have been at least one exception—a gifted trainer from humble beginnings? What surprised Rio even more was seeing James in the crowd.

"What are you doing here? I thought you ran away from home?" Rio pulled James aside.

Not to be rude, but he genuinely didn’t think James was qualified on skill alone to be part of an exchange he was leading. The title "excellent trainer" didn’t fit him yet—unless he brought out the Growlithe Rio had trained. But then what? In the exchange, he couldn’t just use Growlithe every match. It wasn’t like Charizard—it couldn’t sweep six opponents. Once it fell, James’s cover would be blown.

"I did run away, but my family called me back," James said, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Ran away and got called back?" Rio raised an eyebrow. That didn’t sound like the James he knew—the type who could leave and be dragged back by his family.

"Yes—my father told me through the butler that if I participated in this exchange and performed well, they’d stop interfering with my life from then on," James explained.

Rio asked hesitantly: "So, how did you get the spot for this exchange?"

"My dad pulled strings through the League to get me in," James said.

Rio’s vision blurred for a moment. What a blunt and honest answer. Pulling strings through the League? You could buy your way into an exchange like this? Rio realized he’d underestimated the corruption within the League. He turned to the other nine and asked calmly: "Did all of you also get your spots through family connections? Hoping to use this opportunity to gain some public exposure?"

The nine exchanged glances, then lowered their heads in silence.

Rio’s heart sank. He knew that unless Hoenn’s League was equally corrupt, he was going to look bad. But was that possible? Hoenn had just suffered a disaster from Groudon and Kyogre; the region was in recovery mode and desperately needed a win to restore public morale. If they were still engaging in corruption and sending a bunch of unqualified rich kids to match Kanto’s mediocrity, they might as well disband.

"No, Champion—I didn’t get in through connections."

A surprising voice came from the group. Rio turned eagerly—there was at least one talented one after all.

But then the speaker continued: "I bought my spot fair and square with my own money."

"..."

Rio’s face turned as bitter as pig liver. You’re proud of buying your way in?!

Composing himself, Rio took another look at the ten second-generation heirs and had them release their Pokémon. They were mostly above Level 40—respectable on the surface. But there was a glaring issue: their move proficiencies were generally poor. Only two had actually trained their Pokémon well, with proficiencies close to the cap. The rest clearly hadn’t put in hard work—they were just here to gild their résumés.

With only three days left until the exchange, there was no way to dramatically improve their strength. He could only hope for a pleasant surprise.

If there wasn’t one... Rio’s eyes narrowed. Then he’d accept it—but afterward, some of the League’s old guard would be in trouble. He’d use the exchange results as grounds to investigate the selection process and hold people accountable. Those who needed to go would go; those who deserved promotion would rise.

Three days later, at the League headquarters entrance.

Rio stood at the front, with the Elite Four and League executives behind him. Surrounding them were media outlets from both Kanto and Hoenn, cameras flashing relentlessly at Rio.

After about ten minutes of waiting, several VIP vehicles arrived. Soon, Steven stepped out, accompanied by Drake—one of Hoenn’s Elite Four—along with four Gym Leaders and ten young trainers, walking toward Rio.

"Mr. Rio—it’s a pleasure to meet you," Steven said, extending his hand first. "My father told me you once visited Devon Corporation and helped him. I never expected that not long after, you’d become the Kanto League Champion. Truly remarkable."