Chapter 180: Counter-Strategy
Xiu picked up the thread of Oak's explanation seamlessly, his mind already racing ahead. "And once the Joy Family is discredited," he continued, articulating the endgame, "even if they eventually stabilize Viridian, they'll have lost popular support. Their operational capacity here will be crippled. Those previously sidelined, using their deep local roots and perhaps Team Rocket as a temporary front, can then reassert control over the city's resources and politics."
Oak nodded grimly, affirming Xiu's deduction. "There's more," he added, his voice low. "The Joy Family isn't just a local power. Their control over Pokémon healthcare gives them immense influence region-wide, even globally. Viridian City, with its proximity to the forest and strategic location, is a crucial hub for sourcing rare medicinal plants and other vital materials." He leaned forward again. "If whoever is truly backing them succeeds in driving the Joys out or significantly curtailing their operations here, it weakens the entire Pokémon healthcare industry."
Xiu's eyes widened slightly as the larger implications sank in. "Meaning," he inferred, "this isn't just local politics. External forces – competitors with conflicts of interest with the Joy Family, perhaps even large pharmaceutical corporations, and other regional powers – might also be tacitly supporting or even funding this destabilization effort." He looked at Oak expectantly.
Professor Oak remained silent, neither confirming nor denying the speculation, but the lack of denial was telling. The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken possibilities.
So, Xiu thought, recalibrating his understanding yet again, Team Rocket isn't just a tool; they might be pawns in a much larger game, funded by powerful external interests looking to weaken the Joys' global monopoly on Pokémon healthcare. He almost scoffed at the irony.
The old Viridian families thought they were using Team Rocket to regain local control, but they themselves were likely being manipulated by far bigger players. And Team Rocket... He recalled Giovanni's known ambition. They certainly aren't content being mere pawns forever. They have their own agenda.
First, team up with them to drive out the Joys and share the spoils. Then, inevitably, betray them, perhaps using leaked evidence of their collusion to trigger League intervention against them, leaving Team Rocket as the sole power in a fractured Viridian City. It was a multi-layered strategy. And they're probably too blinded to see it coming.
Noticing his expression, Oak raised an eyebrow. Xiu quickly masked his thoughts. "Just realizing," he deflected, "why the official response has felt so... fragmented. If multiple factions are actively working against Head Nurse Joy, it's remarkable she's held things together this well." Professor Oak likely assumes Team Rocket are just puppets, Xiu guessed. He doesn't know Giovanni's true identity or ultimate ambition.
"Indeed," Oak agreed gravely. "Which brings us to the immediate problem. What do we do now? This situation clearly isn't resolving itself quickly."
Xiu knew Oak was implicitly asking for his opinion. Since Oak had chosen, however reluctantly, to align with the Joy Family since their interests were now temporarily aligned. And Xiu's own plans required a degree of stability, not total collapse. "Professor," he began, "you said you wanted to protect the ordinary citizens from the fallout."
"That remains my primary concern," Oak affirmed solemnly. "This power struggle is one thing, but inciting mass riots, starving the populace... that crosses a line."
"Then we need a counter-strategy," Xiu stated. He stood up, pacing the room as he formulated his thoughts aloud. "Their main leverage is food scarcity and manipulating public fear, especially among the stranded tourists. We've already taken steps to counter the food issue by bringing in independent supplies." He gestured towards the plan Xiaoyuan was now implementing. "As long as our warehouse remains secure and distribution runs smoothly, we can undercut the price gouging and prevent mass starvation among the locals."
He stopped pacing. "But that only addresses part of the problem. The tourists are the wild card. They have no homes here, relying on hotels for food and shelter. Hotels whose owners are not aligned with us. You even see that prices for rooms and meals are already skyrocketing."
"And remember the numbers – the tourists, combined with visitors from surrounding towns, are a good chunk of Viridian's resident population during this festival— they are a large, displaced, frightened, and potentially angry mob."
"A mob that includes a significant number of Trainers," Oak added grimly. "A volatile mix." He looked at Xiu expectantly. "What do you propose?"
A confident smile touched Xiu's lips. "Simple, Professor. We neutralize their main weapon: the displaced tourists."
Oak leaned forward, intrigued. "How?"
"We offer them sanctuary," Xiu explained. "Utilize the Pokémon Center's battle arena – it's large, secure, and currently unused. Turn it into a temporary shelter. Provide basic food – which we can supply at cost – and security."
"You think we can accommodate thousands of people, potentially for days?" Oak began, skeptical.
"That's only step one," Xiu cut in. "Step two: harness the volatile element. Recruit volunteer Trainers from among the sheltered tourists. Offer them simple, structured tasks under the Pokémon Center's authority – maintaining order within the shelter, assisting with food distribution, clearing minor debris from affected areas, and acting as visible patrols. Give them a purpose, a way to contribute, instead of letting them fester in fear and boredom."
He continued, warming to his theme. "This achieves multiple goals. It prevents a large, potentially dangerous group from being manipulated into rioting. It provides the Pokémon Center network with a temporary auxiliary force, freeing up Head Nurse Joy's core staff and security teams to focus on more critical tasks – investigating the sabotage, coordinating with trustworthy police elements, or perhaps even targeting the ringleaders behind the market. It creates visible stability, countering the narrative of chaos."
"Furthermore," Xiu added, his eyes gleaming with strategic insight, "by actively managing the situation and providing aid, Head Nurse Joy reinforces her position as the city's protector, directly counteracting any attempts to weaken her influence.
And once the immediate crisis stabilizes and the roads are clear, we facilitate the tourists' departure as quickly as possible, reducing the pressure on the city's resources." He finished, looking expectantly at Oak. "Once the volatile elements are gone, Head Nurse Joy can deal with the internal political situation however she sees fit, from a position of strength."
Oak listened intently, his initial skepticism fading, replaced by thoughtful consideration. "It's... ambitious," he conceded. "And fraught with potential problems. Managing that many people, the risk of infiltration, the sheer cost..."
"There are risks," Xiu acknowledged. "Tourists might not cooperate. Screening volunteers would be difficult. Supplying them..."
"Supplying them won't be an issue," Xiu stated firmly. "My associate's operation can handle the food supply, at cost, as a gesture of goodwill towards the Pokémon Center and the city." And cementing our position as a reliable partner.
Oak processed this. "Even so, getting thousands of panicked tourists to calmly relocate to the arena and to trust this arrangement..."
"That, Professor," Xiu said, turning to Oak with a knowing smile, "is where you come in."
"Me?" Oak looked surprised.
"Your reputation," Xiu stated simply. "Professor Samuel Oak. Renowned researcher, trusted public figure— and former Pokémon League Champion. Simply say the word, reassure the public, endorse the Pokémon Center's plan, and urge cooperation... it would carry immense weight. Far more than any announcement from Head Nurse Joy or any city official."
Oak stared at Xiu, processing the audacity of the proposal, the intricate layers of logistics, security, and public relations. He saw the risks, the complexities, but also the effectiveness. He saw how Xiu had woven together a plan that not only addressed the immediate crisis but also served Xiu's own long-term business interests while simultaneously strengthening Nurse Joy's political position.
This boy... Oak thought, a mixture of admiration and unease swirling within him. He thinks on a level far beyond his years.
After a long moment of silence, Oak finally nodded slowly. "Alright, Xiu. It's a dangerous gamble. But perhaps... perhaps it's the best chance we have." He stood up. "Let's go present this plan to Nurse Joy.[1]"
[1] Have y'all noticed the discrepancies in where I use Head Nurse Joy and Nurse Joy?
It's because to Professor Oak, every Head Nurse Joy assigned in every city are simply Nurse Joys except for the true matriarch of the Joy Family.
To the common folk, Head Nurse Joy is the biggest Gyarados in the lake.
But when you're a former Pokemon League Champion and an established figure in the Breeder Industry? You're Kyogre.
If it's still confusing, I can just edit the later chaps out if y'all wish.