>>58655954>How exactly is something called the “Rust Syndicate”, which openly practices loan sharking, allowed to exist with literally zero legal repercussions when Giovanni’s mafia operated in the shadows and got arrested once they were found out?The same way the Yakuza operates in the open while the mob has to hide: taxes and connections. While is true both would die before being found out someone in the organization commited a crime, many of the dealings are done behind closed doors.
Giovanni had a good front with Team Rocket and the Rocket Casino: rob Pokémon, sell them as prizes in the casino. Pay off the mayor, and everything will be dandy. But then Giovanni got cocky, and basically went power hungry trying to "force a fusion" with Sylph Company. If it wasn't for Red, Team Rocket would be a global R&D company, sending their goons to "live test" their "hardware".
The Rust Syndicate, while a mob (Yakuza is Mafia in japanese), they work like Akiyama from Like a Dragon (give loan, overcharge, force people to do good). Since many of the legal "good" actions come from Syndicate's "associates", the Rust Syndicate have the green light from the political side of Kalos.
>Doesn’t this kind of make Alex’s story pointless?Not really. Remember BW? If you have Black, Mr Black from Black City was like "these trainers are fools! I am the owner of this city!". He is gone in the sequel, but Team Plasma was replaced by a triad while the cultists turned into a terrorist organization.
If anything, you can spin it into a "grim realization" story: Alex did good. By selfish reasons, but he did. But even if he did right, at the end of the day one head is cut and the Hydra grows another. At the very least, he should be happy is a guy who is trying to make the city a bit better.
The only bad thing is that we won't have this happening in Pokémonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eerX8D2jsM 