Chapter 197: The Founder of Rainbow Rocket
Johto, New Bark Town.
If Pallet Town symbolized pure white beginnings, then New Bark Town was a vibrant, youthful green. Lush sycamore trees surrounded the small town. The evening sky darkened as Hoothoot perched on treetops, calling out their rhythmic cries.
"Sorry for intruding and troubling you," Lu Ye said apologetically as he arrived at Gold's house.
Gold's mother smiled warmly. "It's no trouble at all. This kid loves having guests over. Let me prepare a room for you."
Gold grinned. "No need, Mom! Teacher Lu and I are gaming all night—no sleep!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Absolutely not." Lu Ye's voice was dead serious. "Please, prepare the guest room. I'd appreciate it."
There was no way in hell he was pulling an all-nighter losing to Gold in video games. Besides, Gold wasn't Cynthia—she at least paid him overnight fees.
Gold's house was filled with small Pokémon. Standing on the second floor, Lu Ye could see the courtyard below—Oddish, Sandshrew, Metapod… all casually playing around.
Gold scratched his nose proudly. "I learned a ton from the Day Care! Taking care of Pokémon is easy for me now!"
Still glued to the TV, waiting for his mecha show to start, Silver coldly remarked, "Your mom's the one taking care of them."
"Shut up! Say that again and I'll kick you out!"
The contrast between Gold's reckless enthusiasm and Silver's deadpan sarcasm was comedy gold. Lu Ye crossed his arms, chuckling to himself. At that moment—his phone vibrated. Lu Ye glanced at the caller ID. "I'm stepping outside for a bit," he said before leaving the house.
Public Phone Booth, New Bark Town
Lu Ye picked up the call. "What's up, Matori?"
"Are you available to speak right now?"
"If I wasn't, I wouldn't have picked up, would I?" Lu Ye sighed. "Just tell me what's going on."
"It's not me who wants to talk," Matori replied. "It's Giovanni."
Lu Ye paused. Giovanni wants to speak with me? Had word spread that fast about my contact with Interpol?! But the next moment—Matori clarified. "It's about Silver."
Lu Ye rubbed his chin. So Giovanni wanted to check on his son… that wasn't too surprising. At the same time, Lu Ye was genuinely curious about this legendary crime boss. "Patch him through," Lu Ye said.
"Understood."
Beep… beep… beep… The dial tone rang, then—a low, raspy voice filled the receiver.
"I've heard much about you, Teacher Lu."
Lu Ye momentarily felt like he was in a dream. Speaking directly to Giovanni, the Boss of Team Rocket… But considering he had already met Red, there was nothing to be nervous about. "Let's cut to the chase, Giovanni. What do you need?"
"There are two matters," Giovanni said. "First—I wish to personally extend my invitation. Second—I want to clarify my stance. In Team Rocket, you will have absolute freedom. I will never interfere with any of your decisions."
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. "Nothing in life is truly free, Giovanni."
"Perhaps," Giovanni chuckled. "And lastly, if you would be so kind—tell me about Silver."
Lu Ye nodded. "He's made reliable friends and found his own path… But, I think he still wants to see you."
"…Is that so?" Giovanni absentmindedly stroked Persian's fur, his voice distant. "To see a wanted criminal?"
Lu Ye's tone remained firm. "More importantly—he wants to see his father."
His heart pounded slightly, knowing how bold his words were. But… this might be the opening he needed. If he could change Team Rocket—then his plans to recruit Jessie, James, and Meowth would fall into place naturally. The risk was high, but it was worth attempting.
After a long silence—Giovanni suddenly laughed. "You're the first to ever say something like that to me, Teacher Lu." His voice was low and amused. Lu Ye knew—this was Giovanni's only weakness.
"My father used to say—'A man's first duty is to his family.'" Lu Ye's voice softened. "Giovanni, you can do better."
Silence. Then—"…I cannot abandon Team Rocket," Giovanni said firmly. "Lu Ye—of all our members, you are the only one Silver has accepted. If you can make him acknowledge Team Rocket—"
"Team Rocket isn't worth acknowledging," Lu Ye cut him off.
Giovanni's voice turned ice-cold. "Oh? Is that so?"
What, are you gonna crawl through the phone and punch me? Why are you acting so intimidating? Lu Ye remained calm and spoke evenly. "Silver is a boy who hates injustice," he said. "And right now, Team Rocket is branded as a group of poachers—that's an undeniable crime."
Giovanni was silent for a long time before he sighed. "In reality… Team Rocket hasn't engaged in poaching for quite some time. Our genetic research—the creation of Mewtwo—was completed. There was no further need to harvest Pokémon DNA. Those still committing crimes under Team Rocket's name? They're nothing more than a bunch of jumped-up clowns."
Lu Ye's expression turned strange. So you're telling me… you revived Team Rocket just to bring your son home?! That's a hell of a grand ambition.
"Without Team Rocket, the world would only fall into greater chaos," Giovanni said coolly. "Magma, Aqua, Galactic… fools, every last one of them. Rather than letting them squander their power, it's far better to have Silver take the reins of Team Rocket. And you, Teacher Lu—are the only one who can make it happen."
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever considered rebranding Team Rocket?"
Giovanni paused. "…Rebranding?"
Lu Ye rubbed his temples. "If your goal is to bring Silver back, then the key is to change Team Rocket's image. The public sees Team Rocket as criminals. But what if it became an organization of 'justice'?"
"Team Rocket has legitimate sources of funding. It already has a public presence. If you shift public perception, you can build credibility. And once Team Rocket becomes respected, Silver will have no reason to refuse returning."
Giovanni was deep in thought for a moment, then frowned. "Lu Ye… Team Rocket was built on darkness. A knight in the shadows. A law enforcer in the dark…"
Lu Ye chuckled. "Justice and evil… are often separated by a very thin line."
Giovanni was stunned for a moment—then suddenly burst into laughter. "Hah! Interesting."
"But," his voice turned cold again. "A group without military strength is doomed to perish. I will not allow Team Rocket to become defenseless."
"As long as Team Rocket's actions are 'just,' that's enough," Lu Ye didn't back down. "Poaching rings, smuggling syndicates, black market dealers—eliminating these criminal organizations would 'rescue' many powerful Pokémon. And at the same time—it would reshape Team Rocket's reputation."
A black-on-black operation? Giovanni's lips curved upward. "You're more interesting than I expected, Teacher Lu…"
"But there are many within Team Rocket who are stuck in the past," he warned. "Without a clear directive, they'll become a ship full of mutineers. If they lose their reason for existing, even I cannot predict what they might do."
Lu Ye smiled. "Then we need a new Team Rocket. One that cleanses the old, adapts, and is reborn. One that the League, the public, and Trainers can acknowledge. One that your own son can proudly call his own."
Giovanni fell into silence. He had long been aware of Team Rocket's deepening flaws. He had considered founding a new organization. But his original plan had been to ally with other villainous teams. Now, Lu Ye had given him an offer he couldn't refuse. A Team Rocket that Silver could take pride in.
"The times have changed, Giovanni." Lu Ye's voice was calm but firm. "People aren't drawn to the abyss of mystery anymore. They prefer to stand under a brilliant rainbow. And I believe Silver feels the same way."
A rainbow… How poetic. Giovanni remained silent for a long time before finally saying—"I'll consider it." Then, he chuckled. "You're quite the negotiator, Teacher Lu."
"It's my pleasure."
"Lu Ye… If—when this new organization is formed—would you be willing to be part of it?"
Giovanni's decisiveness caught Lu Ye off guard. "You've already decided on a name?" Lu Ye asked.
Giovanni smirked. "Didn't you already decide it for me?"
Lu Ye blinked, momentarily confused.
Giovanni continued. "I'll elevate your status within Team Rocket. You will have authority over all ranks below Executive level. You may issue direct orders to Matori—she will ensure your commands are carried out."
Lu Ye's expression grew complicated. This wasn't an Executive's authority anymore… This was the authority of a successor. Was he… being groomed as a regent?
"Take care of your health, Giovanni," Lu Ye coughed lightly. "Burning yourself out isn't worth it. You've got a new organization to build."
"Indeed… But after resting for so long—it's time to get back to work."
Change doesn't happen overnight. But as long as the seed is planted, there's always a chance it will grow. Hanging up the call, Giovanni stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out over the clouded sky. A rainbow was cutting through the clouds—brilliant and radiant.
"Rainbow… Rocket…" Giovanni murmured. His lips curled into a small, amused smile. "He's quite an interesting man…"
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