[Dojo Annihilape: ?]
[Giovanni of the Earth: ?]
When he typed a "?", it wasn't that he thought he'd said something wrong—he thought the other person's message was the problem.
[Giovanni of the Earth: Heh-heh… Leader Muno is as vigorous as ever. Maybe next time we'll see news of you capturing a Team Rocket executive splashed across the papers.]
[Pewter Onix: Hahaha, I like the sound of that, Leader Giovanni! I'll take your word for it!]
[Cerulean Mermaid: SquirtleSquirtle.jpg]
[Giovanni of the Earth: @Dojo Annihilape, Leader Grey, I'm very much looking forward to facing you in the gym tournament.]
[Dojo Annihilape: +1. I want to witness Leader Giovanni's renown for myself—just don't know when we'll get matched.]
[Giovanni of the Earth: No need to worry—we'll cross paths. Judging by Leader Grey's shining feats, he's very likely to make the finals. Or we might meet halfway. Hard to say.]
[Dojo Annihilape: True, you never really know. See you then. Kind of excited to see what Leader Giovanni looks like in person. Grin.jpg]
[Giovanni of the Earth: Me too. I've always wanted to meet Leader Grey. I have Viridian Gym matters to handle—see you then. Handshake.jpg]
The two finished chatting and, by coincidence, put their phones away at the same time.
"That old fox really sells it…"
Grey stuffed his phone back into his pocket and scratched his cheek, a twinge of unease creeping in at Giovanni's words.
How did Giovanni find out so fast?
Lorelei hadn't posted anything about this in the group…
Could there be a mole?
Other than that, Grey couldn't think of any other explanation.
But who's the mole?
He mulled it over for a long while and still couldn't pin anyone down.
——
Viridian City, Viridian Gym
"What a bunch of useless trash! Three executives and you still couldn't beat two gym trainers—what are you even good for?!"
Giovanni's hand clenched. With a sharp crack, the wine glass wobbling between his fingers suddenly exploded.
Shards bit into his hand; red wine slid down mixed with blood.
"Boss, please don't hurt yourself!"
Matori, having witnessed it all, hurriedly produced a handkerchief to wipe him clean. "Boss, calm your anger. I do have good news to report. Would you like to hear it?"
"Oh? News about Silver… you've found something?"
Giovanni's tone softened; the rage in his eyes settled, shaded now with a trace of gentleness.
He'd planned to sweep Kanto first and then launch a full search. If Matori's news concerned Silver, he could divert some resources to it.
At least it was a clearer target than chasing smoke.
"Yes! This recording is from a week ago. Please take a look."
Standing ramrod straight, Matori placed a surveillance clip before him.
On screen, a red-haired boy hid in the shadows near a research lab.
He waited for security to slacken, slipped in through a window, and took a Pokémon.
Then he vaulted back out and fled toward the outskirts.
"Boss, this location is New Bark Town in Johto. The researcher in charge is Professor Elm, a prized student of Professor Oak. As for the 'young master' stealing a starter Pokémon… he didn't seem to care much, oddly enough…"
Halfway through, Matori chose her words with care. "It was almost… laissez-faire. Boss, are you listening?"
"I'm fine."
Giovanni shook his head. A faint green light bloomed from his palm and dissipated into the air. "Whatever the case, send some care packages there in the name of a local charity."
"Understood, Boss!"
Heels together, Matori bowed deeply, then left.
When she was gone, Giovanni sank into the leather sofa and rubbed his heavy brow.
"Beep—"
The massive screen before him flickered on.
Proton—the only one of the four executives still at large—appeared.
"Boss. Awaiting orders."
Back straight, Proton watched Giovanni and said no more, waiting for instruction.
"Proton, start from New Bark Town in Johto and search west for a red-haired boy. Use whatever means are necessary, but don't rough him up."
Giovanni's voice was low and steady. "Got it?"
"Yes, Boss! I'll depart for Johto at once. But… what about Celadon City?"
Proton shifted to the practical. The Celadon Game Corner still needed running.
If it was a short trip, he could arrange things. If it dragged on, minor issues could snowball.
"Don't worry about that. Just go."
There was no room for discussion in Giovanni's tone.
Proton paused for a heartbeat, then nodded. "Yes, Boss."
The screen went dark.
Giovanni reached to his belt and drew a plain, unassuming Poké Ball.
"Old friend, I'll be counting on you again."
"Bzzzz—"
The ball trembled, a low hum resonating from within.
——
Saffron City, Saffron Gym.
Bumiao, Green, and Fumika were crammed together on the couch watching a romance drama.
They chattered over one another, busy shipping their favorite pairings.
"Green (munch munch), which couple do you ship the most (munch munch)? I love that one—Gardevoir and Lopunny! Absolutely divine!"
"Huh? Aren't they both male?"
Green quickly pulled up the info screen. When she saw both Gardevoir and Lopunny listed as male, the look she gave Fumika changed.
"Hey, when you're my age you'll get it."
Leaning on Green's shoulder, Fumika spoke with worldly weight. "Give it a few more years."
"Mmph…"
Green lowered her head, cheeks puffing as she tried to argue back.
Click…
The dojo doors opened.
All three looked toward the entryway.
Grey and Sabrina stepped into the foyer nearly spotless, as if they'd just stepped out for a quick errand.
"Grey, you're back already?!"
Seeing them return without a scratch, Bumiao's eyes went wide, disbelief plain in her voice.
That was way too fast!
What—eight hours, tops?
And Team Rocket was already dealt with?
She'd been picturing a full-scale invasion of the dojo, the three of them fighting tooth and nail to defend the place.
"Not bad. Felt a little slow to me."
Grey rolled his shoulders, unbuckled his belt, and set his Poké Balls on the floor one by one.
"One, two… six, seven, eight?"
Bumiao tapped the balls and counted—two more than before.
"You caught new teammates?"
"Yeah. Just ordinary Pokémon, nothing special."
Grey chuckled.
Machop and Zapdos burst from their Poké Balls.
"Ohhh, true. Just a Machop and—"
"Zapdos!!!"
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