The Viridian Gym's owner was a celebrity throughout Kanto a name spoken with the same respect as the Elite Four themselves.
Because of that, Giovanni often attended high-profile events and managed vast business holdings.
He wasn't just a Gym Leader; he was a man with influence everywhere.
Ash already knew who he really was the boss of Team Rocket, Kanto's largest criminal syndicate.
Anyone who'd played a Pokémon game could recognize that name.
It wasn't even a secret in the modern world.
For a moment, Ash considered reporting him.
But then reason took over.
Even if the Elite Four came to investigate, Giovanni would never be caught so easily.
The Alliance probably already knew and chose to look the other way.
Reporting him might only draw suspicion toward himself.
So Ash let it go.
Giovanni wasn't in town anyway.
No point lingering in Viridian City.
Their next destination would be Pewter City, home of the Rock Gym.
By the time Ash and Serena finished sightseeing, the sun had already set.
Viridian was large and lively, and after hours of walking, both were exhausted.
They decided to rent a trainer's room at the Pokémon Center.
With a valid Pokédex, the League reimbursed 80 percent of the cost, and the Center's facilities were clean and comfortable.
Each room came with bunk beds so sharing one was nothing new after spending nights together in a tent.
Later that evening, while finishing dinner at the cafeteria, they noticed a new arrival.
She had bright orange hair tied in a short ponytail, a yellow sleeveless crop top that showed her slim waist, and denim shorts that reached mid-thigh.
Her confident stride and fiery eyes were unmistakable.
Misty.
One of the original trio.
Ash blinked in surprise.
Without the old Spearow incident or the Hurricane rain, he'd assumed they'd never meet.
Yet here she was, restoring her Pokémon at the counter.
Serena caught his stare and followed his gaze.
" Ash, do you know that girl?"
Ash shook his head. " Not personally. But… she looks familiar somehow."
"Oh? Is that so?" Serena replied lightly, though her tone carried a faint edge.
Ash chuckled awkwardly and looked away.
He wasn't about to walk up to some random girl while traveling with Serena that would just make him look like a jerk.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the Center.
The ceiling cracked open, sprinkling debris across the floor as the lights flickered out.
Ash instantly pulled Serena behind him, eyes scanning upward.
A huge hole gaped in the roof, revealing the dark night sky and floating above it, a massive Meowth-shaped hot-air balloon.
"What's going on?!" someone shouted.
Nurse Joy looked just as stunned.
No one had ever dared to attack a Pokémon Center before.
Such a crime would get you blacklisted from every facility in the world!
Then, a voice rang out from above.
"Since you asked sincerely…"
"…we will mercifully tell you!"
A synchronized male-and-female chant echoed through the night.
Ash froze for half a second, recognition flashing in his eyes.
Of course only they would introduce themselves like that.
Before the speech could continue, he snapped his fingers.
" Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
" Pika CHUUU!"
Lightning exploded upward, turning the night sky gold.
The roar of thunder drowned out every other sound as the electric blast tore through the balloon.
Boom!
The Team Rocket trio didn't even finish their motto.
The balloon erupted, spinning out of control.
"What happened?!" Jessie's voice shrieked.
"I don't know—we hadn't even finished the lines!" James yelled back.
"It was that brat's Pikachu, meow!"
"We'll remember this!"
"What a nasty feeling!!"
Their voices faded into the distance as the balloon vanished into the clouds.
Ash exhaled slowly, lowering his hand.
Serena blinked, still stunned. " Ash… did you just—"
" Yep," he said simply. " Saved us the trouble."
The truth was, he'd attacked early on purpose.
Better to blast them away now than deal with constant ambushes later.
Still, he hadn't expected them to notice him in the dark.
"They're persistent," he muttered under his breath. " Really persistent."
A faint notification flickered before his eyes.
[You have defeated Team Rocket's Meowth.
Reward: Golden Entry — 'Force of Evergreen'.]
Ash had muted the sound long ago because it was too noisy, but the glowing text still appeared on his display.
When he opened the entry list, his jaw nearly dropped.
Force of Evergreen (Gold).
"What the a gold drop from those clowns?!"
He stared at the screen in disbelief.
This had to be a glitch.
Even Ash Ketchum hadn't expected Team Rocket to be that profitable.
(End of Chapter 10)