Giovanni's invitation exceeded Luke's expectations. He initially believed it would be a simple Space Focused video and hadn't anticipated Giovanni's generosity.
However, Luke had no intentions of becoming a Trainer, and joining Team Rocket posed too many risks.
To gather opinions, Teacher Luke opened the chat group.
Teacher Luke: Team Rocket sent someone to recruit me.
The previously tranquil chat group suddenly buzzed with activity.
Gold: ???
Lorelei: ???
Sabrina: ???
A cascade of question marks followed.
Sabrina displayed a look of consternation on her delicate face. While she had anticipated Teacher Luke receiving an invitation, discussing it directly in the chat group seemed rather audacious.
"Teacher Luke, your nerves are quite robust!" Lance, who was sipping coffee, choked abruptly, coughing as he typed: "What happened next?"
Teacher Luke: I declined.
Lance continued coughing dryly, relieved that Teacher Luke didn't say, "I've joined." He realized that almost all Gym Leaders had received invitations from Team Rocket, including Red and Blue, making them subjects personally solicited by Giovanni. It had essentially become a symbol of being a powerhouse.
Upon seeing Teacher Luke's straightforwardness, Brock nodded in agreement. "Team Rocket contacted me back in the day, and the conditions they offered were rather enticing."
Even though he bore the responsibility of caring for nine younger siblings, this determined man stood resolute. At this moment, seeing Teacher Luke reject Team Rocket, he felt a sense of camaraderie.
"It's as expected..." Brock narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists. "Just as I thought, you're the Breeder I've always respected!"
Green chuckled, covering his mouth. "Ah, Teacher Luke, did you consider swindling them for some money and leaving? I can help you with that."
Luke's eyes sparkled. Was there such an opportunity?
Teacher Luke: Let's discuss it privately; we can split it 50-50.
Sabrina held her forehead, feeling inexplicably exhausted. Discussing backstabbing Team Rocket in front of their former executive was rather audacious.
Yellow: Yeah, Giovanni uncle is a very gentle person! (*╹▽╹*)
Both Yellow and Giovanni hailed from Viridian Forest, with Giovanni even assisting Yellow in transitioning. Knowing that Teacher Luke was recruited by Team Rocket didn't come as a surprise, as it seemed to be a logical step.
Lance coughed and said, "Anyway, Teacher Luke, please be cautious. Being targeted by Team Rocket is no small matter."
Luke was slightly surprised. He realized that, despite not officially joining Team Rocket, he could still be considered an Instructor.
After all, Teacher Luke's Shrink Squad and Substitute-Toxic-Protect-Paralysis techniques had gained popularity within Team Rocket.
Red had just completed his training on Mt. Silver. Upon seeing the news about Giovanni's recruitment of Teacher Luke, he felt something was amiss.
In certain aspects, Red and Giovanni's thought processes were unexpectedly aligned.
"As I suspected, Uncle has great faith in Teacher Luke!" Red said joyfully.
Everyone wasn't too surprised by Teacher Luke's recruitment; Team Rocket was always in need of talent.
Luke realized that he had experienced the same thing as everyone else.
When they encountered a promising individual, they would extend an invitation...
Was this Giovanni's way of assessing potential talent? It appeared to be the case.
Following his victory against Lance, Teacher Luke now had the distinction of being "favored by Giovanni" once again.
"Wait a moment..." Luke muttered to himself.
"Who else... hasn't been invited?"
Gold grumbled with a hint of frustration. "Why hasn't Team Rocket ever approached me?"
After all, he was a celebrated Trainer from Johto. Even if he wasn't particularly interested in Team Rocket, they could have at least extended an invitation out of courtesy.
Green suggested with a grin, "You can contact Silver and have him put in a good word for you."
Gold thought about it. "That might work."
Gold, who found Silver to be rather aloof, wished his rival would be more straightforward.
Luke was taken aback.
He had nearly forgotten that Giovanni was Silver's father, the one who could change abilities, also known as the Exchanger!
Due to certain misunderstandings, Silver refused to acknowledge his father's affiliation with Team Rocket.
Giovanni had been searching for his son.
Silver, despite his origins as a thief, possessed a strong sense of justice and sought to dismantle Team Rocket.
Luke gazed up at the sky. "Indeed... father and son are quite the pair!"
...
This evening was yet another interaction with Team Rocket and Giovanni.
Luke was thoroughly exhausted.
All he wanted was to be an ordinary content creator in the gaming community and make some extra cash. He hadn't expected Team Rocket to find him.
Luke mused, "Perhaps I'm simply destined for the spotlight?"
It was nearly 10 o'clock, and the entire household hadn't had dinner yet.
Three little companions gazed at Luke with pleading eyes, their tears glistening.
Luke grinned and said, "Alright, I'll prepare a meal for you!"
"Jie jie~! (๑`▽´๑)۶" Haunter gave an enthusiastic nod with its ghostly claws.
Eevee hopped onto Luke's shoulder and observed intently as Luke skillfully started a fire. The warm glow of the fire illuminated Eevee's cheeks, casting a beautiful orange-yellow hue even on its fluffy fur.
"You can nibble on some Pokéblocks while waiting," Luke said as he rubbed Eevee's shoulders affectionately. "Dinner will be ready soon."
Eevee squinted its eyes and impatiently responded, "Vui~!"
Luke chuckled. His days were filled with bonding and nurturing Pokémon, and he cherished these moments. This was the beauty of the Pokémon world.
However, Luke couldn't help but shake his head and remark, "If only everyone's betrayals were a bit less painful..."
...
Squirtle, who had previously retreated, cautiously poked its head back into the kitchen and began sniffing the air.
"Uirt~…" Squirtle's face turned pale as its heightened aura perception made it more sensitive to smells.
Quickly grabbing two napkins, Squirtle used them to block its nostrils, holding them firmly. It then ventured closer, taking cautious sniffs of the air.
"Sq, uirt~ ... Squ... Ahee!"
Squirtle shivered, rubbed its red nose, and let out a goofy smile.
"Uirt~ (*￣︶￣)" (Feels good.)
In an instant, the moisture in the room started to shift, gradually forming small gray cumulus clouds that gathered on the ceiling.
Haunter and Squirtle both raised their heads simultaneously, an inexplicable sense of excitement coursing through them.
After all their hard training, it seemed like their Rain Dance was finally successful!
With a simultaneous joyful pat on their paws, Haunter and Squirtle extended their arms and began to dance jubilantly.
Haunter & Squirtle: o(*≧▽≦)ツ
Indoors, the humidity continued to rise, and the rain clouds gathered, ready to unleash a torrential downpour.
Pitter-patter...
Raindrops started falling to the ground.
"Ah woo wwwww——"
Haunter and Squirtle looked up, mouths open, trying to catch the falling raindrops.
In Squirtle's eyes, a bright spark of satisfaction lit up.
The boss... would certainly be pleased with this!
...
Back in the kitchen.
A sudden chill ran down Luke's spine for no apparent reason.
Eevee also seemed to sense something amiss and darted out of the room.
Turning off the stove, removing his apron, Luke stepped out of the kitchen with a complex expression on his face.
In an instant, rainwater poured indoors as if a water pipe had burst, drenching everything in its path.
Luke raised his head to see a small cluster of cumulus clouds gathering on the ceiling, almost as if they had formed due to a Pokémon's move.
The three little companions gleefully splashed in the spray, their laughter ringing through the room, oblivious to Luke, who had grown increasingly pale.
"Vui~ (*≧▽≦)," Eevee leaped in the pond, celebrating the rainfall.
"Uirt~ (づ￣3￣)づ," Squirtle raised its head, shooting out a water gun in a jubilant display.
Haunter patted Luke's shoulder with a grin, saying, "Jie jie~!"
It was a success, wasn't it, Master?
With cold limbs and a trembling smile, Luke didn't know whether his eyes were wet from the heavy rain or from tears mingling with it.
His wet hair clung to his forehead, and his lips quivered.
Slowly, he made his way to the sofa, where the constant sound of raindrops provided background music. He sat down and buried his head in his hands, trying to clear his thoughts.
"At least... I won't need to call a cleaning service tomorrow..."
A faint, pale smile appeared on Luke's face.