"Join Interpol?" Luke paused for a moment, and his expression gradually became bizarre.
Forget about Team Rocket; now even Interpol was here to extend an invitation?
No, Sir.
This felt like a plot straight out of a crime thriller!
Thankfully, Teacher Luke was well-trained and quickly regained his composure.
Luke cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Looker... I don't have extensive knowledge about Interpol's roles, and besides, I'm just a student."
Still just a student?
Looker contemplated for a moment, then exclaimed, "Ah, I see."
People like sports celebrities, singers, actors, and others who have reached a certain level of fame often pursue further education.
Teacher Luke was currently in an academic phase.
"The position is quite straightforward," Looker explained with a smile, "As per the instructions from our higher-ups, your role wouldn't fall under the conventional police or criminal defense departments. Instead, it would be as a Tactical Director assigned to a police academy."
"A Tactical Director?"
Luke now had a better grasp of the job's nature based on Looker's explanation.
While it might not come with significant authority, it held significant importance as a mentor at the police academy.
The success of your students and their potential to reach the rank of Inspector General would make a Mentor equally proud.
When you considered police ranks, even though it was a police supplement, essentially a Rookie who had recently entered the force after successfully passing their evaluations, it still held a rank two levels above Inspector, where Looker had spent over a decade.
Truth be told, the superiors held Luke in high regard, which left Looker somewhat envious.
But knowledge was power.
Looker had immense respect for academic mentors at police academies.
"Teacher Luke, take your time to consider it," Looker encouraged. "Joining Interpol won't curtail your freedom. Due to the nature of the role, remote work opportunities are more likely."
"Remote work?" Luke was momentarily puzzled.
"Think of it as an online class!" Looker chuckled. "Aren't you planning to continue posting those tactical videos? If you keep doing that, it could even count as part of your job!"
Luke found this situation rather peculiar.
Why were Interpol's plans so similar to those of Boss Giovanni?
Could it be that legendary heroes shared similar ideals?
Luke finally stated, "Even if you didn't approach me, I'd still continue to post my content. After all, it's my passion."
"However, I hadn't initially intended to join Interpol... I value my freedom more," Luke added.
Looker nodded in understanding.
Powerful Trainers weren't swayed by wealth or authority.
He couldn't help but admire Luke's unorthodox style.
"Very well, I will report back to my superiors," Looker said.
With a friendly smile, the middle-aged detective extended his hand and continued, "Regardless of your decision, you'll always be a friend of Interpol!"
Luke shook Looker's hand, feeling a mix of emotions.
Was he meant to be an informant for Interpol or an undercover agent for Team Rocket?
Or perhaps, he was destined to be both the agent and the informant.
As he gazed up at the sky, Luke contemplated the complexities of his journey.
This was truly the road less traveled!
...
After Looker's invitation, he was ready to return to his duties.
He exchanged goodbyes with Luke and went on his way.
Luke watched the steadfast figure of the middle-aged detective in the brown trench coat and muttered to himself, "Quite the persistent individual."
People with such strong convictions, whether they were paranoid or purely idealistic, often proved to be exceptionally resolute and powerful.
Dragon Tamer Lance, driven by a strong sense of justice, and Red, who constantly fought for what he believed in, were exemplary cases.
As for Teacher Luke, his goal was rather simple.
All he wished for was to lead a peaceful and uneventful life as a casual Trainer!
"If only my next Pokémon could be a genuine slacker," Luke mumbled.
He glanced at the time; it was still early, but catching a flight back to Magic City wasn't feasible.
Luke decided to call Gold and ask if he could stay at his place for the night.
Gold readily agreed and even offered to pick him up, assuring that the bus to New Bark Town was only a two-hour ride. Luke could catch his flight back to the airport the next morning.
Before parting ways, Luke asked Gold if he had run into Silver recently.
After bringing up Silver, Luke noticed that something seemed to be bothering him.
He understood that Silver needed some time alone to sort through his thoughts, so he didn't press the matter.
In this situation, turning to Gold seemed to be the only option for Silver.
"Huh? How did you find out?" Gold asked, somewhat taken aback, and then added with a hint of annoyance, "He's been camping at my place, hogging the TV with me, obsessed with robot shows and the remote control. I can barely get it away from him!"
Luke chuckled, understanding Silver's penchant for robot shows and how he might have gotten engrossed.
"I'm here to crash for a night, hope that's okay," Luke replied.
"No trouble at all! My gaming console is all set up. Let's have an all-night gaming session!" Gold enthusiastically suggested.
...
Kanto, Seven Islands Base.
The bespectacled secretary reported with precision, "I've located Young Master Silver's presence in Johto. I have captured an image, which I will transmit to you."
The image showed a red-haired boy with an intense gaze, and Giovanni showed a hint of emotion.
A virtual projection materialized in front of him.
Seated on a couch, a middle-aged man in a suit and polished shoes, dark eyes, gently caressed a Persian in his lap.
"Isn't there a clearer image?" Giovanni expressed a tinge of disappointment.
"I apologize. This was the best we could do without raising suspicions and disturbing Young Master Silver," Matori replied, bowing respectfully.
"Never mind," Giovanni replied, his usually stern expression softening.
"As long as he's well, that's what matters."
"Besides Young Master Silver, I've spotted a presence by his side that seems to be the 'Mentor,'" Matori reported. "It appears that Young Master Silver places considerable trust in this individual."
Giovanni remained silent for a moment, then a smile slowly crept onto his lips.
This smile bore the aura of a benevolent godfather and a contented father.
Rather than being a ruler who feared being overshadowed by his successor, Giovanni hoped for Silver to surpass him. He yearned for Silver to take the reins of Team Rocket, perpetuating the organization's legacy.
Hence, when he saw Silver actively connecting with and cultivating his own allies, Giovanni couldn't be happier.
"A 'Mentor' wouldn't be held accountable, would they?" Matori inquired.
"Accountability? Why would we pursue that?" Giovanni responded, standing up and placing his hands behind his back, his laughter uncontrollable.
"If this mentor can genuinely change Silver's path and recruit him, then I, Giovanni, will have made the wisest choice."
Matori lowered his gaze, and although Giovanni's heart still beat strongly, age and health were limitations that couldn't be avoided.
If... if Teacher Luke could truly bring back Silver.
For Giovanni, this moment would be the end of a long, lonely road.
Contemplating this, Matori felt a sense of melancholy.
"Matori, can I reach out to him?" Giovanni asked.
"Contact 'Mentor'?" Matori was taken aback.
Master Giovanni... did he want to have a direct conversation with Teacher Luke?
After two years of silence, Giovanni had rarely issued commands or made contact with the outside world. Yet now, he was willing to reach out to Teacher Luke, risking detection?
Matori grasped the significance of Teacher Luke's presence in Giovanni's life.
"I will grant 'Mentor' additional access within Team Rocket," Matori replied respectfully. "Please wait while I establish contact and transfer communication to you."
Giovanni gave a small nod.
Being able to discern the boss's intentions was a key attribute of an efficient secretary.
In this moment, Giovanni found himself looking forward.
To that young man who had earned Giovanni's respect and favor.
A man in a tailored suit and polished shoes stood before the windows, his gaze piercing through the clouds.
"If you can't accept defeat... you can't become stronger," Giovanni thought to himself.
For a more formidable organization, he required more time, more talent, and...
His only family.
"I hope you won't disappoint me, Teacher Luke," Giovanni whispered.