Viridian Gym, located in Viridian City in the north of Kanto, is a very popular gym. The main reason is, of course, the strong power of the gym leader, Giovanni.
Giovanni's strength is different from Sabrina's. It is powerful and overwhelming, giving people a feeling of invincibility.
The reason why trainers were able to defeat Giovanni was not only through familiarity and adjustment but also because Giovanni deliberately went easy on them; otherwise, no one would be able to pass the Viridian Gym's trial.
"I wonder if there's a trainer worth going easy on today..." In the gym, Giovanni was sitting in his office, stroking Persian's head with one hand and propping his chin with the other, a sly smile playing on his lips.
Thinking of the Pokémon he had created, Giovanni's eyes flashed with excitement. Although it hadn't fully matured, its strength had already shocked him.
It had the potential to become a god; there was no doubt about that!
"As long as it becomes a god, then this world will fall into my hands!" Giovanni lowered his head slightly, looking at his left hand, which was wearing a ring.
"Mother, I will realize your dream at 24!"
"Knock, knock..." Suddenly, there was a knock on the office door. Giovanni straightened his expression, the smile on his face softened, and he said in a low, magnetic voice, "Please come in."
"Mr. Giovanni..." A staff member opened the door and entered the office, bowing his head respectfully, "It's time. The challengers are waiting for you in the waiting hall."
"In that case, let's go." Giovanni stood up, passed by the staff member, and walked out the door, with Persian following behind him.
"Viridian Gym is really popular!" In the waiting hall, Ash looked at the challengers sitting there. Although he had arrived very early, he was still scheduled after more than ten people, and behind him, there were more than 20 trainers waiting to challenge.
Ash listened carefully to the discussions of these trainers and found that some of them had failed once, but there was no frustration or tension on their faces, only excitement.
"After getting Mr. Giovanni's guidance, I will definitely be able to pass the gym challenge this time!" one trainer said confidently.
"Mr. Giovanni is really a good person. Although he defeated us, he pointed out our shortcomings and gave us advice." The trainer next to him admired Giovanni.
The trainer's words resonated with the others, and they all praised Giovanni, which made Ash feel increasingly uneasy.
He knew Giovanni's true identity. As the leader of Team Rocket, his true face was certainly not what these trainers described, but he did this to spread his influence.
"Could it be... that he has absorbed many trainers into Team Rocket through such means?" Ash thought of the vast Team Rocket organization, which had many talented members and could even withstand the joint suppression of the Kanto and Johto Alliances without falling.
"Giovanni... this person is truly terrifying..." Ash's eyes showed seriousness. To be honest, he really wanted to expose Giovanni's identity, but he also knew that no one would believe him unless the Alliance stepped forward.
"The first challenger, please proceed to the battle hall. Mr. Giovanni is ready in the hall." A staff member came to inform them.
"Yes!" The first challenger stood up excitedly and followed the staff to the battle hall. It didn't seem like he was going to challenge the gym but rather as if something good was waiting for him.
"The staff here... could they be members of Team Rocket?" Ash observed the staff. They looked ordinary, and Ash wasn't sure whether they were personnel arranged by the Alliance or members of Team Rocket.
At this moment, Ash deeply realized how much influence Team Rocket had in the Kanto region. The Alliance might know that Viridian Gym and even Viridian City were under Team Rocket's control, but there was nothing they could do about it.
The Gym Challenge didn't progress quickly. The first challenger came out after nearly ten minutes, but his face showed a look of satisfaction, as if he had gained something.
"How was it?" A trainer hurriedly stepped forward to ask.
"Of course, it was no problem!" The challenger showed the Earth Badge he had obtained, which was shaped like an asparagus.
"And I got Mr. Giovanni's approval!" Compared to getting the Badge, it seemed that Giovanni's approval was what made the challenger happy.
"That's great! I also hope I can go in soon and participate in the challenge." Several trainers around watched him leave enviously, already a little impatient.
"How are the preparations going?" A meeting was underway at the Viridian City Police Station, and the person presiding over it was Dragon Envoy Lance!
In the meeting room, apart from Lance, were two Elite Four members, Bruno and Agatha, as well as various Alliance personnel. Of course, Officer Jenny, the head of the Viridian City police station, was also present.
"Everything is ready, Mr. Lance!" Officer Jenny responded with a solemn salute.
"This time, our operation is a surprise attack. We'll act immediately when the time comes!" Bruno said in a deep voice.
"I didn't expect that Viridian City had already been infiltrated by Team Rocket..." Agatha leaned on her cane, her face grim. Viridian City was her hometown!
Jenny felt ashamed upon hearing this. She hadn't realized that Viridian City was already under Team Rocket's control, and even the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni, was the leader of Team Rocket!
When she first heard the news, Jenny was doubtful. It was unbelievable that such a seemingly good man like Mr. Giovanni could be the notorious leader of Team Rocket.
But the Alliance had obtained accurate information, and Jenny could only believe this fact.
In fact, not only Jenny but even Lance and the others who knew Giovanni's true identity initially couldn't believe it. After re-investigation and confirmation, they concluded that Giovanni was indeed the leader of Team Rocket.
"Get ready for action!" After a while, Lance's voice echoed in the quiet meeting room. He looked at the time; it had arrived. This was the best moment for the surprise attack they had agreed upon!
They could uproot Team Rocket's power in Viridian City in one fell swoop before Team Rocket could react!
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