Defeating Giovanni?
That must be… the highlight of one's life, right?
But honestly, that "Shadow Ball" curving mid-flight was kind of cheating.
If not for that sneaky maneuver, Gengar might have escaped unscathed.
It was also a testament to Giovanni's true strategic brilliance, which could only shine in unrestricted battles.
Imagine if that curveball "Shadow Ball" had been aimed at me instead of Gengar…
Johan shook his head, dispelling the thought. He wasn't arrogant enough to get cocky over one victory, especially when Giovanni had been holding back.
"One Revival Herb enough? Or should I grab two more?" Johan glanced at his Vulpix and Gengar with a smile.
Gengar blinked, its mischievous grin widening.
"Ka-kaah?"
What's with the generosity today?
"Oowu~~"
Vulpix's eyes sparkled, tail wagging eagerly.
Ten, please!
Johan glared, exasperation on his face.
"You only need a few sprays of Potion! What do you need ten Revival Herbs for?"
But seeing Vulpix's hopeful gaze, Johan sighed.
"Fine… I can always buy more."
Better safe than sorry; it wasn't worth risking long-term damage for his Pokémon.
Gengar's eyes glinted slyly as an idea flashed through its mind. With a sudden flip, it bounced up, sprinting toward Giovanni.
The mischievous ghost opened its mouth and rummaged in its dimensional pocket, pulling out a Wiki Berry and handing it over.
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"For me?"
"Ka-kaah!" Gengar chuckled nervously, scratching its head.
Just a misunderstanding! I just realized your Nidoking wasn't the one bullying Nidoqueen. So… maybe I went a little hard.
Nidoking: (PД`q.)·.
Giovanni chuckled softly, patting Gengar's head.
"Thank you. Nidoking appreciates the gesture."
Gengar stood tall, hands on its hips.
"Ka-kaah!"
Don't mention it, big guy!
Giovanni's smile deepened. After a moment of thought, he reached into his pocket and pulled out several small, irregularly shaped Dark Stone fragments.
"Consider this a return gift."
Dark Stone fragments?
Gengar's eyes lit up, its mouth practically watering. Without hesitation, it extended its tongue, wrapped up the stones, and swallowed them whole before scampering back to Johan.
Giovanni shook his head, amused.
Watching Gengar return, Johan massaged his temples, exasperated.
Unbelievable.
His Gengar had just "traded" a single Wiki Berry for several valuable Dark Stone fragments.
And the worst part? Giovanni clearly knew he was being "scammed" but had still gone along with it.
Matori soon returned, holding a small box in her hands. She approached Johan with a mix of awe and respect.
"Johan-sensei, this is the Earth Badge of Viridian Gym. Along with it, please accept this TM."
The green Earth Badge gleamed in the light, symbolizing the Viridian Gym.
And the TM? It was for Earthquake!
Johan raised an eyebrow.
Admittedly, none of his current Pokémon could learn Earthquake, though it might become useful once his Dratini evolved into a Dragonite.
Still, the TM itself was priceless, especially as it came with Giovanni's personal insights.
Of course, those insights would require materials to fully utilize—likely a costly investment.
Johan smiled wryly. A painful yet rewarding expense.
As he pocketed the badge, Matori's gaze lingered on him, her expression tinged with admiration.
No wonder the boss values him so highly.
Not only is he a gifted psychologist for Pokémon, but his battling skills are just as impressive.
An Unexpected Proposal
After tidying up the battlefield and recalling his Pokémon, Giovanni stood, turning to Johan.
"Johan-sensei, shall we talk?"
Johan tensed slightly, recognizing that the real reason for this meeting was about to be revealed.
"Alright."
In a quiet office within the Viridian Gym, Matori delivered tea and snacks before discreetly leaving, leaving only Johan and Giovanni.
Johan glanced at Giovanni, who wore a calm yet unreadable expression. If he brings up Team Rocket, I'll just play dumb, Johan resolved.
Giovanni sipped his tea and picked up an adorably decorated Jigglypuff cookie.
Honestly, seeing the leader of Team Rocket nibbling on a Jigglypuff-shaped cookie was… oddly amusing.
"This was made by Matori," Giovanni remarked. "You should try it, Johan-sensei."
Without hesitation, Johan grabbed a handful of cookies. He popped one into his mouth, tossed another into his shadow for Gengar, and even fed one to the dozing Vulpix in his arms.
"They're good," Johan admitted between bites.
Giovanni placed his teacup down, his tone casual yet serious.
"Johan-sensei, have you considered staying here at the Viridian Gym?"
Johan blinked, caught off guard.
"You could start as an acting Gym Leader. If you find it suits you, I wouldn't mind passing the gym to you entirely in the future."
What?!
A gym? Just like that?
Sure, running a gym came with its challenges, but the financial benefits alone would be staggering.
Even in a mid-sized city like Viridian, the income from a gym was nothing to scoff at.
But…
This was Viridian Gym.
Johan hesitated, weighing his options before offering a polite yet firm response.
"While I appreciate the generous offer, I'm afraid I have to decline. Teaching and guiding students is my true passion."
Giovanni's eyes briefly flickered with surprise.
For someone who seemed to value money as much as Johan did, rejecting the chance to run a gym was unexpected.
After a moment, Giovanni smiled.
"Johan-sensei, your dedication to teaching is admirable."
A beat of silence passed before Giovanni changed the topic.
"Johan-sensei, are you familiar with Team Rocket?"
Here it comes.
Johan's grip on his teacup tightened slightly but quickly relaxed.
"Well, as you know, I'm from Hoenn…"
"But you studied at the Academy in Johto, didn't you?" Giovanni countered, his tone light yet pointed.
So, no escape then.
"...I've heard of them."
"And what's your impression of Team Rocket?" Giovanni's smile was disarmingly pleasant.
Johan exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully.
"A criminal organization."
Giovanni's expression didn't change, but his eyes gleamed with faint amusement.
"Go on."
"A highly ambitious and well-organized one."
Giovanni raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you say that?"
Johan elaborated,
"Despite their criminal activities, Team Rocket operates under a clear code of conduct. They're disciplined and have a reputation for rewarding loyalty with fair compensation."
Even Giovanni's famed Meowth had mentioned Team Rocket's benefits: signing bonuses, annual gatherings, and incentives rivaling even those of the Pokémon League.
"A disciplined, ambitious organization with a vision to rival the League itself," Johan concluded.
Giovanni was silent for a long moment, his smile fading slightly.
"And their future?"
"None," Johan replied bluntly.
Giovanni's voice turned cold. "Oh?"
Unperturbed, Johan explained,
"Team Rocket's activities—poaching and smuggling—leave a stain that can't be erased. As long as they remain in the shadows, they'll always risk being exposed by the light."
Giovanni's expression darkened. "Then they're doomed?"
"Not necessarily." Johan smiled faintly, leaning forward.
"Why not bring Team Rocket into the light?"
Giovanni's eyes widened, intrigued.
"Turn them into a public-facing organization. Embrace legality, shed the parts that repel society—like poaching—and take control of the darker undercurrents that the League cannot touch."
Johan continued,
"Team Rocket already handles operations the League can't or won't. Why not rebrand? Become a massive corporation with transparency, better benefits, and accessible opportunities."
Giovanni smirked.
"And the inevitable internal resistance?"
Johan met his gaze directly.
"'Break it to rebuild it,'" he said. "If you can't break it yourself… create someone who can."
Giovanni's smile slowly returned, though his eyes shimmered with new thoughts.
"Create someone…" he murmured.
Johan caught himself, suddenly realizing.
Wait, could he be thinking of… Red?
After some contemplation, Giovanni chuckled.
"We've wandered off-topic," he said. "I actually asked you here for a favor."
"A favor?"
Giovanni's tone softened.
"You may have heard… I have a son. He's been missing for years, and I've searched tirelessly without success. Johan-sensei, with your connections to students and children, perhaps you could… help me find him."
Johan's face grew serious.
"A father's plea to find his child? I can't refuse that. Even if the chances are slim, I'll do everything in my power."
Giovanni gazed at him intently.
"No, you'll find him. I believe in you."
As Johan left in a car, Giovanni and Matori watched from the Viridian Gym's entrance.
"Boss…" Matori hesitated. "Do you think he knows about Team Rocket?"
Giovanni chuckled, his expression unreadable.
"Does it matter, Matori?"
Matori blinked in confusion.
"Sometimes, an outsider sees more clearly than those within. Perhaps what Team Rocket needs most… is a bystander."
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Powerstones?
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