Chương 107: Do You Have Kids, Giovanni?
Who…?
Giovanni?!
Johan stared at the words on his screen, unable to process them for a long moment.
With such a straightforward approach, it couldn't possibly be an impersonator, could it?
The head of Team Rocket, Giovanni, was actually sending him a friend request? Most likely… because of Mewtwo? Should he accept it?
Anyone who has ever played the Pokémon games or watched the Pokémon anime knows Team Rocket, and they certainly know Giovanni, the infamous head of the organization. In fact, in the Pokémon Adventures manga, Giovanni's Beedrill even overpowered Lance, who was already one of the Elite Four at the time.
Team Rocket's influence is so vast across the Kanto and Johto regions that even the League doesn't dare act rashly against them.
And with Giovanni directly revealing his identity in the friend request…
"Hold on a minute. Giovanni should also still be the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym," Johan thought to himself.
As a Gym Leader, it made sense to add him as a friend. He had no reason to decline, right?
"Wait."
A sudden realization hit Johan.
"Did I… reject this friend request once already?"
He quickly looked around his room, feeling a strange sense of unease.
"Ka-kah?"
Noticing his movements, Haunter, hanging from the ceiling, looked over in curiosity.
"Haunter, nothing unusual around the house, right?" Johan asked.
"Ka-kah?"
Unusual?
Haunter looked puzzled, sticking his head into the ceiling for a moment, then floating around the room before re-emerging.
With a shrug, Haunter raised his hands.
"Ka-kah~~"
Nope, nothing out there.
Even Vulpix and Tinkatink looked at him inquisitively.
Johan breathed a sigh of relief.
"It's nothing," he said, waving them off.
Good—no surprise ninjas showing up.
Then he looked back at Haunter and added, "Haunter, if you ever see someone sneaking around here like a ninja, don't hesitate. Blast them with a strong move!"
"Ka-kah?"
A ninja?
With a mischievous laugh, Haunter clasped his claws together in a mock ninja hand sign.
Like this?
"Yes, exactly. If that happens, act fast, and make sure to hit hard," Johan instructed.
"Ka-kah~~"
Haunter pounded a fist to his chest, confidently assuring Johan that he could handle ten of them, no problem!
Johan just shook his head, choosing not to elaborate further.
After all, if a ninja ever did show up here, it would likely be Janine—the Fuchsia Gym Leader and future Poison-type Elite Four member of the Johto region!
As it happened, Janine was one of Team Rocket's three top executives.
Along with her were Sabrina and Lt. Surge—both of whom also held Gym Leader positions in Kanto.
And if rumors were to be believed, even Blaine from Cinnabar Island was…
Eight Gyms in the region, and five of them were aligned with Team Rocket—just goes to show their far-reaching influence.
Thinking it over, though, Giovanni didn't seem like the petty type. So what if he declined his friend request once?
After some thought, Johan decided to accept.
After all, Giovanni was still a Gym Leader, and he had openly stated his identity. Declining again could very well send Janine to his door!
Once he accepted, Johan felt much calmer.
Worst case… he'd just hide out in Sinnoh. The Sinnoh Galactic Team wasn't exactly soft, either.
And if he could stay at Cynthia's place, that'd be even safer.
Almost immediately, Giovanni sent him a message.
[King of the Earth]: Hello, Professor Johan.
Not bad.
He's rather polite.
Johan had some understanding of Giovanni's character through the anime and the Pokémon Adventures manga.
The Giovanni in the anime represented pure evil.
But his "evil" differed from the chaotic malice of villains like Archie and Maxie. Giovanni's actions followed a strict order and code, making him more a "Lawful Evil," if you had to categorize it.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Giovanni represented evil too, but he also displayed glimpses of warmth and humanity.
For instance, in the manga, Giovanni sought out Mewtwo while searching for his long-lost son.
He held his own Pokémon, especially Beedrill, with a loyalty and care that surpassed many Trainers.
Even Red, though he opposed Team Rocket, had a certain mutual respect for Giovanni—when Red was frozen in ice, Giovanni was the one who saved him.
In summary, Giovanni from the manga was, first and foremost, a father, and then the head of Team Rocket.
But regardless of the adaptation, Giovanni's goal remained consistent—
"If the League can rule year after year, why not me?"
That's how Team Rocket came to infiltrate the League to the point where five of Kanto's Gym Leaders were under its influence.
And one day, it could extend all the way to the Elite Four!
[Grain in the Field]: Hello, Gym Leader Giovanni. How can I assist you?
For now, Johan pretended to only recognize Giovanni as the Gym Leader of Viridian. It wouldn't do to acknowledge any other affiliations.
This way, whatever happened later couldn't be blamed on him.
[King of the Earth]: Professor Johan, you're very talented. Would you be interested in coming to Kanto to work for me?
An offer?
This was an offer, right?
The reason was probably obvious to Johan.
It had to do with Mewtwo.
[Grain in the Field]: I appreciate the offer, Gym Leader Giovanni, but as a teacher, I have a class of wonderful students to teach. I can't leave Hoenn at the moment.
He declined politely.
[King of the Earth]: A responsible teacher indeed.
[Grain in the Field]: Well, a teacher is a teacher for life, after all.
[King of the Earth]: I may have been a bit presumptuous.
Giovanni's courteousness was almost surprising to Johan.
Then again, it was that charisma that made people like Sabrina and Janine willing to serve him.
Just when Johan thought the matter was settled, Giovanni sent another message.
[King of the Earth]: In that case, would you be interested in being my personal consultant?
"Uh…"
Johan rubbed his temples, hesitating as he typed.
"I'm very flattered, but I don't think I can…"
Before he could finish, another message arrived.
[King of the Earth]: Of course, this comes with compensation. I'm certain it won't disappoint you, Professor.
Huh?
Johan looked at the half-finished reply, then hit backspace repeatedly.
Giovanni continued.
[King of the Earth]: And you wouldn't need to come to Viridian. We can communicate remotely.
A remote consultant role, with the client being a Gym Leader…
It all sounded quite reasonable?
[Grain in the Field]: What would my responsibilities be?
[King of the Earth]: You would be providing psychological counseling for me, my Pokémon, and perhaps even Pokémon that I am… acquainted with, including, as you know… Mewtwo!
At the mention of "Mewtwo," Johan felt a slight twinge.
Nobody else would know about Mewtwo's connection to Team Rocket, so he had no real excuse to decline.
And as for Mewtwo… Johan had taken the case and was committed to doing his best.
He couldn't just ignore Mewtwo, especially knowing the issues it faced.
Just then, a notification appeared.
[Your account has been credited with 3,000,000 Pokédollars. Remaining balance: 3,222,100 Pokédollars]
Thousands… tens of thousands… hundreds of thousands… millions…
Whoa.
Three million just like that?
More generous than Devon Corporation!
Wait a minute.
[Grain in the Field]: Gym Leader Giovanni…
[King of the Earth]: Given the work you've already done with Mewtwo, I went ahead and reimbursed you for those services.
[King of the Earth]: As for the future, we'll start with a salary of one million Pokédollars per month. How does that sound?
A million a month… that would mean…
Twelve million a year?!
Does Team Rocket really have that much money?
Oh, right—they're backed by Silph Co., with five gyms and three major squads… Well, that's different.
[Grain in the Field]: Gym Leader Giovanni, I haven't…
[King of the Earth]: Then it's settled!
[Grain in the Field]: Gym Leader Giovanni, I haven't agreed yet!
[King of the Earth]: Congratulations, Professor Johan. I look forward to a fruitful collaboration! (Handshake.jpg)
[Grain in the Field]: ???
Seriously?
Giovanni, you're ignoring my reply?
Is this coercion?
The funds were already in his account, and now he'd have a hard time explaining it all if anything happened…
Did this mean he was now officially Giovanni's personal consultant?
Well.
Johan decided to take a screenshot.
For evidence.
If this ever got out, he'd insist that he was coerced.
[King of the Earth]: Any other questions, Professor Johan?
Johan was speechless.
After a couple of deep breaths, he decided to ask the most important question.
[Grain in the Field]: This might be a bit personal, Gym Leader Giovanni, but… do you have children?
**[
King of the Earth]: ???**
It was crucial!
After all, Johan needed to determine if he was dealing with the Giovanni from the anime or the one from the manga.
The Giovanni from the anime was beyond saving, solely focused on taking down the League.
But if it was the manga's Giovanni… well, there might still be hope.
After a while, Giovanni replied.
[King of the Earth]: You're the first to ask me that question.
[King of the Earth]: The answer is… yes.
[King of the Earth]: But he's missing.
Johan clenched his fist.
All the clues fit!
Could there be a "Red" out there, too?
[Grain in the Field]: I'm certain you'll find him one day.
[King of the Earth]: Thank you.
After that, Giovanni's avatar dimmed, signaling he had gone offline.
Johan sat back in his chair, rubbing his chin.
"Really, I'm just consulting as a Gym Leader's Pokémon counselor…"
Without Giovanni, Mewtwo would still need help. He'd keep counseling it anyway.
"Looking at it that way, I'm practically earning a few million for free."
"Still… should I notify someone?"
With that in mind, Johan walked out onto the balcony.
"Hello, Drake? It's Johan…"
In Team Rocket's Viridian base.
Giovanni put down his phone with a long sigh, leaning back into his chair, a distant look in his eyes.
Standing nearby, Matori was surprised. She'd never seen her boss look so pensive.
Could this really be the Giovanni she knew, the one she thought was invincible?
Strangely enough… she felt a pang of sympathy.
So this is Professor Johan's psychological influence. How… terrifying.
With a small voice, she spoke up. "Boss, why not have a cookie to relax?"
"Mm."
Giovanni gave a slight nod, though he made no move to take one.
But that alone was enough to make Matori's heart race.
"This matter with 'Grain in the Field'… aside from you and me, no one else is to know. Maximum confidentiality. Understood?"
"Y-yes!"
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