Not Being a Trainer This Time

Late night, Johto Region, rooftop of Silph Co.

Giovanni sat on the sofa, quietly contemplating recent events in his mind.

Unova Region... Meowth and James have recently headed to the Unova Region to secretly execute the Hurricane Plan.

The ultimate goal of that plan is the three Legendary Pokémon of the Unova Region: Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.

As long as they can control them, Team Rocket can use their power to conquer the Unova Region.

But all of this is based on the success of the plan.

Giovanni gently stroked Persian’s oily and slippery fur with his rough hands, lying casually on the Silph Co. chairman’s sofa.

A year ago, Giovanni had secretly bought most of the company’s stock, becoming its largest shareholder in one fell swoop. Now, Silph Co. is largely under Team Rocket’s control.

Lately, Giovanni has been restraining his subordinates’ actions because he has keenly sensed the times have changed. The previous behavior of randomly stealing trainers’ Pokémon is no longer suitable for Team Rocket.

And now, Giovanni is facing a problem.

Should Team Rocket start transforming, and what is the future of Team Rocket?

”Knock knock knock!”

A rhythmic knocking sound came from outside the door.

”Come in!” Giovanni called out without lifting his head, sitting motionlessly on the sofa.

The door opened and Matori walked in from outside.

”Report! The matter you asked me to investigate last time has results!”

Giovanni became interested upon hearing this: ”Oh?”

Matori stepped forward and placed a stack of documents on the table in front of Giovanni.

”Two years ago, Giratina appeared in the Sinnoh Region. I intercepted street surveillance footage from that time and discovered the trace of a man in it.”

Matori spoke while inserting the tape into the machine, and soon the blurry image displayed a man’s figure.

Though blurry, Giovanni felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen the man somewhere...

”Recently, I went to the Paldea Region and investigated Calyrex in Porto Marinada Town, where the culture of Calyrex is prevalent. I discovered this Pokémon was initially brought by a rancher named Naoki, who must have a connection with Calyrex,” Matori reported.

Naoki? Upon hearing this name, the image of a figure immediately emerged in Giovanni’s mind.

Two years ago at a banquet in the Unova Region, a trainer named Naoki challenged Champion Lance and even defeated him!

Is it him?

”Continue,” Giovanni said.

”Yes!” Matori continued her report: ”Two years ago, Groudon and Kyogre left the Hoenn Region and reached the waters near the Paldea Region, after which they disappeared, drawing attention from many.”

”Adding that Cyclizar is a Pokémon unique to the Paldea Region, there’s a high probability the person is from Paldea.”

”And just there, someone is connected to all these events,” Matori said. ”It is speculated that the rancher named Naoki is 87% likely to be the Motorcycle Mask!”

”It’s really him,” Giovanni felt somewhat complex emotions inside.

”What should we do?” Matori observed the boss’s expression and couldn’t help but ask.

Giovanni thought for a moment and then instructed, ”Do not alarm the other party, nor make an enemy of them. If possible, try to make friends with them.”

Matori was slightly startled, then nodded, ”Yes!”

After Matori left, Giovanni sat on the sofa, lost in thought.

This kind of talent is necessary to make connections with.

He searched the names Naoki and Naoki Ranch online with his Rotom Phone, and soon a shop link named ”Tree’s House” popped up on the webpage.

Giovanni clicked into the shop. He initially just wanted to explore the other party’s character but was stunned upon seeing the items for sale.

”Life Sheep Milk, able to instantly restore a Pokémon’s stamina and energy. As long as the Pokémon hasn’t lost consciousness, it can heal any injuries, no matter how severe...”

Looking at the description, Giovanni frowned, knowing no market medicine has such an effect.

And from the buyers’ comments, unbelievably, this unscientific thing actually works?

Is it really that amazing?

If it truly is that incredible, then its importance would be extraordinary!

If Team Rocket had such a thing... it would greatly assist in their conquest of the Unova Region!

Thinking of this, Giovanni immediately clicked to order, but the next second, he received a notification: Delivery service isn’t supported in your area!

Giovanni was slightly stunned.

After carefully reviewing, he finally understood what was going on.

”Tree’s House” currently only offers delivery services to the Hoenn and Sinnoh Regions. As for other regions, it’s because of the existence of evil organizations and Pokémon hunters.

Regarding Kanto and Johto Regions’ evil organizations... that points to Team Rocket, doesn’t it?

Giovanni fell silent.

He imagined the scene where delivery Dragonites fly to deliver goods in Kanto and Johto Regions.

By then, Team Rocket’s subordinates would surely pretend to place orders as customers, then seize the opportunity to capture Dragonite, offering those rare Dragonites to him.