Chapter 196: Giovanni's Contact
Join Interpol?
Lu Ye froze, his expression turning increasingly strange. First Team Rocket, and now even Interpol wants to recruit me? Seriously, Officer, are you trying to start something? This was a real-life Infernal Affairs situation!
Thankfully, Lu Ye had undergone professional training (by dealing with Cynthia's debt traps), so he quickly regained his composure. Clearing his throat, he said, "Officer Looker… I don't really understand Interpol's responsibilities, and besides—I'm just a student."
Just a student? Looker pondered for a moment before nodding in realization. Many successful athletes, musicians, and actors often chose to further their studies despite already making a name for themselves. Lu Ye was probably just in a similar phase, focusing on research and self-improvement.
"In terms of responsibilities, it's actually pretty simple," Looker smiled. "Under official directives, your position wouldn't fall under law enforcement or criminal investigations. Instead, you'd be assigned as a Tactical Instructor for the Police Academy."
"Tactical Instructor?"
After hearing Looker's explanation, Lu Ye finally understood the role's nature. It was purely honorary, with zero real authority. However, being a Police Academy Instructor was still an important position. If any of his students eventually rose to the rank of Police Superintendent, Lu Ye would share in the prestige. To be honest, seeing how highly Interpol valued Lu Ye made even Looker a little envious. But… knowledge is power. And to a dedicated officer like Looker, teachers were always deserving of respect.
"Teacher Lu, take your time and consider it carefully." Looker folded his hands on the table, his expression serious. "Joining Interpol wouldn't restrict your freedom… You could even work remotely."
"Remote work?" Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.
"Basically, online classes!" Looker laughed. "You're already posting tactical training videos—continuing that would count as fulfilling your duties!"
Lu Ye's expression turned weird. Why did Interpol's plan sound exactly like Giovanni's? Could this be the legendary— "Great minds think alike"?
"Even if you didn't ask, I'd still keep uploading videos," Lu Ye sighed. "After all, that's my main gig. But… I have no interest in joining Interpol. I prefer my freedom."
Looker nodded in understanding. A truly powerful Trainer wouldn't be swayed by money or status. This independent, rebellious nature of young Trainers… was something he deeply admired.
"In that case, I'll report back to my superiors." The weathered Interpol officer extended a hand, smiling. "But regardless of your choice, you're already a friend of Interpol."
Lu Ye shook his hand, feeling oddly conflicted. So… am I an Interpol informant now? Or a Team Rocket double agent? Or maybe… I should just become the boss of both? Lu Ye stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. …Yeah, no. That might be the most difficult path of all.
With Looker off to continue his mission, he bid farewell to Lu Ye. Lu Ye watched the brown-trench-coated officer's determined back fade into the distance. He couldn't help but sigh. "What a stubborn man." Driven, obsessive—or perhaps just pure. People like that often ended up both extreme and incredibly strong.
Somewhere Else—A Secure Communication Line
Inside a darkened room, a dimly glowing monitor flickered. A shadowy figure sat before the screen. At that moment—a message appeared on the encrypted terminal.
[Secure Transmission Incoming…]
[Sender: Giovanni]
The shadowed figure leaned forward, his eyes sharp. A deep, authoritative voice broke the silence. "…He's finally making a move again."
Lance, driven by justice. Red, driven by battle. Everyone had their own goals. And Lu Ye's goal? To live a peaceful, lazy life as a salted fish. "If my next Pokémon could be a total freeloader, that'd be perfect," Lu Ye muttered.
He glanced at the time. It was still early evening, but returning to Modu today wasn't possible—he'd miss the last flight. Lu Ye dialed Gold's number, asking if he could crash at his place for the night.
Gold immediately thumped his chest, laughing loudly. "No problem! I live in New Bark Town, so it's just a two-hour bus ride. You'll have plenty of time to make your flight in the morning!"
"Oh, by the way… have you seen Silver?" Lu Ye asked. After being asked about his father, Silver had looked off. Lu Ye knew he needed space, which was why he hadn't stopped him. In this situation, seeking out Gold was probably his only option.
"Huh? How'd you know?" Gold sounded surprised before grumbling. "He's hogging my TV, won't let me change the channel! Keeps insisting on watching mecha shows, and I can't even win the fight for the remote!"
Lu Ye chuckled. Silver had missed out on a proper childhood—watching giant robots probably appealed to him more than he'd admit. "I'll stay over tonight, then. Thanks for the hospitality," Lu Ye said.
"Not a problem! I already set up my gaming console—let's pull an all-nighter!"
Seven Islands Base, Kanto
Inside a dimly lit office, a secretary with round glasses gave her report with precision. "We've confirmed Silver's presence in Johto. The following images were captured—I'm transmitting them to you now."
The projected images showed a cold-eyed red-haired boy—his features mirrored Giovanni's in an uncanny way. A virtual projection flickered into existence. Seated on a luxurious sofa, a suit-clad, sharp-eyed middle-aged man gently stroked a Persian in his lap.
Giovanni's brows furrowed slightly. "…No clearer images?" he asked, somewhat disappointed.
"My apologies, sir," the secretary, Matori, bowed deeply. "To avoid detection, this was the maximum distance we could achieve."
"Never mind." For the first time, Giovanni's usually commanding gaze softened. "As long as he's safe, that's all that matters."
Matori continued. "Sir, there was another individual with Silver." She adjusted the screen, revealing another figure. "The Instructor," she stated. "Silver seems to trust him greatly."
Giovanni remained silent for a long moment. Then, a smile slowly crept onto his face. A smile that was both that of a cold-blooded crime lord and a relieved father. Compared to a ruler fearing betrayal from his heir, Giovanni hoped for the exact opposite—that Silver would one day surpass him. To overthrow him. And when that day came, Silver would inherit Team Rocket and carry its will forward. That was Giovanni's deepest wish.
Seeing Silver take the initiative to form his own connections… Giovanni felt a rare sense of contentment.
"Shall I investigate the Instructor's background?" Matori asked.
"Investigate?" Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "Why would we do that?" He stood up, hands clasped behind his back, and suddenly let out a booming laugh. "If he can bring Silver back, then recruiting him will be the smartest decision I've ever made!"
Matori lowered her head, silent. Even though Giovanni still carried ambition, age and physical limitations remained his greatest obstacles. If… if Lu Ye could truly bring Silver home… then perhaps… Giovanni had already accepted that his time was coming to an end. The thought darkened Matori's mood.
"Sir… shall I attempt to make contact with him?" she asked.
"Contact the Instructor?"
Matori hesitated slightly, realizing what Giovanni intended. Was he planning to speak with Lu Ye directly?! For the past two years, Giovanni had rarely issued commands personally. And now, he was willing to risk being traced just to talk to Lu Ye? Matori suddenly understood just how much Lu Ye meant to Giovanni.
"I'll increase his clearance level within Team Rocket," she said with respectful resolve. "Please wait a moment—I'll establish the connection."
Giovanni gave a small nod. To be able to anticipate the will of one's superior—that was what made a competent secretary. At this moment, Giovanni found himself strangely intrigued. A young man capable of earning his respect…
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Giovanni's sharp gaze pierced through the clouds beyond. "If you can't accept failure, you'll never become stronger. To build a stronger organization… I need more time, more elites… and—my only family."
A deep voice whispered into the darkness. "Let's hope you don't disappoint me, Teacher Lu."
[Inorin Note:
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