"???"
Zinnia opened her mouth, and for some reason, a strange thought suddenly rose in her mind.
"Giovanni, don't tell me…"
"I have a son… Hm? What were you going to say?"
Giovanni was a little confused by Zinnia's words.
"Oh, never mind."
Zinnia pouted.
She had thought Giovanni was about to say something like she was his daughter.
Judging from this, he just wanted to ask for the opinion of someone around the same age as his son…
Giovanni: "?"
Although he had no idea what Zinnia was disappointed about, Giovanni continued, "In the past, because I was careless with supervision, my son was abducted while I was leading Team Rocket on an operation outside."
"Someone actually dared to abduct your son, Giovanni?! Who had that kind of guts? Do you want me to go with you, storm their base, and wipe them out?"
Zinnia felt that anyone capable of taking the Team Rocket leader's son from Team Rocket had to be, at the absolute minimum, a Champion-tier Trainer.
Considering this happened over a decade ago, perhaps Giovanni had only been Elite Four-tier back then, and only after his son was taken did he work hard and grow stronger.
Mm. Very reasonable.
"No. Thank you for the offer."
Giovanni politely declined.
"Come on, Giovanni, why are you turning me down so quickly? Are you looking down on me as an ally? Tell me who took your son. If the two of us work together, maybe we can rescue him."
Zinnia kept going on and on.
"Are you sure?"
Giovanni asked in return.
"Uh… Let's not talk about whether I'm sure or not yet. Tell me first, then I'll decide if I'm sure."
"The one who took my son was Ho-Oh."
"What do you mean the one who took your son was Ho-Oh?! Huh???"
Zinnia was stunned.
How was this any different from Groudon stealing someone's son?
"No, Giovanni, what kind of unforgivable thing did you do to make it take your son?"
Zinnia looked a little suspicious.
"I did nothing. Someone had caught Ho-Oh, and to search for gifted children, that person took my son. He has returned now, but I do not dare acknowledge him. I can only watch from afar as he works hard. Sigh."
Giovanni sighed.
Zinnia fell silent.
First-rate Legendary Pokémon were not impossible to catch.
Grey from Kanto and N from Unova had both caught first-rate Legendary Pokémon, hadn't they?
So, as long as someone had the strength, catching a first-rate Legendary Pokémon was absolutely possible.
But catching a first-rate Legendary Pokémon and then taking someone else's son…
That was way too absurd.
"Back to the topic. Zinnia, do you think he would accept me?"
"Mm… In my opinion, it might actually be a little hard. It's true that it wasn't your fault, but if you meet him and immediately say something like, 'I'm your father,' it would still be very hard to believe, right? And you're the leader of Team Rocket. Your son was taken by a bad person, but in a sense, you're also a bad person…"
Zinnia stopped there and did not continue.
Giovanni understood what she wanted to say too.
In short, it would be very difficult to accept.
"Giovanni, there's no way to know for sure, right?"
Zinnia could only comfort him that way.
"Mm."
Giovanni nodded. After straightening his clothes, he slowly stood up.
"It seems both organizations have run into trouble. What do you plan to do about the Rayquaza plan?"
"Mm… We need to make the god of the land and the god of the sea fight. The Red Orb is in my hands. Let's see if we can use this opportunity to make use of Groudon and force Kyogre out."
After thinking it over, Zinnia could only use the bluntest method.
"Very well. We will do as you say."
Giovanni was only responsible for acting, not thinking.
…
"Thank you so much, Grey. I don't even know what I can do to express how I feel… How about this? I'll give you half of the wealth from Team Magma's base. As for things like research data, I'll directly convert them into League money and pay you. How does that sound?"
Steven brought League Trainers and Officer Jenny with him to take Team Magma away.
Now, what he needed to do was discuss Grey's bounty.
Maxie's bounty was five million higher than Archie's.
After all, Maxie was the one who used his brain.
Crimes committed by highly intelligent individuals were a little more expensive.
"No problem."
Grey gave Steven a thumbs-up.
If Steven tried to give him shares in Devon Corporation, he would have to politely refuse.
But if it was changed into bounty money, then there was no issue at all.
"Then are you going anywhere after this? I happen to be handling the handover over the next few days. The Hoenn Champion position will be passed to Wallace from now on. After that, I'll be free."
Steven was currently still interacting with Grey in his capacity as League Champion, which was somewhat inconvenient.
But things would be different afterward.
Afterward, he would no longer be League Champion Steven Stone.
He would be Mining Maniac Steven Stone.
There was a clear difference between those two identities.
The latter was obviously much more approachable.
"I'm going to Sky Pillar. But for the next few days, I'll just wander around for a bit. There's no rush."
Grey glanced at the time.
His appointment with Rayquaza was in three days.
Only a few hours had passed.
He could just slowly drag things out.
"All right. Do you need support from my private jet?"
Steven was extremely generous. Forget lending Grey a plane. If Grey wanted one, Steven would simply give him one outright.
"No, no. I'm more used to riding on Reshiram's back."
Grey smiled and politely declined.
Steven did not insist. After settling many details with Grey, he prepared to take him to Rustboro City.
Grey happened to need two Mega Stones.
Steven had a place in Rustboro City where he stored stones.
They could stop by and retrieve them along the way.
Beep, beep.
His phone rang.
[Idol Master: Grey, are you done with business? Do you need Lisia to be your tour guide around Hoenn?]
Lisia sent him a message.
[Dojo Annihilape: Oh? Lisia, don't you have autograph signings over the next few days? I'm done on my side, and I'm about to head to Rustboro City.]
[Idol Master: Rustboro City… That's a little far! Sigh, looks like there's no helping it. QAQ]
[Dojo Annihilape: Then let's wait until next time. I'll call Sabrina and Caitlin over too, and you can be our tour guide.]
[Idol Master: I'll get to see my two sisters-in-law? Yay!]
[Dojo Annihilape: covering-mouth-laugh.jpg]
"Lisia really is enthusiastic."
After Grey exited the chat with Lisia, he smiled at Steven.
"Yeah. Exactly like Wallace. Her career is still steadily rising right now. I feel like in the future, on the path of Pokémon Contests, she might even surpass Wallace."
Steven was also somewhat emotional.
Lisia could be considered someone he had watched grow up.
Seeing her reach this point made him wonder which lucky kid would end up with her in the future.
"She does have a chance."
Grey agreed.
"Mm." Steven nodded lightly, then asked, "Are you going to Rustboro City now? If you are, I'll call the private jet over."
"Let's just ride on Reshiram's back. You just need to point the way."
Grey felt it would be better to use Reshiram as transportation.
It would also reduce the waiting time.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Steven gladly accepted.
…
On the way to Rustboro City.
[VIP Lounge for Feeding Grey (11)]
["Dojo Annihilape" invited "Idol Master" and "Water's Wallace" into the group chat.]
The group chat reached eleven members.
At the same time, Steven sent a photo.
[Steven Stone: Thanks to Grey, I also got to ride a first-rate Legendary Pokémon.]
[Steven Stone: photo.jpg]
The photo was a selfie of Steven, with Reshiram beneath him.
[Sleeping Beauty: ???]
[Sleeping Beauty: I'm so jealous… I haven't even ridden it before…]
[Nature's Black: I haven't ridden it either. I'm jealous.]
[Sleeping Beauty: …]
The moment N appeared and said that, Caitlin entered Red mode.
Why was a grown man jealous?!
[Red: I haven't battled Reshiram yet. @Blue, give me a review so I can prepare.]
[Blue: Hard to say. I suggest you use Charizard and fight it head-on.]
[Red: Because they share a type, so it'll be a contest of who's stronger?]
[Blue: No. If you lose, you'll at least have an excuse to preserve your dignity.]
[Red: …?]
[Ice's Lorelei: Hahaha, Blue, you're so mean.]
[Blue: Ma'am, stop popping up. Did you finish handling League matters before showing up?]
[Ice's Lorelei: ???]
[Ice's Lorelei: Who are you calling ma'am?! angry.jpg]
[Blue: @Ice's Lorelei]
[Ice's Lorelei: Blue!!!]
[Lance: Ahem, well, it's better for the group to stay peaceful. I happen to have a bit of insider information to share.]
[Dojo Annihilape: What is it?]
[Lance: Team Rocket traces near the Orange Islands have become more and more obvious. Combined with the fact that Team Rocket has not caused any trouble inland recently, I think Team Rocket may have moved its forces to the Orange Islands.]
[Lance: @Dojo Annihilape, Gym Leader Grey, any interest in traveling to the Orange Islands? Public funds. The League will cover everything. You can bring family.]
[Dojo Annihilape: How many can I bring?]
[Lance: As many as you can.]
…
Unova region, League headquarters.
The moment Caitlin saw Lance's message appear in the group chat, she directly used Teleport and arrived in the Champion's office.
Acting Champion Grimsley was sitting in the Champion's executive chair, processing documents.
Sensing Psychic power approaching, Grimsley raised his head and met Caitlin's gaze.
"…"
Caitlin did not even need to speak. Grimsley already knew what she was going to say.
"Go ahead. When, and how many days?"
Other than asking for leave, Grimsley truly could not imagine why Caitlin would come to him.
It wasn't as if she wanted to become Champion, right?
If she wanted to become Champion, Grimsley would hand the position over to Caitlin on the spot.
Being Champion was far too troublesome. Back then, he never should have taken this job.
"It's hard to say. Can I start with a month?"
Caitlin raised one finger.
"? Caitlin, if you're telling a cold joke, then this cold joke is very successful."
Grimsley laughed, but only because she had angered him into laughing.
What did she mean, asking for one month of leave when she had not even been appointed as an Elite Four member for a full month?
Did she want to hear how reasonable that sounded?
Grimsley really wanted to say that to Caitlin.
But considering that Caitlin had almost blown up more than half of the League before, Grimsley spoke gently, "Young lady, did something happen at home that requires you to go back?"
"No. Grey will come over after a while, and then I'll go with him to the Orange Islands for a trip. I'll come back after the trip is over."
"…"
Lady Caitlin, you sure make that sound perfectly righteous.
Grimsley tapped the table.
If she just wanted to go out and have fun normally, he definitely would not approve it.
But this was Grey…
Grey was taking Caitlin out to play. If the Unova League refused, would he bring Reshiram and Kyurem over to block their doors later?
The moment he thought of the power of those two dragons, Grimsley shivered.
"How is Rosa's training going lately? Can she serve as acting Elite Four?"
Grimsley could only place his hopes on Rosa.
She was being personally trained by Caitlin.
Apparently, in order to train Rosa well, Caitlin had even borrowed Lucian's training notes from Cynthia.
Everyone knew what kind of person Lucian was.
He was the League's king of overtime. Even Damalanchi, the League chairman all the way over in Kanto, praised Lucian endlessly.
That alone showed just how popular Lucian's work ability was.
Even if Rosa did not learn all of it, if she learned even a tenth of Lucian's ability, that would already be impressive.
"No problem. She can take over at any time. I've already handed everything that needed handing over to her."
Caitlin had clearly come prepared.
"Fine. When it's time for you to leave, just tell me directly."
Grimsley could only let Caitlin go out and have fun.
As long as she did not blow up the League, that was enough.
…
After returning to her office, Caitlin received a call from Cynthia.
"Hello, Cynthia? What's wrong?"
"Caitlin, that trip to the Orange Islands… I want to go too."
By the end of Cynthia's words, there was an unprecedented firmness in her voice.
"Huh?! Cynthia, you want to come too? That… won't it be a little inconvenient?"
Holding her phone, Caitlin's cheeks turned slightly red.
If Cynthia were not around, she could be a little more open in front of Grey.
But if Cynthia was there, she would have to act much more reserved.
Otherwise, it would be far too embarrassing!
"B-but if you want to come, Cynthia, that's fine too. I'll ask Grey for you later. If it's him, I feel like he'll agree."
Caitlin thought of Grey's personality.
It was only bringing one more person, and it was her close friend Cynthia too. Of course it should be fine.
"…Mm. There are still matters on the League's side, so I'll keep working. You should rest properly too. Bye."
"Bye. I'll message you later."
"All right. Sorry to trouble you."
Cynthia hung up the phone.
Thinking back on what she had just done, she felt she had been a little aggressive.
Forget it. She had already asked. Even if Grey refused, it would be fine.
But a moment later, Cynthia's phone rang with a notification.
The ringtone, however…
Was a little off.
Picking up her phone, Cynthia saw that the message was from Grey.
[Kanto Blondie (note): Cynthia, if you want to come, you can just tell me directly. It's no big deal.]
[Kanto Blondie: I told Lance. He's also very happy to have you come along. But you may get dragged into trouble with Team Rocket, so I'm telling you in advance.]
[Archaeologist Cabbage: All right. When the time comes, I'll help too.]
TN: I don't even know what color Grey's hair is anymore :D
//Check out my P@tre0n for 30 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810