Chapter 32: Is This Girl Even Eighteen?
Forcing Giovanni to step down so he could take over as Team Rocket Boss himself — this wasn't some spur-of-the-moment idea for Mammon.
It was a decision he'd made a long time ago.
Compared to having his identity exposed, keeping Giovanni embedded within the Pokémon League as a Gym Leader was clearly the more advantageous play.
And it wasn't even that difficult — all it required was staging a righteous "cutting of ties" between Giovanni and Mammon. As a bonus, it would actually help Giovanni's future career within the Kanto League.
Publicly disowning one's own son for the sake of justice and righteousness — that title, slapped onto Giovanni, would do nothing but boost his prestige throughout Kanto.
When Mammon's identity as a senior Team Rocket executive eventually "got exposed," the Kanto League would inevitably suspect Giovanni. But Giovanni would know absolutely nothing about it, and no matter how thoroughly the League investigated, they'd find zero evidence against him.
Then, with a well-staged father-son schism, Giovanni could re-cement his footing in the Kanto League completely.
And in order to capture his wayward son, Giovanni — determined to personally bring him back to face the League — could finally start challenging the Kanto Elite Four and climbing the ranks, despite previously showing no interest in League politics. Perfectly logical, right?
Mammon had already fleshed out the whole script in his head. This was going to be fantastic.
Especially with Giovanni's actual strength — there was a real chance the old man could become the Kanto Champion.
The mental image alone was too much. Mammon couldn't keep a straight face.
"Heh heh heh~ HAHAHAHAHAHAHA~"
Watching their boss laugh maniacally, Lance and Domino fell silent.
"Oh, right — Lance, Domino. Starting today, you two are to address me as 'Lord.'"
Mammon signaled the two of them to change their form of address. The "Boss" moniker could too easily lead outsiders to draw connections about his identity.
"Yes, Lord Mammon."
Two more days passed. Somewhere in the wilds of Melemele Island.
"Lady Caitlin, it's just up ahead."
"Mm. Thank you for your work."
Caitlin walked slowly forward.
She was dressed in a form-fitting black lace shirt, black skinny pants, and a sleek black coat over the top. Her overall look was completely different from her usual style.
But that aura of aristocratic grace — something carved into her very bones — was as striking as ever.
"Send the signal. Begin operations. Let's scrub out the last stain on this island."
Caitlin's eyes flickered with blue light. Her composed, unhurried tone carried absolute calm.
A Poké Ball floated out and opened. Gallade — bearing a sharp, honed battle aura — appeared at Caitlin's side.
"Understood!"
The Rocket member immediately pulled out a communicator and relayed the order.
Several Team Rocket operatives sent out their battle-ready Pokémon: Raticate, Alolan Raticate, Alolan Muk, and others. They launched an immediate attack on the marked location ahead.
With a thunderous crash, the targeted spot shattered outright, revealing an exposed opening in the ground.
A short while later, several men came scrambling out, covering their mouths.
But the moment they caught sight of the Team Rocket members surrounding them, their faces contorted into absolutely horrified masks.
"Team Rocket! It's you again, you damned woman!!"
The middle-aged man at the front glared at Caitlin with pure, venomous hatred.
He remembered her. This delicate, beautiful woman — she was the one who had been hunting them relentlessly!
"Damn it! We never did anything to you people! Do you really have to push us this far?!"
The Pokémon Hunter roared, his expression hysterical and twisted, eyes bloodshot with rage.
He hadn't had a single good day in recent memory. Constantly on the run, hiding in one hole after another — and barely a day after settling into a new base, Team Rocket had come knocking again.
His mind was breaking.
"I'm terribly sorry. Team Rocket's territory has no room for Pokémon Hunters."
Caitlin held a faint, picturesque smile, her level voice making the Pokémon Hunter's expression twist even further.
"We'll leave Melemele Island. That works, doesn't it?" the middle-aged hunter said through gritted teeth.
The humiliation and fury burning inside him were overwhelming, but he knew Caitlin was simply too strong for them to handle.
"My apologies. That won't do." Caitlin smiled gently. She remained perfectly polite.
"Team Rocket has recently located a mineral vein, but hiring workers would be prohibitively expensive. So we actually have quite a bit of need for men like yourselves. Would you be willing to come quietly?"
Caitlin smiled as she addressed the handful of Pokémon Hunters. She'd even consulted them on the matter — phrased it as a question!
Lady Caitlin is just SO gentle! Beautiful and gentle!
The female Team Rocket members standing behind Caitlin gazed at her back with starry-eyed admiration.
"Are you KIDDING ME?! You damned bitch, you actually want us to go mine rocks for you?!" The middle-aged Pokémon Hunter lost it completely.
"How dare you! Cursing at Lady Caitlin!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Lady Caitlin is honoring you by giving you mining work! And you don't know your place!"
Before Caitlin could even respond, the surrounding Team Rocket members flew into an immediate fury. They unleashed their Pokémon in a coordinated swarm, fully intent on teaching these Pokémon Hunters a lesson.
Caitlin smiled faintly at the sight. This kind of situation… had actually happened several times by now.
What could she say? These adorable, loyal subordinates of hers — Caitlin was quite fond of them.
In no time at all, the Pokémon Hunters had been subdued by Team Rocket's righteous beatdown and hauled away.
"Lady Caitlin! We have a problem!"
The communicator suddenly crackled to life. A subordinate's voice came through, urgent.
"Island Kahuna Hala is heading this way with reinforcements."
Island Kahuna Hala. The highest authority on Melemele Island — and, on the surface, the strongest trainer on Melemele!
"Stay calm. I'm on my way. Pull the men back."
Caitlin remained composed, soothing her panicked subordinate.
The men she'd brought along were mostly former Team Skull members. They were fine under normal circumstances, but running into someone at Hala's level — it was impossible for them not to panic.
Elsewhere.
"It really is Team Rocket!"
Hala watched the six or seven black-uniformed men and women in front of him, his expression grave. And…
Hala's gaze shifted to the blonde-haired, black-clad young woman walking slowly in from the side. His graying brows drew together.
"Lady Caitlin!"
The Team Rocket members immediately lit up with relief. Heaven knew how terrifying it had been with Hala's gaze pinned on them.
Caitlin nodded to them, then turned her eyes toward Hala.
"Island Kahuna Hala. It's an honor to meet you."
Despite her Team Rocket affiliation, Caitlin maintained her politeness and grace.
Though her outfit was sharp and businesslike in all black, that aristocratic young-lady bearing was still unmistakable.
Hala noticed it immediately — this girl's family background was likely quite impressive.
"So you are Team Rocket's executive?" Hala asked in a low voice.
"Team Rocket Senior Executive. Caitlin." Caitlin introduced herself, producing her silver Team Rocket badge and giving it a small flash.
Senior Executive? Hala's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Forgive the rudeness, but I'll need you to come with me." Hala produced two Poké Balls, his bearing solemn and grave.
A senior Team Rocket executive — there was no letting her walk away!
"Is that so? Then it'll come down to whether you're capable." Caitlin responded with her same elegant smile.
Fighting an Alolan Island Kahuna from opposing sides — good versus evil — Caitlin had never in her wildest dreams imagined it would happen.
But here it was, actually happening. And…
Blue psychic light flickered in Caitlin's eyes, her heart thumping hard against her ribs.
This is rather fun, isn't it~!
If I can capture this girl, I'll be able to pry plenty of information about Team Rocket out of her.
Hala thought to himself. A senior Team Rocket executive — a position second only to the Team Rocket Boss himself in the entire hierarchy!
As for whether he could actually beat this pretty young woman? Hala never even considered the possibility.
He was Island Kahuna Hala! And across from him? Was this girl even eighteen?
He was absolutely going to win!