At that moment, inside Team Rocket's base.
Giovanni was receiving a report from his new secretary.
Manba was indeed a highly capable person, but Team Rocket's reach had yet to extend into the Sinnoh region. Rescuing her would take quite a bit of effort.
He might as well make use of his new subordinate first, then decide what to do after Manba was transferred by the Sinnoh region to Kanto and the Johto region.
"Of Team Rocket's registered members, ninety-five percent have returned to headquarters. Aside from insignificant grunts, most of those who have not yet returned are still on the way. However, all important members of the organization's structure have already reported back."
The newly appointed secretary gave her report to Giovanni, looking slightly nervous.
Giovanni gave a faint nod to show that he had heard her. His fingers tapped against the desk, each tap seeming to strike directly against the new secretary's heart, making her even more tense.
Then Giovanni asked, "What about those three?"
Those three?
The new secretary froze for a moment before quickly realizing who he meant.
Who in Team Rocket did not know the names of those three by now?
Receiving such preferential treatment from Giovanni, many within the organization had even said that those three might actually be Boss Sakaki's illegitimate sons!
The quick-witted new secretary answered, "They seem to still be trying to catch that Pikachu. Perhaps they ran out of money to pay their phone bill. We sent them messages, but they have not responded..."
The air fell silent at once.
After quite a while, Giovanni rubbed his brow and said, "If that is the case, let them stay outside."
"If there is nothing else to report, you may leave."
"Y-Yes!"
A trace of surprise flashed through the new secretary's eyes