A discussion

Silence...

Only the two video monitors behind them flickered with grayish-white images.

With Giovanni Rika saying nothing, no one dared to speak.

Only after a long while, when just one person remained on each screen, did she say to Miyamoto and Aidos:

"You two, go bring the remaining two brats over."

Miyamoto rose and exchanged a glance with Aidos, then cupped her fist and answered:

"Yes."

Then they went out together.

Only Giovanni and Giovanni Rika remained in the room, along with an Alakazam practicing Calm Mind.

Giovanni occasionally stole another glance at the Alakazam.

Giovanni Rika tapped the sofa. "Brat, what are you thinking about?"

Giovanni looked up and answered, "Mother, I was thinking that Alakazam is a Psychic-type Pokémon. Isn't it said that Psychic-type Pokémon won't let anyone without psychic powers catch them?"

Giovanni Rika gave Giovanni a searching look. "Oh, you could tell? Was it that ability of yours?"

Giovanni had guessed that he could not possibly hide his Viridian Force from Giovanni Rika, so he was not surprised. He simply answered her:

"Yes. I can tell that there isn't any other energy within your body."

Giovanni Rika crossed her legs and said casually:

"That's mainly because Alakazam watched me grow up. To me, and to Alakazam, we're family, so neither of us regards the other as unequal."

Giovanni understood. "I see."

Giovanni Rika said to Giovanni:

"Your ability is very special. Self-healing, strengthening your body, and it can improve your Pokémon's constitution too, can't it? Otherwise, your Beedrill's damaged potential wouldn't have recovered so quickly."

As the boss of Team Rocket, even Doctor Liangmu would not dare hide anything from her.

So, since Giovanni Rika already knew, Giovanni had nothing left to hide. "Yes, that's right."

Giovanni Rika considered how Giovanni could grow stronger. "If you want to develop it further, you'll need to get a psychic's training manual. Although your ability is somewhat different from theirs, there should still be something you can learn from it."

Giovanni answered naturally, "I've been thinking about that."

His exchange with Giovanni Rika already seemed to suggest that he would be the sole victor.

That was why Giovanni Rika was helping him think of ways forward.

It made sense.

Whether it was his performance from the first stage through the third, his mentality and character, or his special ability and strength, everything pointed to Giovanni being the best successor.

Giovanni Rika then said:

"As one of the three remaining candidates, you've passed three rounds of selection. By rights, you deserve a reward. What would you like?"

Giovanni thought for a moment and touched Nidoran♂'s Poké Ball. "If possible, I'd like a Poison-type treasure that can improve my Nidoran♂'s potential and strength."

Giovanni Rika acknowledged his request and agreed. "All right. I'll have someone prepare it for you."

The Poké Ball holding Nidoran♂ at Giovanni's waist shook gently. Nidoran♂ had probably heard.

Giovanni Rika asked Giovanni:

"If you became Team Rocket's next leader, what would you do? Overthrow the Pokémon League?"

Giovanni fell silent for a moment, then answered:

"If I were to give a rough answer, I'd do nothing at first. Overthrowing the Pokémon League now isn't realistic, because Team Rocket isn't strong enough yet."

"Team Rocket needs to keep building its strength, accumulate as much wealth and resources as possible, and recruit more members. We need more talented people. Then we infiltrate the Pokémon League, from the bottom all the way to the top..."

Giovanni only outlined his thoughts. Putting them into practice would have to happen one step at a time.

Giovanni Rika gently stroked her lustrous chin. "Infiltrate the Pokémon League? That would give us more opportunities to clear the way for the organization."

"But Charles Goodshow is very clever. If we want to infiltrate the Pokémon League now, we can only train youngsters with clean backgrounds and let them climb the ranks little by little."

Giovanni did not argue. He simply nodded.

Giovanni Rika smiled. "That's a good idea. It's given me an entertaining thought."

She brushed back her hair and said to Giovanni:

"To be honest, I'd prefer to make you Team Rocket's young master. But you need some whetstones, and even more importantly, some shields."

"They'll give you more time to grow."

"But don't get careless. If they kill you, one of them could still become the next leader."

Giovanni answered:

"No problem. I'll follow all your arrangements. And I won't lose."

Giovanni Rika glanced at Giovanni and said:

"It seems you don't think they're worthy opponents yet."

Giovanni shook his head. "No. I just think I'll win every battle."

Giovanni Rika named the strongest opponent Giovanni would have to face. "Heh, confident little brat. If anyone can threaten you, it's Aidos."

Giovanni did not deny that.

As a Team Rocket executive with two division captains backing him, Aidos wielded considerable power, even if his strength was not at the Elite Four level.

Giovanni Rika continued:

"I'll have Miyamoto keep him in check. After that, everything will depend on your own abilities."

"You can treat the fourth selection stage as if it doesn't exist. This stage will last a long time, enough for you to grow stronger, but you still need to be careful."

"From today onward, you're truly part of the organization. You'll have to make proper contributions to it from now on."

Giovanni nodded. "Yes, I'll remember. I will."

Giovanni Rika waved him away. "Go. Someone will notify you specifically about what comes next."

Giovanni rose and respectfully walked out.

Retracing his steps, he ran into Miyamoto and Aidos on their way back. The youths following them were A Rui and Yadu.

Just as Giovanni had guessed, Yalan had ultimately died at Yadu's hands.

The two froze when they saw Giovanni, then showed intense hostility.

Giovanni, however, remained unruffled, his killing intent buried in his heart.

Miyamoto came up to Giovanni and gently patted his shoulder. "Brat, you guessed pretty well."

Giovanni smiled and replied, "Not bad. Didn't you guess right too?"

Giovanni passed Miyamoto and Yadu, then came up to Aidos and A Rui.

Aidos narrowed his eyes and smiled at Giovanni. "Kid, see you around. I'll come have a good chat with you when I have time."

Giovanni replied quietly, "I'd be honored."

He walked away once more, heading in the opposite direction!

One side hurried toward the old era, while one person walked toward a new future.

In Giovanni's previous world, throughout history, the old ministers of the former dynasty at an emperor's side would eventually be replaced.

Only the new dynasty's own people were the emperor's true confidants!

Outside Giovanni's room, Axin was silently waiting for Giovanni, holding a Pokémon.

"Boss, you're back?"