Johto, New Bark Town.
If "pure white" symbolizes new beginnings, then "verdant green" represents the vibrant life of this town.
Lush sycamores surrounded the small town.
As night fell, a Hoothoot perched on a tree branch, calling out to mark the time.
"Sorry for the intrusion... I hope I'm not causing any trouble!" Natsume said apologetically as he visited Gold's home.
Gold's mother smiled warmly. "Not at all. This kid loves having guests over. I'll go prepare a room for you."
Gold grinned. "No need! Natsume-sensei and I are gonna play games all night!"
"Eh, is that so?"
"Absolutely not. Please prepare the guest room. Thank you!" Natsume said firmly.
I'm not great at games, and I definitely don't want to play all night with you! Besides, you're not Cynthia—she at least pays me for staying over!
...
Gold's home was filled with small Pokémon.
From the second floor, Natsume could see Oddish, Sandshrew, and Kakuna in the yard.
Gold scratched his nose proudly. "I've learned a lot working at the Pokémon Day Care... Taking care of Pokémon is no big deal for me!"
Silver, who was sitting in front of the TV waiting for a tokusatsu show to start, coldly remarked, "It's your mom who does all the work."
"Shut up! Or I'll kick you out!"
The two of them together were like a comedy duo—one clueless, the other perpetually grumpy. The scene was oddly amusing.
Natsume crossed his arms and chuckled silently.
Just then, his phone vibrated.
Natsume glanced at it. "I need to step out for a bit."
He walked to a phone booth in town and answered, "What's up, Matori?"
"Are you free to talk right now?"
"If I weren't, I wouldn't have picked up," Natsume replied, slightly exasperated. "What's going on?"
"It's not me. Lord Giovanni wants to speak with you," Matori said.
Natsume was taken aback.
Giovanni wants to talk to me?
Did he already find out about my contact with the International Police?!
But Matori's next words dispelled his worries.
"It's about Young Master Silver."
Natsume stroked his chin.
So, Giovanni wants to know about Silver...
That's not a big deal.
At the same time, Natsume-sensei was also curious about this legendary figure.
"Put him through," Natsume said.
"Understood."
Beep... Beep... Beep...
The sound of the connection echoed.
As the receiver was picked up, a deep, gravelly voice came through. "It's an honor to finally speak with you, Natsume-sensei."
Hearing the voice of Team Rocket's infamous leader gave Natsume an unreal feeling.
But having already met Red, Natsume wasn't nervous. "What's this about, Mr. Giovanni?"
"First, to show my sincerity in recruiting you," Giovanni said.
"Second, to reiterate my stance—you will have absolute freedom within Team Rocket. I won't interfere with any of your decisions."
"But absolute freedom doesn't exist," Natsume sighed.
"Perhaps," the man chuckled. "Additionally, if possible, I'd like to know... how Silver is doing."
Natsume nodded. "He's made trustworthy friends and found his own path... Though I think he still wants to see you."
"Is that so?"
Giovanni stroked the Persian on his lap with a rough hand. "To see a wanted criminal with a stained record?"
"More than a criminal, you're his father," Natsume said, his heart pounding.
This... might be the breakthrough.
If I can change Team Rocket...
My recruitment of the Trio and my role in Team Rocket would make sense.
It's risky, but worth a shot.
Giovanni was silent for a long moment before suddenly laughing. "You're the first to dare say such things to me, Natsume-sensei."
Giovanni's voice was low, but Natsume knew his one weakness.
"My father always said a man's first duty is to his family," Natsume said, his tone softening. "Mr. Giovanni, you could do so much better."
"...I can't abandon Team Rocket."
Giovanni's voice grew serious. "Natsume, out of all the members, you're the only one who's gotten close to Silver without being rejected."
"If you can make him accept Team Rocket..."
"The current Team Rocket isn't worth accepting," Natsume interrupted.
Giovanni's voice turned cold. "Oh?"
You can't reach through the phone to hit me, so why the tough act?
"Silver is a young man who hates evil," Natsume said thoughtfully. "And Team Rocket's history of poaching is a stain that can't be erased."
Giovanni was silent for a long time before sighing. "Truth is... Team Rocket hasn't been involved in poaching for a long time."
"Ever since we created... that Pokémon, the plan to collect Pokémon genes was already a success."
"Those who use Team Rocket's name for poaching are nothing but clowns."
Natsume's expression turned odd.
So, you're rebuilding Team Rocket just to bring your son home?!
That's some lofty ambition!
"Without Team Rocket, the leagues would descend into chaos," Giovanni said coldly. "Team Magma, Team Aqua, Team Galactic... Hah, a bunch of fools. Instead of rallying their forces, having Silver take over Team Rocket is the priority now."
"And you're the only one who can make that happen, Natsume-sensei."
"Have you ever considered rebranding Team Rocket's image?" Natsume asked.
Giovanni was taken aback. "Re... rebranding?!"
Natsume rubbed his forehead. "If the goal is to bring Silver back, changing Team Rocket's identity is key."
"Right now, Team Rocket is seen as a criminal organization involved in poaching. What if we turned it into something... 'heroic'?"
"Team Rocket has legitimate sources of income and doesn't need crime to fund itself. Plus, it has a public following. If we turn that into goodwill, Team Rocket's image could change drastically. If it's seen as a legitimate organization, Silver wouldn't refuse to return."
Giovanni thought for a moment, then frowned. "Natsume... evil is the foundation Team Rocket was built on."
"Think of it like a dark knight, a law enforcer in the shadows..."
Natsume smiled. "The line between evil and justice is often blurred."
Giovanni paused, then burst into laughter. "Interesting!"
"But," Giovanni's tone suddenly turned serious, "an organization without military strength is doomed... I can't let Team Rocket fall."
"As long as the actions are 'just,' it's fine."
Natsume continued, "Poachers, smuggling rings, illegal Pokémon traders... Taking down these groups would 'rescue' powerful Pokémon and also help improve public perception."
Playing the bad guys against each other?
Giovanni's lips curled into a smirk. "You're more interesting than I thought, Natsume-sensei... But Team Rocket has many stubborn members."
"Without a clear goal, Team Rocket would be like a ship full of holes... Without a reason to commit evil, I can't even imagine what they'd do."
"So, we need a new Team Rocket."
Natsume suddenly smiled.
"A Team Rocket that's been purged, transformed, and reborn."
"A Team Rocket that the leagues, the public, and Trainers can accept."
"A Team Rocket that your child can proudly say the name of."
Giovanni fell silent.
Team Rocket's problems had been growing worse, and he had considered creating a new organization.
But his idea was to ally with other evil teams.
Now, Natsume-sensei had presented him with an offer he couldn't refuse.
A Team Rocket that Silver... could be proud of...
"Times have changed, Mr. Giovanni," Natsume said with a smile.
"People would rather stand under a dazzling rainbow than be drawn into a mysterious black hole."
"I think that's what Silver would want too."
A rainbow...
What a beautiful symbol...
Giovanni was silent for a long time before finally saying, "I'll consider it."
"Also, you're quite the persuasive speaker, Natsume-sensei," Giovanni chuckled.
"The honor is mine."
"Natsume-sensei... If this new organization is formed, would you be willing to join?" Giovanni asked seriously.
Giovanni's decisiveness surprised Natsume.
"Have you already thought of a new name?"
"Haven't you already decided for me?" Giovanni countered.
Natsume was momentarily confused.
Giovanni continued, "I'll increase your authority within Team Rocket."
"You'll have the power to appoint and dismiss personnel below Executive level."
"Additionally, you can directly order Matori. She'll do her best to carry out your tasks..."
Natsume's expression turned complicated.
This is beyond what an Executive should have...
This is like being a regent!
"Take care of your health, Boss Giovanni," Natsume said, coughing lightly. "It's not worth exhausting yourself. We still have a new organization to build..."
"True... But after resting for so long, it's time to stretch my legs," Giovanni chuckled.
Change wouldn't happen overnight.
But as long as the seed was planted, there was a chance it would grow.
After hanging up, Giovanni gazed out the window at the sea of clouds, where a rainbow broke through, radiant and beautiful.
"Rainbow... Team Rocket, huh?"
Giovanni murmured, a faint smile on his lips.
"What an interesting guy..."
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