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 ti.
"Sorry for the intrusion... I hope I'm not causing any trouble!" Natsu said apologetically as he visited Gold's ho.
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! Natsu-sensei and I are gonna play gas all night!"
"Eh, is that so?"
"Absolutely not. Please prepare the guest room. Thank you!" Natsu said firmly.
I'm not great at gas, and I definitely don't want to play all night with you! Besides, you're not Cynthia—she at least pays for staying over!
...
Gold's ho was filled with small Pokémon.
From the second floor, Natsu 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 !"
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 cody duo—one clueless, the other perpetually grumpy. The scene was oddly amusing.
Natsu crossed his arms and chuckled silently.
Just then, his phone vibrated.
Natsu 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," Natsu replied, slightly exasperated. "What's going on?"
"It's not . Lord Giovanni wants to speak with you," Matori said.
Natsu was taken aback.
Giovanni wants to talk to ?
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."
Natsu stroked his chin.
So, Giovanni wants to know about Silver...
That's not a big deal.
At the sa ti, Natsu-sensei was also curious about this legendary figure.
"Put him through," Natsu said.
"Understood."
Beep... Beep... Beep...
The sound of the connection echoed.
As the receiver was picked up, a deep, gravelly voice ca through. "It's an honor to finally speak with you, Natsu-sensei."
Hearing the voice of Team Rocket's infamous leader gave Natsu an unreal feeling.
But having already t Red, Natsu 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," Natsu sighed.
"Perhaps," the man chuckled. "Additionally, if possible, I'd like to know... how Silver is doing."
Natsu 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," Natsu said, his heart pounding.
This... might be the breakthrough.
If I can change Team Rocket...
My recruitnt 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 mont before suddenly laughing. "You're the first to dare say such things to , Natsu-sensei."
Giovanni's voice was low, but Natsu knew his one weakness.
"My father always said a man's first duty is to his family," Natsu said, his tone softening. "Mr. Giovanni, you could do so much better."
"...I can't abandon Team Rocket."
Giovanni's voice grew serious. "Natsu, out of all the mbers, 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," Natsu interrupted.
Giovanni's voice turned cold. "Oh?"
You can't reach through the phone to hit , so why the tough act?
"Silver is a young man who hates evil," Natsu said thoughtfully. "And Team Rocket's history of poaching is a stain that can't be erased."
Giovanni was silent for a long ti before sighing. "Truth is... Team Rocket hasn't been involved in poaching for a long ti."
"Ever since we created... that Pokémon, the plan to collect Pokémon genes was already a success."
"Those who use Team Rocket's na for poaching are nothing but clowns."
Natsu's expression turned odd.
So, you're rebuilding Team Rocket just to bring your son ho?!
That's so 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, Natsu-sensei."
"Have you ever considered rebranding Team Rocket's image?" Natsu asked.
Giovanni was taken aback. "Re... rebranding?!"
Natsu 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 sothing... 'heroic'?"
"Team Rocket has legitimate sources of inco and doesn't need cri 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 mont, then frowned. "Natsu... evil is the foundation Team Rocket was built on."
"Think of it like a dark knight, a law enforcer in the shadows..."
Natsu 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 dood... I can't let Team Rocket fall."
"As long as the actions are 'just,' it's fine."
Natsu 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, Natsu-sensei... But Team Rocket has many stubborn mbers."
"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."
Natsu suddenly smiled.
"A Team Rocket that's been purged, transford, and reborn."
"A Team Rocket that the leagues, the public, and Trainers can accept."
"A Team Rocket that your child can proudly say the na 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, Natsu-sensei had presented him with an offer he couldn't refuse.
A Team Rocket that Silver... could be proud of...
"Tis have changed, Mr. Giovanni," Natsu 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 ti before finally saying, "I'll consider it."
"Also, you're quite the persuasive speaker, Natsu-sensei," Giovanni chuckled.
"The honor is mine."
"Natsu-sensei... If this new organization is ford, would you be willing to join?" Giovanni asked seriously.
Giovanni's decisiveness surprised Natsu.
"Have you already thought of a new na?"
"Haven't you already decided for ?" Giovanni countered.
Natsu was montarily 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..."
Natsu'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," Natsu 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 ti 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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