Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

But?

"But we can't just confuse the League. We must give them something of value."

"Let's do this: give them the location of the Team Rocket base in Olivine City. At the same time, I'll have some special research studies placed inside, so the League gains something tangible from it," Giovanni spoke calmly.

But upon hearing his words, Cain was stunned. It wasn't really necessary.

Revealing the existence of Lysandre Labs to the League was already enough; there was no need to sacrifice a Team Rocket base in Olivine City.

That base represented a great loss for the organization.

"You're now an Advanced-level League Researcher, right? With your growth rate, you should be close to the peak of the quasi-elite level." Giovanni shifted the conversation toward Cain's strength.

"That's right."

"In that case, this Team Rocket base will be your offering to the League. With it, you'll solidify your identity within the organization and eliminate any suspicion about you. Even if you have enemies within Team Rocket, they won't be able to report you to the League without looking ridiculous."

"Also, now that you're an Advanced-level Researcher, your rise is inevitable. Even though Team Rocket is pulling back, our strength remains intact. I hope you manage to secure a position among Hoenn's Elite Four."

Giovanni revealed his true intention.

He was paving the way for Cain.

The mere fact that Cain informed Team Rocket about his mission was already a show of loyalty, and Giovanni had to respond to it.

But that wasn't all. Giovanni had his own calculations.

Cain was rising rapidly and had already solidified his place within the League.

Even the events of the Sinnoh Tournament had reached Giovanni's ears.

What Cain needed most now wasn't resources or rare Pokémon, but time to grow without interruptions.

Giovanni was sacrificing a base to ensure that Cain would become one of Hoenn's Elite Four in the future. Additionally, this could serve as a key infiltration point for Team Rocket in the region.

In the short term, it seemed like a loss. But in the long term, it was an investment.

That kind of strategic vision was what made Giovanni the leader of the most powerful underground organization in the world.

While Cain felt a certain gratitude, he also experienced a deep sense of alarm.

As long as he was useful, Giovanni was willing to sacrifice a base for him. But the day he ceased to be useful, or someone more valuable appeared, would he also be sacrificed?

Though, knowing Giovanni's personality, it was unlikely to come to that.

If Cain delivered the Olivine City base, the League would never doubt him again.

Even if someone within Team Rocket reported him, the League wouldn't believe it.

Unless Giovanni himself did it.

Or Cain chose to expose himself.

This mission would also grant him merit, making it easier to rise to one of Hoenn's Elite Four.

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. From now on, you can contact me directly. In a moment, Umbra will send you my communication number."

After saying this, Giovanni hung up.

Shortly after, Cain received a message with a series of numbers.

It was Giovanni's direct contact.

Very few people within Team Rocket had direct access to Giovanni. Not even some Elite officers had this connection.

This confirmed that Cain had been fully acknowledged by Giovanni. With sufficient strength, his promotion to Elite Officer was only a matter of time.

In the underground Team Rocket base in Viridian City, Giovanni handed the communicator to Umbra and reclined in his executive chair. With one hand, he stroked his Persian, resting at his side.

Umbra sent the number to Cain.

Now, Cain reported directly to Giovanni.

But this didn't stir any special feeling in him. From the beginning, Cain had been an investment. Now that the investment was bearing fruit, Umbra felt satisfied, though he didn't show it.

Giovanni gave Umbra a deep look, as if he could read his thoughts.

"Tenebris, go and notify the base leader in Olivine City. Tell him to evacuate the important personnel and relocate some of the research data. Leave something for the League to take."

The base could be given up, but it was crucial to remove the essentials.

The League would only see what Giovanni wanted them to see.

"Yes." From a dark corner of the room, a voice responded before fading away.

Giovanni looked at Umbra and smiled.

"What's the matter? Do you have doubts?"

"Leader, aren't you worried that this individual may become uncontrollable? His ambitions are not small."

Though if Cain became an Elite Officer, he would belong to Giovanni's faction, Umbra still had to look out for Giovanni's interests first.

"He won't." Giovanni smiled confidently.

"That boy is ambitious, but also smart. He knows what he wants and understands that only Team Rocket can give it to him. As long as I'm around, he'll never betray us."

Such was Giovanni's confidence.

As long as he existed, Team Rocket would exist.

If he fell, Team Rocket would have no reason to exist.

Umbra nodded in understanding.

...

Cain deactivated Slowking's psychic barrier.

Sitting at the edge of the bed, he fell into deep thought.

"This is just the beginning. Last time on Mythical Island, when I faced Regi and the others, Giovanni didn't react. But now it seems he's begun acting on multiple fronts. Looks like some voices within Team Rocket have started to displease him."

Cain smiled.

As long as Team Rocket still had power, he could use it to rise within the League.

After that...

After that, Team Rocket's fate would be uncertain.

The most important thing now was to strengthen his power.

After sorting out his thoughts, Cain disappeared from the room along with Slowking.

When he reappeared, he was already at the League base.

"Sir!" The researchers present stood up immediately.

They had completed the tasks assigned by Cain, even if they didn't understand the purpose of those orders.

Cain was their superior, and their duty was to follow orders without question.

Being an Advanced-level Researcher sounded impressive.

Cain clapped to get their attention.

"Write this down. The Drako family, Silph Co, the Stone family, the Berlitz family..."

He listed seven or eight families and companies.

Halfway through the list, the researchers stopped and looked at him, surprised.

Those were powerful entities.

What was he planning to do?

(End of chapter)