Late at night, atop Silph corporation building in Johto.
Giovanni lounged quietly on a plush leather sofa, deep in thought about recent developments.
"Unova…" he muttered softly. Jessie, James, and Meowth had traveled there recently, covertly executing Operation Tempest. The ultimate goal of the operation was clear: capturing the legendary Pokémon Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.
If successful, Team Rocket would harness their powers to dominate the Unova region. However, everything hinged on the success of this critical mission.
Giovanni gently stroked the silky fur of his Persian, lounging comfortably in a lavish office. One year ago, through meticulous maneuvers, he had secretly acquired most of the company's shares, becoming its primary stakeholder. Silph Corporation was now essentially under Team Rocket's control.
Lately, Giovanni had restrained his subordinates, realizing times were changing. Team Rocket's previous methods, stealing and forcibly taking Pokémon from trainers, no longer suited the current era.
Yet now Giovanni faced a dilemma. Should Team Rocket begin a transformation? What was the organization's future direction?
"Knock, knock, knock!"
A rhythmic knock broke the silence.
"Come in," Giovanni instructed calmly, eyes fixed ahead.
The door opened, revealing Matori, who entered respectfully.
"Report! I've concluded the investigation you requested!" Matori announced.
Giovanni straightened slightly. "Oh?"
Matori placed a stack of files neatly onto the table.
"Two years ago, Giratina appeared in the Sinnoh region. Surveillance footage from that time shows a suspicious figure," Matori explained, playing the tape. The grainy image displayed a blurry silhouette. Giovanni squinted, feeling a strange familiarity with the figure.
"Recently, I traveled to the Paldea region to investigate the Calyrex phenomenon in Kosaji Town, where that Pokémon had become popular. I learned it was initially brought there by a rancher named Naoki. There is undoubtedly a strong connection between him and Calyrex."
Naoki? The name instantly sparked recognition in Giovanni's mind. Two years prior, at a prestigious banquet in Unova, a trainer named Naoki had defeated Champion Lance in a stunning upset.
Could it really be him?
"Continue," Giovanni prompted.
"Two years ago, Groudon and Kyogre mysteriously left Hoenn, appearing near Paldea before disappearing. That event gained significant attention," Matori continued. "Moreover, Cyclizar is a Pokémon native only to Paldea, suggesting strongly the suspect is from there."
Matori paused. "Considering these factors, there's an 87% likelihood that Naoki, the rancher from Paldea, is indeed the mysterious 'Cyclizar Mask.'"
"So, it truly is him…" Giovanni murmured, his expression complex.
"Your orders, Boss?" Matori asked carefully, noting Giovanni's thoughtful expression.
After a brief pause, Giovanni instructed, "Do not disturb him. Avoid making him our enemy. If possible, build a relationship and establish friendly ties."
Matori seemed slightly surprised but quickly nodded, "Understood!"
Once Matori exited, Giovanni remained seated, quietly contemplating his next move. Forging alliances with exceptional talents like Naoki was essential.
Taking out his Rotom Phone, Giovanni searched "Naoki Paldea Ranch," quickly discovering an online store called "Tree's House."
Curious, Giovanni tapped into the store, initially intending merely to glean insights into Naoki's character. Yet, he froze upon seeing the products offered.
"Life Goat Milk: Instantly restores a Pokémon's energy and stamina. As long as the Pokémon is conscious, even severe injuries heal rapidly…"
Giovanni's brows knitted tightly. No commercially available medicine boasted such immediate effects. Reading customer reviews, his disbelief grew, could this improbable product truly work as advertised?
If genuine, its significance was extraordinary.
If Team Rocket had access to something like this... it would be an incredible asset for conquering the Unova region.
Giovanni's eyes gleamed with ambition. Without hesitation, he clicked the "Place Order" button on the Tree's House online store, only to be met with a notification:
"Delivery not available in your region."
Giovanni froze.
He reviewed the store policies carefully and quickly realized the reason.
Currently, Tree's House only offers delivery services in Hoenn and Sinnoh. Other regions like Kanto and Johto were temporarily excluded due to the presence of hostile factions and Pokémon poachers.
In other words, the "evil organizations" preventing delivery in Kanto and Johto... referred to Team Rocket themselves.
Giovanni sat in silence.
He pictured the absurd but probable scene of one of Tree's House's hardworking Dragonite couriers flying into Kanto or Johto, only to be ambushed by Rocket grunts pretending to be customers. They'd try to capture the Dragonite mid-delivery and present it to him like some kind of trophy.
Giovanni rubbed his forehead.
This… was a problem.
But just then, an idea struck him, a brilliant opportunity to not only resolve the issue but also build a relationship with the person behind Tree's House.
Publicly, Giovanni wasn't known as the boss of Team Rocket. His outward identity was that of a wealthy, respected entrepreneur.
Perfect.
He could approach Naoki under the guise of a young business mogul, proposing to open a Kanto-Johto branch of Dragonite Express under a legitimate delivery partnership.
And behind the scenes, as the true Rocket boss, Giovanni could ensure total safety for the delivery Dragonite, no attacks, no abductions, full protection.
Not only would this improve Team Rocket's reputation in the shadows, but it might also earn the trust of someone as valuable as Naoki.
Fueled by that thought, Giovanni turned to his secretary.
"Matori," he ordered sharply, "book me a flight to Paldea. Immediately."
...
The Next Morning – Tree House Ranch
Just as Naoki had predicted, students from Paldea Academy flooded into the ranch after hearing that a new beginner-friendly challenge had opened.
"Mr. Naoki, I'm here for the challenge!"
"I was here first!"
"No way, I got here before you!"
The crowd of eager students gathered quickly, buzzing with excitement.
Naoki stood calmly before them, smiling like a wise ranch master surveying a field of fresh young crops. It felt like a tidal wave of enthusiasm, and experience points were washing over his peaceful ranch.
"Everyone, don't worry," Naoki said warmly. "One at a time, please. We'll get to you all."
He pointed to the nearby Sylveon, who stood proudly with its ribbon-like feelers fluttering in the breeze.
"This new challenge is called the Hero Trial," Naoki announced. "Your goal is to battle my Sylveon. If you win, you'll earn a Tree House Ranch Hero Badge and a premium berry gift pack."
The moment he mentioned the Hero Badge, the students gasped.
Even some of their more advanced seniors hadn't earned that kind of reward. If they could win this trial and bring the badge back to school, the envy and admiration from their peers would be off the charts.
"H-Hero Trial?" one wide-eyed student asked. "So… does that mean if we beat Sylveon, we're considered heroes?"
Everyone turned to stare at the pink, determined-looking Sylveon next to Naoki.
Naoki didn't answer directly. Instead, he gave a knowing smile and said:
"A hero isn't defined only by power or titles. Even someone who seems weak today can grow stronger, and one day, truly become a hero."
These words made the eyes of the group of boys and girls light up.
Their hearts burned with motivation.
Was Mr. Naoki trying to encourage them?
Yes, he had to be!
Even if they were weak now, one day they could grow into powerful Trainers, maybe even Champions!
A rush of excitement lit up in the boys' eyes.
So the rumors circulating at the academy… they were true.
It was said that Mr. Naoki was a former Champion Trainer, one who had retired from official battles and quietly returned to a peaceful life running his ranch. But in truth, he hadn't withdrawn from the world—he was helping shape the next generation.
He created these trials at his ranch to temper the will and sharpen the skills of promising Trainers who would go on to achieve greatness.
What an amazing mentor! A true role model!
"I'll be the first to challenge you, Mr. Naoki!" one boy called out, eyes full of determination. "We're ready!"
He stepped onto the field and tossed his Poké Ball high.
A flash of white light revealed a Wingull, flapping excitedly above the training ground.
Naoki narrowed his eyes slightly as he assessed the Pokémon. Its movements were clumsy and unrefined, clearly a newly caught Wingull, still learning how to battle.
So this was truly a beginner's match.
The battle began.
Wingull launched a Water Gun, but Sylveon sidestepped it gracefully, its movements elegant and light.
Despite receiving little formal training, Sylveon had spent its days nourished by Life Goat Milk, fed with Poke blocks, and infused with the subtle strength of natural energy from the World Tree. That baseline vitality gave it an advantage over most rookie Pokémon.
Under Naoki's calm commands, Sylveon responded with a combo move: Fairy Wind, a sparkling gust of mystical energy that whipped across the field, forcing Wingull off balance.
Before it could recover, Sylveon followed up with Swift, a flurry of glowing stars that arced through the air with perfect accuracy.
The stars struck Wingull head-on, and with a soft cry, the Water/Flying-type Pokémon dropped to the ground, fainted.
....
Bonus @500
60 chapters 👉patreon.com/Keepsmiling818