Madame Boss was a bit confused by Matt's tone and emotions; her senses were very accurate, and her observations were very subtle. "Your attitude towards him seems to have changed a lot."
It was only then that Matt explained Giovanni's talent as a Researcher. "It's like this..."
"An interesting kid." Madame Boss chuckled. "It seems that Team Rocket has a genius in both research and battle. It would be even better if he could drive technological advancement."
Matt also spoke up for Giovanni, as he had recently developed a very good impression of him. "Giovanni is already cultivating new Pokémon, and the first batch is all prepared for the organization."
"Alright, you don't need to speak well of him anymore. He is the best candidate to be the next leader, so naturally, he must consider the organization in everything he does. This is all what he should do." Madame Boss seemed very happy.
However, she didn't show it, but instead told Matt, "I know about the matter, don't worry."
Matt thought of something and said to Madame Boss, "Oh, right, we captured quite a few Pokémon on the island. We can send a batch back."
"Alright." Madame Boss replied, then added, "Perfect, the reinforcements can also be rotated in then."
Matt nodded, "Yes."
The call ended, and Matt slowly stood up and walked outside. He waved his hand.
A squad of team members and their leader immediately walked out and said to Matt, "Sir."
Matt instructed them, "Go notify everyone to send all the Pokémon captured last time back to Viridian Base."
These team members nodded in surprise, "Yes."
They quickly went to act. A few hours later, the plane started up and quickly flew out of the island, returning to Viridian Base.
The next day.
Giovanni rested for an entire night and finally recovered.
When he went out, he saw that the plane behind him had already flown away, and in front of him were constantly busy Team Rockets members and various Pokémon.
The safe zone was reinforced again, with large trees cut down and built into sturdy walls.
Giovanni wasn't sure what this was for, so he went to find Matt.
Matt, however, showed no signs of anything unusual, still appearing very calm. When he saw Giovanni approach, he simply opened his mouth and said, "You're awake? How are you?"
"Hmm, I rested a bit and feel much better." Giovanni nodded, then pointed around. "What's all this for? And where's the plane?"
Matt replied, "I sent the plane back with a batch of Pokémon. I've already contacted the Boss, and when the next plane returns, that's when the reinforcements will arrive."
He specifically added, "I told the Boss about what you did, and the Boss praised you highly, saying you did very well."
Giovanni shook his head, "What I do doesn't matter, it's all for the organization."
Matt looked deeply at Giovanni, then explained to him why all this was being done.
"The safe zone is being reinforced because Pidgeot discovered last night that the other side of the forest seemed quite lively, with intense screams and a strong smell of blood."
Giovanni narrowed his eyes, "Was that Haunter doing it?"
Matt nodded, "High-level Pokémon have a deep perception of danger and will react appropriately."
He clenched his fist, looked at the distant forest, and said to Giovanni, "I suspect this guy wants to take a gamble, to see if it can forcibly break through to Elite Four Level, and then come wipe us out? It hasn't come over now because it's not confident."
"Because in a fight to the death, it's uncertain who will lose!"
Giovanni frowned, "Then if it really succeeds in breaking through, wouldn't we be in danger? Should we strike first?!"
Matt had some insights on this, so he wasn't too afraid.
"Don't worry, according to what you said, the possibility of this Haunter breaking through is very low. With its aptitude that can't break through for a thousand or even a hundred years, even if it kills all the Pokémon on this island, plus us, it might not succeed."
"Doing all this now is just in case it gets desperate and comes to cause trouble for us first."
Matt also didn't hide anything from Giovanni, saying:
"Don't worry, if there's danger, I will escort you out immediately."
Since Matt said so, it would be inappropriate for Giovanni to say more.
"In that case, once the reinforcements arrive, we'll eliminate this old ghost."
Matt was quite bold, he patted his Poké Ball, "Of course, I'm quite eager to see what this thousand-year-old ghost looks like."
Giovanni didn't respond to that, but instead asked Matt, "Is there anything you need help with?"
Giovanni had been quite busy recently, after all, he risked danger to bring back information and was out for so many days.
So Matt waved his hand and said:
"Nothing much, but I've already drawn up your combat training curriculum. Once this matter is settled, you'll need to get much stronger."
Giovanni nodded, "Alright, I'm looking forward to it."
Matt had considered Giovanni quite a lot. "Your strength already far surpasses Trainers at the same stage. I hope that after you return this time, you'll never need anyone to take a bullet for you again."
He raised his head and said with some profound meaning:
"After all, Team Rocket can only have one leader, right?"
"Of course." Giovanni replied confidently.
Matt patted Giovanni's shoulder, "Go see your research results. Without you, that side is in disarray."
Matt looked around, feeling a bit of a headache. "I'm going to be busy here too."
Giovanni acknowledged and turned to leave.
Things didn't develop according to Matt's plan, but his preparations weren't entirely useless.
Because that night, due to the Haunter's slaughter on the other side of the forest, the Pokémon in the forest felt fear, and they all fled to this side.
And this was also Haunter's scheme; its killing speed alone was indeed a bit slow. It would kill some here, then force all the Pokémon in the forest over to this side, letting Matt and his team kill them.
Then it could reap the benefits, as only it could devour souls, so they would all be its in the end.
Watching these Pokémon frantically charge at the reinforced safe zone.
Matt stood on the temporarily constructed high platform and shouted to the ready Team Rocket members:
"Since they've delivered themselves, there's no need for us not to accept. Try not to kill them; capture them all."
Pokémon, what if they've lived for a thousand years? Without experiencing the deceit among humans, their thoughts are just that naive.
Did it really think it could fool Matt and make Matt its tool?
It's simply too laughable. If it had lived in human society outside for these thousand years, then there's nothing to say.
But within this desolate island, Matt could only smile and say nothing.