On the other side, Koga, Lt. Surge, and several other Gym Leaders each harbored their own thoughts.
Sabrina had faith—an unshakable devotion that made her willing to die for Giovanni. But most others lacked such conviction.
The reason they joined Team Rocket was simple: profit.
Now, however, with a looming sense of crisis pressing down, many were being forced to reconsider their choices.
As they deliberated, the tall man pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Boss!" Matori immediately bowed in greeting. Toward this man, her heart was filled with reverence and even affection.
"Boss!"
"Giovanni, sir!"
All of the Rocket executives present quickly stood to salute him.
"Everyone."
Giovanni sat confidently in the boss's chair, his sharp gaze sweeping across Koga, Lt. Surge, and the gathered Gym Leaders. A faint smile tugged at his lips."I know what you're thinking. But I'll only tell you this: the age of Team Rocket is about to dawn."
"Our power, our influence—they already rival that of the Indigo League."
"At the peak level, myself, Koga, Lt. Surge, and Sabrina—we are enough to stand against the League's Elite Four."
"At the upper echelon, we too have several Elite-tier and first-class senior trainers among us."
"Think carefully. If you withdraw from Team Rocket now, even if I let you go, do you truly believe the League will? Do you think they'll ever trust you again?"
His words hung in the air.
Koga and Lt. Surge remained composed.
But Blaine and the other Gym Leaders broke into cold sweat.
Indeed—now that their identities had been exposed, betraying Team Rocket meant they could never again earn the League's trust.
"But if you remain with me," Giovanni's voice thundered, "then one day, Team Rocket will overthrow the Indigo League and seize control of this world! When that day comes, every one of you here will be a founding general of the new era!"
Each word was a heavy hammer, pounding into their hearts.
Humans lived immersed in a constant flood of information—unceasing self-conditioning.
When two powers clashed, their energy collided.
The stronger one imposed his will, hypnotizing the weaker.
Unless one had an unshakable path of their own, they would inevitably be bent, brainwashed, without even realizing it.
And Giovanni—he was undeniably one of overwhelming force. His aura alone crushed the wavering hearts of men, subtly seizing their minds without their knowledge.
"But Giovanni, our situation is dangerous right now…" one of the Gym Leaders murmured, his resistance already faltering.
He did not even realize it.
His thoughts had already been twisted, and he now longed to follow Giovanni into battle.
And yet, fear for their own lives still lingered.
Their identities were public—if they returned to their Gyms, sooner or later, the League would drag them away for investigation.
Giovanni waved a hand dismissively."No matter. It is not yet time for a direct clash with the League. From today, you Gym Leaders may relinquish your posts. Remain at headquarters. Wait. When the time comes, be ready to wage war against the League at a moment's notice."
"Boss—when will that time come?" A few ambitious executives asked, their eyes burning with excitement.
"The Dark Ball," Giovanni said, his tone deep. "A most unique Poké Ball, capable of capturing any Pokémon—even those already belonging to another Trainer."
"Picture it: when I battle the Elite Four, when my Pokémon strike theirs down… and then I cast a Dark Ball to steal away the Pokémon they've raised with such care—what expression do you think will appear on their faces?"
A chilling laugh escaped Giovanni's lips, his eyes flashing with a terrifying gleam."Right now, the Dark Ball is still under development. But once perfected, Team Rocket's strength will surge again! And that will be the time we challenge the Indigo League!"
"We shall force the entire Kanto region to kneel beneath our feet!"
His momentum soared sky-high, igniting the blood of every man present—including Koga and Lt. Surge.
But Koga, ever the cautious one, kept his mind clear enough to ask,"Boss, with a Poké Ball that powerful… surely it must have some side effects?"
Giovanni nodded, regarding Koga with admiration."As expected. You always pay attention to detail. The Dark Ball has no true side effects—but it does carry a flaw."
"Pokémon caught by the Dark Ball are not truly captured. They are enslaved. Bound by dark power. But that does not stop us from using them."
"Only one danger remains: should the Dark Ball itself be destroyed, the enslaved bond is broken. But handled with care, that weakness can easily be avoided."
Koga gave a silent nod.
The meeting gradually drew to a close. The crowd dispersed.
Blaine stumbled out in a daze, his face weary, his figure suddenly seeming years older.
He feared death.
But neither did he wish to help Team Rocket bring down the League.
The League had flaws—many of them. But under its rule, ordinary citizens could still live in relative peace.
If Team Rocket seized control, society would collapse into misery.
He had not imagined things would escalate to such extremes.
When he joined Team Rocket years ago, he never thought the organization would quietly grow into such a colossal beast.
The Dark Ball…
He shivered. That thing was too terrifying. Once unleashed, it would herald only disaster and tragedy.
"Professor Blaine, the boss requests your presence."
Matori's voice snapped him from his thoughts.
He nodded uneasily, following her back to Giovanni.
This time was different.
In private, Giovanni had withdrawn his domineering air, speaking with a gentle tone.
Toward scientists of Blaine's caliber, Giovanni was always respectful.
He revered strength. And he revered science.
Power—he possessed in abundance. But technology was something he lacked. Thus, toward those who held it, he naturally showed courtesy.
"Blaine, you've worked hard all these years. I thank you sincerely for giving us Mewtwo—that perfect killing machine."
Giovanni lit a cigar, his eyes deep."Now, I want you to resume work on the Porygon project."
"Porygon?" Blaine frowned. "But Boss, didn't you already hand that over to Professor Bill? He's young, brilliant—his skill surpasses my own."
Giovanni shook his head."Professor Bill is indeed remarkable, but he is not truly one of us. You, Blaine—you and I have worked side by side for years. To me, you're as close as family."
"You fear he may tamper with the code, don't you?"
Blaine let out a bitter laugh."I thought you only wanted me to adjust Porygon's programming to maximize profits, to resell and resell. But now I see… Porygon too is meant to become one of your weapons against the League. Another step toward your conquest of the world."
…
…
(End of Chapter)