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I am Giovanni, the Gym Leader of Viridian City and a master trainer specializing in Ground-type Pokémon. This expertise has earned me the title "Giovanni of the Earth," and I'm widely recognized as the strongest Gym Leader in the Kanto region.
My abilities rival those of the Elite Four's leader, and I was once called "the invincible general."
Of course, I understand that I am not truly "invincible."
While I consider myself exceptionally strong—capable of battling the first-generation Champion or even the current Elite Four leader—I couldn't defeat that masked individual who kidnapped my son.
That person was beyond my reach entirely.
This is why I continue to hone my skills.
Even though the Pokémon under my command have reached their limits, I believe that through constant training and refinement, I can still push further ahead.
But let me return to the main point.
Not only am I formidable in battle, but I've also authored a book titled "The Secret of the Earth," based on my life experiences. With a generous spirit aimed at teaching future generations, wouldn't you say I possess the dignified bearing of a true master?
More than that, I am also the boss of Team Rocket, the most powerful underground organization in the Kanto region. Four Gym Leaders in Kanto serve under my command.
Out of the eight gyms in the Kanto region, including myself, five Gym Leaders are Team Rocket members. Doesn't this mean I've already secured half the region?
Though a certain bald researcher appears to have defected, it hardly matters. He was merely a researcher who never fought for our cause anyway.
Besides, Lt. Surge, Koga, and Sabrina are among the Gym Leaders. Both Koga and Sabrina possess quasi-Elite level strength. How could the remaining Gym Leaders possibly stand against us?
Currently, we're preparing a grand scheme—a magnificent plan to claim control over the Kanto region. Once it succeeds, our position in Kanto will become unshakeable!
This is Giovanni. Not only does he possess tremendous personal strength, but his organizational power is even more formidable. Despite his clearly villainous actions, he maintains a certain personal charisma and the broad-minded demeanor of a true master.
His life was nearly perfect. While some goals remained unachieved, he had essentially obtained all the power, status, money, and wealth he desired. If he wished, countless women would throw themselves at him.
He was also preparing that grand plan to seize control of the Kanto region—originally a foolproof strategy. Success would bring tremendous victory to Team Rocket.
However, at this crucial time, his three most powerful executives jointly issued a wanted notice. The target was a rookie trainer who had visited Pallet Town—a boy named Morning Sun.
Initially, Giovanni paid little attention to this youth. According to his executives' reports, the boy possessed some skill but couldn't possibly shake Team Rocket's foundation.
A mere Peak-level trainer, regardless of combat experience, would certainly fall if the three executives used their full strength.
The previous "Dragon Star" incident had put him on high alert. He was certain that Elite Four member Lance might have broken through to Champion level, requiring Team Rocket to accelerate their plans.
(Lance: "Damn it! Don't blame me for that—I wasn't involved!")
However, several days ago, the Rainbow City branch was completely destroyed, and it was all the work of that young man, Morning Sun.
Giovanni realized he needed to pay attention to Morning Sun, whom he had previously dismissed. While the latter's strength didn't match Elite Four member Lance's level, and his danger couldn't compare to Lance's either, anyone capable of single-handedly destroying a Team Rocket branch must possess sufficient wisdom and determination to oppose them. In such cases, this boy truly warranted attention.
Following his instincts, Giovanni decided to test him personally. If Morning Sun from Pallet Town proved insufficient to threaten Team Rocket after his evaluation, he could let the matter slide.
But if Morning Sun would hinder Team Rocket's operations, then the wisest course would be to eliminate the threat immediately, preventing future complications.
Giovanni wasn't some foolish villain from novels who constantly sends weak underlings to provide experience for the protagonist, only to be defeated by the fully matured hero later. When facing a genuine threat, it should be resolved quickly. Taking personal action was most appropriate, wasn't it?
However, he couldn't reveal his identity to Morning Sun initially. He needed a proper disguise first, then observe the boy's true strength and character up close before deciding how to proceed.
If Giovanni determined that Morning Sun posed no threat, he would let him go. As a Elite-level powerhouse, he had no intention of crushing someone who presented no danger to Team Rocket. He still maintained some dignity.
Naturally, this was contingent on Morning Sun not being a threat. Should Giovanni judge that Morning Sun would endanger Team Rocket, he would abandon such scruples entirely and planned to eliminate the young trainer through a surprise attack.
That's right—Giovanni not only intended to handle Morning Sun personally but also planned to use underhanded tactics. Since he was going to deal with his opponent anyway, a sneak attack would save effort while ensuring no accidents occurred, guaranteeing a decisive strike.
He was no knight, but someone who would use any means necessary to achieve his goals. If a direct confrontation might allow his enemy to escape, he felt no shame in using surprise attacks if they could resolve everything cleanly.
After all this consideration, the most crucial element was his initial disguise when meeting Morning Sun. Now it was time to begin his Oscar-worthy performance.
First, he would masquerade as a researcher conducting field studies who had been caught in a Pokémon pursuit.
Next, he borrowed a Golbat from his subordinates to temporarily command some wild Zubat, then pretended to be someone being chased by this group of wild Pokémon.
As long as he "happened" to encounter Morning Sun and requested help, the plan would work.
Once Morning Sun rescued him, Giovanni could accompany the boy, gain his trust, and carefully observe him.
He successfully recruited actors to play the Zubat, then used Team Rocket's intelligence network to calculate when Morning Sun would arrive on Route 16, west of Rainbow City.
Then he began running frantically. To make his performance more convincing, he deliberately fell to the ground and made himself look quite disheveled. Then he "coincidentally" spotted Morning Sun adventuring alone.
"Is that young man over there a trainer? I'm a researcher who accidentally stumbled into a Zubat nest. They're chasing me now. Please help me!"
Giovanni's acting was flawless. His panicked expression and the joy he displayed upon seeing Morning Sun were perfect. If an Oscar existed in this world, it would surely be his.
Eddie saw this man being pursued by Pokémon and slightly extended his hand, ready to command Eevee to come to his rescue.
Giovanni thought to himself that taking personal action would make this incredibly simple. After being rescued, he could begin his observations.
However, after Eddie looked at him, his expression changed dramatically. He suddenly withdrew his outstretched hand, turned around, and walked away without hesitation.
Giovanni: "What?!"
Giovanni, lying disheveled on the ground, was completely stunned. This wasn't following the script at all! His acting should have been flawless. As an enthusiastic young trainer, shouldn't Morning Sun have shouted and rushed over to save him? Why did he suddenly leave and watch him suffer without offering help?
Young man, isn't this rather heartless?!
Wait—didn't these Zubat agree they were just acting? Why are they actually draining his blood? Those idiots!