The same plan was simultaneously being executed on the other three new Team Rocket recruits at this very moment...
One of the key reasons Giovanni had risen to his current position was his exceptional grasp of human nature.
As the saying goes, 'humans die for wealth as birds die for food...ʼ
Reviewing the intelligence reports from his subordinates, Giovanni saw that the other three had taken the bait exactly as predicted.
Though he never explicitly mentioned the undercover agents, it was an open secret everyone understood.
By accepting these generous financial gifts, they had temporarily chosen Team Rocket over the Kanto League...
...
Caleb remained unaware of the other players' choices...
With Team Rocket's black-gold card in his pocket, he swaggered out through the secret passage, passed through the game corner's entrance, and stepped into Celadon City... the second largest metropolis in Kanto after Saffron City.
Putting aside Team Rocket's villainous nature, this world was truly wonderful... The air was fresh, the environment beautiful, and the streets were filled with harmonious scenes of humans and Pokémon coexisting peacefully.
Pokémon-themed cafés and grooming centers lined both sides of the road. Wealthy socialites walked their canine Pokémon while young girls holding adorable Eevees and Vulpixes browsed accessory shops.
These girls were delicate and fair-skinned, each as beautiful as characters straight out of anime. Such youthful and vibrant beauties would attract attention anywhere...
Yet Caleb's gaze didn't linger on their faces for even a second. He was completely focused on the docile Eevees and Vulpixes in their arms.
What tough guy could resist an ultra-cute Eevee?
Certainly not Caleb. He desperately wanted to pet one.
The girls soon noticed his intense gaze, their faces flushing pink as they glared indignantly: "Pervert!"
Only then did Caleb snap out of it, he scratched his head sheepishly, "Ah... my apologies. This is my first time seeing Eevee and Vulpix up close. I got a little too excited."
One of the girls eyed him suspiciously, her cheeks still rosy, "Really?"
Caleb spun his tale effortlessly, "Absolutely. I'm a trainer visiting from the distant Alola region. Here, look..."
He pulled out Mimikyu who had been napping in his hoodie's hood. The little Pokémon blinked its round eyes sleepily and nodded its Pikachu-costumed head.
"This is Mimikyu, a Pokémon from the Alola region," Caleb introduced.
The girl's eyes widened in wonder, "Wow! It looks just like Pikachu!"
Hearing this, Mimikyu instantly woke up, only to slump in dejection.
It wasn't Pikachu. It was Mimikyu. But people never liked Mimikyu, they only loved Pikachu.
It wished so badly to be as popular and beloved as Pikachu.
Noticing its mood shift, Caleb shot the girl a meaningful look.
Quick on the uptake, she immediately added, "Of course, Mimikyu is adorable too! I'm sure there are many people who love Mimikyu."
Mimikyu's eyes immediately brightened again.
Caleb gently poked its disguise, "Exactly. Like me... I love Mimikyu very much. Right, partner?"
The shy Pokémon blinked before scrambling onto Caleb's shoulder and burrowing back into his hood.
Fortunately, Mimikyu only weighed 0.5kg, something well within Caleb's carrying capacity. A Charmander might have actually strangled him.
"Thanks," Caleb mouthed silently to the girl.
She smiled in response, "You two really get along well!"
Returning the smile, Caleb gestured to the nearly empty café nearby, "You have some time? Let me treat you to coffee?"
"I'd love to!" The girl agreed happily.
This handsome, sunny boy seemed exceptionally kindhearted... He's perfect boyfriend material, she thought to herself.
Though the idea of having to move to faraway Alola after marriage did give her some pause.
Little did Caleb know, in those brief moments, the girl had already imagined their future together down to their children's names.
In truth, he simply wanted to gather information about the current Kanto League and its Elite Four members.
....
In a concealed corner outside the café, a plain-clothed Team Rocket agent watched through the window before hesitantly radioing in:
<...Target is currently... currently...>
"Currently what?" Ariana's brow furrowed...
'Has the boy made contact with League operatives?' she thought.
But the subordinate's reply came:
<...Target is buying coffee for a girl. They appear to be getting along extremely well...>
Ariana: "..."
She was momentarily at a loss for words.
Of all possibilities, she had never imagined Caleb would use the money she gave him to pick up girls...
'Typical male. They're all the same...'
A vein visibly throbbed at Ariana's temple as she coldly ordered, "Continue surveillance. Record his entire afternoon itinerary. You may approach discreetly to monitor their conversation."
<...Understood!..>
....
Caleb didn't linger over coffee...
After successfully obtaining information about the current Elite Four members (Lorelei the Ice-type master, Bruno the Fighting-type expert, Agatha the Ghost-type specialist, and Lance the Dragon-type champion), Caleb politely excused himself, claiming he'd left the stove on at home.
Notably, this world lacked familiar manga characters like Red, Blue or Gold. As for Ash, Caleb found no trace of him... perhaps he'd visit Pallet Town later if time permitted after completing his mission.
But first, he wanted to see the legendary Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center.
His surveillance agent watched gloomily as Caleb entered the Center, then positioned himself nearby to eavesdrop before retreating to the waiting area.
Golden afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows onto the tables as the agent radioed his icy report, "Target's second stop: Pokémon Center. Based on their conversation, he appears to be... flirting with Nurse Joy now."
Ariana: <...Tch! Of course. One girl per afternoon isn't enough for him. Now he's hitting on Nurse Joy too. What a natural-born time management master...>
...
Vulpix and Eevee...