Giovanni's face darkened. Since taking the helm of Team Rocket, no one other than the masked man had dared to show him such disrespect.
"I hope you make a wise choice," Giovanni said sternly. "You're in Kanto now, in my own city, Vermilion. You won't leave without answering me!"
"Threatening me?" Carl found it amusing. With Cosmog by his side, he feared nothing.
"Just stating facts," Giovanni lowered his voice. "This answer is crucial to me. If you remain silent, I can't guarantee I won't take action. As for any diplomatic fallout, that's Kanto League's problem."
Professor Oak was furious. "Giovanni, you're too arrogant!"
Ethan Cross didn't back down either. "Giovanni, I may be old, but I'm not one to be bullied."
Lance quickly added, "Want to harm Carl? You'll have to get through me first." Lorelei and others also stood with determination.
Giovanni sneered. "What if I announce an attack on New Island right now? Will you stop us or protect Carl? How will you split your forces?"
This question left the League in a dilemma. Send too many to intercept Team Rocket, and Carl would be in danger; too few, and the League would be at a disadvantage.
The atmosphere grew tense, even Serena furrowed her brows. Only Carl remained relaxed, smiling as if he were an observer. "Giovanni, your strategy is truly impressive."
Giovanni felt a twinge of unease from Carl's calm demeanor. Did this mysterious young man have a hidden ace?
Suddenly, Carl burst into laughter, puzzling everyone around him. How could he laugh in such a tense situation?
Giovanni demanded, "What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at how you've misunderstood my goodwill," Carl wiped a tear of laughter. "I admired you and kept certain things unsaid. But since you're pushing, don't blame me for being blunt."
Giovanni's alarm bells were ringing. He almost wanted to cut the connection immediately. "What are you implying?"
"It's simple," Carl said, his smile fading. "You have a son named Silver, who went missing as a child, right?"
The League members looked surprised. They had no idea Giovanni had a son. Giovanni's face darkened further. "Are you threatening me?"
"You can't guess?" Carl gave a knowing smile.
"Stop beating around the bush."
Carl's smile vanished. "You know deep down, the masked man has your son."
"He's the only legacy left by your wife, now in the hands of the masked man."
He hadn't intended to reveal this.
Silver later escaped the masked man's control, but Giovanni never knew the truth.
Carl had a grudging respect for this cunning man.
Perhaps it was a case of like recognizing like?
But since Giovanni was so aggressive, Carl saw no need for politeness.
Letting these adversaries clash would be quite satisfying.
"Don't believe me? I'll call some witnesses."
Seeing Giovanni's silence, Carl continued to prod.
He turned to Ethan and Sabrina. "You've been around the masked man; surely you've seen Silver?"
The two glanced at Giovanni's expression, too scared to speak, silently pleading with Carl to stop.
But Carl wouldn't relent.
"What, can't remember?"
Feigning surprise, he added, "When Silver escaped, Ethan, your Noctowl, Sabrina, your Espeon, and the masked man's minions tried to stop him, didn't they?"
Their faces turned pale.
They were shocked by Carl's detailed knowledge and terrified by Giovanni's murderous look.
Though they were just following orders, they already felt Giovanni's resentment.
"There's another witness."
Ignoring their terror, Carl turned to Professor Oak. "You rescued Blue, right?"
Professor Oak confirmed, "Yes, I did save Blue."
Carl explained, "Blue and Silver were captured by the masked man. They escaped together, and Blue was lucky enough to be saved by you, Professor. But Silver remains missing..."
"Enough!" Giovanni cut him off harshly.
"Just you wait!"
With that threat, Giovanni severed the connection.
Carl shrugged helplessly. "Strange man, he insisted on knowing."
Everyone was silent. Mentioning Giovanni's son's fate was like rubbing salt in a wound.
Ethan and Sabrina exchanged glances, secretly considering fully siding with the League. Team Rocket and the masked man seemed less trustworthy now.
Carl suddenly turned to Ethan Cross. "Chairman, I've helped you with the Rocket problem. Shouldn't the League reward me? Perhaps a rare Pokémon?"
Everyone watched Carl barter, amazed at how he shifted from a strategic negotiator to a cheeky trader.
It was clear to all that Carl had kept Silver's story under wraps out of respect for Giovanni, which wasn't advantageous to the League. If Giovanni hadn't insisted and threatened, things wouldn't have escalated.
In reality, Carl acted in his own interest, yet now he was seeking benefits from the League. The audacity!
"Not planning to back out, are you?" Carl chuckled at Ethan Cross's hesitation. "As officials, you should understand results matter more than intentions. Regardless of my motives, I've helped you strike a blow to Team Rocket, haven't I?"
His words rang true. Giovanni's reaction showed his fury at the masked man kidnapping his son. If the League spread this in Johto, the masked man would surely grow wary of Giovanni.
Once seeded, this distrust would be hard to resolve, even if Giovanni's mother returned. Team Rocket might not implode, but it would never be as cohesive as before.
While Kanto League was divided by Mt. Silver, it was essentially under one chairman, with shared champions among the Elite Four. This setup improved management efficiency, contrasting sharply with Team Rocket's fractured state.
With Lt. Surge apprehended, Koga, Blaine, and Sabrina switching sides, and Ethan and Sabrina captured, the League had the upper hand. Much of this turning point was thanks to Carl's contributions.
Chairman Ethan Cross formally bowed to Carl. "Your assistance to the Kanto region is evident. As chairman of both Leagues, I must express my gratitude."
Carl graciously accepted the thanks, knowing he deserved the recognition.
Since it was a thank-you, a gift was warranted. Ethan Cross stood tall, embodying the League's stature. "When you leave Kanto, we'll have a generous gift for you. As one of the world's major Leagues, we know how to show our appreciation."