Viridian City.
Riding on Flygon's back, Cain flew straight past Celadon City and the surrounding forests, successfully arriving in Viridian City.
The last time he had come, it was because Sabrina had dragged him along. This was only Cain's second time setting foot in Viridian City.
To be honest, even in his previous life, after so many years as a Team Rocket member, he had rarely come here. While it wasn't the team's largest base, it was undoubtedly the most important.
Because Team Rocket's leader, Giovanni, was based here.
And at the same time, he was also the Viridian City Gym Leader.
Viridian City was Team Rocket's central headquarters, but that didn't negatively impact its residents.
In fact, thanks to Giovanni's presence, no other underground organization dared set foot here. Life in this city was more peaceful and comfortable than in many others.
It couldn't be denied: it was a silent mockery from Team Rocket toward the Pokémon League.
In places controlled by Team Rocket, people lived better.
In contrast, the League's indecisiveness had allowed minor organizations to sprout, while Team Rocket's firm, direct actions inspired fear—and order.
After leaving Saffron City, Cain concealed his identity. Once he entered the forest near Celadon, he returned to his original appearance.
Black hair, black eyes. Pretty common in the Pokémon world.
In this world, people had hair and eye colors of every hue imaginable—Cain didn't even bother complaining anymore.
Over the years, his features had grown sharper. After so much time wearing an artificial skin mask, his real skin was very pale, with rosy lips and perfectly aligned teeth. He looked like a handsome neighborhood boy. It wasn't unusual for some girls to give him a second glance as he passed.
Without Slowking at his side, several girls glanced at him discreetly as he walked down the street. And when Cain met their eyes, they blushed and hurried away.
Cain touched his chin and gave a cold smile: "Looks like Steven isn't the only one with good looks. I'm not too bad myself, huh?"
A smile tinged with self-mockery.
After all, for someone like him, physical attractiveness was practically useless.
In this world, being handsome was no guarantee of survival.
Finally, he arrived in front of the Viridian Gym. Two people stepped in front to block his path.
Cain slightly opened his coat, revealing the Team Rocket uniform underneath, along with an Officer badge.
The guards immediately straightened up and gave a slight bow as a sign of respect.
Now standing around 1.77 or 1.78 meters tall, those who didn't know him wouldn't mistake him for a mere kid.
They were in a public space, so that slight bow was the most respectful gesture possible.
Once inside the gym, a group of Team Rocket members—already alerted—came to greet him.
Upon seeing their uniforms, Cain took off his coat, fully revealing his black uniform and the Officer insignia on his chest.
He stored the coat in his spatial storage and walked confidently toward the interior.
The Viridian Gym belonged to Team Rocket. Seeing Team Rocket members inside on a non-match day was completely normal.
He headed directly to a secret underground passage, which led to Team Rocket's hidden base beneath Viridian City.
Accompanied by two Captains, Cain reached a large door.
It was likely Giovanni's office.
Knock knock.
"Come in," responded a calm voice from inside.
The Captains respectfully opened the door, letting Cain walk in.
Inside, he saw Giovanni's iconic desk, covered in piles of documents. Beside it lay a Persian, lazily resting. It only lifted its head to glance at Cain for a moment when he entered.
Cain knew this Persian wasn't weak—and didn't underestimate it.
"Leader!" Cain greeted respectfully, kneeling on one knee.
Giovanni continued reading his documents without looking up. He simply said in a firm tone: "Cain? Get up. From now on, you don't need to greet me like that. Sit down and finish reading this report."
"Yes." Cain stood and nodded, then calmly sat on a nearby sofa.
Giovanni wasn't the type to play games. If he asked you to do something, he meant it.
In short: Giovanni was a pragmatic man.
As long as you followed his orders, even if you crossed certain lines, he wouldn't care.
Just like Sabrina. Giovanni valued her psychic power. Even though he knew her personality was unpredictable, he never reprimanded her.
From the sofa, Cain waited silently, taking the opportunity to activate his system and scan the surroundings—including the Persian.
Pokémon: Persian (Light Purple)
Gender: Male
Level: 80
Type: Normal
Ability: Technician
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Charm, Amnesia, Odor Sleuth, Last Resort
Basic Moves: Swift, Play Rough, Switcheroo, Scratch, Growl, Bite, Fake Out, Fury Swipes, Screech, Feint Attack, Taunt, Power Gem, Slash, Nasty Plot, Assurance, Captivate, Night Slash, Feint
Learned Moves: Iron Tail, Seed Bomb, Hyper Voice, Icy Wind, Snatch, Throat Chop, Water Pulse, Knock Off, Snore, Gunk Shot
TM Moves: Toxic, Hyper Beam, Protect, Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball, Double Team, Aerial Ace, Embargo, Shadow Claw, Payback, Dream Eater, Substitute, Dark Pulse
Persian, sensing Cain's gaze, half-opened an eye and looked at him for a moment. Confirming there was no threat, it closed its eyes again.
After reading this data, Cain fell silent.
He could only say one thing: "No wonder he's the leader of Team Rocket..."
That Persian clearly wasn't Giovanni's main battle Pokémon. It was probably a mix between pet and bodyguard. And yet, he had trained it to that level.
Especially with that never-ending list of moves... it gave Cain chills.
Level 80. Right at the entry point to Champion level.
Now Cain was also extremely curious about Giovanni's Beedrill... and his other main Pokémon.
(End of chapter)