Upon hearing Cain's question, Giovanni burst into laughter.
Cain was always able to catch the hidden meanings behind his words, which made Giovanni appreciate him even more.
Sometimes, having a subordinate with a sharp mind who can understand what one means makes a leader's job much easier.
"You did well on your last mission. I've already transferred all the points to your identification card," Giovanni said.
Upon hearing this, Cain felt a slight sense of joy. If Giovanni brought up that particular assignment, it meant he was satisfied with the results.
Obtaining the DNA of the three legendary birds was the main objective, but he also practically wiped out the entire Nishikawa family—a devastating blow for a family of that size.
"Thank you, boss," Cain replied respectfully.
"This time, I also called you because there's a mission I want you to carry out," said Giovanni as he slowly rose from his executive chair, hands behind his back, walking over to the window. From there, he could observe the Team Rocket staff coming and going below.
Cain followed him to the window.
From that angle, one had the feeling of ruling the entire world.
"I am ready to serve," said Cain, without asking what the mission was. He simply accepted.
If Giovanni had called him personally, it was because it was a carefully planned task.
"Aren't you curious what it's about?" Giovanni asked with a smile, seemingly pleased with his attitude.
Cain briefly met Giovanni's gaze; it was the first time he dared to hold his eyes.
With just that glance, Cain felt an enormous pressure.
There was a reason Giovanni was who he was.
"Yes, I'm curious," Cain replied sincerely.
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" Giovanni burst into laughter at that.
While laughing, he patted Cain's shoulder.
"I like that about you. I've always been good at judging people. I can see that your ambition isn't small... in fact, it's enormous. But what I like most is how well you hide it. Maybe even you aren't aware of how big your ambition truly is—but I can see it."
"In this world of Pokémon, full of wonders and chaos... how could a man lack ambition?"
"Without ambition, you'll never become strong!"
"You're just like I was in the past..."
Cain was surprised to hear those words.
He didn't know what to say or how to respond.
One should never underestimate people like Giovanni—a true genius among thousands! His ability to read others was astonishing.
Cain thought he had hidden his intentions well, but he couldn't escape Giovanni's insight.
"I don't mind if my subordinates have ambition—on the contrary. I think the most valuable ones are precisely those who do. Not just you; I see it in Umbra and Tenebris too. And that's why they've come this far!"
Giovanni spoke with confidence, a smile on his face, as if he had discovered a treasure in Cain.
Probably only Giovanni could possess that kind of character and confidence.
In his mind, as long as his strength was absolute, no one would dare betray him.
For many, that would be blind arrogance. But for Team Rocket members—especially Cain—that was the essence of Giovanni's leadership.
A man like that had only two possible fates: die tragically or accomplish a great feat.
Cain acknowledged his own ambition, although his was limited to himself: he wanted to be someone that nothing and no one could limit in the Pokémon world.
Compared to Giovanni's, his ambition seemed insignificant.
But Giovanni valued subordinates like Cain highly, because he saw in them immense potential for growth.
Cain lowered his head and said nothing, and Giovanni didn't press the topic further.
His words had only one purpose: to let Cain know that as long as he proved his worth, even if his goal was to become the new leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni wouldn't oppose it.
That was what completely set him apart from the Nishikawa family.
"All right, let's go. I want to show you something," said Giovanni, returning to his desk and pressing a hidden button.
Behind the desk, the bookshelf began to move.
Clack clack clack...!
The sound of interlocking gears echoed as the bookshelf opened to the sides, revealing a secret passage.
Persian, Giovanni's Pokémon, approached to accompany him.
Cain didn't hesitate and followed them into the passage.
Once inside, the bookshelf slowly closed behind them.
Cain walked just behind Giovanni, observing the Pokémon at his side.
With the level of training that Persian had, it could probably go head-to-head with Drake's Salamence.
Maybe it wouldn't win, but that said a lot about Giovanni's strength.
Besides, this Pokémon wasn't even his main battler. It was more like a pet.
The title "Giovanni the Lord of the Earth" was not undeserved.
The passageway was brightly lit, with walls made of reinforced metal.
It wasn't very long. They walked for only a minute before reaching the end.
Upon exiting...
They came upon a gigantic laboratory, the largest Cain had ever seen.
Inside, a large number of scientists in white coats and masks worked diligently.
They didn't even flinch at Giovanni's arrival.
They were completely immersed in their tasks.
This lab surpassed even Professor Oak's, Professor Birch's, or the Hoenn League headquarters.
"This place... is this the lab where they research the Mew gene?" asked Cain, impressed.
"That's right!" Giovanni replied with a smile.
Research on the Mew gene had been progressing quite well recently.
"Here, we've gathered all the Pokémon-specialized doctors from Team Rocket. Every machine you see is the most advanced in the world today," Giovanni said proudly.
No one came over to speak with them.
But that didn't seem to bother Giovanni. In fact, he looked pleased.
After walking a bit, someone finally approached them.
It was a bald, thin man in a white coat and mask. He stopped in front of Giovanni.
(End of chapter)