https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-166-Giovanni-He-Knows-Rocket-Better-Than-I-Do/12830750/
Chapter 164: A Gentle Uncle
Chapter 164: A Gentle Uncle
Kanto, Vermilion City Gym.
Staring at the massive structure built of white bricks and red wood, Jing He took a deep breath.
Stepping on the white stairs, he crossed the plaza and approached the gym's entrance.
Bang!
Before he could knock, the gym doors slowly opened, and a girl with a melon-head hairstyle, Janine, peeked out.
"Teacher Jing He, you're here."
Seeing Jing He, Janine smiled and stepped aside to let him in.
As if he had a choice, Jing He thought sarcastically to himself.
It was mainly because Red had forcibly assigned him a "mission," leaving him no room to refuse.
To get to Pallet Town, Vermilion City was a necessary stop unless he flew directly there.
However, what Jing He didn't expect was that Giovanni, after sending Janine, Archer, and the Rocket Trio to meet him, would personally see him as well.
This made him a bit nervous.
He wasn't worried about Giovanni harming him. Given Giovanni's character, it was more likely that he would value talent.
In the Special Edition, Giovanni had disguised himself as a fossil collector to interact with Red but never laid a hand on him. When they finally faced off, Giovanni first tried to recruit Red.
Even after losing to Red, Giovanni provided help and support when Red faced Lance.
So, rather than worrying about his own safety, Jing He was more concerned about what to do if Giovanni "outed" himself.
What if he revealed his identity as the leader of Team Rocket? How would Jing He react?
But on the surface, Jing He maintained a calm demeanor and smiled, saying, "After all, it's the boss who invited me."
He followed Janine into the gym.
From a nearby bush, Butch, holding a pair of binoculars, called out, "Hey! Did you see that?"
"What are you talking about?" James said, exasperated, "You're the only one with the binoculars, Butch."
"Exactly, nya."
Meowth couldn't do anything about it. Despite being the one who made the binoculars, he had to give them to Butch due to her "persuasion."
"That handsome guy from Viridian City who bought five ice creams with his Mini Dragon is the executive 'Advisor'!"
James's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder he warned us about the League Police back then. He's an executive!"
"Executives are good people, nya."
"Janine is really afraid of him," Butch noted, as if she had grasped the key point.
Clang, clang, clang—
As Jing He and Janine entered the gym, the fluorescent lights flickered on one by one, illuminating the previously dim space.
Before Jing He stood a massive battle arena.
On the other side of the arena was a middle-aged man with a kind smile, dressed in a black suit with his hands in his pockets, exuding a certain charm.
Clearly, this was none other than the current leader of the Vermilion City Gym and the head of Team Rocket, Giovanni!
However, Giovanni's current appearance seemed a bit disheveled to Jing He.
He was squatting on the ground, feeding cats!
In his hand were a few cat treats, and around him were a Persian and several Meowth. One of the Meowth had even climbed onto Giovanni's arm to get a treat.
This scene instantly relaxed Jing He, who had been feeling a bit tense.
Case solved!
Guys who like to take care of cats usually have good personalities.
The reason Meowth from the Rocket Trio was treated so well must be because Giovanni had once taken care of him.
Otherwise, how could a combination of an executive's child and a wealthy heir include a "normal" Meowth?
Giovanni's attire also put Jing He at ease.
Although he was wearing a black suit, there was no "R" symbol on his chest, representing Team Rocket.
This at least indicated that Giovanni wasn't planning to reveal his identity just yet.
So Jing He had nothing to worry about.
As long as Giovanni didn't reveal himself, Jing He would pretend to be unaware.
He would just treat him like an ordinary gym leader.
"Cough." Janine cleared her throat and stepped forward. "Mr. Giovanni, Teacher Jing He has arrived."
Giovanni looked up and smiled warmly at Jing He. "I apologize for the scene, Teacher Jing He."
Jing He shook his head, smiling. "I didn't expect Mr. Giovanni to be such a gentle person."
"Really?" Giovanni finished feeding the treats to the cats, patted Persian's head, and gestured for the Meowth to leave. He then stood up slowly and continued, "Then, how do you see me, Teacher Jing He?"
After asking, Giovanni looked at Jing He with interest, waiting for his answer.
What kind of person was Giovanni?
Jing He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
After a moment, he said, "Powerful, confident."
Giovanni and Janine both smiled.
These two traits were undeniable.
"Ambitious, responsible," Jing He continued.
Janine still found this reasonable.
Team Rocket's grand goal was to replace the current League, and as its leader, Giovanni naturally had ambition and a sense of responsibility towards all executives and members.
Of course, he also had a sense of responsibility towards Pokemon.
But Giovanni's eyes narrowed slightly, his smile unchanged.
He sensed that there was more to Jing He's words.
Until Jing He said the next word.
"Family-oriented, or rather, someone who values family."
Huh?
Zhen Niao was taken aback.
The Gu family? Family ties?
And Giovanni’s eyes also flashed with surprise, followed by a sudden realization.
He remembered the first time he contacted Jing He, and the question the other party had asked him.
"Most of the time, very rational."
Wait a minute.
What does "most of the time" mean? Isn't the boss always rational?
Zhen Niao found herself starting to lose track of the conversation.
She couldn’t help but look at Giovanni.
But Giovanni’s smile remained, though his eyes grew deeper as he asked:
"What about the minority of the time?"
Jing He shrugged.
"Obviously, emotional."
Considering Giovanni’s use of the entire Team Rocket as a tool to find his son, how could that not be emotional? When Giovanni and Silver were in danger, Giovanni immediately supported Silver, pulling him out of the flames without a second thought.
That single action was enough to make Giovanni a real man and a great father!
Zhen Niao looked at Giovanni, then at Jing He, her face full of confusion.
What are you two talking about?
Am I just in the way here?
"Is there anything else?" Giovanni asked again.
Jing He smiled.
"Has the demeanor of a master."
This sounded like flattery, but Giovanni truly was such a person.
Giovanni’s strength was unfathomable, and he had a broad heart, sharing his life’s experiences in books for future generations.
His work, "The Secrets of the Earth," had greatly benefited Green.
"Is this the psychological profile you made of me, Jing He?"
Jing He nodded frankly.
"But after today, there’s one more addition."
"Hmm?"
"You’re a kind uncle."
Giovanni laughed.
He laughed heartily.
For some reason, he felt that this handsome young man understood him, deeply.
"So, Jing He, would you like to battle this ‘kind uncle’?"
Hmm?
Jing He shook his head decisively.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
Battle Giovanni?
Giovanni of the Earth!
"Relax, it’s just a normal Gym battle. They say battling is one of the best ways for trainers and Pokemon to communicate."
Giovanni took a Poke Ball from his pocket and tossed it in his hand.
"I think battling is also the best way for trainers to communicate with each other."
Gengar poked its head out from Jing He’s shadow, tongue lolling.
"Geng?"
Uncle, is there any benefit?
Jing He pressed Gengar’s head, trying to push it back.
Bro, you’re asking about benefits before you even know who you’re up against?
Giovanni laughed heartily.
"Of course."
He looked at Jing He again.
"Looks like your Pokemon is a bit impatient."
Jing He facepalmed.
I’m trying to protect you, but you’ll regret it later.
"Your Pokemon is a reflection of your personality. You must be eager to battle as well, Jing He."
Nonsense!
What does "reckless outlaw" have to do with me? I just love money!
But it was hard to refuse after all this.
Jing He pursed his lips.
He stopped pressing Gengar’s head.
The purple, chubby Pokemon excitedly landed beside him, eyeing Giovanni.
You really want to battle Giovanni that badly?
"Kind uncle" was just a casual comment, don’t take it seriously. Where’s your usual slyness?
"Alright."
After much thought, Jing He sighed.
"Doesn’t matter if I win or lose, right?"
"Of course, it’s just a normal Gym battle," Giovanni nodded slightly.
"Fine."
Jing He patted Gengar’s head, instructing, "If you can’t win, just forfeit. Don’t get hurt."
Feeling the deep connection between trainer and Pokemon, Giovanni, who possessed the "Saffron Power," smiled warmly.
You say I’m kind, but aren’t you kind too?
Let’s see the strength of the "strategist" then.
Inside the brightly lit Gym.
Giovanni and Jing He stood on opposite sides, while Zhen Niao, though she had disconnected during their conversation, now took on the role of referee.
'Witnessing the first battle between Boss Giovanni and Teacher Jing He, I’m getting excited just thinking about it!'
A little voice inside Zhen Niao was screaming.
"2V2 standard battle mode, Gym challenge. The battle ends when one side’s two Pokemon lose their ability to fight—"
As long as it’s not an unlimited battle.
Giovanni and Red’s read-the-clock "game" was something Jing He couldn’t handle.
"Both sides, prepare."
Zhen Niao called out.
Jing He and Giovanni each held a Poke Ball in their hands.
"Begin the battle!"
They threw their Poke Balls simultaneously.
Bang!!
A robust Rhinoceros appeared in front of Giovanni!
It was clear that Giovanni didn’t intend to bully Jing He with his strength.
This Rhinoceros was definitely not one of his main or secondary team Pokemon.
Otherwise, the battle wouldn’t even need to start.
"Ooooh~~"
In front of Jing He, a Fox with six tails spread out, its eyes serious, appeared.
This Rhinoceros is so strong!
I need to be extremely cautious.
Decided, I can’t hold back this time!
Giovanni vs. Jing He.
Let’s begin! ——
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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