I am Giovanni

Chapter 109: Nowhere to Run

Bubbles floated up from the bottom of the sea.

Jubei's eyes were filled with triumph. Three Sharpedo were by his side, their crimson eyes fixed on the sinking Golden Beauty. As long as someone emerged, they would be taken down by his hungry sharks. Feeling the ship break apart, his smile became twisted.

As the captain of the Golden Beauty, Matisse knew its condition best. For a small ship like this, sailing in a sea full of Pokémon was always a gamble. Now, it was even worse. His heart was filled with immense sorrow for this family member who had accompanied him for so many years.

"The Golden Beauty can't hold on any longer," he said, turning his head bitterly to Surge, who still hadn't given up hope.

Like their captain, Surge and the other boys also had deep feelings for the ship. Their eyes were wide and already filled with tears. For them, the Golden Beauty was family— a haven that had taken in homeless youths like them. Now, everything was ruined.

"Captain, is it all our fault?" Surge cried, his voice choked. "If we hadn't brought those three pirates onto the ship, the Golden Beauty wouldn't have gotten into trouble."

"It's not your fault," Matisse replied, his heart also filled with sorrow. "Even if they hadn't boarded the ship, we still would have encountered them. It was unavoidable."

"But..."

"Even if it's to return to the sea," Matisse said, stroking the deck, "I don't think the Golden Beauty will blame you. It just wants you to be well, to continue living well on this vast ocean." These words were not only spoken on behalf of the ship, but were also his true feelings.

"Captain!" Surge and the other youths were already in tears.

Archer and Mars, beside them, were not as sentimental. They simply looked at Giovanni, awaiting his command. Death was not important to them, but if it could ensure their leader's safe departure, that would be for the best.

Giovanni recalled his Persian and Machoke. His dark eyes looked into the distance, where the seawater was constantly churning. "They're here," he murmured.

With a mournful groan, the Golden Beauty completely broke apart, scattering into the sea.

Buzz!

Beedrill vibrated its wings, carrying Giovanni in mid-air. Below, Archer and the others had fallen into the sea. The Water-type Pokémon they had captured earlier now came in handy, not only rescuing them but also lifting Surge and the other youths.

However, they were not truly safe.

Beneath one of the youths, crimson blood floated up, and a terrifying shadow was gradually approaching. The Water-type Pokémon supporting the boy shook frantically, struggling to escape, and even shook the small youth aside— a Sharpedo, covered in wounds, suddenly leaped out from under the sea.

Its huge, grotesque teeth were bone-white, and with one Bite, it snapped the unlucky Water-type Pokémon in two. It chewed a couple of times and then swallowed. The blood made it even more ferocious. It looked at the terrified youth and quickly swam over.

"Oh no! Caesar!" Matisse immediately shouted. "Poliwhirl, quick, save him!"

"Caesar!" Surge and the others also cried out. The Poliwhirl swam as fast as it could, but it couldn't outpace the Sharpedo.

"Ah!"

With a scream, Caesar was fiercely bitten by the Sharpedo and dragged into the sea, drowned by the choking water— a pool of blood spread across the surface, sending a chill down Matisse and Surge's spines.

Matisse swam frantically towards the remaining youths, his Poliwhirl right behind him. The other two shark fins had already appeared on the surface and were rapidly swimming towards them.

Giovanni glanced at Surge and the others, but ultimately focused his gaze on Archer. "Pin Missile," he instructed his Beedrill.

A Sharpedo had just leaped out of the water, ready to swallow Mars and the Pokémon carrying him. Beedrill reacted in time, and needles imbued with immense energy shot down, striking the Sharpedo the moment it leaped.

Boom! Boom!

A series of explosions rang out. The Sharpedo was blasted away, slamming hard onto the water's surface. Beedrill's full-power Pin Missile, though it didn't kill it, instantly stunned it, making it unable to recover. It had not only saved Archer and Mars but had also eliminated an opponent.

However, Matisse and the others on the other side were not so lucky. Another Sharpedo leaped up and, under their horrified gazes, bit two youths and a Water-type Pokémon, dragging them all underwater.

"Iggy!" Matisse and Lt. Surge could only shout. Fortunately, by this time, he had already reached the two remaining terrified youths. He and his Poliwhirl cautiously watched their surroundings, not daring to relax for even a moment.

In the water below, Jubei, who dared not surface, glared venomously at Giovanni. Damned brat! I want to see how much strength you have left! I want you to watch them get taken down one by one! He gestured to the only two remaining Sharpedo.

Matisse felt the movement underwater and his heart sank. He looked with a pale face at the indifferent Giovanni above, and at Archer and the others who were just trying not to hold him back, and gave a bitter smile.

He squeezed Surge's shoulder hard and smiled gently at him. "You must survive and take good care of them for me." Then he mouthed a silent message to his Poliwhirl. I'm sorry, old friend. I dragged you into this. The Poliwhirl shook its head, its eyes still resolute.

Before Lt. Surge and the others could react, Matisse suddenly pushed them away. A Sharpedo came from below, bit him, and dragged him forcibly into the sea. He had no time to escape. Or rather, he chose to die.

His Poliwhirl plunged into the water with determined eyes, meeting the other shark.

Blood gurgled up from below. What floated to the surface was only a severed left arm.

"CAPTAIN!" Lt. Surge and the remaining youth let out a desperate cry.