I am Giovanni

Chapter 25: Introductory Lessons

Beyond the executives, Team Rocket's hierarchy included special individuals like the quartermaster Hera and unique researchers like Dr. Ryoki. Below them were various captains, team leaders, and official members like Archer.

At the very bottom were the reserve members—the recruits—which included Giovanni.

At this point in time, Team Rocket's overall strength was still far from its peak. One day, the requirement for an executive position would be Elite Four-level strength, but for now, even a trainer on the cusp of that level could rise through the ranks.

Once I take over, I will reorganize everything. Create new positions. Elite members, elite captains, senior executives... but that was a long way off. For now, he was just a recruit, barely able to protect himself. Team Rocket was still in its embryonic stage, a weapon waiting to be forged.

After Archer had explained the organization's structure, Giovanni asked, "If I want to obtain special resources, how would I go about it?"

Archer pondered for a moment. "Normal members like us can complete missions or exchange mission points. As for you, Boss... I'm not sure." He glanced at the Weedle at Giovanni's feet and seemed to understand. "I see your Weedle will evolve soon. Are you preparing for its evolution?"

He quickly pulled out a small, sealed box. "This box contains the poison sac of a veteran Arbok. It should greatly help improve your Weedle during evolution."

Giovanni gave the box a fleeting glance. "You prepared this for your own Arbok, didn't you? To help it break through to the next level of strength."

Archer nodded, then quickly shook his head. "Yes, but it's fine. As long as you can become stronger, Boss, then these small things will be nothing in the future."

Giovanni did urgently need resources, but that didn't mean he would take something his subordinate needed for his own advancement. Even without special items, he was confident he could lead Weedle to its peak.

"No," he said, his voice firm. "I do not take what my followers need to advance."

"Just think of it as a loan." Archer insisted. "You can pay me back later with interest when you become the successor of Team Rocket."

"No need." Giovanni repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument. Archer reluctantly put the box away.

Giovanni considered his options. There was one other potential source of resources, but he resisted the idea. It was a backup plan, a last resort. For now, he would find another way.

Though Giovanni refused the poison sac, Archer later returned with higher-quality Pokémon food and several rare berries, insisting that Giovanni take them. He was so insistent that Giovanni reluctantly accepted. The next day, he had Archer sell his previous, lower-quality food to recoup some of the cost.

With the new diet, Weedle's growth accelerated. Just four days later, it reached Level 6 and began to show the signs of impending evolution. Giovanni, however, forced it to suppress the urge. He insisted it wait until at least Level 10.

Today was battle class. The topic was type advantages.

"Type matchups are critical in battle," the instructor, a Team Rocket grunt, explained— pointing to a chart on the blackboard. "A type advantage will significantly increase the power of your moves. For example, Electric-type moves have no effect on Ground-type Pokémon. Fire is strong against Grass and Bug. Water is strong against Fire..."

Unlike the cultural lessons, the recruits were all wide-awake for this.

"Besides the elemental types," the instructor continued, "there are also natural predator-prey relationships. Feline Pokémon are naturally dominant over rodent Pokémon. And avian Pokémon... are dominant over insect Pokémon."

Upon hearing this, many of the recruits with bird Pokémon perked up, glancing over at Giovanni. The instructor, sensing an opportunity for a demonstration, asked, "Who has an avian Pokémon? Let's do a battle experiment!"

Several hands shot up. He randomly picked one. "And who has a Bug-type Pokémon?"

Though many had Bug-types, all eyes immediately turned to Giovanni. With a sigh, he raised his hand.

"Excellent! You'll do," the instructor said.

A moment later, Giovanni and the other boy stood on opposite sides of a small battle mat. The boy was clearly intimidated by Giovanni's cold expression, but knowing that fighting was forbidden outside of sanctioned duels, and emboldened by the instructor's words, he found his confidence.

"Come out, Spearow!" he shouted, opening his Poké Ball— a Pokémon with a rough, brown plumage on its head and three brown tail feathers emerged, flapping its wings and letting out a cry.

Under everyone's gaze, Giovanni calmly raised his hand and released Weedle.

"Normally," the instructor began to lecture, "a Bug-type Pokémon will feel innate fear when facing an avian Pokémon. It's natural for them to flee without a fight.

A powerful trainer can overcome this, but for you recruits, it's a different story."

As he spoke, he glanced at the faces of the other recruits and noticed their confused expressions. He turned back to the battle... and was startled by what he saw.

Not only was Weedle not afraid of the Spearow, but its eyes were burning with hostile, predatory intent. Conversely, it was the Spearow that seemed agitated, shuffling nervously under Weedle's intense gaze.

"Uh... this must be because they're still young," the instructor stammered awkwardly. "Once a real battle begins, their natural instincts will take over. You may begin!"

The moment he finished speaking, Giovanni gave a single command. "Poison Sting."

Weedle instantly unleashed a furious barrage of needles. The startled Spearow flapped clumsily, trying to dodge, but was struck head-on.

What the instructor and the other recruits didn't know was that for the past two weeks, in Giovanni's room, there had been a large, bird-shaped pillow that he had modified.

And that pillow was now bristling with countless, densely packed poison needles.