Pokemon: I am Gary

After leaving Kamex Island, Gary resumed his journey home.

Compared to the speed at which he left home, the return trip was much smoother.

He boarded a ferry directly from Cinnabar Island to the dock in Viridian City.

Dressed in a black suit and a black trench coat, holding Togepi, Gary calmly walked down the deck.

"Viridian City... I'm back." Adjusting his top hat, he struck a pose reminiscent of a mob boss, surveying his surroundings.

Slap! A familiar figure approached and patted Gary on the shoulder. "Hahaha~ Young master! Surprise! I'm here to pick you up!"

Hearing Archer's laugh, Gary's mouth twitched. This wasn't the vibe he was going for.

He had dressed like an Italian mobster, only for Archer to make it sound like they were in Northeast China…

"Forget it; I can't be bothered to criticize you. Weren't you supposed to pick me up? Where's your car?" Gary asked curiously.

"What do you need a bike for? It's just a short walk in the city!" Archer shrugged. "After all, Boss Giovanni said we need to save on organizational expenses…"

"Good grief…" Gary was at a loss for words. Boss Giovanni really did ride a bike to the bar—saving where he could, spending where he had to…

With several billion invested in Pokémon research projects, he wouldn't bat an eye but would question if a few bucks for fruit were worth it…

You're truly something else…

Reluctantly following Archer, they soon arrived at the grand entrance of the Viridian Gym.

Gary pointed at the lavishly decorated door. "With this level of decoration, you didn't even send a car for me? Are you trying to mess with me?"

"Ahem~ The marble at this entrance was personally cut by me; you wouldn't understand… It's all tears if I say more," Archer said with a rueful smile.

"Open up!" Striding confidently to the entrance, Archer instantly took on the demeanor of a mob boss.

Click! Two guards dressed like Spartan warriors slammed their axes down on the ground as the large doors slowly opened.

"Please enter, young master~" Archer performed an exaggerated bow that left Gary speechless.

How do you switch seamlessly between being a boss and a lackey?

Following Archer through the dim corridor, they took an elevator directly to the third-floor office.

Gary pushed open the door. "Boss Giovanni! I'm here for a visit!"

The secretary, Matori, looked up sharply. Who dared to call Boss Giovanni like that?!

"Oh~ You're here!" Boss Giovanni smiled slightly from his chair while petting his cat.

Matori was stunned; what?! Boss Giovanni smiled! What was going on? Could this be his illegitimate child?

"Boss, I've brought the young master; I'll get back to work now," Archer waved from the doorway.

"Mm, go ahead," Giovanni nodded, and Archer turned and left.

"Um, boss~" Matori tentatively asked.

"You can leave too," Giovanni stated firmly.

"Yes!" Matori bowed her head and quickly exited.

"Wait! Notify the Pokémon warehouse; I might need to pick some gifts soon and have them prepared," Giovanni instructed after thinking for a moment.

"Understood." Matori nodded obediently and closed the office door respectfully.

Gary made himself comfortable on the guest sofa and swayed his head. "Uncle, what made you decide to invite me here?"

"Hmph~ I figured you'd come by sooner or later," Giovanni smirked as he tossed out a box.

Slap! Gary caught it and opened it casually.

Inside lay a green badge quietly resting.

"Wow~ What did I say?" Gary joked with a smile.

"It's just a small token," Giovanni waved his hand dismissively. "Since I've entrusted that item to you, it's only a matter of time before you surpass me. Consider this badge as a favor."

More curious than anything else, he added, "Should I call you Green or Gary Oak?"

Feeling a chill run down his spine under Giovanni's scrutinizing gaze, Gary maintained his calm smile. "Names are just codes; I can be both Gary Oak and Green."

"You're an interesting kid," Giovanni chuckled more openly now.

"By the way, Uncle, since I'm here anyway, how about battling me?" Gary asked eagerly.

"What? You've only trained for a few days and already want to challenge me?" Giovanni shot him a condescending look. "You still have quite some distance to go."

"Oh come on! It would be such a waste not to battle with a legendary trainer like you right in front of me," Gary scratched his head sheepishly.

For some reason, he thought he saw kindness in Giovanni's eyes…

"The legendary trainer has become part of history." Giovanni sighed. "Recently, actions from the league have been increasing; I fear soon we won't be able to hold onto Viridian Gym anymore. And with that, my legacy will fade…"

Gary shrugged. "But Uncle, you don't rely on Viridian Gym to make ends meet—why worry so much?"

"Hahaha~ You're right!" Giovanni's eyes sharpened. "Team Rocket is my foundation. Green—would you like to join Team Rocket?"

Gary raised an eyebrow; what was happening? Was Uncle Giovanni seriously considering passing Team Rocket onto him?

"Uh… not really interested." Gary grimaced. "I can't accept Pokémon poaching as part of my bottom line."

"How much money can poaching earn?" Giovanni tilted his head dismissively. "That kind of lowly act hasn't been done by Team Rocket in years. Aside from some pests here and there, all our current activities are basically legitimate."

"You mean skirting around league laws?" Gary chuckled lightly.

"It's all about making reasonable use of regulations." Giovanni neither confirmed nor denied it—

"In fact, if one wants to control the world reasonably and legally without resorting to violence methods—like Macrocosmos in Galar, they've managed to earn both money and reputation," Gary raised an eyebrow and remarked.

"Is that so? That sounds interesting." Giovanni replied seriously. "The underworld isn't a long-term solution; over these years, I've been trying to clean up Team Rocket's image. However, some old-timers who joined from the beginning are set in their ways—it's not easy changing them."

"If rotten flesh isn't cut away, rebirth is impossible." Gary sighed. "This requires boldness and decisive leadership."

Giovanni's eyes sparkled with interest. "If I were to accept your advice—would you consider joining Team Rocket?"

Gary was speechless. "Uncle, don't tell me there's no one else at home who can inherit your throne? It feels like you're trying to trick me into taking over!"

Giovanni gazed deeply at Gary. "Yes—my career would lose its meaning without someone to carry it on after me. The Viridian Forest chose you; perhaps it is fate…"

"Tsk tsk—are you sure your son doesn't mind?" Gary couldn't help but smirk.

"That child… will never forgive me." Giovanni lowered his gaze into silence.

…

At Silver Mountain International Police Headquarters, a red-haired young police officer was arguing with a middle-aged officer at the table.

"Why can't I go?! I've bled for this police department! I've done great service for the league!"

The middle-aged officer known as Handsome looked sternly at the young man before him. "Officer Ginji, please understand your position! Let me ask you: if we raid Viridian Gym and encounter that person—can you arrest him yourself?"

The red-haired Ginji paused before gripping his badge tightly. "I will arrest him myself… I will definitely handcuff him!"

Handsome's gaze deepened as he finally nodded. "Be ready; we'll depart with the riot police unit at any time."

"Yes!" The young officer stood straight and saluted.