I am Giovanni

Chapter 82: Leadership

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Inside Giovanni's room, Archer presented the box to Giovanni with both hands. "Boss, I apologize. I acted on my own initiative.."

Boss? Captain Ank, who was also in the room, thought to himself. What a grand title— but when he instinctively looked at Giovanni, he was suddenly startled.

That restrained yet mysterious aura, those indifferent eyes, those familiar crossed legs... at this moment, Giovanni seemed to overlap with Madame Boss. They were practically carved from the same mold.

No wonder Madame Boss pays so much attention to him... but could it be? He didn't dare to think any further.

Giovanni, unaware of the Captain's wild imagination, just looked down at Archer.

One could say Archer had acted on his own, but his intentions were good. He had waited outside the room to promptly admit his mistake, and he hadn't kept any of the supposed benefits for himself.

Giovanni was actually very satisfied. His subordinates should have their own ideas. If they relied entirely on him for everything, what use would they be?

"It was wrong of you to conceal this from me," Giovanni said slowly. "But since you took responsibility for your mistake, I won't blame you further. This is a one-time exception. Don't let it happen again."

"Yes! Thank you for your leniency, Boss!" Archer bowed heavily.

"As punishment," Giovanni said, glancing at the box, "I'll take this item from you."

"Yes," Archer replied, not daring to object.

"But," Giovanni continued, "as a reward for your consideration for me, I should bestow this item upon you. Merits and demerits cancel each other out."

Archer was stunned for a moment, then immediately replied, "Yes, Boss. There won't be a second time."

Captain Ank felt a bit awkward. Giovanni's move had turned the item he had given to Archer into an item Giovanni had given to Archer. It was a warning to him as well: as Giovanni's subordinate, he should not have other intentions. Even a bribe or goodwill from another could only be accepted with Giovanni's consent.

"Please forgive me as well," Ank stood up and bowed.

"It's fine," Giovanni waved his hand casually. "Everyone sit."

After Archer sat upright on the sofa, Ank immediately sat down as well. Though he hadn't fully become Giovanni's subordinate yet, he was now considered part of his faction. He had no other choice.

"Ank," Giovanni said, getting straight to the point. "You can keep an eye on Captain Price, right?"

"No problem," Ank replied. "I guarantee he won't escape my surveillance. If he makes a move against you, I'll eliminate him without hesitation." Although he said so, as a Gym Leader-level master himself, it was uncertain who would win in a fight against Price.

"Very good," Giovanni's tone was cold. "Then I'll see when he dares to make a move against me. If I'm given enough time, I'll personally pluck his bald head."

Ank naturally felt that Giovanni was exaggerating. After all, Price was a Gym Leader-level master. How long had Giovanni been a trainer?

Even with resources, his Pokémon were probably only at the advanced level. Their potential must have been ruined by the rapid growth.

Unlike Ank's distrust, Archer, who had served as Giovanni's sparring partner, knew his terrifying, rapidly improving strength... it was only a matter of time before they reached the Gym Leader level, or even higher.

After they both left, Giovanni's eyes flickered in the empty room. "Petrel... Price... it's getting more and more interesting. Ank... I hope you don't disappoint me."

— — —

The next day, to prove his worth, Ank sent two Squad Leaders to constantly attend to Giovanni. This time, they weren't like Yamaguchi, who only did superficial work; they were under direct orders. Archer brought them to the training ground.

"Boss, these two are Squad Leaders sent by Captain Ank. His exact words were that you can command them as you please."

Giovanni, who had just arrived at the training ground, saw the two Squad Leaders behind Archer. They were about his age, which made him somewhat interested.

One had long, slightly curly green hair, and the other had brown, pineapple-shaped hair. Seeing that they were both so young yet had achieved their rank, they must have some potential. They were likely subordinates Ank was focusing on cultivating.

However, precisely because they were young, when they saw Giovanni (who was their age), they were somewhat unconvinced. Why should we obey a kid? If we had his opportunity, we could definitely defeat him.

It was the unique arrogance of youth— but due to Ank's orders, no matter how unhappy they were, they had to endure it.

"Lord Giovanni, hello, my name is—"

"Alright," Giovanni raised his hand and interrupted them. Under their angry gazes, he said casually, "I don't need your self-introductions. I can see the unconvinced look in your eyes. Since that's the case... prove yourselves with strength."