I am Giovanni

Chapter 87: Recruitment Drive

After a few days of rest, Machop and Nidorino both leveled up again, reaching level twenty-seven. During this time, Madame Boss sought out Giovanni once more. And now, finally, there was a new mission.

Archer walked into the training ground. "Boss," he said to Giovanni, who was single-handedly beating up Marauder and Rocco, "new mission, D-rank. Just as you guessed, we need to recruit ten new members. And we have plenty of time—three months."

Giovanni shook out his hand, his expression calm as he thought of his meeting with Madame Boss a few days prior.

— — —

"Mother, you called for me?" Giovanni had said respectfully.

Madame Boss gestured to the sofa nearby. Only after he sat down did she speak. "Captain Ank has shown you goodwill?"

She knew everything. Giovanni wasn't surprised. "Yes," he said, not hiding anything.

"He said Petrel and Captain Price couldn't tolerate him, so he sent me some resources. I accepted them all. As for what he's truly thinking... it has little impact on me right now."

Madame Boss pursed her lips and smiled. "You are quite cunning, unlike your previous brother, Arui, who was completely fooled by him. And your only remaining brother is controlled by Price."

"It's also because Ank was at his wit's end," Giovanni replied.

"Whether he's at his wit's end or not is irrelevant," she said, propping her chin on her hand. "You just need to be able to keep him in check. Do you have that confidence?"

"If you think I can do it," Giovanni said, his eyes filled with a strong confidence, "then I can."

Madame Boss chuckled twice. "Haha, you are truly bold. It's also that the resources I gave you weren't enough, which led to this situation."

"They were enough," Giovanni replied immediately. "Just right."

She looked at him deeply. "Actually, these three Captains, except for Matt, are all the same to me. There's no room for promotion. They'll be eliminated sooner or later. You should be very clear about this." On this point, she and Petrel shared the same view.

"Yes," Giovanni nodded.

"Instead of keeping them," she continued, "it's better to cultivate a few loyal confidants of your own. Of course, Ank still has some use to you for now. Just replace him at the appropriate time."

"I've noted it," Giovanni replied earnestly. She looked at him with great satisfaction. This was truly her good son.

"You should have guessed what I had you catch so many Pokémon for before, right?" she asked.

"I guessed some of it," he answered without hesitation. "To recruit new members, right?"

"That's right," she sighed. "This world isn't as beautiful as one imagines. It's full of deceit, cold class distinctions..."

"I understand," Giovanni continued for her. "If everything were so beautiful, how could our Team Rocket exist? And why would so many people join us?"

Her eyes flickered slightly. "You see things very clearly. Sometimes I feel like you shouldn't be a boy this age."

"However Mother sees me, that's what I am," he replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"I hope you can continue like this," she said faintly, "and bring a different Team Rocket to this world." Then she continued, "I will issue a series of missions to recruit new members.

At that time, you can personally select some subordinates you like who have potential, and cultivate them into confidants. I have already handled all of your identities, including your official Trainer registration.

Unless you are caught red-handed, your identity will remain spotless."

"Good," Giovanni responded.

"This is a skill a leader must have," she instructed. "A keen eye for talent. I will launch a new plan among them. Although no one will die this time, the winners will receive resources for improvement.

You need to work hard yourself, choose the right people, and compete with your brothers and their Captains. I will have the three Captains stay at the base, but you'll have to deal with their subordinates yourself."

"Yes, I've noted it."

"Go," she said, waving her hand. "Enjoy your current life, my son. Once you become a leader, you'll know how troublesome it is to maintain an organization."

"Yes, Mother," he said, bowing respectfully before taking his leave.

— — —

Time returned to the present.

Though Madame Boss had given him some insight, such matters certainly couldn't be hidden from the Captains. Seeing the bewildered expressions on the faces of Marauder and Rocco, it seemed Captain Ank had still kept something back. However, this didn't affect anything. For Giovanni, he was merely someone who could be used for now.

"Hmm," Giovanni said to Archer. "Since so many Pokémon were captured and not sold, they naturally had other uses. I merely guessed correctly."

"That's also because you're capable, Boss," Archer praised him. He then turned to the other two Squad Leaders. "There were quite a few Pokémon captured last time. You two should be getting notifications soon."

"We're not sure yet," Marauder said. "We'll go to the mission center to check now." He then looked at Giovanni. "Lord Giovanni?"

"Go on," Giovanni waved his hand. "Don't delay. Oh, and tell Ank to instruct his subordinates to keep a close eye on Captain Price's people."

"Yes," they nodded hastily and walked out.

"Boss," Archer asked, "aren't we going with them?"

"Not needed this time," Giovanni said, turning to walk outside. "More people would be worse. Where are Karl and the others?"

"They're waiting outside, ready to depart," Archer replied. "This mission has no restrictions; it seems we can recruit as many people as we can."

This should be the most suitable method, Giovanni thought.

As soon as he stepped out of the training ground, he saw a group of people standing not far away. Though they were all wearing casual clothes, he clearly saw that the one standing at the very front was Raven, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

The two stood facing each other. Though they didn't speak, a strong chill and endless killing intent passed between them.

This was brotherhood.