Chapter 13: Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command! [13]
"Maxie and Archie, those two... heh."
Giovanni's eyes gleamed with faint amusement.
He didn't elaborate, but his scorn for the leaders of Team Magma and Team Aqua was clear. And he had reason to feel that way. Team Rocket controlled Kanto, Sevii Islands, and Johto, with its influence spreading even further. This level of dominance was worlds apart from the disorder of Magma and Aqua, who couldn't even unify Hoenn.
As for the battle over whether land or sea was more powerful, Giovanni saw it as little more than two children squabbling over a sandbox.
"Let Magma and Aqua tear each other apart. Once they're done, we'll step in and pick up the pieces," Giovanni said calmly.
Luo Yuan nodded. Team Rocket's foothold in Hoenn was hard-won, constantly navigating pressures from both legitimate and underground forces. But with Magma and Aqua tearing at each other, this rivalry had handed him a golden opportunity to swoop in as a third party. And wasn't it much more enjoyable to let others do the heavy lifting?
"There's one more thing," Giovanni continued. "There have been reports of an unidentified Pokémon on the Sevii Islands. Initially, I intended to investigate personally, but Mewtwo's creation is now in its final stages... so I don't have time to spare. If you're available, take a look in my place."
With that, Giovanni slid a few photographs and a floppy disk across his desk.
"The disk contains the Pokémon's aura signature."
"What about The Beasts? Aren't they usually assigned to cover Sevii?" Luo Yuan picked up the photographs. Although the images were blurry and only vaguely showed a slender form in red and blue hues, he instantly had a hunch as to what it might be.
"Gozu, Chusa, and Mitsu are busy with Lorelei," Giovanni explained. "The timing isn't right to risk a confrontation with the League. You needn't hurry—this Pokémon seems to be lingering on the islands, almost as if something is holding its interest."