Chapter 10: The New Recruit
After a few more words from Miyamoto, she and Madame Boss departed, leaving the survivors in the hands of the grunts. The more than four hundred children were divided into teams and led away to have their information recorded in the Team Rocket archives.
At this stage, Team Rocket had not yet infiltrated the highest echelons of the Pokémon League, but hacking into the League's civil registry was a simple matter. If any of the remaining children had suspicious identities—if they were spies for the League or another rival faction—they would be immediately executed.
Giovanni scanned the faces around him but recognized no one. It wasn't his concern. His goal was easily said than done: to outwit everyone and one day be the sole leader of Team Rocket.
"Name, age, last known residence," a grunt asked from behind a desk, not bothering to look up.
Giovanni didn't hesitate. "Giovanni. Fourteen. The Fourth Orphanage in Viridian City. Currently no fixed address."
The grunt paused in his typing and looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Interesting. You share the same name with some people here."
"It's just a name, sir," Giovanni replied smoothly. "There are many people in the world. It's normal for some to share a name."
The grunt shrugged and nodded. "True. Please wait."
He typed on a clunky, outdated computer, and soon Giovanni's orphanage records appeared on the screen, complete with a childhood photo. Giovanni felt no resentment towards the place. Though they had kicked him out, they had kept him alive for years. Without them, he would have died long before Team Rocket ever found him.
After his photo was compared, Giovanni officially passed the data review. He was photographed, registered, and issued a brand-new ID card. He was now a member of Team Rocket, though full status would have to wait until he won the selection.
"Here's your ID," the grunt said, sliding the card across the desk. "Your number is on it. Head through that door. Someone will guide you."
Giovanni took the card and glanced at the photo and number. The photo was decent enough. "Number 9527... why does that sound familiar?" he muttered to himself.
There was no time to dwell on it. He headed for the door, but not before he heard a commotion behind him. One of the other recruits had been flagged. Whether he was a spy or just unlucky, it didn't matter. He was being dragged away. He wouldn't be seen again.
Giovanni didn't care. Outside the office, a Team Rocket Grunt with a purple mohawk was waiting for him. "You're number 9527?" he asked, his posture rigid and professional. "Follow me."
Giovanni was puzzled. The few children who had been processed before him were being led in a different direction. He was being treated differently. He also noticed they were all given a standard Poké Ball.
The grunt seemed to read his mind. "You're different from them," he explained. "You've already hatched your Pokémon and passed the second stage of the selection, correct?"
Giovanni nodded. "Yes."
"Then you have different needs," the grunt continued. "You need to collect food for your Pokémon. You'll also be quartered in a single room, just like our full-time members. No need to share a dorm with the others."
"I see," Giovanni said. "Thank you for your help, sir."
The grunt looked pleased but waved his hands dismissively. "None of that 'sir' business. I'm just an ordinary grunt."
With the grunt leading the way, Giovanni quickly arrived at the base's commissary. The person in charge of supplies was a stunning, voluptuous woman with fiery red hair. Her very presence seemed to command the room. Her status was clearly high; as even the grunt bowed his head respectfully as they approached.
"Lady Hera," he said.
Giovanni followed his lead and bowed his head as well.
Hera slowly turned, her large, captivating eyes sizing them up. "Yes? What is it?"
The grunt stepped forward. "This is one of the selection participants. He has already completed the second stage ahead of schedule. Per regulations, he is here to receive Pokémon food and other resources early."
This was the reward for early success. If any other children hatched their eggs within the fourteen-day period, they too would receive their resources early, giving them a significant head start.
In a competition this brutal, every advantage mattered. The aptitude of a Pokémon determined how quickly it grew, and while all Pokémon eventually hit a plateau, a stronger foundation meant a higher ceiling.
Weedle's potential wasn't good enough, but Giovanni knew it could be higher. Evolution itself offered a chance to improve a Pokémon's innate strength, especially with the help of external factors. But Giovanni had something better. He was almost certain that the power of Viridian flowing through him could directly enhance his partner's aptitude. He would have to test it. For now, one step at a time.
After hearing the grunt's explanation, Hera walked over with a graceful sway, leaning forward just enough to make the grunt's mouth go dry. She looked at Giovanni with keen interest. "I remember you. You're the one Madame Boss and Miyamoto found in Viridian Forest, aren't you?"
"I heard you killed a wild Pokémon in close combat," she continued, her voice a low purr. "Is that true?"
"Yes," Giovanni replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. "But it was just a Rattata. I was lucky."
His unwavering stare seemed to please her. "For a boy your age and size, taking down a Rattata is a miracle," she said. "And now you're the first to hatch an egg." She leaned a little closer, a teasing smile on her lips. "I wonder... could you be the one? Team Rocket's successor?"
Though Giovanni was confident, he knew better than to be arrogant. If he relied solely on his name and his luck, he would be crushed, becoming nothing more than a stepping stone for someone more ruthless.
"Nothing is certain," he said, his voice steady. "I don't know what the future holds. But I will give it my all."