"Oh, Stephen-kun, are you heading out for a trip?"
As Stephen and Ichiki prepared to leave Cianwood City together, they happened to cross paths with Giovanni, who had just returned.
While asking, Giovanni glanced at Ichiki with interest.
Who's this kid?
"You're... the strongest Gym Leader in Kanto!?"
Ichiki immediately recognized Giovanni. After all, Giovanni was a well-known figure.
"Haha, 'strongest' is just a title others have kindly given me. I don't deserve it."
Giovanni smiled warmly.
"Are you Stephen's friend? Make sure you two get along well."
Although Ichiki was a genius in his own right, he couldn't help but feel nervous in front of such a legendary figure.
"Uh... sort of? We just met."
What's this guy's relationship with Giovanni?
Ichiki wondered.
At the same time, his earlier suspicions began to waver.
Could someone with close ties to a Gym Leader like Giovanni be a criminal working for Team Rocket?
It seemed unlikely.
It's like how nobody suspects Bruce Wayne of being Batman—people just can't imagine a billionaire prowling the streets in a batsuit at night.
From Giovanni and Stephen's interaction, it was clear they shared a close bond. With such a connection, Stephen might even be considered a privileged insider in the League.
Why would someone like that waste time joining Team Rocket?
"What are you standing around for? Are we going or not?"
Seeing Ichiki lost in thought, Stephen asked impatiently.
"Ah, yeah, yeah, let's go."
Whatever. I've already earned seven badges, and only one gym remains. There's plenty of time before the tournament starts. Maybe this guy can make things interesting for me, Ichiki thought as he followed.
Once Stephen and Ichiki's silhouettes disappeared down the street, a young man, only slightly older than Lance, stepped out of a nearby corner and spoke to Giovanni, his back turned.
"Boss, you've spent too much time here in Johto. If this keeps up, the League will grow suspicious."
Though Giovanni was a Gym Leader in the Kanto region, he often delegated his responsibilities to his subordinates. However, being absent for too long wasn't an option.
"Whether or not we can recruit that kid will determine Team Rocket's future."
Giovanni sighed.
The person speaking to him was none other than Archer, a trusted executive of Team Rocket.
"...True. But, Boss, time is running short."
Initially, Archer had doubts about why Giovanni invested so much effort in Stephen.
What kind of kid could be worth the respect and attention of the great Giovanni?
But after Stephen, under the alias "Joker," stirred up massive chaos in Johto and garnered significant attention across the Pokémon world, Archer had to admit—this kid was the real deal.
Not to mention his invention of the Poke Ball Disruptor, a game-changing device.
With that tool, even if Lance himself appeared, Archer would feel confident declaring, "I'll take on ten of him!"
Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration.
But the device truly had the power to turn the tide of any battle.
"Alright, I'll wrap things up soon. The League and the Gym are in your hands."
Giovanni's tone was calm.
"Understood!"
Archer responded with a resolute nod.
Before leaving, he remembered something and reported in a low voice,
"One more thing, Boss. Recently, that guy Bishas has been under heavy pursuit by the League. He's expressed interest in joining Team Rocket for refuge. What's your decision?"
"Bishas, huh?"
Giovanni pondered for a moment before replying indifferently,
"His brain isn't his strong suit, but his abilities are passable. Let him be a squad captain."
"Knowing Bishas, he's arrogant. He might not accept just being a squad captain."
Archer speculated.
"Then let him be our new guinea pig."
Giovanni scoffed.
What?
With your limited abilities, you should feel grateful we're even considering you. How dare you make demands?
...
The Forest of Illusion
Located between New Bark Town and Cherrygrove City in Johto, this vast forest is home to many Ghost-type Pokémon that love to play pranks on passing Trainers.
As a result, many Trainers avoid the forest, even if it means taking a longer route.
Stephen and Ichiki entered the Forest of Illusion while chatting casually.
When Stephen explained that Ichiki's Exeggcute evolved after touching a Moss Rock, Ichiki's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Other than Water, Fire, Thunder, Sun, and Moon, there are even more Evolution Stones? That's amazing."
"Not just stones. Many Pokémon require unique items to evolve. Stones are just the basics. Some Pokémon need things like scales, cream, or even rags to evolve. Pokémon are truly fascinating creatures."
Stephen released his Umbreon to follow them closely.
In the wild, it was common for Trainers to face ambushes from wild Pokémon.
Moreover, ghost types were notorious for their mischievous nature and often attacked humans unprovoked.
"Really?"
Ichiki marveled at the explanation. At the same time, his suspicion that Stephen was "Joker" weakened further.
Over the past few days, he noticed Stephen seemed like a studious scholar, a far cry from Joker's flamboyant personality.
With his knowledge, Stephen seemed destined to become the next Professor Oak.
"There it is!"
Ichiki suddenly pointed excitedly ahead.
In the middle of a grassy clearing lay a massive, moss-covered boulder the size of a single bed.
A Moss Rock—an item capable of evolving specific Pokémon. It likely functioned similarly to the Leaf Stone.
"Go ahead."
Stephen gestured with his finger, and Umbreon nodded in response.
Leaping forward, Umbreon tensed her paw muscles and struck the rock with force, sending shards flying in all directions.
Ichiki's Exeggutor quickly used Psychic to create a barrier, shielding its Trainer from the debris.
"Couldn't you at least give a warning first?"
Ichiki complained.
"Come on, you're a future Elite Four member. Something this minor shouldn't faze you."
Stephen chuckled.
After spending some time with Ichiki, Stephen confirmed that this chubby little guy was indeed the future Elite Four member from the Indigo League. (TL: I don't know a chubby elite four. Is this Will?)
The reason he didn't recognize him at first was simply that Ichiki had little presence in the series—even the anime didn't feature him.
"Elite Four? I don't want that job."
Ichiki scratched his head.
Although he wasn't sure why Stephen thought he'd become an Elite Four member, at least for now, he had no interest in the position. Being part of the League meant restrictions and a lack of freedom.
"Growl...!"
Just as Stephen was collecting fragments of the Moss Rock, a low growl echoed from behind.
The two turned to see a black, canine Pokémon crouching in the grass. Drooling, it glared at them with hostility.