Giovanni spoke like an ordinary middle-aged man, chatting with Logan about the strange changes in Mt. Moon. From his calm demeanor and seemingly thorough understanding of the situation, Logan couldn’t help but wonder—was this really something discovered by the Pokémon League, or was it only uncovered by Team Rocket?

He didn’t for a second believe that Team Rocket lacked spies among the League’s upper echelons. That’s precisely how they had managed to grow so brazen and unimpeded. Logan didn’t care why the Machop family of Pokémon had suddenly vanished from Mt. Moon. As long as it wasn’t a world-ending crisis that required everyone to rise up, he was content to let someone else bear that burden. The sky falling was someone else’s problem—he was still too short to hold it up.

[Mewtwo, this man is Team Rocket’s leader.]

Logan maintained a cautious distance from Giovanni as he used his psychic link to communicate with Mewtwo.

[Do you need me to do anything, Logan?]

Mewtwo didn’t hold any deep-seated hatred toward Giovanni. From the moment it had consciousness, it had only known Logan. It never experienced the cliché existential crisis of “Who am I?” or “Why was I created?” It had never been tortured or controlled by Team Rocket. In fact, Mewtwo was somewhat grateful to them—if not for its creation, it would never have gained life, nor formed this deep bond with Logan.

[No need for action just yet. Just focus entirely on him. If he makes any aggressive moves toward me, let me know immediately!]

[Got it.]

With Mewtwo keeping watch, Logan finally felt a little more at ease. Sure, the idea of ambushing Giovanni with Mewtwo and taking him down crossed his mind, but if Giovanni was approaching him knowing full well Logan had Mewtwo at his side, then the man definitely had some cards up his sleeve. Logan wasn’t about to risk his safety on a gamble like that.

So, his current plan was simple: let Giovanni think he was slowly gaining trust, observe him for a couple of days, then decide what to do.

———

Night fell. Logan lit a campfire in a natural alcove between the mountains. Whether it attracted wild Pokémon or not, he couldn’t care less. In fact, if a swarm of aggressive wild Pokémon did show up, it would be the perfect excuse to pressure Giovanni into exposing his true identity. No matter how committed to the act he was, Giovanni wouldn’t allow Logan to fall into real danger.

Logan pulled out some prepared food from his high-tech storage bag. It wasn’t gourmet cuisine, but it was edible. He glanced at Giovanni, sitting quietly not far away, his face illuminated in flickering light and shadow by the campfire. After a moment of hesitation, Logan asked,

“Hey, Uncle Giovanni, don’t you have any Pokémon? I mean, even if you’re not a Trainer, coming to Mt. Moon alone seems pretty bold.”

Giovanni smiled warmly and pulled a Poké Ball from the inner pocket of his suit.

“This is my Beedrill. Not particularly strong, but in a pinch, it can fly me out of danger. I didn’t summon it earlier because we were in a cave.”

Not particularly strong? Yeah right.

If that Beedrill was one of Giovanni’s main partners, then it probably had enough firepower to eliminate any danger, not just escape from it.

“You seem to be wary of me, Logan,” Giovanni said gently. “Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?”

Logan’s suspicion must’ve been too obvious. Anytime Giovanni took even a few steps closer, Logan would subtly move further away. Anyone with half a brain would find that odd.

“Well… it’s not something I usually talk about,” Logan said, poking the fire with a twig. “But do you know about Team Rocket?”

“Of course,” Giovanni replied, his face the picture of justice and concern. “They’re a notorious criminal organization in Kanto.”

Logan gave him a sidelong glance. Despite the topic, Giovanni’s face remained calm and smiling, not a flicker of emotion betraying his true identity.

“I was caught by Team Rocket once. Before I became a Trainer,” Logan said slowly. “They experimented on me. It was brutal. Ever since then, I’ve been… paranoid, I guess. I can’t fully trust anyone. It’s not really about you, Uncle Giovannii, so don’t take it personally.”

“Experiments?! How horrible! Those Rocket bastards!”Giovanni exclaimed, faking outrage perfectly. “You’ve gone through so much, Logan. Once I return to the League, I’ll make sure the board hears of this. They must crack down harder on Team Rocket…”

Wow, the acting. Give that man an Oscar.

If someone didn’t know who he really was, they’d think he was some paragon of justice.

“Thanks, Uncle. I know it probably won’t help, but if the League starts taking them seriously, maybe others like me won’t have to suffer. But I’ve lost faith in the League, honestly. Team Rocket’s been around for years and they still haven’t shut them down. No one even knows who the boss is.”

Logan’s face twisted in disgust.

“Ugh, if I ever find out who the leader of Team Rocket is… I swear, I’ll curse that bastard and his entire bloodline!”

The sudden venom in his voice made Giovanni freeze for a second. Then his face darkened—an involuntary surge of fury welled up in him. That insult had hit a nerve… and hit it hard. Logan had unknowingly jabbed right at the softest spot in the big boss’s heart.

Murderous intent flickered for just a moment before Giovanni forcefully reined it in, covering his reaction with an awkward chuckle.

“Ah… sorry. I was just… thinking about all the terrible things they’ve done. It’s infuriating.”

This little brat… his mouth is pure poison.

Giovanni had originally planned to stay near Logan for two days, study him, feel out his relationship with Mewtwo. But now? He was reaching his limit. He couldn’t take another second of this brat’s backhanded curses. He was already plotting to end it all tomorrow—Logan would regret that tongue of his.

Logan, meanwhile, blinked. He sensed the brief burst of murderous aura and hesitated.

Did he say something wrong? Did Giovanni really have a son? That insult about his kid might’ve struck a little too close to home…

Before Logan had crossed into this world, he’d only played the games. The anime? He barely remembered it from primary school. He had no clue about Giovannii’s family.

“Well, it’s getting late. You should get some rest, Uncle. Tomorrow I’ll go with you to investigate this Mt. Moon mystery.”

“Thanks, Logan. I appreciate it,” Giovanni replied with a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his head.

[Mewtwo, you’re on night watch duty. If this guy so much as snores suspiciously, wake me up. And the moment I say the word, I want you to hit him with an Illusion Strike right in the face!]

Logan issued his mental command, doubling his vigilance. With someone like Giovanni, you could never be too careful.

——————–

T/N:

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep