Chapter 122: Giovanni: Want to Stop Team Rocket? I'll Help You!

"Champion Wallace, the reply has been received."

Officer Jenny walked into Wallace's office, only to find Wallace and Steven separating immediately as if caught stealing.

Officer Jenny tilted her head in confusion, for she had observed the awkwardness beneath Wallace's forced composure and the strange subtlety on Steven's face.

"Champion Wallace, Mr. Steven, has something happened?"

Officer Jenny asked strangely.

"Ahem, nothing. Young Lady Jenny, please continue."

Wallace cleared his throat, hid the forum interface on the computer screen, and said while controlling his expression.

"Sinnoh, Galar, and Paldea have all responded. Champion Cynthia will come personally; Champion Leon is currently training in the wild and cannot be contacted, but once contact is established, Champion Leon can also assist."

Officer Jenny's expression grew serious.

"As for Paldea, Champion Iono is tied up, but she has notified Champion Nemona, and Champion Nemona is willing to help."

"As for Kalos, Champion Diantha cannot come for now. As for Kanto, the Kanto Elite Four also have matters to attend to, but President Junichi has stated he can send a Gym Leader to assist."

Officer Jenny hesitated for a moment.

"A Gym Leader?" Wallace was shocked. No, they need Champion-level power; if it's not Champion-level, it won't help at all.

Although Wallace had previously been the Sootopolis Gym Leader, he considered himself special, didn't he?

Could it be that other regions also have Champion-level Gym Leaders??

"Yes, it is Mr. Giovanni, the leader of the Viridian Gym. President Junichi can confirm that Gym Leader Giovanni possesses Champion-level power."

"..."

Wallace fell into deep thought. Giovanni? Why did he feel that name sounded familiar?

"Gym Leader Giovanni is Mamen's father, isn't he?" Steven's expression was extremely subtle.

"That's right!" Wallace realized. He had been saying that the name Giovanni sounded familiar.

"Giovanni is Mamen's dad! It was him who gave birth to the naturally evil Mamen!" Wallace was obviously injecting some personal emotion.

After all, without Giovanni, there would be no Mamen!

"Champion Wallace, please watch your words." Officer Jenny looked at Wallace with great speechlessness.

"Gym Leader Giovanni is a very excellent and responsible Gym Leader. Regarding Mamen's situation, Gym Leader Giovanni was completely unaware of it beforehand."

Officer Jenny explained helplessly; this was what the Kanto League had solemnly guaranteed, and Officer Jenny naturally believed the Kanto League's judgment.

"Is that so?" Wallace was somewhat skeptical.

He still felt that anyone capable of giving birth to and raising someone like Mamen, a naturally evil person, was highly suspicious.

"Hmm, according to the data... Mamen joining Team Rocket might be related to Gym Leader Giovanni's overly strict educational and upbringing methods, but the current situation is not what Gym Leader Giovanni wishes for; he has always wanted to bring Mamen back to the right path."

Officer Jenny could only answer this way, after all, she had not personally contacted Giovanni and Mamen; it was just his relative, the Kanto Officer Jenny, who had orally recounted this to her.

"A typical case of educational failure." Steven sighed upon hearing this.

No wonder Mamen's personality is so abstract and terrible; what decent person is keen on taking 'artistic photos' of others? Moreover, it was forcibly forcing grown men to dress as women for photos.

Now it seems, Mamen's twisted personality was probably forced by Giovanni's education and upbringing, right?

But even so, Mamen has not completely fallen to the point of losing his humanity; I wonder if there is still hope for him...

To be honest, Steven actually didn't have much dislike for Mamen. Although Mamen's bad taste was indeed terrible, it could be seen from the fact that he kept his word both times and released him and Wallace as promised.

Mamen did not act recklessly just because of his power; he did not harm them! This is the best evidence.

Otherwise, as a villainous organization, Mamen could have simply imprisoned him and Wallace, couldn't he? In that case, the Hoenn League would have lost two Champions and been severely weakened, making it even more impossible to stop Team Rocket's development.

So... in the end, is it all a problem of Mamen's father Giovanni's educational failure? A young man with a bright future stepping into a villainous organization.

Steven sighed in his heart; what a lamentable thing this is.

"If Gym Leader Giovanni is willing to help, that would be the best." Steven spoke up.

Whether considering Giovanni's strength or his identity, Steven felt they had no reason to refuse.

"That's right, I think the same. If Gym Leader Giovanni can persuade Mamen to turn back, that would be the ideal situation."

Officer Jenny agreed completely; the one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it.

"In that case, there are three confirmed powers joining. Has Senior Seijin been contacted?"

"He has been contacted, and Mr. Seijin has also successfully captured Registeel." Officer Jenny replied with a smile.

"As expected of Senior Seijin." Wallace exclaimed in admiration.

"With this, we have a full six Champions here! Let's see how Team Rocket can stand against us!"

Wallace felt victory was already in his grasp.

Six Champions! And if Champion Leon can make it here, that would be a full seven Champions!

What concept is this? Simply invincible!

Hoenn Team Rocket is indeed very strong, but how many Champions can they fight?

Hmph! Mamen! Let's see how arrogant you can be this time!!

After catching you, I will definitely make you wear cat ears and a cat tail, put on a maid outfit, and take a hundred photos of you!

Thinking of that scene, Teacher Wallace couldn't help but hum softly.

"Then I will go reply to President Junichi." Officer Jenny nodded.

After Officer Jenny left the office, Wallace immediately switched back to the forum; he had just been looking at the new post by 'Photographer Mamen' with Steven.

And the title of this post was "Shocking! The Two Hoenn League Champions Are Actually in This Kind of Relationship!"

What a clickbait title! Mamen, you truly deserve to die!

Seeing this title, Wallace couldn't help but curse inwardly.

And the content of the post was precisely his and Steven's 'couple photos'.

But this time, Teacher Wallace's mindset was much steadier; he was mentally prepared, and since the first time makes the second time familiar, he felt his state of mind was already as solid as a rock and unbreakable.

He even had the mood to critique the quality of the photos.

Mr. Wallace flipped through them one by one, while Steven sat on another stool, watching along.

"Although it might be a bit inappropriate, Wallace, your cross-dressing is truly too beautiful."

Steven couldn't help but sigh from the heart, and Mamen's photography skills were indeed superb; the angles, lighting, background, poses, and expressions were all captured perfectly.

Steven was already handsome, and after Wallace's cross-dressing makeup, his looks were top-tier; the two of them in a photo together were truly too good-looking.

"After all, it's me."

Perhaps because he had seen too many outrageous fan comments, or perhaps because he thought of the inevitable victory against Team Rocket next, Steven's single compliment was truly insignificant, and Wallace even had the mood to narcissistically reply like this.

"With such beauty, elegance, and nobility as mine, I wonder which girl will have the courage to approach me in the future?"

Reaching the bottom, Wallace couldn't help but sigh deeply; there was no way, he was simply too good-looking.

Those girls seeing him would probably feel ashamed of themselves, right? After all, if one's boyfriend is more beautiful than oneself, which girl wouldn't feel pressure?

Steven looked at Wallace with a strange expression; not buddy, you've already accepted your cross-dressing?

Didn't you say before that you would never cross-dress again in your life?

Beep beep beep~

And just at this moment, Wallace's phone rang.

Wallace took a look, and the face that was originally full of self-satisfaction immediately showed a look of hesitation.

"Not answering?" Steven glanced over, and a teasing look appeared on his handsome face.

Because the person calling was precisely Winona, the Gym Leader of the Fortree City Gym.

Previously, Wallace and Winona had been lovers, but Winona felt that Wallace was simply too excellent, so excellent that it made her suffocate, so she broke up with Wallace.

And Wallace respected Winona's choice; since then, the two had not contacted each other again.

Wallace rolled his eyes at Steven, but still answered the call.

"Winona..."

"Wallace..."

In the phone, Winona's tone was very hesitant.

"There is no future between men and men."

"?" Wallace wore a face full of question marks.

"You two will not have the crystallization of love in the future either; I hope you can return to the right path."

"???"

Teacher Da Mi was struck by lightning.

Mossdeep City.

"Lord Maxie, how have you considered it?"

Mamen looked at Maxie lying on the bed with many casts on his body, his tone humorous.

"Give up; I have no interest in joining your Team Rocket."

Maxie opened his mouth weakly, his tone very calm.

"I am not that kind of person with strong limbs but a simple mind like Archie; I have dreams."

Although Archie had left him half-paralyzed, obviously Maxie still looked down on Archie very much.

"Oh? Even if there is a chance to wipe out the shame from Archie, you don't want it?" Mamen smiled as if he were not smiling.

"..." Maxie fell silent.

"Lord Maxie, just as you said, you are smarter than Archie; your Magma Team has now been swallowed by our Team Rocket."

Mamen's tone was slow and leisurely, very calm and natural.

"You are already a lone person; I won't hide it from you; your strength is passable, but I value your intelligence more; as long as you nod, I can promote you to a High Executive."

"This is the opportunity I give you; as long as you work hard to climb up, whether it is strength or power, after you surpass Archie, you will naturally be able to avenge these injuries."

"As for your dream... hehe~"

Speaking to this point, Mamen's tone was mocking.

"Personally, I am not interested in whether land or sea is more important, nor will I laugh at this idea of yours, but you expecting Groudon to help you create land is impossible."

"You are the same as that guy Archie; your vision and strength determine your narrow cognition; you think that finding the orbs means you can control Groudon and Kyogre?"

"Truly a ridiculous and foolish idea; the power of Groudon and Kyogre far exceeds your imagination; if you really awaken these two ancient legendary Pokémon, you will only fall into despair and regret, because you are the sinners of the entire Hoenn region."

Mamen's laughter made Maxie's face contort and twitch, but Maxie also fell into deep thought.

"Lord Maxie, Lord Mamen did not deceive you; I also sincerely hope you can join Team Rocket and exert your intelligence."

Flannery, standing behind Mamen, said earnestly to Maxie.

Maxie habitually wanted to push his glasses, but his arm simply could not lift, so he could only give up.

He looked deeply at Flannery; this previously loyal subordinate of his; presumably, the other organization members have also joined Team Rocket by now, right?

Maxie sighed in his heart.

"I will join Team Rocket; I can prove to you that I am far more excellent than that brainless fool Archie."

Maxie said in a deep voice.

The ideal has already been shattered; so now his only goal is to step on Archie's head!

"Of course, your joining is very welcome." Mamen slowly raised the corner of his mouth.

"After you recover from your injuries, I will arrange a position for you that will suit you."

Leaving Maxie's hospital room, Mamen's phone rang.

"I understand."

A moment later, Mamon hung up the phone with a strange expression.

"Mamon, what's wrong?" Gladion looked at Mamon curiously; this expression on Mamon was rare indeed.

"The Hoenn League has borrowed some Champion-level trainers from other regions to deal with us."

Mamon found it somewhat amusing.

"Oh? How many Champions?" Gladion paused in surprise.

"Three are confirmed for now, but... one of them is my old man."

Mamon nearly laughed; calling for help to fight oneself was bad enough, but they had actually called upon Sakaki.

Gladion's delicate features looked very strange.

Wasn't that interesting?

Should I perform "I Shall Stand Above the Heavens" before my old man and these Champions?

Or should I recreate "Sakaki, I Have Surpassed You," which I performed before Red and Blue earlier?

Mamon thought seriously.

(End of this chapter)