"Aizen. His name is Aizen."
Dylan smiled as he spoke to Giovanni. That's right—he was recommending his alternate identity to Giovanni.
Come on, why else had he been keeping the "Aizen" persona?
If not for moments like this?
The final showdown between Kanto's Team Rocket and the Pokémon League—this was bound to be entertaining.
And participating in it as Aizen?
Even more fun!
Lillie: (—)
Lillie's delicate face took on a strange expression. She knew full well that "Aizen" was just another identity her brother used.
Ah, this... Was her brother planning to stir up chaos again?
"Aizen… If I remember correctly, he's currently a wanted criminal across all regions of the Pokémon League?"
Giovanni narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling what he knew about Aizen. He had never met Aizen in person, but he had certainly looked into him.
After all, being the first person to ever be officially hunted by every regional Pokémon League was quite the infamous feat.
"Dylan, you know Aizen?"
Giovanni's interest was piqued. According to the League's bounty, Aizen was an extremely dangerous criminal.
And yet, Dylan—a League Gym Leader—claimed to be acquainted with him?
"You could say that. A friend of mine is his partner. Aizen is someone who is always drawn to interesting things and has no taboos."
"More importantly, he is very strong."
Dylan nodded.
Giovanni's gaze flickered. If Dylan was using the words very strong, then Aizen's strength was no small matter.
"A while ago, when Hoenn's Magma and Aqua Teams waged their land-sea war, Aizen and Zinnia were actually the masterminds behind it. Their goal was none other than Rayquaza."
Dylan explained.
"I see." Giovanni mused.
"And in the end, he succeeded. He captured Rayquaza and left. That's why the League has made him their top priority."
Dylan sipped his tea and continued, "Giovanni, I don't mean to underestimate you, but in terms of direct combat strength, Aizen may not yet surpass you. However, if you were to actually fight him, your chances of winning would be very low—even with Mewtwo."
His gaze flickered toward Mewtwo, who turned its head to look at him in return.
"Oh? Because of Rayquaza?" Giovanni's interest deepened.
"Exactly. Rayquaza is incredibly powerful. And Aizen also has a Koraidon—another formidable Legendary Pokémon."
"I see."
Giovanni's eyes glimmered as he looked at Dylan.
"You're willing to help me contact Aizen?"
"Of course. If Aizen joins, then Zinnia will likely come as well. She's a Dragon-type Champion-level Trainer—stronger than Hoenn's previous Champion, Wallace."
Dylan's lips curled into a slow smirk.
"Just to give Team Rocket a grand exit?" Giovanni stared deeply at Dylan.
"Not just that. More importantly…" Dylan tilted his head slightly.
"Isn't this just fun?"
Yes. A massive clash between Champion-level Trainers, all fighting for their own convictions.
That was very interesting, wasn't it?
"Heh…"
Giovanni let out a low chuckle. Compared to that insufferable Lance, Dylan, someone who shared his Viridian Power, was far more agreeable.
"If I survive the battle in Saffron City, Dylan, I'll owe you a favor."
Giovanni took a sip of tea, his voice steady.
He was no saint, but Giovanni never broke his word. Team Rocket had been the center of his life for too long.
If Dylan was willing to give Team Rocket a spectacular finale, then he would remember this debt.
"Here—Articuno and Moltres, captured by my subordinates. They're yours."
Giovanni tossed two Poké Balls to Dylan.
Originally, he had planned to capture all three Legendary Birds for the "Three Birds Fusion" project, using machines to forcibly merge them into one. This fusion would have unleashed incredible power.
But Zapdos had already been caught by Dylan. Keeping the other two was pointless now.
Instead of letting them go to waste, why not gift them to Dylan?
Even though Giovanni knew this gesture hardly repaid the favor Dylan had granted him, it was the only thing he could offer at the moment.
"Giovanni, you're surprisingly generous."
Dylan accepted the Poké Balls without hesitation, rolling them in his palm before glancing back at Giovanni.
"You mentioned Saffron City. Are you setting the battlefield there?"
"That's right. Saffron is Kanto's largest and most developed city. I've chosen it as the stage."
Giovanni nodded.
Saffron City was the economic hub of Kanto, second only to Indigo Plateau in prominence.
"No wonder Archer and the others have been gathering there."
Dylan wore a look of realization.
Giovanni shot him a glance, while Carr, who had been standing silently by his side, twitched slightly.
She subtly glanced at Dylan, already struggling to hold back an internal complaint.
You call Archer 'Mr. Archer'? If you respect him so much, why did you throw him into prison?
And Archer is one of the Boss's most trusted executives! The Boss is right here!
"Since you've chosen Saffron City, what's your plan for Silph Co.?"
"I have no interest in it anymore. Besides, Dylan, aren't you the young master of Silph Co.?"
Giovanni looked at Dylan with slight confusion.
What was he implying?
Was he warning him not to target Silph?
But Giovanni truly had no intention of doing so anymore.
After all, he had discovered that any major fund transfer from Silph Co. required shareholder approval, and the company's largest shareholder, Itou, had veto power.
And Itou just so happened to be Dylan's father.
Upon learning this, Giovanni had abandoned any ambitions toward Silph.
He wasn't about to ruin his relationship with Dylan over money.
"No, no, I think it's worth reconsidering. Giovanni, Silph still has too many scattered shareholders. Team Rocket could 'encourage' them to sell their shares. What do you think?"
Dylan said with a smile.
"Heh… I like the way you think."
Giovanni chuckled softly. He really did find Dylan's company quite enjoyable.
"What about Edward?"
Giovanni took another sip of tea. Edward was the current acting president of Silph Co.
"Edward is a decent person. Let's leave him alone."
Dylan shook his head. Silph Co. still needed a leader, and Edward was a respected elder in his family.
"No problem. Leave it to me."
For Team Rocket, this kind of operation was routine.
For Giovanni, it was just a minor favor.
"Then that's settled. Giovanni, I'll go contact Aizen now."
Dylan stood up, ready to leave.
"Take care."
Giovanni personally escorted Dylan and Lillie to the door, watching as their figures disappeared from view.
Then, he lowered his gaze to the two gleaming stones in his palm—
The Mega Stone and Key Stone for Beedrill, a gift from Dylan before he left.
"Boss, can Dylan really be trusted?"
Carr stood behind Giovanni, adjusting her glasses as she asked.
"There's no reason for him to deceive me."
Giovanni replied calmly.
Dylan's strength was far greater than his own. If he had truly been loyal to the League, he could have subdued him back when Beedrill appeared.
"Carr, start making preparations. Your identity has always remained clean. Once this is all over, you can begin a new life."
Giovanni's voice was steady.
Carr was not a Trainer; she had always been responsible for Team Rocket's management.
"The time is drawing near."
Giovanni gazed at the distant horizon, where the setting sun cast long shadows.
The sun is setting…
"...Understood." Carr was silent for a moment before bowing her head in response.
"Do we need to inform Lady Sabrina?"
"Sabrina, huh… Let her continue being a Gym Leader."
Giovanni shook his head. Sabrina was a powerful Elite Four-level Trainer and a formidable Psychic-type specialist.
But in the battle ahead, even her strength wouldn't be enough.
He had no intention of letting her go down with Team Rocket. She still had a future beyond this.
"Carr."
"Yes, Boss."
"After the battle in Saffron City, visit Archer and the others for me."
"Understood."
Carr's eyes reddened slightly, but she lowered her head and responded firmly.
"Tell them… to cooperate with the League and secure an early release. They still have a future."
"…Yes."
—
Leaving the Viridian Gym, Dylan and Lillie exited Viridian City and took off on Reshiram, heading toward Rota Street.
"Brother, is it really okay to help Team Rocket? What if the League finds out?"
Lillie sat in Dylan's arms, resting her head against his chest, her voice tinged with worry.
She wasn't afraid for his safety, but if the League discovered that Aizen was actually Dylan, it would undoubtedly cause major trouble.
"Don't worry. Leaf's imitation skills are top-notch. Just stick by her side and make sure she doesn't stir up too much trouble."
Dylan replied casually. After his time in Hoenn, he had finally realized the best way to use Leaf.
That woman was the perfect decoy.
When the time came, he would hand Reshiram, his little turtle, and Kyurem over to her. She could parade around with them, attracting attention, while he—disguised as Aizen—could have fun playing with the League's top trainers.
"Alright…" Lillie thought about it and realized he had a point. Back in Hoenn, even Steven and Cynthia hadn't noticed anything.
"But with Giovanni and Aizen both on Team Rocket's side, won't they be too strong?"
Lillie tilted her head.
Giovanni was already as strong as Lance, a true Champion-level Trainer. Now, with Beedrill's Mega Evolution Stone, his already terrifying Beedrill would become even stronger. And then there was Mewtwo, his trump card.
Meanwhile, Aizen had Koraidon and Rayquaza, making him an even greater threat than Steven and Cynthia.
"No, it's still not enough." Dylan mused.
"Huh?" Lillie blinked.
"Zinnia has to join in. And so does Karen. If I offer her a Rainbow Wing, she'll take this battle very seriously."
Dylan's eyes gleamed. He wanted to orchestrate a large-scale, thrilling war.
Normally, Karen would just slack off—or even flee from the battlefield altogether.
But with a Rainbow Wing as an incentive?
She'd definitely fight seriously.
Luckily, he had plenty of those. That little cutie Mew had plucked a whole bunch from Ho-Oh's feathers.
Of course, getting Karen to fight to the death would be tough. She was too clever for that.
"That makes four Champion-level Trainers on Team Rocket's side. Isn't that way too strong?"
Lillie was stunned. That meant Team Rocket had four Champions!
"If you don't even go all out, Champion Lance and the others won't stand much of a chance…"
"Which is why we need more players in the game."
Dylan thought for a moment, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"Hello? Dylan? What's the matter?"
A warm, gentle voice—the voice of President Goodshow—came through the receiver.
Dylan's tone suddenly became grave.
"President Goodshow, this is bad! I just got word—"
"Aizen has joined Team Rocket! They're planning a coup!"
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