Pokémon: I’m Really Not a Team Rocket Spy

"So, the Pokémon Center is off-limits right now?"

"Unless there's an emergency, like an injured Pokémon, no one is allowed near it."

The primary purpose of a Pokémon Center is to heal trainers' Pokémon. Even in an incident like this, they couldn't just shut down completely.

Maki nodded, then walked away, pretending not to disturb Officer Jenny while she investigated.

But deep inside, Maki's thoughts were boiling over:

Those three idiots!!

From Officer Jenny's description—a robotic contraption accompanied by a Meowth—who else could it be but Team Rocket's infamous trio?

Although Team Rocket robbing Pokémon Centers was a recurring plot in the anime, that was just fiction. Considering the reality of this world, Maki originally thought that while the trio was stupid, they wouldn't be foolish enough to provoke the Joy family.

Clearly, Maki had overestimated their intelligence. They really did rob a Pokémon Center!

As Maki debated whether to report this to Giovanni, his communicator unexpectedly buzzed.

He glanced at the caller ID and quickly hung up. It was Giovanni, but this wasn't the place to talk.

"Charmander, return to your Poké Ball for now."

Charmander, sensing Maki's urgency, obediently returned to its ball. Finding a secluded corner and ensuring there were no surveillance cameras nearby, Maki called Giovanni back.

"You've probably heard what those three idiots did, right?" Giovanni's voice carried a mix of anger and exasperation.

When watching the anime in his past life, Maki always wondered why Giovanni tolerated such embarrassments. After crossing into this world, he finally understood.

Giovanni was ruthless but not heartless. In fact, he was fiercely protective of his own.

Jessie's mother was one of Team Rocket's former top executives. She went missing while searching for the organization's previous leader, Giovanni's own mother, leaving Jessie as her only legacy.

As for James, anyone who's watched the anime knows he's a rich kid. What many overlook is that his family has always been a key ally of Team Rocket. Giovanni wouldn't let their son meet a tragic end.

Given these connections, no matter how much trouble they caused, Giovanni rarely held it against them.

"Yes," Maki nodded. He had already been considering whether to report this when Giovanni called.

"I'll send someone to retrieve the stolen Pokémon and return them. It's best not to escalate tensions with the Joy family; it's not in our interests. As for you, keep a low profile and don't get involved."

In terms of raw power, Team Rocket couldn't rival the Pokémon League. The current balance existed because of Team Rocket's deep infiltration into Kanto and Johto—a network so vast that any move against them would have widespread repercussions. The other reason was the League's internal divisions.

The League was far from united; otherwise, Team Rocket wouldn't have been able to exploit it so thoroughly.

Understanding this, Giovanni avoided exacerbating conflicts with the Joy family.

Maki nodded. Since Giovanni had already decided, there was no need for him to worry. However, he had another question.

"Is something happening in Saffron City? Why do I have to go there?"

"The situation there is complicated. Sabrina will explain everything when you arrive."

"That's exactly why it's a problem!" Maki exclaimed, exasperated.

"Oh, come on. You know Sabrina's personality better than anyone."

"That's precisely why I'm reluctant! She's impossible to deal with!"

"Which is why I'm sending you. Who else would she listen to? Besides, doesn't she respect you?"

At one of Team Rocket's bases in Kanto, Giovanni leaned back in his chair, a rare smirk forming on his face. If any other members saw this, they'd be stunned.

"Sure, she listens to me… sometimes. But…" Maki tried to explain, only to be interrupted.

"It's settled. I've already informed Sabrina you're coming. Are you really going to refuse?"

"… Fine, I'll go." Maki sighed in defeat. Giovanni immediately hung up, leaving Maki unfazed. As Team Rocket's boss, Giovanni had countless matters to handle; Maki was used to his abruptness.

With Giovanni handling the situation, Maki decided to stay out of it entirely. He released Charmander again.

Since Giovanni advised avoiding entanglements, Maki resolved to find somewhere far from the trio's antics. If he remembered correctly, there was a Pokémon Club nearby where he could rent a practice area.

Surely, there was no way he'd run into those three idiots there, right?

Feeling confident, Maki headed to the Pokémon Club with Charmander in tow. Just as he reached the entrance, someone bumped into him from behind.

Before he could react, the person behind him started shouting, "Watch where you're going, you… mmph!"

Maki's temper flared. I was walking just fine! You bumped into me!

Turning around, Maki froze. So did the other party.

Disguised as a mover, James was covering Jessie's mouth, while Meowth looked panicked. Even they knew yelling in public was practically inviting Officer Jenny to arrest them.

When James recognized Maki, he blurted out, "Young mas…"

"Shh!" Maki clamped a hand over James's mouth, recalling Charmander, and dragged the trio to a secluded spot.

What was I thinking, choosing this place?!

Jessie and James, being uniquely connected to Team Rocket, were among the few who knew Maki's true identity. Despite their stupidity, their loyalty to Team Rocket was absolute.

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