Giovanni suppressed the urge to kick the trio out of Team Rocket.
"Don't do such meaningless things anymore."
After dropping that line, Giovanni ended the communication. His secretary, who had been silent the whole time, couldn't help but speak up.
"Boss Giovanni, are you really going to let those three idiots keep fooling around? They are in the Orange Archipelago, I'm worried..."
"It's fine," Giovanni said, calming down. He stroked the Persian lying next to his seat, looking up at him, and said, "This time, I will personally take care of the plan."
"Our only target is those three tablets. With that idiot Jessie drawing attention out in the open, no one will notice us."
Giovanni sighed. Ever since the Mewtwo project failed, Team Rocket had started many new schemes.
The Tablet Project, the Hurricane Project, the Time-Space Transit Project... they all were grand targets that could enhance Team Rocket's strength to some extent.
Among them, the Tablet Project was about collecting the three tablets managed by the Thunder God, god of fire, and Ice God on Thunder Island, Fire Island, and Ice Island in the Orange Archipelago, possibly originating from Arceus.
The existence of the three tablets there was something Team Rocket had learned about by chance.
Under normal circumstances, even Team Rocket couldn't face three Legendary Pokémon honored with the title of gods.
However, what Giovanni hadn't expected was that an idiot like "Jessie" would actively offer help.
Jessie, a Creature Collector and a huge tycoon, was financially ranked in the top 10 throughout the Kanto region and had always had dealings with Team Rocket.
Recently, this nutcase actually became obsessed with collecting the legendary "Sea God" Lugia, and aimed to capture the Thunder God, god of fire, and Ice God...
Giovanni didn't know how to comment on this madman. However, he was quite willing to accept the offer of cooperation: the other party would provide funds, and Team Rocket would provide the technological products to capture the Legendary Pokémon; it was a happy partnership for both.
The tech products provided by Team Rocket could indeed temporarily restrain the Legendary Pokémon, but not for long...
Now, Giovanni just hoped that "Jessie" could hold on for a while, so they could successfully collect those three tablets amid the chaos.
"Yes," Shinjo nodded, hoping that the three idiots Jessie wouldn't cause any trouble. The plan was so secretive; it shouldn't get interrupted...
...
"Ah~ So delicious."
Little Orange Island, a certain city.
At an outdoor café serving afternoon tea, Ash and his friends, sent by Dr. Oak to the Orange Archipelago for the GS Ball, were enjoying their lovely afternoon tea.
Ash devoured a sandwich and gulped down half a glass of orange juice in one breath, eating with gusto.
On the ground, Ash's Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and other Pokémon were slowly enjoying their Pokémon food while embraced.
Next to Ash, Misty was affectionately feeding Togepi, while she didn't forget to nag Ash, "I mean, Ash, can't you settle down a bit? Would it kill you to eat slower?"
"I won't die, but I'll be hungry, and hunger means no strength for Pokémon battles. You saw how strong Brother Fang Yuan is; if I don't hurry to get stronger, how can I become... argh, water—"
As Ash spoke, he choked, his face turning desperate as he guzzled his drink.
"Anyway, I have already earned two Orange League badges, which means I'm halfway to challenging the Orange League. I'm getting closer to Brother Fang Yuan, so I can't relax now!"
Brother Fang Yuan's command of the Giant Rock Wolfman against the super ancient creatures in the Back Mountain of New Bark Town had struck a chord with Ash, making him realize there are always bigger fish. He was now following Dr. Oak's advice, challenging the Orange League as part of his training.
"Is that so..." Misty's face lined with exasperation as she spoke, has Ash gotten cocky because of his recent streak of victories? With his current level, facing such Trainers, wouldn't he still need another 100 years?
"Mm-hmm... keep eating, Ash, we have a place to go next." Brock, sitting beside them, was holding a poster, nodding in agreement, though his gaze was constantly fixed on the graceful figure on the poster.
"So big..." The poster headline read, "Elite Four Kena Talks Pokémon—The Full Splendor of Kena's Magnificent Battles." Currently, Kena, one of the Elite Four, was on the island to perform a Pokémon demonstration battle, and her perfect figure instantly captured Brock's attention.
"What did you say was so big?" In the midst of his rapture, Brock suddenly heard a voice next to him.
Fang Yuan, who knew Ash was on this island and had been looking for him for a long time, had just arrived and heard Brock saying "so big, so big."
"Uh, I meant the title is so big..." Brock quickly corrected himself and looked up.
The next second, he was taken aback and exclaimed, "Oh... Mr. Fang Yuan!!!"
At the same time, Ash and Misty also looked up at the sound, their faces filled with surprise and joy to see Fang Yuan.
"Long time no see." Fang Yuan greeted them with a smile, holding his Eevee, while in his mind, he wondered.
Wait, why is Brock still traveling with Ash during the Orange Archipelago journey? Shouldn't he be helping at Professor Ivy's research institute, and a different guy named Tracey be traveling with Ash instead?
Fang Yuan was filled with doubts. Could his appearance have caused the plot to change...
He then looked over at Ash's Pidgeot, who was eating food with Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and other Pokémon on a nearby balcony, and suddenly it clicked. Brother Eagle hadn't been released and had even evolved successfully; the plot had indeed completely changed...
He just wondered if Ash's Charizard would listen to him now.
If it still didn't obey, he could advise Ash on this disobedient Fire Type Pokémon—a good beating usually did the trick.