Chapter 102: Giovanni and Team Rocket

After all, Zhao Fang had dug the fruit trees out by the roots, so he buried two berries in their place. Once those trees grew and began bearing fruit, he had no intention of returning to harvest them. Instead, he planned to ask Professor Birch to plant them in Littleroot Town, so he could gather some berries there later.

He had no idea how long that would take, but if he could save a little, that was naturally best.

So Zhao Fang spent his time training his Pokémon while waiting for Professor Birch to arrive. Birch came quickly, and before long he rode in on a Pidgeot and stopped in front of Zhao Fang's tent.

After Zhao Fang explained the situation, Professor Birch patted his shoulder in satisfaction.

"At your age, to already know how to leave a future for wild Pokémon—that's admirable. But these fruit trees will take a long time before they sprout and bear fruit. Have you thought about what you're going to do during that time?" Birch looked at Zhao Fang meaningfully. He was very fond of what Zhao Fang had done, especially since Zhao Fang had thought of it entirely on his own, without anyone prompting him.

That showed Zhao Fang was someone who truly considered Pokémon. It was a pity he had not been born in Viridian Forest; otherwise, there was no telling whether he might have awakened the power of Viridian, one of the most wondrous abilities in the Pokémon world. If Zhao Fang had that power, Birch's research would have been much more convenient.

"Uh..." Zhao Fang felt a little embarrassed. He really had not thought of how to solve that problem. The League's nutritional supplements were excellent, but ordinary people truly could not afford them.

"Having that thought is already a good thing. Remember this: when you sincerely think of Pokémon, Pokémon will think of you in return," Professor Birch said, noticing Zhao Fang's awkwardness. Smiling, he took out his Pokédex and pressed a few buttons. Not long after, an engineering truck drove over, and people got out to transplant new fruit trees.

"These two transplanted trees will be enough for the wild Pokémon to survive. If I have any research to discuss, I'll let you know," Professor Birch said with a smile as he looked at the uprooted trees.

Zhao Fang nodded gratefully. He chatted with Professor Birch for a while longer, and after Birch checked the condition of Dreepy and Amaura, he left on Pidgeot. The engineering truck also departed with the fruit trees.

Zhao Fang had briefly considered returning to Slateport City, but after thinking about the distance, he gave up on the idea. Instead, he camped in the wilderness for the night. The next morning, after making breakfast for Gyarados and the others, he finally returned to Slateport City.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! Team Rocket boss Giovanni has surfaced in Kanto! Trainer Red returns to the stage!"

The moment Zhao Fang got back to Slateport City, he heard a newspaper vendor nearby excitedly waving a newspaper.

Zhao Fang hurriedly bought a copy and read it closely. Only then did he learn that in Kanto, Red had already exposed Team Rocket's hidden mastermind, Giovanni.

Giovanni's former identity as a Gym Leader had also been stripped away by the League, and he had become a wanted criminal. But what interested Zhao Fang most was that Team Rocket had gone underground and was now operating in secret, while the League was making every effort to hunt down its members.

Still, with Red around, Team Rocket's disbandment was only a matter of time.

"I've got a feeling something huge is about to happen..." Zhao Fang clicked his tongue. Red defeating Giovanni was entirely within his expectations. After all, this was Red—an exceptionally powerful trainer. In some versions, Red had even captured Mewtwo.

What Zhao Fang was really wondering was this: since Red had already exposed Giovanni's identity, had Mewtwo already been born? Or was it still under research?

And would Giovanni and Team Rocket simply sink into obscurity like that? Or would they rise from the ashes and become the even more troublesome Rainbow Rocket?

Those concerns gathered in Zhao Fang's heart, but for now he was not overly troubled. With his current strength, let alone Rainbow Rocket, even Team Aqua and Team Magma were colossal forces in his eyes.

All day long, Slateport City's television programs talked about the fact that a Gym Leader had turned out to be the leader of a dark organization. Some even interviewed passersby to ask what they thought, and among them was someone who asked to have their face blurred out before suggesting that the League investigate every Gym Leader in the Hoenn region.

Especially Wallace.

Zhao Fang felt equal parts amused and helpless. Wallace was someone who would eventually become Champion. If a man like that turned out to be the boss of a villainous organization, where would the League's dignity be?

Thinking of that, Zhao Fang opened WeChat and took a look. A new post had appeared in his Moments feed, posted by Wallace.

[Wallace: I suggest the Champion hurry up and inspect me.]

It was accompanied by a photo of Wallace holding a Milotic. In the picture, Wallace was every bit the Contest Master, graceful and elegant, dazzling enough to captivate anyone.

Zhao Fang silently gave it a like. Beneath it was a comment from someone named Adam, replying, "Only mediocrity is free from envy." It seemed this must be Wallace's teacher.

Time flew by with the news broadcasts. Before long, night had fallen, and it was time for the auction. Zhao Fang also hurried to the auction venue, only to discover that entering required a deposit of seventy thousand League credits.

Fortunately, Zhao Fang had earned some money earlier. Although he had spent a little of it, he still had enough for seventy thousand, so he entered without difficulty and took a seat at the very back.

"So seating really depends on how much you pay?" Zhao Fang could naturally see the style of this auction, but he had no objections. After all, if others were spending millions or tens of millions on items, it was only proper that they be given private rooms.

There were several people seated beside Zhao Fang as well, some old, some young, but he had no intention of making small talk. Instead, he kept his attention fixed on the stage.

Soon, a beautiful woman with long purple-black hair walked up to host the auction, and along one side of the venue, Officer Jenny was on patrol. Zhao Fang felt the security measures should have been stronger than this.

"Distinguished guests, today's auction security is being handled by one of the League's Elite Four, Phoebe. Please rest assured," the host announced before the bidding began.

Zhao Fang was startled. This was Phoebe of the Elite Four, a master trainer of Ghost-type Pokémon. With her here, there was naturally no need to worry about security.

"Then let us begin with the first item: a medium-grade Water Stone. The starting bid is ten thousand League credits, and each increase must be no less than one thousand."

As the host revealed the item, the auction officially began.