For once, things were quiet.
The Indigo League had concluded, along with the gym challenge season. All gym leaders were given a two- to three-month break before the next wave of challengers. Giovanni, usually engrossed in plans and battles, finally had time to focus on other matters.
First on his list: his Pokémon team.
Ariana and Petrel had just returned from Sinnoh, bringing something useful — a Razor Fang. Giovanni already knew who it was for. His Gligar had been defeating strong trainers with ease, even those holding five badges. But he believed it could do more if evolved.
That evening, Giovanni met Gligar on the gym's training field.
"You've done well. It's time to go further," he said, showing it the Razor Fang.
Gligar chirped in readiness. As night fell, it held the item tightly in its mouth. A soft glow enveloped it, and in a moment, Gligar transformed. It now stood taller, with sharper claws and wings — Gliscor had arrived.
Giovanni gave a short nod. "Good. Let's test you soon."
Next, Giovanni turned his attention to three Pokémon he was training long-term: Larvitar, Gible, and Drilbur.
They were close to evolving. He could see the signs — Gible's skin had deepened to a richer blue; Larvitar's body looked tougher; and Drilbur's claws shimmered with a metallic sheen. But progress had slowed.
So he pushed them harder.
He had them train under tough conditions — rocky terrains, underground tunnels, and lengthy battle sessions. It was exhausting, even brutal. But Giovanni knew these Pokémon needed that final push to unlock their evolutions.
"They're close," he thought, watching them collapse after another round. "Almost there."
Despite the grueling training and research, Giovanni wasn't solely focused on work.
He had been spending more time with Delia. What began as a plan—tied to Team Rocket's future goals—had gradually become something real. She made him feel relaxed, a rarity in his world.
They had been seeing each other for a few months. Simple dinners, walks, quiet conversations.
One evening, Giovanni brought up an idea.
"How do you feel about taking a trip?" he asked.
She raised an eyebrow. "You? Taking time off?"
He smiled. "Even I need a break. I was thinking… the Orange Islands. Quiet. Good weather. Beautiful views."
Delia looked curious. "Is this like a date?"
"Yes," he replied. "I will sponsor the trip."
She laughed. "Fine. As long as it's actually fun, I don't mind."
Before leaving, Giovanni met with Proton and the Rocket science team.
"Now that we've used the Razor Fang," Giovanni said, "I want you to work on a new item."
"The Protector?" Proton asked.
Giovanni nodded. "Yes. We don't have a reliable way to produce it yet. Make one. If we need to evolve Rhydon later, I don't want to depend on outside sources."
Proton jotted down notes and nodded.
A few days later, Giovanni and Delia left Viridian City aboard a private airship, headed for the Orange Islands. Gliscor flew alongside for part of the journey, enjoying the open skies.
Giovanni stood at the window with Delia beside him. For once, he wasn't thinking about Kanto's future or Team Rocket's operations. He was simply… present.
Still, in the back of his mind, he knew this break wouldn't last forever. Once everything resumed, things would pick up again — fast.
Oak's POV
Things had been busy, but in a different way.
Samuel Oak, Champion of Kanto, hadn't just been focused on battling or managing the League. For the past several months, he'd quietly been building something of his own — a laboratory right in Pallet Town.
It was peaceful there. No crowds, no constant noise like in Celadon or Saffron. The land had been inexpensive when he bought it, and more importantly, it was green, open, and tranquil.
He needed that calm.
His children had moved there too, both shaken after the Fuchsia City attack. Pryce's strike had left scars on many; his children had taken it especially hard. They stepped away from their careers to help set up the lab. The three of them spent their days quietly working — building habitats, organizing notes, setting up equipment, and ensuring everything would be ready when he finally stepped down.
Because Oak had been planning to retire.
He'd considered doing so right after the war ended, but the timing would have been disastrous. Kanto needed stability. A power vacuum at the top of the League could have triggered infighting, or worse.
So he waited.
Now, a year later, he was nearly ready. The Elite Four had started to suspect something. He hadn't said it outright, but he knew they were catching on. Agatha, in particular, would likely complain about taking over — he could already imagine the lecture.
But Oak didn't want to be Champion anymore.
The battles still haunted him, especially the one at Mahogany. What he did there hadn't been easy—though necessary, it still left its mark. He didn't voice it, but he felt ashamed of some of it.
His heart had never been in the pursuit of power or glory. What he truly wanted, from the beginning, was understanding — of Pokémon, their behavior, their bonds with people.
Back then, Kanto lacked real researchers. Only a few, like Professor Westwood the Fourth, and even he had been mostly theoretical rather than practical. Now Oak had heard that his son, Westwood the Fifth, might carry on that legacy.
That was good.
Oak wanted to contribute — breed, observe, record, teach. The Pallet lab was nearly ready, and his Pokémon had already begun breeding. He also had an idea: once he retired, he'd start offering Kanto's "Kanto Three" as starter Pokémon for new trainers.
Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur — simple, solid, balanced. Perfect partners for the next generation.
He was also contemplating Ken Addams — the Indigo League winner. If the boy eventually challenged the Elite Four and proved himself by knocking out at least three of their Pokémon, Oak might consider him for a role. Kanto needed more capable trainers — strong, sharp, driven.
Gods knew they needed that now more than ever.
Oak wouldn't lead anymore. He preferred to support from the sidelines — sponsor young talent, guide researchers — and let the next generation take charge.
For now, it was just a matter of waiting. A few more months. Once the Council's affairs stabilized, he'd submit his resignation.
And with that, Professor Oak would truly begin his next chapter.