Making the Old Man, Giovanni, step down so he could serve as the Team Rocket Boss himself wasn't just a sudden whim for Damian.
It was a decision he had made long ago.
After all, compared to exposing his identity, having Giovanni continue to lie low within the Pokémon League as a Gym Leader was clearly more advantageous.
Furthermore, it wouldn't be very difficult. It was simply a matter of having Giovanni and Damian make a "righteous break" from each other, which would actually benefit Giovanni's future development within the Kanto League.
"Sacrificing family for the sake of justice"—if this title were attached to Giovanni, it would only further enhance his prestige in Kanto.
Damian's "exposure" as a High-Level Executive of Team Rocket would inevitably make the Kanto League suspicious of Giovanni, but Giovanni would claim to know nothing about it. Under the League's investigation, he wouldn't show any suspicious flaws.
Then, after staging a drama of a father-son falling out, Giovanni could completely solidify his foothold in the Kanto League once again.
And to capture his son who had gone astray, Giovanni would resolve to personally bring him back to the League. Therefore, it would be perfectly logical for him—someone originally uninterested in high-ranking positions—to suddenly challenge the Kanto Elite Four and climb the ladder step by step, right?
Damian had already filled in the details of the script in his head; it was bound to be very interesting!
Especially considering Giovanni's strength, he might even become the Kanto Champion.
Just imagining that scene made Damian unable to keep a straight face.
"Heh heh heh... Hahahahahahaha!"
Watching Master Damian laugh, Proton and Domino remained silent.
"By the way, Proton, Domino, from today on, you are to call me 'Boss'."
Damian gestured for the two to change their way of addressing him. Otherwise, the title "Master Damian" would make it too easy for outsiders to link back to Damian's true identity.
"Yes, Boss."
...
Two more days passed. Somewhere in the wild on Melemele Island.
"Executive Caitlin, it's just ahead."
"Mm. Thank you for your hard work."
Caitlin stepped forward slowly.
She was currently wearing a form-fitting black lace base shirt, black pencil pants, and a slim-fit black coat. Her entire style was completely different from her usual look.
Yet, that sense carved into her very bones was still stunning.
"Send out the word. Let's begin. Let us eliminate the final stain on this island."
A blue light flickered in Caitlin's eyes. Her calm and unhurried tone was full of composure.
A Poké Ball floated out and opened, and a Gallade with a sharp, fierce aura appeared before Caitlin.
"Yes!"
The Team Rocket member immediately took out a communicator to pass on the order.
Several Team Rocket members sent out their own Pokémon—Raticate, Alolan Raticate, Alolan Muk, and others—and launched an attack directly at the marked location ahead.
Following a violent explosion, the targeted spot was pulverized, and a cave entrance appeared before everyone's eyes.
Before long, several people ran out while covering their mouths.
However, the moment they saw the surrounding Team Rocket members, their faces turned incredibly ugly.
"Team Rocket! It's that damn woman again!!"
The middle-aged man in the lead had a distorted face, looking at Caitlin with pure hatred.
He remembered her. It was this beautiful-looking woman who had been chasing them relentlessly!
"Dammit! We never even offended you! Do you really have to be this heartless?"
The Pokémon hunter roared, his hysterical appearance looking quite gruesome, his eyes bloodshot.
He hadn't had a single good day during this period. Setting aside the fact that he had to hide every day, he had just settled down less than a day ago when Team Rocket attacked again.
His mental state was on the verge of collapsing.
"I am very sorry, but our Team Rocket territory has no room for a single Pokémon hunter."
Caitlin maintained a faint, aesthetic smile. Her flat voice made the Pokémon hunter's expression even worse.
"We'll leave Melemele Island! Will that work?" the middle-aged Pokémon hunter said through gritted teeth.
Though his heart was filled with humiliation and resentment, he knew that Caitlin was simply too strong for them.
"Sorry, but no," Caitlin said with a light smile, remaining as polite as ever.
"Team Rocket recently discovered a mineral vein, and the cost of hiring workers is too high. Therefore, we really need all of you. Could you please surrender without resistance?"
Caitlin smiled as she spoke to the Pokémon hunters in front of her. She even consulted their opinions by using a question!
Executive Caitlin is truly too gentle! Beautiful and gentle!
Several female Team Rocket members behind Caitlin looked at her back with starry eyes.
"Screw you! You bitch, you actually want us to go mine for you?!" The middle-aged Pokémon hunter couldn't take it anymore.
"How bold! How dare you insult Executive Caitlin!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Executive Caitlin letting you mine is her showing you respect! You don't know what's good for you!"
Before Caitlin could even speak, the surrounding Team Rocket members were instantly enraged. They had their Pokémon swarm forward, prepared to give these Pokémon hunters a proper lesson.
Caitlin smiled slightly at the sight. Situations like this... had actually happened several times already.
She could only say that she quite liked these cute and loyal subordinates.
In a short while, the Pokémon hunters were taken down by the Team Rocket members using "righteous" group-tactics and were led away.
"Executive Caitlin! This is bad!"
The communicator suddenly rang, and a subordinate spoke hurriedly.
"Island King Hala is rushing over with his men."
Island King Hala—the man with the highest authority on Melemele Island and, on the surface, its strongest trainer!
"Calm down. I am coming over now. Have the men retreat."
Caitlin was very calm as she comforted the panicked subordinate.
Well, the subordinates she brought out were basically former members of Team Skull. They were fine usually, but when encountering someone of Hala's caliber, it was impossible not to panic.
On the other side.
"It really is Team Rocket!"
Hala looked at the six or seven men and women in black uniforms ahead, his expression steady. And...
Hala looked toward the blonde girl in black walking slowly from the side, his grey eyebrows furrowing.
"Executive Caitlin!"
The Team Rocket members immediately showed excited expressions. Heaven knows how nervous they had been while being stared down by Hala.
Caitlin nodded to them and then looked toward Hala.
"Island King Hala, it is an honor to meet you."
Despite her status as Team Rocket, Caitlin still maintained her politeness.
Though she was dressed in a sleek, capable black outfit, her "Young Lady" temperament was still very prominent.
At the very least, Hala could tell at a glance that this girl likely came from a very good family.
"Are you an Executive of Team Rocket?" Hala asked in a deep voice.
"Team Rocket High-Level Executive, Caitlin." Caitlin introduced herself and took out her silver Team Rocket badge to show him.
High-Level Executive? Hala's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Forgive this old man's rudeness, but I must ask you to come with me." Hala took out two Poké Balls, his expression solemn and grave.
A High-Level Executive of Team Rocket could not be allowed to escape!
"Is that so? Then it will depend on your skill." Caitlin still responded with a smile.
Fighting against an Alolan Island King from the opposite sides of good and evil was something Caitlin had never even dreamed of.
But now it was truly happening. And...
The psychic blue light in Caitlin's eyes flickered, and her heart was pounding.
It's quite interesting, isn't it!
If I can capture this girl, I can surely find out a lot of information about Team Rocket, Hala thought to himself. A Team Rocket High-Level Executive was a high-ranking member whose status was second only to the Team Rocket Leader!
As for whether he might lose to this beautiful girl? Hala naturally hadn't considered that.
He was the Island King Hala! And the opponent? Is this girl even eighteen?
He would definitely win!