Haunter supported Matori as she slowly regained consciousness.
After a moment, Matori's eyes fluttered open.
"Eek!"
Instantly, Matori jumped back, her fur standing on end as she glared at Natsume with suspicion.
Natsume sighed, "I told you, Haunter used Hypnosis on its own... Do you believe me?"
Matori paused for a moment, then shook her head vigorously.
No wonder Boss Giovanni warned me to stay alert...
Matori felt a chill run down her spine.
First, he disarmed me with his words, then had Haunter ambush me...
If I had been carrying any weapons, I might have been in serious trouble!
She glanced at Natsume's face again.
Matori's cheeks flushed slightly, and she cleared her throat, adjusting her glasses with a trembling hand.
Seeing that her clothes were still intact, for some reason, Matori felt an inexplicable sense of disappointment...
"So, you're here to invite me to join some organization?" Natsume thought to himself.
Giovanni's secretary... There's only one possibility that comes to mind.
What kind of strange people are these? Even Team Rocket is coming after me!
Matori suddenly snapped back to reality, her expression turning serious.
"This isn't the right place... If you don't mind, may I accompany you to your residence?"
Although Team Rocket had legitimate businesses in Touran, this wasn't the appropriate setting for negotiations.
Choosing a familiar location for the opponent was also Matori's way of showing sincerity in her recruitment efforts.
Natsume was taken aback.
Bringing Giovanni's secretary home?!
How did this situation get so weird?
"You want me to join Team Rocket, don't you?" Natsume said calmly.
"Not a chance. Give it up."
Matori's heart skipped a beat.
She held a high position in Team Rocket but rarely made public appearances.
This time, she had infiltrated Touran under a false identity, believing she had hidden herself well.
So how did he see through me so easily?
Or had other organizations' intelligence networks already penetrated Team Rocket's inner circle?
Matori's heart raced, and her tone grew more respectful.
"Yes, that is the purpose of my visit."
Natsume let out a long sigh.
I'm just an ordinary content creator in the gaming section.
Even though Team Rocket has legitimate enterprises... joining an evil organization for no reason? That's just crazy.
"Please leave," Natsume said, picking up his grocery basket.
"I still need to go home and cook."
"Haunter!"
Haunter waved at Matori, humming a cheerful tune at the thought of a warm dinner.
Matori fell silent, watching Natsume's retreating figure with the grocery basket in hand. The image of a reclusive master suddenly appeared in her mind.
"Lord Natsume!" Matori called out. "We can discuss the specific rewards!"
Natsume's eyebrow twitched, but he continued walking without a word.
"You won't be forced to join."
Natsume carried the grocery basket, his expression unchanged.
"You'll still receive a salary!"
Not joining Team Rocket and getting paid for it?!
In the night, Matori watched as the handsome Natsume-sensei approached, feeling a bit nervous.
Natsume handed the grocery basket to Matori and said, "Hold this for now. Let's talk as we walk."
...
The security guard, an old man, was yawning in his booth.
In the dim light of the night, he saw two figures approaching and muttered in disapproval, "This is the second one! Young people these days, instead of becoming Trainers, they mess around with relationships. Such a waste!"
Natsume-sensei's residence was a bit old, but perhaps that was part of his disguise.
Matori thought to herself, her face showing a hint of respect.
"Excuse me," Matori said, stepping inside in her knee-length skirt and removing her high heels.
Natsume didn't say a word, his expression odd as he subtly took a step back.
Matori's face turned bright red.
Was that step back really necessary?
Such a small action, yet it hurt so much?
"Eevee!!" Eevee rolled around on the couch in dissatisfaction.
Squirtle had already withdrawn into its shell, sulking.
"Haunter!" Haunter, however, didn't seem to mind and even licked its Toxic Orb a couple of times.
"Maybe... I should just stay outside," Matori said softly.
"Sure," Natsume replied, relieved.
Matori: ???
Wait, wasn't that just a polite gesture?
But since she had already said it, Matori bit her lip and stood outside, speaking humbly, "Although Lord Giovanni said it wasn't necessary, I believe it's important to explain his vision..."
Considering the possibility of getting paid for doing nothing, Natsume endured the rambling, occasionally nodding in Perfunctory.
Matori's speech grew faster, her face flushed with excitement.
Natsume frowned, fanning his nose.
Instantly, Matori deflated like a wilted plant.
"Next, I'll outline the conditions Lord Giovanni has proposed..."
Natsume-sensei perked up.
Seeing Matori's dejected expression, Natsume comforted her, "I think I can understand some of it..."
"Really?" Matori's eyes lit up.
Natsume nodded thoughtfully.
Giovanni was a man of pure intentions.
Compared to Archie's "Chaotic Evil," Giovanni's evil followed a certain order.
Like the opposite of Red, yet sharing similarities with Red's ideals...
The Viridian Forest only bestowed its blessings on those who deserved them.
Boss Giovanni, who had earned the forest's approval, could be said to possess a unique kind of gentleness...
"I admire Giovanni," Natsume said with a smile. "He deserves to be called Boss Giovanni by everyone."
Matori's eyes welled up with tears.
No wonder... Lord Giovanni sent me all this way to recruit Natsume-sensei.
Trainers are drawn to each other.
Perhaps there's something in Natsume-sensei that resonates with Lord Giovanni.
Matori cleared her throat. "As for your welfare, here's the deal."
"If you agree to join Team Rocket, your title will be Instructor, on par with the Three Executives."
Matori continued, "You'll receive benefits like insurance, shares in our legitimate enterprises, and authority over personnel changes..."
"You won't need to be on standby. Just continue uploading your strategy videos."
"Strictly speaking, this isn't even considered being an official member of Team Rocket, but this was personally decided by Lord Giovanni."
Matori adjusted her glasses, speaking seriously. "There's no risk involved. All you need to do is agree."
Natsume fell into deep thought.
No obligations, only benefits—it was undeniably tempting.
But Natsume had always believed that debts of gratitude were the hardest to repay.
With Giovanni's charisma, Natsume-sensei might end up being sold out while still counting the money.
"You're testing an Executive with this?" Natsume sneered.
"What kind of Executive wouldn't pass such a test?"
Matori was momentarily stunned, thinking to herself, Well, the Kanto Region almost fell because of it...
"There's also an annual bonus..." Matori added after some thought.
"Executives receive over 5 million Pokémon Coins."
Natsume suddenly coughed.
Matori's face showed a hint of regret.
Was it... still too little?
In Team Rocket's prime, the bonuses were at least seven figures.
Natsume's expression turned strange.
Although Natsume had the confidence to earn 5 million Pokémon Coins through his work, getting it for free...
The sheer audacity of this "golden offer" left Natsume somewhat stunned.
"Let me think about it," Natsume said after a pause.
"You can leave now."
Since there were no additional conditions, Matori had fulfilled her mission by delivering the offer.
The terms were simple:
Natsume would continue posting videos and enjoy Team Rocket's privileges and bonuses.
Even if the International Police arrested Team Rocket, Natsume-sensei wouldn't be implicated in the slightest.
Though tempted, Natsume-sensei stroked his chin, deciding to seek advice from a higher authority first.
Matori took her leave.
As she glanced back at the closed door, recalling the night's events, Matori murmured, "As expected... of a Trainer worthy of Lord Giovanni's attention."
...
Natsume crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Suddenly, he sniffed the air, his expression turning odd.
Maybe I should call a cleaning service tomorrow... for a Defog or something...
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