Yes—under Ash's Aura Perception, the existence of a Team Rocket underground base beneath Viridian Gym was no secret at all.
"Ash… I'm really sorry about that," Giovanni said apologetically when he saw Dr. Fuji leave without even saying goodbye.
"It's fine," Ash shook his head calmly.
"Dr. Fuji was just worried about Rattata's health. That's completely understandable."
From the beginning, this had been a transaction.
Ash would help Giovanni—and Team Rocket—treat Mewtwo, and in return, Giovanni and Team Rocket would pay him a generous reward.
At the same time, both sides would use this shared interest to maintain a fragile but deliberate non-aggression balance.
Especially on Ash's side—
Before his strength had fully matured, he had no intention of tearing things apart with Team Rocket.
He needed time.
Time that was relatively peaceful and undisturbed—to steadily grow stronger.
While Dr. Fuji took Rattata down for a full medical examination, Ash and Giovanni chatted idly.
Most of it was mutual praise and polite formalities—meaningless small talk.
Since Ash had decided to temporarily play along with Team Rocket and maintain a delicate ambiguous relationship, he didn't mind conversing with Giovanni.
And when his Aura Perception confirmed that Giovanni harbored no hostility toward him at all, but instead genuine admiration—
To be honest, Ash felt rather surprised.
But that lack of malice was a good thing, and Ash was more than happy to accept it.
He even took the initiative to ask Giovanni for advice on Pokémon training and nurturing, using the opportunity to draw their relationship closer.
….
"Gym Leader, Dr. Fuji has finished examining Rattata," Matori's voice came through the earpiece.
"He says the issue inside Rattata's body has already been resolved."
Down in the underground base, the examination hadn't taken long. Matori immediately relayed the results to Giovanni.
"Rattata has been cured?" Giovanni's stern face finally broke into a rare smile.
"That's excellent."
"Ash, thank you—truly. You've helped me immensely this time," Giovanni said sincerely as he turned toward him.
"You're too polite, Gym Leader," Ash replied with a mild smile.
"I was paid to do a job. This is only what I should do."
Ash was careful.
He wanted a good relationship with Team Rocket—but he also knew where to draw the line.
He had no intention of becoming too deeply entangled with them.
"Of course," Giovanni waved it off.
"Matori, bring the gift and payment I prepared for Ash."
"Yes."
Matori nodded and turned to leave the office.
"Ash," Giovanni continued,
"Your healing ability has already proven effective against Rattata's condition. However, the injuries of my other Pokémon are far more severe."
"So I'll have to trouble you further."
The Mewtwo Project was of vital importance—to Giovanni personally, and to Team Rocket as a whole.
That was why, even as a Champion-class Trainer, Giovanni's attitude toward Ash carried a trace of deference.
Ash, for his part, responded just as politely.
"Since I've already agreed, I'll naturally give it my all."
"However, I still need to train my Pokémon and manage my Skill Shop, so my free time is limited."
"If you want me to treat that special Pokémon, it must be transferred from Dr. Fuji's research facility to Viridian Gym."
"And if its condition is extremely severe—if it can't be healed in one go—then I'll only be able to come here once per day."
"I won't be able to stay at Viridian Gym long-term. I hope you understand, Gym Leader."
"Of course, of course," Giovanni nodded repeatedly.
Ash was now the League's number-one seed talent, a key figure under close observation.
Even a single trip from Pallet Town to Viridian Gym would draw League attention—something Giovanni would have to handle afterward.
If Ash stayed at Viridian Gym for too long, or traveled to New Island, then Viridian Gym, New Island, and the Mewtwo Project itself would all risk exposure.
That was the last thing Giovanni wanted to see.
…
Tap—tap—
As Ash and Giovanni spoke, the secretary returned, carrying a long, rectangular brocade box.
"Ash," Giovanni said earnestly,
"The staff member who invited you before behaved poorly. You showed great magnanimity in forgiving them—and you still agreed to treat my injured Pokémon."
"I truly didn't know how to properly thank you."
"This is the compensation—and apology gift—I personally prepared for you. I hope you like it. Please, open it."
"Mm."
Ash nodded.
He used Aura Perception to check Giovanni and Matori for any hidden malice, then scanned the box itself for danger.
Finding none—
Ash accepted the box from Matori and opened it.
Given the importance of the Mewtwo Project, and considering how often Jessie, Cassidy, and others had clashed with him—
Ash had already guessed the gift would be valuable.
But he hadn't expected it to be this valuable.
Inside the brocade box, nestled within custom-cut velvet padding, lay two spherical gemstones—one large, one small.
The larger one was about the size of an apricot.
The smaller one was roughly the size of a pigeon's egg.
The larger crystal resembled a glass marble from Ash's previous life—its surface smooth and lustrous, with a pattern reminiscent of a Lehsunia gemstone, swirling and distorted like a twisted floral design.
Its base color was a pale yellow, while its inner patterns shimmered with red and gold hues.
The smaller crystal glowed with a gradient of colors, and within it was a symbol resembling a double-bladed spiral shuriken—like a sealed fragment of a DNA helix.
"This is…?"
Ash stared at the two crystals, shock written plainly across his face.
"These were discovered by one of my Gym staff during a trip to the Kalos region, inside an ancient ruin," Giovanni explained.
"The larger crystal is called a Mega Stone.
The smaller one is a Key Stone."
"The Mega Stone is worn by a Pokémon.
The Key Stone is worn by the Trainer."
"When used together, they allow a Pokémon that has already reached its final evolutionary stage to undergo Mega Evolution—or as some call it, Super Evolution."
The value of this gift—
Was immeasurable.
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