How did Ash even get Meowth's contact number?
And why would he choose this moment to call?
After all, the moment Ash obtained Meowth's number, there was no way he didn't already know Meowth's true identity. He knew Team Rocket had tried to hunt him down before—normally, anyone would want to stay as far away from Team Rocket as possible.
So why would Ash take the initiative to contact them?
Was it because he now had multiple layers of protection and believed Team Rocket no longer dared to touch him—so he was calling to provoke them? To show off?
At first glance, that kind of behavior did resemble something a child might do. When kids fight, if the one who was bullied suddenly gains a powerful backer and knows the bully can't touch them anymore, calling to taunt them wouldn't be strange at all.
But this wasn't a playground scuffle.
This was Team Rocket.
If someone had been hunted by an evil organization, barely escaped, and finally secured powerful protection… would they really call that organization just to say, "You can't touch me anymore, can you? Come on, try again!"?
Was that something a child could do?
Or even something a normal person would do?
No matter how they looked at it, Ash's sudden phone call left everyone in Giovanni's office stunned—shocked, confused, and utterly baffled.
As for Drowzee, who had just been released earlier that afternoon after enduring more than a week of torment at Ash's hands… the moment it heard Ash's voice, its face turned deathly pale, its body trembling uncontrollably.
"Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town," the boy's innocent, childish voice came through the phone again.
"Are you the big brother and big sister I met on Route 1 before, the ones who asked me for help?"
"Yes… y-yes," Meowth replied nervously after Giovanni gave a slight nod.
"That's right," Meowth forced himself to continue.
"We're the ones who asked you for help back then. Um… how did you get my phone number?"
"Oh, that?" Ash replied cheerfully.
"Back on Route 1, you big brother and big sister wanted my help, but I was naughty and let Pichu use Thunder Wave on you."
"After I got home, my mom gave me a huge scolding and told me I absolutely had to find you and apologize properly."
"Luckily, my neighbor's uncle's cousin's nephew's in-law works at the League's vehicle registration office. I spent a lot of effort asking him to trace your Jeep's license plate, and that's how I found your contact information."
"So today I'm calling to apologize."
"Big brother, big sister, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have let Pichu use Thunder Wave on you. I sincerely apologize. Can you forgive me?"
Ash's voice was soft, pure, and impossibly adorable—like a completely innocent child who genuinely felt remorse.
...
"I-it's fine," Meowth replied stiffly.
"A kid who knows his mistakes and corrects them is a good kid. Big brother and big sister forgive you."
But instead of relaxing, Meowth's fur stood on end.
This version of Ash felt far more dangerous.
Just look at Drowzee—its neck was drawn in, its entire body trembling violently.
"Really? You forgive me?" Ash asked happily.
Everyone in the office could easily picture the bright, innocent smile on his face.
Yet when they glanced at Meowth's bristling fur and Drowzee's terror-stricken state, their expressions grew heavy.
"Oh, right," Ash continued.
"Back then, it seemed like you big brother and big sister had something you wanted my help with. What was it? Is there anything I can help you with?"
"You were so generous in forgiving me even though I was rude and impolite. To show my apology and gratitude, if there's anything I can do—and anything within my ability—I'll definitely help you…"
Ash sounded exactly like a well-behaved child trying earnestly to make amends.
"Find you for what reason…?"
Suddenly, Ash's tone changed.
"Big brother, big sister, I suddenly have something to take care of. I'll hang up now."
"In about five minutes, I'll call again—this time by video."
"In the meantime, you can think about your wording."
"When I call again, I want to know who you really are, and what your true purpose was. Understood?"
The innocent childish voice instantly turned cold and chilling.
Meowth's hand trembled as it held the phone.
Before it could respond, the call was cut off.
"Boss…" Meowth said softly as it lowered the phone, looking toward Giovanni, who sat silently on the sofa, deep in thought.
"Why does that kid have your number?" Jessie asked.
"A week ago, when we blocked him on Route 1, didn't I disguise myself as a milk company salesman and call him the next morning?" Meowth replied.
"He probably remembered my number from then."
"But we were disguised as milk salesmen—how did he know it was us?" Jessie muttered.
"What kind of intuition and insight is that? Did he already know we were Team Rocket back then?"
"And now, more than a week later, when we don't even dare touch him anymore… he calls us instead. Asking about our purpose—while pretending not to know who we are."
"What is this kid planning?"
Jessie, Cassidy, and the others all looked deeply puzzled.
"It's obvious," Matori said calmly from Giovanni's side.
"He's extending an olive branch. He doesn't want to completely fall out with Team Rocket."
"Mm, exactly," Giovanni said, gently stroking his Persian.
"Between the League's protection, the backing of the major Kanto families, and Professor Oak's Champion-class Charizard staying by his side… plus that kid's own potential and methods…"
"At this point, Team Rocket not only can't touch him—we need to think about repairing our relationship with him."
"And since he's taking the initiative to show goodwill, we shouldn't be blind to it."
"I originally thought the Mewtwo Project could only rely on Dr. Fuji's efforts," Giovanni continued, eyes narrowing slightly.
"But now… this kid might be our turning point."
"He just asked about our identity and purpose, didn't he?"
"If he already sees through us, then let's meet him honestly."
"Show sincerity."
"If cooperation can push the Mewtwo Project forward… that would be ideal."
Giovanni's voice was calm, decisive, and coldly calculating.
The room fell silent.
Five minutes.
That was all the time they had—before Ash Ketchum's video call arrived.
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T/N:
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