Chapter Twenty-Five: Behind the Veil of the World

The reason Conan chose to reveal the truth to Am was, firstly, because Am was already deeply suspicious of his identity—continuing to feign ignorance might only lead to further exposure. Secondly, Conan had already tested Am and confirmed he did not seem to belong to that organization. And thirdly… he wanted Am’s help.

Am, however, did not believe that Conan’s current predicament was caused by some kind of potion. Based on his understanding of pharmacology alone, Am didn’t think there existed any drug with such effects. Still, since Conan pleaded so earnestly, Am performed another thorough examination, taking the opportunity to inquire further into what Conan had uncovered.

The conclusion was that “Shinichi,” during his visit to the amusement park, had stumbled upon an illegal transaction. However, it wasn’t illicit drugs—it was something unknown, a faintly glowing stone. Just as he was about to call the police, he was attacked from behind, and then blanked out on what was done to him. In his semi-conscious state, he vaguely saw Officer Jenny conversing with members of the mysterious organization.

“No, there are no traces of drug effects on your body, and nothing abnormal remains in your gastric fluids. You’d do better to focus on Pokémon abilities,” Am said with certainty.

“Is it truly impossible?” Conan pressed for confirmation.

“I may not be a master pharmacologist, but—even if a master used a drug, I would never fail to detect the traces!” Am’s tone was resolute, then he added, “If you’re still uneasy, I can introduce you to my teacher…”

Naturally, Am was referring to Granny Reishi, whose knowledge of pharmacology surpassed his own.

“No! I can’t risk exposing my identity any further,” Conan immediately refused.

Am didn’t insist. After all, even if Conan agreed, he’d have to consider whether that might pose a threat to Granny Reishi or Sister Kiyomi; Conan’s warning left Am somewhat uneasy as well. Besides, Am didn’t think Granny Reishi would reach a different conclusion. After all, Am possessed not only expert-level pharmacological knowledge, but also the powers of a “pharmacist”—how could he fail to detect even the presence of a drug?

“Those people… could they be Team Rocket?” Am hinted as subtly as he could.

“Impossible.” Conan replied firmly.

“Hm?” Am was momentarily taken aback. This was not the response of someone who hadn’t considered Team Rocket, but rather someone absolutely convinced it wasn’t them.

“I’ve dealt with Team Rocket more than once. Team Rocket… never had such tight organization or secrecy!” Conan declared, certain.

It seemed Team Rocket was being underestimated…

After a moment’s silence, Am asked, “What do you think of Viridian City’s security? Are there any Team Rocket activities?”

“The security’s excellent… at least there’s no brazen illegal activity,” Conan answered naturally.

Had he known Giovanni was Team Rocket’s boss, he would surely have thought otherwise!

After sending Conan back, Am mulled things over and decided to contact Professor Giantwood.

“Hey! Don’t tell me your first badge is already causing trouble? Hahaha…” Professor Giantwood’s image appeared with a hearty laugh, teasing Am.

From the background, Am could tell the professor was in the laboratory, now dressed in a white coat, though still sporting those flamboyant goggles.

“It’s like this, Professor Giantwood—I have a friend…” Am said earnestly.

Hearing this, Professor Giantwood immediately grew serious.

“He’s in Viridian City, happened to witness a mysterious organization’s illegal transaction, was then attacked, and he thinks… maybe an Officer Jenny, a real one, was involved. Due to the attack, he’s suffered some unspeakable consequences. Meanwhile, I’ve found some Team Rocket clues in Viridian City, and it seems… Giovanni, the Gym Leader, might be… involved with Team Rocket!”

Am spoke cautiously, as if he’d truly uncovered a clue.

“Giovanni? Team Rocket? It’s not ‘involved’—Giovanni is Team Rocket’s leader. But don’t go spreading that around,” Professor Giantwood said matter-of-factly.

Am immediately realized that Giantwood had known the truth all along!

“Then… Giovanni attacked my friend?” Am asked at once.

“Wait, this friend you mention…”

“He really is my friend, not me!” Am quickly clarified.

“I mean, did your friend truly see Officer Jenny? And… a mysterious organization conducting a transaction?” Professor Giantwood confirmed.

“Yeah, he’s fairly reliable… I suppose?” Am didn’t vouch for Conan absolutely.

“Then it definitely wasn’t Team Rocket.” Professor Giantwood didn’t probe further about the “unspeakable consequences”—after all, they were unspeakable.

Seeing Am’s lingering doubts, Giantwood hinted, “The world isn’t flat or two-dimensional; there are things you wouldn’t understand even if I explained now. Next year’s Indigo League championship will probably feature both Johto and Kanto champions, and it’s almost certain Johto’s champion will be Lance.”

“So?” Am hadn’t caught the connection to Lance.

“So Giovanni is now actively preparing to compete for the Kanto championship,” Giantwood revealed this information, which wasn’t exactly classified among the upper echelons.

Am: ???

Seeing Am’s shocked expression, Giantwood continued, “Team Rocket isn’t an illegal organization—illegal are some of their actions, you get it? And Lance is a world-class special investigator. Personally, if it’s between Lance and Giovanni, I prefer Lance, but… those who know, know. Hahaha…”

Giantwood clearly didn’t want to pursue the topic further, and Am now understood. Indeed, in this world, Team Rocket wasn’t an illegal organization; in fact, in Celadon City, its headquarters tower stood openly, rather than being hidden underground as in the games—which led many to believe Team Rocket’s base truly was in Celadon City.

Though the public generally disliked Team Rocket, and its members were often involved in various incidents, they always “cut ties” with those individuals. This was true not only of Team Rocket, but of most such organizations in various regions.

Theoretically, even if Giovanni publicly announced himself as Team Rocket’s boss, the Indigo League wouldn’t issue a warrant for his arrest, and many among its leadership already knew the truth.

Thinking deeper, Am could understand the reason. He’d already considered this world’s state before. Ever since the Alliances were established two centuries ago, the old kingdoms faded from history. Those that remain exist either in remote corners outside the Alliances, or, having voluntarily joined, gave up their armies and dissolved their nations, retaining only a single city, functioning as a “mini-kingdom” under Alliance jurisdiction.

After the Alliance era began, inter-state wars ceased, and the Alliances had no armies, but this also brought a host of other problems. For example, in terms of public order, all the Alliances deeply cooperated with the Jenny clan; although the Jenny department is nominally under the Alliances, actual control rests with the Jenny family…

Now, Am realized that within each Alliance, there was no shortage of organizations using Pokémon for violent purposes, likely as a form of balance against the Jennys. This wasn’t merely a matter of power struggles, but rather a question of “boundaries in using Pokémon.” Without such tension, the Jenny clan might decide tomorrow that only those they approve can become trainers.

Fundamentally, these organizations are adversaries of the Jenny clan; while the larger Alliance leans towards the Jennys, they don’t wish for the balance to disappear completely.

And Lance, the Dragon Envoy, is not only the foremost master of Dragon-types and a member of the Elite Four, but also a world-class Pokémon investigator, and his wife comes from the Jenny clan.

Thus, if Lance becomes Johto’s champion, Giovanni’s campaign for the Kanto championship is well-timed.

The reason Giantwood didn’t believe Am’s friend was secretly attacked by Team Rocket was, firstly, the same as Conan’s judgment—Team Rocket’s operations were never that covert, and they couldn’t infiltrate the Jenny clan. Secondly, Giovanni was currently vying for the Kanto championship, so Team Rocket was actively cleaning up its image and wouldn’t risk any untoward incidents…