In the office of the Viridian City Gym in the Kanto region.
"Shiro has left Johto? I see."
"Continue with the Three Legendary Beasts Project. You'll remain in charge. Don't disappoint me, Carr."
"I'm aware of Shiro's situation. Unless there's a major incident, there's no need to bother him. Do you understand what I mean?"
Sitting on a luxurious leather chair, a middle-aged man in a designer suit spoke calmly to the monitor in front of him. His magnetic voice was steady and soothing to the ears.
After receiving confirmation, the man ended the call, his deep eyes flickering with thought.
He was the current Gym Leader of Viridian City, the man known as "Giovanni"!
To the public, Giovanni was a mature and composed Gym Leader, highly respected for his expertise in Ground-type Pokémon. He never kept his knowledge to himself, instead writing books on his years of experience with Ground-types, which were widely circulated.
This masterful demeanor earned Giovanni widespread recognition, and the entire Kanto region admired his character.
At the same time, Giovanni was also a highly successful businessman, further elevating his social status.
But what no one could have imagined was that this man, who seemed to have reached the pinnacle of success, was actually the source of Kanto's darkness!
The true boss of the evil organization, Team Rocket!
"Boss, is this really okay?"
Giovanni seemed deep in thought, and the woman standing quietly beside him, Matori, hesitated for a moment before speaking up.
Carr had contacted Giovanni to express his dissatisfaction with Shiro. It was clear that Carr's resentment toward Shiro was intense.
Was this really alright?
"What are you referring to, Matori?"
Giovanni's lips curled slightly as he tapped the desk rhythmically with his index finger.
"Shiro, he…" Matori furrowed her brows. As Giovanni's secretary and confidant, she had, of course, met Shiro before.
Though Shiro's strength was undeniable, his personality…
"Conflict is the best catalyst for evolution. Carr is a smart man. Though he's arrogant, he knows how to keep things in check."
"As for Shiro… Shiro is an exceptionally talented young man. Even now, he hasn't reached his limit."
"Yes, an unprecedented level of talent."
Giovanni spoke slowly, a faint smile on his lips, his deep eyes gleaming with an unusual light. He wasn't unfamiliar with so-called geniuses.
Strictly speaking, Giovanni himself was a true genius!
"Matori, people are never equal. Some are born extraordinary, and that's a gap that can't be bridged by hard work. These are what we call monsters, and only a monster can deal with a monster!"
Born in Viridian Forest, Giovanni had received the forest's blessing from a young age. Starting from humble beginnings, he had climbed to where he was today. His true strength was no weaker than that of Lance, the current strongest Champion of Kanto!
And just last year, he had encountered two so-called "geniuses" who had left him in awe.
Geniuses?
Giovanni preferred to call them monsters!
And to deal with monsters, you needed monsters of the same caliber!
Hearing this, Matori thought of the two monstrous youths from last year. After a moment of hesitation, she voiced her concerns.
"But Boss, with all due respect, Ryuu Shiro is not the type to be content with being subordinate to anyone, even if you've given him the title of Strongest Executive."
"And he's far too self-centered. Even if you've helped him, he won't wholeheartedly assist you forever."
Matori spoke with worry. Giovanni's admiration for Shiro's strength was inevitable.
Team Rocket was powerful. With its three executives, four generals, the Three Beasts, and several high-ranking executives, all averaging Elite Four level, Team Rocket's strength rivaled that of any regional league!
But Team Rocket lacked a true Champion-level Trainer to carry the weight!
Giovanni was the only top-tier Champion in Team Rocket, and Shiro's appearance had been a tremendous boon for him.
"Geniuses are proud, especially one with the surname 'Ryuu.'"
Giovanni chuckled, his expression still calm and composed.
"It's been too long. Staying in the shadows isn't what I want, Matori. No matter what Shiro's future holds, his goals align with ours."
Giovanni slowly stood up, raising the glass of red wine in his hand and taking a sip. The crimson liquid swirled in the glass, reflecting the ambition in Giovanni's eyes!
Yes, Giovanni was well aware that Shiro's presence was a source of instability for him and Team Rocket.
But compared to the benefits, these threats weren't urgent at the moment. For now, he needed Shiro as an ally.
Shiro was proud, believed in the absolute law of the jungle, and was an ambitious individual.
That was enough, because someone like him would never side with the Pokémon League!
"I wonder what Shiro will gain from his trip to Galar?"
…
Meanwhile, deep beneath Hammerlocke in Galar.
A terrifying dragon's roar echoed as Eternatus's massive body rose into the air. Freed from its restraints, it was ready to leave!
Crimson energy particles gathered in front of Eternatus, forming a chilling red light that shot out with a deafening roar.
Dynamax Cannon!
The powerful Dynamax Cannon blasted through the thick walls, sunlight streaming in through the newly created hole.
Without hesitation, Eternatus flew out through the opening.
Ryuu Shiro didn't stop it, simply watching with a smile as Eternatus disappeared through the hole.
"This is really bad."
But seeing this, Oleana's face turned pale. The Energy Plant was directly beneath Hammerlocke!
The situation had escalated too quickly, and Hammerlocke was completely unprepared. Eternatus's sudden appearance would undoubtedly cause panic among the city's residents.
The massive poison dragon emerged from underground, its body surrounded by a faint, dangerous red glow as it hovered in the air, its enormous form radiating terrifying draconic energy.
"Roar~"
Eternatus raised its head high, a deep, resonant cry echoing across the sky and reverberating through most of Hammerlocke!
The legendary "Darkest Day" of Galar had finally returned after three thousand years!