Pokemon: I Transmigrated Twice [12]

A Few Days Later

"Don't move, little kitty, just a bit more..."

In a seaside house, Stephen was drawing blood from Guiovanni's pet cat—the Persian.

The pampered feline, usually spoiled by Giovanni, nearly wanted to strike this pesky human down with a single blow. As the cherished pet of Team Rocket's leader, it usually roamed around the team without care, cradled and protected. However, in just these few days, Persian felt like it was being drained dry by this kid!

"Don't be angry, don't be angry. Today should be the last time unless something unexpected happens," Stephen tried to reassure it.

"Have you made any progress, Stephen-kun?"

Giovanni asked, taking a sip of coffee and glancing over.

"It still requires some time, but we've run into a bottleneck in the research," Stephen replied as he carefully put Persiant's blood into a test tube, diluted it, and prepared for the next round of experiments. "What can be studied with blood is, after all, just research. The ultimate goal of research is application, but..."

At this point, Stephen glanced out the window at the beach tourists and their various Pokémon companions.

Hearing the word application, Giovanni immediately grasped Stephen's hesitation.

"Aren't there plenty in the suburbs? Do you want me to call someone to help you catch some? Or you could just go to a Pokemon store and buy one. Although it costs more, they're less aggressive."

Using living subjects for experiments! Giovanni wasn't a stranger to this field. He had countless scientists at his base who did exactly that. Among them, two stood out: Dr. Zager and Dr. Namba. He briefly wondered how Stephen compared to those two.

"Or... you could go to a specific place to buy them," Giovanni added.

The place he was referring to was the black market.

There, many items unavailable in regular markets were sold—like the delectable meat of leek ducks, the fashionable skull artifacts cherished by the wealthy, and Slowpoke tails. Naturally, Pokémon were also on offer. However, compared to Pokemon stores, quality was hard to find on the black market. Most Pokémon sold there had been abused and were half-dead. But they were cheap, making them ideal for experiments.

"Pi~ Pi~"

Just then, a messenger Pidgey landed on the windowsill of the cottage, tapping the glass.

Stephen walked over, opened the window, and let the bird in. The Pidgey rummaged through its small backpack, retrieved a package, and handed it over along with a pen. Then it presented a receipt, pointing to the signature line.

The meaning was clear: Please sign here.

Yes, this was something Stephen had ordered online.

Seeing Stephen momentarily silent, Giovanni couldn't help but smirk.

"Still just a ten-year-old child—are you feeling soft-hearted?"

After signing, Stephen patted the Pidgey's fluffy head and scratched its chin. The bird chirped happily, eyes squinting in delight.

"I'm not a good person, but at least I'm human," Stephen said calmly, returning to the laboratory and opening the package.

Inside were three evolution stones recognized by Pokémon researchers: the Fire Stone, Water Stone, and Thunder Stone.

"That's surprising. You told me you've been involved in technological research for a long time. Have you never experimented with something like a Rattata before this?"

In Giovanni's worldview, Rattata was akin to guinea pigs.

"I usually use scum for experiments," Stephen replied.

Thinking of this, Stephen recalled the joyful days of his past life. In the pirate world, guinea pigs were practically endless. Those pirates with prices on their heads exceeding a hundred million were like toys to him.

And his favorite targets?

The Celestial Dragons.

Watching those arrogant pigs, who normally looked down on everyone, lying on a lab table as he dissected them... I alone am the honored one!

But looking back, he regretted not dissecting Momonosuke. His original plan was to use Ivankov's hormone powers to turn him into a woman and then throw him into Impel Down as part of a global broadcast experiment.

Hopefully, there will be another chance in the future.

"Scum..."

Giovanni blinked.

Why did it feel like this kid was insulting him?

["Attention, everyone! We interrupt this program for a news bulletin."]

The TV suddenly displayed a female anchor holding a script.

["Recently, the A-rank wanted criminal of the Alliance, Pokémon Hunter Anders, was spotted near Tsubaki Town. Citizens of the Johto region are urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of him immediately..."]

Next to the anchor appeared a wanted poster of a scruffy man in his 40s with a shady look in his eyes.

Giovanni's eyes flickered, but his tone remained calm.

"Anders, a B-rank wanted criminal of the Alliance, often lurks in small-town outskirts, waiting for novice trainers to leave home with their starter Pokémon. Then he strikes, stealing their newly acquired partners..."

"Well, this guy has some business sense," Stephen chuckled.

To be honest, Anders looked like a sewer rat—but he was clever. Targeting big cities like Goldenrod or Olivine would have been risky. What if the kid he robbed turned out to be a Champion's nephew or a rich man's daughter?

By contrast, places like Mahogany Town were safer.

"This guy has been active in Johto for years, and they're only now discovering his whereabouts. The Alliance might be developing, but their efficiency hasn't improved much," Giovanni scoffed.

"Heh, isn't that little guinea pig coming now?"

Stephen suddenly laughed.

Giovanni raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, you mean...?"

"What's wrong, old man? Is there a problem?"

Stephen retorted.

Giovanni hesitated for a moment but quickly smiled.

"Of course not. I'm just a bit concerned about your safety. Dealing with a ruthless criminal is quite different from battling timid trainers."