I'm popularizing ecology in the Pokémon world.

Earlier, on the morning after Chen Mu and his team sent out their research proposals, inside Team Rocket's underground base in Golden City—

Giovanni Sakaki, who has been at the helm of the Rockets for over thirty years, unexpectedly received a report from Viridian City today.

"Tokiwa City? What kind of news could there be from there that would warrant sending it all the way here?"

Sakaki sat in his favorite boss's chair, one hand on the armrest and the other stroking his cat, asking casually.

The subordinate respectfully reported, "Last night, an associate professor from the Tsuchiki Academy in Konoha City sent an email to the Viridian Dojo. They are researching a topic called 'Feasibility Study on the Restoration of the Viridian Forest Ecosystem'."

From their report, it seems they've already guessed some of the... less-than-public "activities" we did in Viridian Forest back then.

Given the considerable influence of the Chuuya Academy in Vermilion City within the Kanto academic community, the Viridian Gym didn't dare make a decision on their own. They specifically reported this to us, asking: "Should we privately warn this person not to write anything inappropriate?"

Sakaki hesitated for a moment, then stopped stroking the cat boss, which made the cat boss raise its head unhappily and glare angrily at its little brother.

"We haven't had any conflicts with Tsuchiki Academy recently, have we? Why is this guy suddenly causing this trouble in Tokiwa City? What's his motive?"

His subordinates immediately reported back, once again demonstrating Team Rocket's formidable intelligence capabilities in the Kanto region.

"They originally came to persuade the construction group to abandon their large-scale construction on the outskirts of Evergreen Forest, but it seems that they abandoned their original purpose and changed their topic after their persuasion failed."

"Oh."

Sakagi chuckled as he sat in the boss's chair, seeing through Chen Mu and his group's trick at a glance.

"They haven't given up; they've simply changed direction and are trying to achieve their goal through a roundabout approach."

The subordinate who was corrected naturally dared not refute, but simply continued to inquire.

"Should we stop them? After all, the construction group..."

His subordinate didn't say everything, but the meaning was already quite clear.

The fact that the construction group could wield such influence in Viridian City was undoubtedly due to their secret support of the Rockets.

Unfortunately, this time when Sakaki tapped the armrest twice with his fingers, the answer was unexpected.

"No, no rush. Let me see the research reports they sent."

After a long pause, Sakaki let out another soft chuckle.

"Heh, interesting, quite interesting to write."

Upon hearing this, the Rockets' subordinates, who were giving a report, couldn't help but show surprise.

This guy is incredibly audacious and exposed the Rockets' dark history from back then. How come the boss seems so happy after reading it?

Sakaki sat in his chair and said with emotion, "This is something I neglected in the past. Over the years, we have made so much money, but we have always forgotten to do something for our hometown."

Viridian Forest, that's where I caught my first Pokémon, Weedle, when I was a child. I still remember it to this day.

Later, that Weedle evolved into Beedrill, which has been Giovanni's ace ever since.

This is the difference in perspective and mindset caused by different positions.

Given Giovanni's current position, a few dark secrets from the past can no longer shake him.

On the contrary, having already achieved great success, he wanted to do something for his hometown.

However, as the leader of the Rockets, he is not exactly a pure philanthropist.

"Reply to Tokiwa Dojo and tell them to find an excuse to stop the construction group's project, and then contact that associate professor."

If that person is truly capable, sponsor him and give him all the support he desires. As long as he can truly restore Viridian Forest to its state as it was forty years ago, we can agree to any condition he sets.

But if you find that person is just a show-off and a good-for-nothing, don't worry about Chuimu Academy. Find an opportunity to send him straight into the forest to be fertilizer. I don't need to teach you the specifics, right?

"Yes!" the Rockets subordinate replied crisply.

His skill was so adept it was frightening.

So, by noon that day, the news reached Changpan City, and naturally, the scene that unfolded in the Jian Gong Group's office occurred.

At first, the group representative rolled up his sleeves and glared angrily.

"Which guy with the guts of a bear and the audacity to block our construction group's project?"

"Give him face and we'll call him 'verifier'; don't give him face and I'll bury him!"

After saying that, he roared at a group of his subordinates around him.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and find someone to smooth things over! We've been in Tokiwa for so many years, spent so much money, and supported so many people, all for this very purpose, right?"

But this time, to his surprise, his subordinates were unusually slow to react, and after a long while, not a single one of them was willing to move.

It wasn't until quite a while later that someone cautiously explained, "Sir, this matter might not be resolved with money."

"ha?"

"It was the Tokiwa Dojo that stopped us from completing the approval process."

"..."

The group representative, who had been displaying a ferocious and arrogant expression just a second ago, suddenly became visibly startled and performed a dramatic face-changing act on the spot.

His voice dropped several decibels, "Why would a dojo interfere in our group's small business?"

"I don't know, but I heard it's... that person's idea."

"..."

After another long silence, the representative suddenly raised his hand without warning and slapped himself hard across the right cheek.

"Clap clap clap clap!"

The sound was exceptionally clear and loud.

"Don't do this, don't do this, don't represent like this."

Just minutes before, this group representative was mocking Chen Mu's group of bright but foolish graduate students, saying he was so bored he couldn't find any fun if the students didn't come. But now he's got what he wanted and can't stay idle at all.

He probably won't be able to sleep peacefully for the next few days.

Later that same day, Chen Mu, who was staying in his hotel room practicing psionic skills with Ralts and writing a report, also received a reply from the Viridian Dojo.

However, compared to the bad news from the construction group, the news Chen Mu received was much milder.

A dojo trainer came to visit them at their hotel, bringing gifts with him.

"Hello, are you Professor Chen Mu from Chuiki Academy?"

The first thing the other person said upon meeting was polite, but also seemed to carry a hint of doubt.

"I am Chen Mu from Chuimu Academy, but I'm not a professor yet, just an associate. May I ask who you are?"

"Oh, no wonder Mr. Chen is much younger than we expected. But an associate professor of this age can certainly be described as a promising young man."

The other party's doubts stemmed mainly from Chen Mu's age, but they did not show any disrespect. Instead, they maintained proper etiquette and politely inquired, "Excuse me for bothering you, Mr. Chen, but we are from the Tokiwa Dojo. Our dojo leader is very interested in the topic you mentioned in your previous email. Would it be convenient for us to discuss it in detail now?"

"Of course, please come in."