As Giovanni erged from his tent, he saw Matt arranging tasks for a Chief and his squad.
"Your objective is reconnaissance," Matt instructed. "Survey the area and find any signs of other human activity on this island. If you encounter hostiles, prioritize your own safety and evacuate imdiately."
"Yes, sir," the Chief replied, then led his squad swiftly into the jungle.
Though Matt did not possess the power of Viridian, he was a Gym-Leader-level trainer, and a formidable one at that. He sensed Giovanni's approach without turning around. "You are up."
"Mm," Giovanni responded, then asked, "Is it not too risky to send only one squad?"
Matt explained, "They are my best reconnaissance unit. In their field, not even the other Chiefs are more skilled." But he knew the risk was still significant. In this unfamiliar environnt, the probability of death was high.
"Is that so?" Giovanni did not press the issue. Matt was the highest authority here; his word was law. He changed the subject. "Has a location for the base been found?"
Matt pointed toward the dense jungle. "It is in there— but there is no rush. We will wait for the recon team's report. The other Chiefs are currently expanding the search periter."
His aning was clear: there was nothing for Giovanni to do at the mont. He couldn't, however, let Giovanni remain idle. "Co. I will show you the Researcher's Forum."
He also wanted to check it himself, mainly to see if anyone was currently working on a Yanga project.
"Okay," Giovanni agreed. He had more than one potential research project in mind.
The best computer and signal transmitter they had brought were under Matt's direct control. He sat in a chair inside the plane's cabin, his fingers skillfully typing on the keyboard. The connection was slow, but eventually, a webpage with a Poké Ball emblem as its hopage began to load.
"If we log in now," Giovanni asked, "will the Alliance not detect our location?"
"Do not worry," Matt reassured him. "This site is for Researchers. It is the gathering place for the smartest people in the world. The Alliance's own technology relies on them. Even the Alliance cannot break into this website, let alone interfere."
Giovanni frowned. "Then registration is not open to just anyone?"
"Of course not. It requires an invitation from an existing mber." A complex look crossed Matt's face. "This account was endorsed to by a friend. In any case, you just need to know that you are very lucky."
Giovanni didn't know how Matt had acquired a Researcher friend— but since the captain didn't elaborate, Giovanni didn't ask. He simply nodded.
Matt typed rapidly. "First, I will check for any research on Yanga."
In an era where the existence of Fairy-types were rely conjectures, it was highly unlikely. As Giovanni expected, the website had no research papers, not even a speculative article, on Yanga.
A hint of surprise appeared in Matt's eyes. "Nothing."
Giovanni was unsurprised. His eyes, however, flickered across Matt's screen. Coincidentally, soone had just published a new post: "On the Diversity of Pokémon."
The author was "Oak Senryu Master." The first comnt was a senryu poem from the author himself: "Charmander's spirit soars, a long road ahead it explores."
Below it, a thread of comnts from other famous figures had already ford. A user nad "Cinnabar's Hottest" had replied: "You are already the Champion, and you still have ti for this? Are you that competitive?"
Another, "The Ghostly Matron," had comnted: "Whoever dares to speak ill of this work will find a Gengar at their bedside tomorrow."
A "Dr. Elm" posted below them: "Dear Professors, are there any projects available for students?"
"Westwood V" had replied to him: "Co find when you are free, Elm."
There were many other nas, all prominent Doctors and Researchers from the Kanto region. Giovanni imagined the forum would beco even livelier once diplomatic relations were established with other regions.
Matt's own account na, "Practical Research," was also interesting.
Since he had already seen the nas, there was no need to pretend ignorance. "The Champion... that must be Professor Oak."
"That is right," Matt replied casually. "He is the only one who would write such boring poems."
"It is not bad," Giovanni countered, stroking his chin. "'Charmander's spirit soars' captures its vitality. 'A long road ahead' is a ssage for all of us. It ans that whether it is a Pokémon or a person, there is always a long way to go, filled with challenges and opportunities."
Matt looked at him with surprise. "You even understand senryu?"
"I can only grasp the aning. I suck at composing it myself."
"When the ti is right," Matt said thoughtfully, "you should comnt on this post. It might help you integrate into the Researcher community and solidify your public identity."
"Okay," Giovanni agreed. As both the Champion and a famous Professor, no one had more influence in Kanto than Oak.
Matt gestured to another computer. "I will grant you permission now. You can try it."
Giovanni sat down, a wave of nostalgia washing over him at the sight of the large screen. His fingers tapped on the keyboard, mimicking Matt's earlier actions. With Matt's permission, he quickly logged in.
"Choose a na," Matt instructed.
Giovanni thought for a mont, then typed two words.
"Cat-Loving Researcher."
Ding!
Registration successful!
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