As soon as Ash stepped into the Viridian Gym, Giovanni was already there waiting for him.
"You've come, Ash."
"Yeah, I'm here."
"You shouldn't have come."
"But I came anyway."
"Your current strength makes it impossible to defeat me. Go back."
"I'll use Chansey."
"..."
Giovanni's face turned instantly. If you were to ask him which of Ash's Pokémon he dreaded facing the most, there was only one: Chansey. Ash's Chansey was a literal super-tank. His own Pokémon specialized in Ground and Rock types, and while they weren't afraid of Poison-type attacks, Ash's Chansey ran a Toxic stall set that was pure psychological warfare. It was nauseatingly effective. He had no idea how that once-adorable kid had come up with such a torturous battle style.
"Ash, if you use that Chansey, I am officially disowning you as my stepson."
Giovanni was dead serious; he never wanted to fight that pink nightmare again. As for the godfather/stepson relationship—Ash had spent a lot of time around Giovanni over the years. Between their mutual assistance and shared history, they had eventually recognized each other as family. In Team Rocket, only the top brass knew Ash's true identity, and Ash himself still hadn't connected the dots that his Stepdad Gio was actually the Boss of Team Rocket.
As for Ash sending a bunch of Pokémon thieves to jail? Giovanni didn't care. Those low-level grunts were expendable, and besides, the business from Ash's Continental Hotel had already become a vital liquid asset for Team Rocket's finances.
Indeed, Team Rocket held a stake in the Continental Hotel, though it was officially registered under the Giovanni family name.
"Fine, if I can't use Chansey, I guess I'll pass..."
"You brat, you really were planning something devious..." Giovanni looked at Ash, somewhat speechless. Planning to use Chansey to beat people right at the start of his journey? That's my boy! I love it!
"Anyway, Dad, check this out. This is the latest high-magnification camera Meowth developed."
At Ash's signal, Meowth pulled out the machine they used to photograph Ho-Oh.
"Oh? High-magnification? How high are we talking?" Giovanni asked, his interest piqued.
"I actually have some photos here to show you." Ash handed over the freshly developed prints.
At first, Giovanni just thought the photos looked lively and well-composed. But when he noticed Ho-Oh in the background, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. When he saw the high-definition, zoomed-in shot of the legendary bird, his breathing hitched.
"This! This is—?!"
"Oh, ran into it on my way out of town. Figured it was a good omen, so we snapped some pictures."
Giovanni stared at Ash's "I'm so lucky" grin, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Ash... do you even know what Pokémon this is?"
"Yeah, Ho-Oh. That's why I had Meowth take the HD zoomed version."
"You really are something... Wait! This clarity..." Giovanni realized that the resolution and zoom capabilities of Meowth's invention were perfect for—well, for spying on other organizations.
"This is excellent. Meowth, do you have the blueprints for this?"
"Right here, meow!" Meowth handed over the schematics.
Giovanni nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. I'll have the company launch a new product line soon. Though, we'll probably release a lite version for the public." He glanced at Ash, since Meowth was Ash's Pokémon.
"Sure, I don't really understand the business side. Do whatever you think is best, Dad."
"I wish you'd learn a bit of corporate management so you could help me out. Matori, take these blueprints."
"Yes, sir!"
A young woman with purple hair and glasses took the papers, bowed politely to Ash, and exited. Watching her go, Ash remarked, "Matori is as serious as ever."
"Yes, but that's why I trust her with my affairs. By the way, I saw the news. You move fast, kid." Giovanni flashed a knowing smirk.
Ash pulled his hat down. "Well, I'm an adult now. Can't keep them waiting forever; that would be the real crime."
"Spoken like a man. Since you're starting your journey, I don't have much to give you, but this Weedle has grown up alongside you. I'm leaving it in your hands."
Ash didn't hesitate to take the Poké Ball. He had helped raise this Weedle for a while during his time at the Gym; they were already well-acquainted.
"I'll train it well. I'm off then—take care of yourself, Dad."
As Ash turned to leave, Giovanni realized he was still holding the photos. "Ash, you forgot the pictures!"
"Keep 'em!"
Giovanni looked down at the photo of Ash and his Pokémon smiling brightly beneath the wings of Ho-Oh. A genuine smile touched his lips.
"A photo with a Legend... truly one of a kind."