I am Giovanni

Chapter 100: The Unreliable Captain

Small. Not just generally small, but ridiculously so. That was Giovanni's first impression of the tiny boat bobbing on the sea in front of him. He truly didn't know how this thing was supposed to make a long journey. Was this a joke?

Surge, standing beside him, clearly saw his distrust and quickly patted his chest. "Giovanni, please rest assured," he said, trying to be reassuring. "Although the Golden Beauty is not large, she is very experienced and has accompanied us on many voyages.

There will be absolutely no problems." To reassure him even more, he quickly continued, "And our Captain Matisse is very capable. Although he has some... strange habits, he used to be a lieutenant in the navy."

"Relax," Giovanni said with a smile. "I believe you."

Hearing him say this, Surge's face finally broke into a smile again. "Please wait a moment. I'll go call the Captain."

Giovanni glanced at Mars, who had just caught up from behind. "Go on."

Surge, seeing Mars had returned so quickly and without a single spot of blood on him, breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly ran onto the boat.

After only a moment, two children, about the same age as Surge, appeared on the deck. They were also thin, but their eyes were sparkling. A little while later, a noisy sound came from the deck.

"Captain, Captain, over here! How can you be drunk in broad daylight?!"

Immediately after, a disheveled middle-aged man appeared, staggering on the deck. He held onto the railing and threw up a colorful, dazzling mess into the sea. Giovanni frowned at the sight.

Plop!

Without anyone keeping an eye on him for a moment, the man actually flipped over the railing and fell into the sea, quickly sinking. However, seeing that Surge and the others on the boat weren't worried, Giovanni figured this must be a common occurrence.

Sure enough, the sea churned for a moment, and the man slowly floated up. Surge and the others ran off the boat, threw a fishing net from the shore, and pulled him up. His disheveled appearance in the net truly did not inspire confidence.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

After several loud slaps and a few youths pressing on his chest, the man, Matisse, spat out a mouthful of seawater before slowly coming to. "Huh? Why am I all wet?"

"Captain," one of the children said helplessly, "you fell into the sea again."

"Oh, is that so?" Matisse scratched his head, looking indifferent. "Alright."

Surge glanced at Giovanni's strange expression, feeling his face and ears burning. It was truly too embarrassing. "Giovanni, please believe me. The Captain is very good, apart from this strange habit. He's an especially strong navigator."

Giovanni raised his hand to interrupt him, which made Surge's face darken— but then Giovanni turned to Archer and Mars. "You two go catch a few Water-type Pokémon. Otherwise, our safety is indeed a bit concerning."

"Yes!" they nodded, preparing to act.

Just as Surge and the others were feeling extremely embarrassed, Matisse seemed to have sobered up. He wiped his face, his eyes suddenly deep and clear. His weathered cheeks gave him the air of a handsome, down-and-out uncle. He stood up. "Wait. Do you not trust me, Captain Matisse?"

"That's right," Giovanni nodded without hesitation.

Matisse's legs immediately went weak, and he almost fell to the ground. He shook out his wet clothes, revealing several Poké Balls at his waist. He pulled one out and opened it, releasing a Poliwhirl.

So this guy actually is a decent trainer.

"How about it?" Matisse said, seeing that Giovanni was the leader. "Besides Poliwhirl, I also have five other equally powerful Pokémon."

Surge wanted to stop him then and there. He had just seen that Giovanni and his companions were also very strong.

Bang!

As if unable to stand his master's showing off, the Poliwhirl punched Matisse's leg, making him hop on one foot in pain. "Poliwhirl!" he yelled. "What are you doing!?" The Pokémon just turned its head and snorted, looking down on him.

Giovanni looked at the man, his one Pokémon, and the five empty Poké Balls at his waist. Dying to save face, suffering for it.

"A trainer that even his Pokémon can't acknowledge is quite unconvincing. And with only one Pokémon, don't try to make yourself out to be something you're not." He turned to Surge.

"You are a good young man, but it's a pity you're wasting yourself by following him. I wanted to take your boat, but it seems unnecessary now." He instructed Archer and Mars, "Let's go. We'll just take that cruise ship. It's better than being buried at sea."

His words were like a sharp sword piercing Matisse's chest. As for Surge, he lowered his head, feeling very dejected, yet too embarrassed to call Giovanni back.

Giovanni turned and left decisively. He didn't need to put himself in danger for the boy. If he saw him again in Vermilion City, perhaps he would take recruit then.

Just as the situation reached this point, Matisse suddenly spoke. "Wait!"

Giovanni stopped.

Matisse bent his upper body and bowed to him in apology. "I was wrong. I was drunk and I lied. Please forgive me— but please, at least believe this child once. Don't let his efforts be in vain because of me."

"I am not some great philanthropist," Giovanni snorted coldly, "nor will I risk my life to pity others."

Matisse squeezed his fists. He raised his hand and tied up his messy hair, and a disciplined, military aura suddenly appeared on him. "I am willing to bet my life with you," he said seriously, "that I will safely deliver you to your destination."

Giovanni scanned the suddenly changed man up and down. "How can I believe you?" he asked faintly.

Matisse pulled out a medal and presented it with both hands, his eyes incredibly firm. "I am willing to bet on my faith."