Chapter 110: New Eyes?

Huo La pretended to be shocked with an "Ah", his eyes full of "incredulity", then turned to Natsume.

Natsume gave him a slight nod, confirming Zhenniao's identity.

He immediately followed up, "You this morning said you were the secretary of the Silph Company president, why are you suddenly the Rocket Team's 'secretary'?"

"Silph Company's identity is merely a cover for convenience," Yingzi withdrew her hand, her tone more solemn, "My real name is Zhenniao, a core member directly under Banmu Laoda."

"Um… then you asked me for rescue this morning…" Huo La lowered his head, feigning cautiousness, as if afraid to misspeak.

"That was just a test," Zhenniao said bluntly.

"A test?" Huo La jerked his head up, his eyes full of confusion.

"You should still recall the Saint Tenu incident, right?" Zhenniao's gaze locked onto him.

Huo La's heart lurched, but his face instantly showed an epiphany as he waved his hand, "So that's why! I only later learned it was a Rocket Team asset! The ship was in chaos then; I was only focused on rescue, had no idea why the ship sank—I'm definitely not the one who sank it!"

Zhenniao nodded slowly, his tone even, "We of course know the sinking had nothing to do with you. But the test we wanted wasn't about that either."

"Huh?" Huo La furrowed his brows, looking even more confused, then suddenly changed the subject, "Could it be… related to Ancient Pokemon?"

"No." Zhenniao shook his head, presenting the real point, "Before the Saint Tenu sank, an important Rocket Team item on board was stolen."

"Who would be so bold as to snatch Rocket Team's stuff?" Huo La immediately feigned righteous indignation.

"Two people who call themselves 'Masked Child'." Zhenniao's tone grew colder.

"Masked Child? Never heard of it." Huo La shook his head decisively, then his face went pale as he quickly covered, "The organization… the organization wouldn't suspect I'm a Masked Child, would it?"

Zhenniao didn't beat around the bush, nodded directly, "At first we did suspect you, as well as that girl named Bilan. After all, one of them used a Pokemon—Bulbasaur—on the ship, so today I used the 'rescue' pretext to test you."

"Then… what was the result?" Huo La's voice carried tension.

"You can rest assured," Zhenniao's tone softened, "Just over an hour ago I confronted those two Masked Children, but they escaped. However one of them dropped his mask; he was a blond youth, completely unlike you."

"That's good! That's good!" Huo La immediately exhaled, patting his chest in relief, "Thank you, Lord Zhenniao, for clearing my suspicion! Those two are despicable, daring to attack our Rocket Team; we must teach them a lesson!"

"Those two will be dealt with by the organization; you needn't worry," Zhenniao waved his hand, "Continue your journey and safely collect Gym Badges."

Huo La nodded, his gaze shifting to the ever‑silent Natsume beside him, and asked at the right moment, "So you're not here just to tell me your identity and clear my suspicion, are you?"

"Of course not," Zhenniao took the lead, looking at Natsume, "The organization is aware of the notebook you gave Natsume. In light of your contribution, I hereby, on behalf of the organization, commend you."

Saying so, she pulled a Great Ball from behind her and gently placed it on the table before Huo La.

"What is this…" Huo La pretended curiosity, staring at the Great Ball.

"According to protocol, newcomers joining the organization receive a corresponding Pokemon," Zhenniao explained, "But you were recommended by Dr. Sai Ge and are already a Trainer, so there was no extra allocation. Now that you've given Natsume an important clue, the organization decides to reward you with this Pokemon. Open it and see."

Huo La reached out, lifted the Great Ball, and as his fingertips brushed the sphere, a faint stench reached his nose.

He suppressed his doubt, pressed the switch—red light flashed, a puddle of sticky purple sludge went "splat" onto the floor, its crimson eyes fixed on everything, its lips rimmed with dripping yellow slime, and a strong foul odor instantly spread.

"Chou Ni~" the sludge croaked hoarsely.

"So stinky!" Huo La immediately pinched his nose, his face full of disgust, quickly hit the recall button to pull the sludge back, turned and rushed to the window, flinging it open, "This smell is overwhelming!"

Zhenniao was unsurprised, also raised a hand to his nose, his tone amused, "This is a Mismatched Stink Mud from the Alola Region, modified by the organization to emit stronger poison and power than ordinary Chou Ni. Using it as your aide makes challenging the League perfect."

Huo La nodded inwardly; the moment the sludge appeared, the system had already displayed its data.

He turned, showing gratitude toward Zhenniao, "Thank you, Lord Zhenniao! I will nurture it well and not disappoint the organization!"

"Hmm." Zhenniao nodded satisfactorily, stood up, "The matter is settled; we'll leave now. We will keep your contribution to the organization in mind."

Huo La also rose, his tone respectful, "All for the Rocket Team!"

Zhenniao led Natsume toward the doorway; Natsume paused, seeming to want to say something to Huo La, but upon seeing Zhenniao's back, she swallowed the words and silently followed.

The instant the door shut, Zhenniao's voice echoed down the corridor, "Are we sure he's not a Masked Child?"

Natsume's voice remained cool, "I used Psychic perception; he shows no signs of disguise, and his emotional swing matches the relief of being cleared, very genuine."

"What about that girl named Bilan?"

"She's sleeping in the next room, deep sleep, no abnormalities."

Zhenniao seemed to sigh in relief, his footsteps pausing, then asked, "Did you tell him about Mewtwo?"

Natsume shook her head, "Not me. It must have been Dr. Sai Ge or… Miao Miao."

"Miao Miao… it does know many core secrets," Zhenniao's voice carried a hint of understanding.

"How's your mission progressing?" Natsume asked.

"Consider it done," Zhenniao's voice faded, "We only obtained part of the data, but with the organization's strength, perfecting it is just a matter of time."

In the room, Huo La leaned against the door; the respect on his face had long vanished, replaced by sheer coldness.

He looked down at the Great Ball on the table, a mocking curl at his mouth— a 'reward' from the Rocket Team? Probably a surveillance for his new eyes.