Chapter 16: Meowth! 2!

"Aren't you looking for Evolution Stones?" Huo La lightly tapped his knee with his fingertip, his tone as calm as a weather chat, "I could let you go without contacting Officer Jenny, but the condition is you tell me clearly the routes and conditions you mapped in the forest over the past two days, as well as the distribution of Wild Pokemon you encountered."

He had already planned—Evolution Stones are precious resources for Pokemon evolution; even if he can't use them now, more clues never hurt; more crucially, he needs to cross this forest to Viridian City, and the Rocket Team members have spent two days scouting, their familiarity with the terrain far surpasses this "newcomer."

Knowing where dangerous Wild Pokemon gather, where shortcuts can save time, can let him avoid many detours on his upcoming journey.

Upon hearing this request, Musashi was first stunned, then furrowed his brows, his tone cautious: "You also want the Evolution Stone?"

"Naturally." Huo La shrugged, his tone as casual as saying "I feel like instant noodles today," "After all, Evolution Stones, regardless of type, are worth a lot. Travel expenses are huge; earning a bit extra as a subsidy isn't bad."

As soon as he finished, Kojiro secretly elbowed Musashi, lowering his voice urgently: "Musashi, we've been searching for two days and found nothing; telling him won't lose anything! It's better than being hung here starving, or being taken by Officer Jenny!"

Musashi clenched his teeth, quickly weighing pros and cons; Kojiro was right—route and Pokemon distribution aren't really secrets; exchanging them for freedom isn't a loss.

Moreover, they'd been hanging upside down all night, stomachs growling; if they kept it up they'd faint before Officer Jenny even noticed.

"Fine! I agree!" Musashi finally relented, his voice full of resentment, "First let us go, and I'll draw you the route and distribution!"

"No need." Huo La shook his head directly, his gaze turning to the cat pretending to be a stone beside him, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth, "I think Meowth should be able to draw for me, right?"

Meowth jerked its head up, ears standing straight, a look of disbelief on its face: "Meow? I'm just a cat! How could I draw!"

"I thought a talking Meowth would at least know a bit of drawing," Huo La sighed feigned regretfully, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate probing, "But it's fine, a talking Meowth is a rare breed; if we send you to the League's Oak Research Institute for study, we could get a good bounty, just enough to offset my travel costs."

"Meow! Don't go to the research institute! Don't be studied!" Meowth's fur instantly bristled, turning to run back into the forest.

"Bulbasaur, Vine Whip." Huo La's voice suddenly rang out.

Two green Vine Whips instantly shot from behind Bulbasaur, chasing Meowth's silhouette.

Who could have expected Meowth to react extremely fast, spin around, its claws flashing coldly, scratching the Vine Whip hard, and with a "scritch" sound, the sturdy Vine Whip snapped cleanly.

The snapped Vine Whip's Meowth seemed to regain confidence, leaping agilely using the nearby big tree, and in a few bounds reached the highest branch.

Then it leapt high, its body drawing a white arc in the air, claws pointing straight at Huo La, clearly intending to strike him directly.

"Not bad, quite agile," Huo La said unflustered, instead commenting with interest.

Just as Meowth's claws were about to touch Huo La's coat hem, a brownish‑yellow figure suddenly collided from the side— it was Metapod!

Though still in its cocoon stage and not very agile, it precisely struck Meowth's side waist.

Meowth let out a wail, its body instantly losing balance, falling to the ground.

Before it could get up, Bulbasaur's Vine Whip coiled again, binding it tightly, even its tail couldn't move.

"Meow…" Meowth was completely deflated, head drooping, a resigned look.

Huo La stepped forward, crouched, and only then, using the morning light, seriously examined Meowth.

The incident happened suddenly last night, and this morning he was busy handling the aftermath, so he hadn't had time to check its Attribute Panel.

Pokemon: Meowth

Gender: Male

Level: Lv13

Su Xing: C-Grade

Status: Healthy

Nature: Conservative

Type: Normal

Ability: Pickup (has a 10% chance after battle to pick up a specific item; in some battle facilities Pickup is ineffective)

Height: 0.4m

Weight: 4.2kg

Carried Item: None

Moves: Scratch (proficiency 45%), Pay Day (proficiency 5%), Fake Out (proficiency 4%), Feint (proficiency 71%)

Improvement Count: 2 (???)

The moment he saw the panel information, Huo La couldn't help being a bit surprised.

C-Grade Su Xing is average, nothing special; but the 71% proficiency in Feint clearly shows frequent use.

What surprised him more was the "Improvement Count: 2" line.

Though C-Grade Su Xing isn't outstanding, if those two upgrade opportunities are used well, Meowth could someday grow into a Gym-level combat force, but it's a pity… Meowth is already Sakaki's Pokemon.

He put away the panel, looked at the bound Meowth on the ground, and suddenly asked, "You just had a chance to run back into the forest and escape, why did you turn around and attack me?"

Meowth drooped its ears, voice tinged with resigned frustration, "Meow… you should still send me to the research institute."

Huo La didn't answer, but continued as if talking to himself, "You didn't want to escape; you wanted to hold me hostage, forcing me to release Musashi and Kojiro, right?"

That hit the mark; Meowth's head sank even lower, then completely wilted, "Meow… failed. You send me to be studied, release them both."

"Meowth…" The conversation between Huo La and Meowth was completely open, the Musashi and Kojiro perched in the tree heard everything clearly.

Musashi turned his face away, forcing himself not to let his eyes redden; Kojiro couldn't hold back, tears streaming down.

Huo La stood up, glanced at the two on the tree, then looked down at Meowth, his tone calm, "Alright, I'll give you one last chance. Lead me to the forest area you suspect has Evolution Stones but hasn't been explored. As long as you bring me there, I'll let you go. Then you can decide whether to return to rescue them or run away yourself."

"Meow?!" Meowth jerked its head up, amber eyes flashing, "Are you serious? Not lying to me?"

"I only want money." Huo La shrugged, his tone frank, "If you give me the info and route I want, I'm not interested in being a hero, nor in sending you to the research institute—too much trouble."

For him, catching the Rocket Team Trio offered no real benefit, and might even provoke retaliation from other Rocket Team members; but letting Meowth guide him to unexplored areas might actually find Evolution Stones, which is the most profitable trade.

Meowth stared into Huo La's eyes for a few seconds, saw his expression sincere, not lying, and immediately nodded vigorously, "Okay! Meow agrees! Meow will take you! But you must keep your word; once we arrive, let me go!"

"Deal." Huo La extended his hand, "Bulbasaur, release its Vine Whip, but keep an eye on it; if it tries any tricks, bind it again."

Bulbasaur immediately swung its Vine Whip, loosening the restraints on Meowth.

The freed Meowth moved its paws a bit, first looking up at Musashi and Kojiro in the tree, eyes showing a mix of apology and determination, "Musashi, Kojiro, wait for Meow! Meow will rescue you soon!"

"Meowth, be careful yourself!" Musashi couldn't help advising, his tone no longer arrogant, now a bit worried.

Meowth gave a "Meow" and turned to Huo La, "Follow me! The place marked on the map is deep in the forest, it'll take over half an hour!"

Huo La nodded, said to the two in the tree, "You stay here. If Meowth's path is true, I'll come back and set you free, and give you a day's rations; if it cheats… you just keep hanging, wait for Officer Jenny to come release you herself."

After speaking, he signaled Bulbasaur to follow, while he himself stayed behind Miao Miao, heading toward the forest's depths.