Chapter 231: Sister Zhenniao

"Huo La, are you really going in?" Xiao Gang stood outside the Viridian Gym's main gate, looking at the tightly shut heavy iron door, his brows knit, his tone full of worry.

"It's a blessing, not a disaster; a disaster you can't avoid," Huo La looked up and sighed, his gaze falling on the plaque above the gym door that read "Viridian Gym," a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes.

After a long talk with the Rocket Team Trio last night, they finally settled on this plan—he would enter the Viridian Gym as a challenger to see Banmu in person.

It was both Musashi's suggestion and his own decision.

After all, to solve the mystery, he couldn't keep hiding in the Pokemon Center guessing.

As for the Rocket Team Trio, they had already set off for Goldenrod City to test Natsume's attitude—since confronting Mewtwo truly required Natsume's assistance.

Taking a deep breath, Huo La raised his hand and pushed open the Viridian Gym's main gate.

The scene inside made him pause; rather than a gym, it resembled a luxuriously decorated private villa, the polished marble floor reflecting the crystal chandelier's light, exquisite potted plants lining the corridor, with no trace of a typical battle arena.

He had taken two steps inside when a burly man with a fierce glare rushed forward, his eyes scanning him cautiously, and said, "What are you? The Viridian Gym doesn't entertain idle visitors."

Huo La suppressed his surprise and politely addressed the man, "Hello, I am Huo La, a Trainer from Pallet Town, here today to challenge the Viridian Gym."

"Huo La? Never heard of him," the man sneered, his tone harsh, "The Viridian Gym is not open to the public right now. Leave at once, don't delay our business!"

Huo La glanced back at Xiao Gang standing at the doorway, then turned to the receptionist, hesitated, and ultimately did not pull out the Rocket Team Badge, calmly saying, "Please go inside and report that I'm Huo La. I assume the gym leader will see me."

"Out, out, out!" the man impatiently shoved Huo La, his attitude extremely hostile, "Who do you think you are? Even Banmu Laoda isn't someone you can just see whenever you want. Get out now, and if you don't leave, don't blame me for getting rough with you!"

"Huo La, why don't we leave first?" Xiao Gang stepped forward quickly, grabbing Huo La's arm, fearing a clash with the other man.

Huo La shook his head, stared straight at the man, his voice deepening, "I am also a Rocket Team member, number 9527. I have important matters to report to the Boss in person."

Hearing the words "Rocket Team member," the man visibly froze, muttering, "9527? I've never heard that number..."

After muttering, his expression darkened further, and he glared at Huo La like a demon, "Even if you're one of us, you must follow the rules! If you have something, go to your superior captain to report. The Boss isn't someone you, a low-level grunt, can just see whenever you want. Leave now, or I won't care whether you're one of us and will treat you harshly!"

"Sigh, you... newcomer? Don't recognize me?" Huo La, speechless, rubbed his forehead.

Logically, he should have some reputation within the Rocket Team, right? He's sent "our people" to the police station twice, the last time even Dr. Namba, a scientist of that caliber. How could this man show no reaction at all?

"Are you that famous?" the man glanced sideways, his face full of doubt.

"I am Huo La! Huo La! Huo La!" Huo La emphasized his name three times, his tone tinged with helplessness, "The Huo La who sent Dr. Namba to the police station!"

The man frowned, thought for a moment, then shook his head, "Don't know, never heard of him." After a pause, he added, "But I did hear that recently someone did send that old guy Dr. Namba to the police, seemed to be a young man..."

"Alright, Xiao Hui, let him in."

Just as the standoff continued, a cool female voice came from a side door behind the receptionist.

Huo La turned toward the voice and saw Zhenniao dressed in a sharp business suit, cradling a stack of thick files, a pair of thin-framed glasses perched on his nose, stepping forward while gently adjusting a mirror frame, his expression bearing a hint of professional detachment.

"Secretary-General Zhenniao!" the receptionist, called Xiao Hui, paled instantly, the fierce demeanor vanished, and he immediately bowed respectfully, his tone full of reverence.

Zhenniao merely gave a faint nod, his gaze landing on Huo La, scanning up and down, his tone carrying a barely perceptible tease, "You haven't even heard his name; you really are unprofessional as a receptionist."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Hui's face turned ashen, repeatedly bowing, "Yes, yes, yes, I have neglected my duty! I will accept punishment immediately!"

"Out, and have your direct superior write me a self-criticism to submit," Zhenniao waved his hand, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Xiao Hui, as if pardoned, hurriedly lowered his head and fled, daring not to glance at Huo La again.

"Long time no see, you're looking more spirited," Zhenniao withdrew his gaze, looked back at Huo La, his tone softened slightly.

"Hehe, Sister Zhenniao, you're getting more beautiful, your aura improving," Huo La instantly adopted a playful grin and tossed out a compliment.

"Cut the act," Zhenniao rolled his eyes, turned toward the back garden, "No more nonsense, follow me, the Boss is waiting for you."

She took two steps, then glanced back at Xiao Gang standing at the doorway, her tone indifferent, "You stay outside and wait; outsiders can't enter the interior of the gym."

"I..." Xiao Gang frowned, about to protest, worried about Huo La's safety.

Huo La instantly turned, gave him a look, and spoke first, "Xiao Gang Ge, it's fine, just wait for me at the door for a moment. I'm here to challenge the gym for the badge; I'll be out soon."

Saying that, without waiting for Xiao Gang to speak further, he hurriedly fell in step with Zhenniao, heading deeper into the gym.

The passage leading to the back garden was carpeted with dark red rug, unknown oil paintings hung on the walls, the lighting slightly dim.

Huo La, following Zhenniao, tentatively said, "Sister Zhenniao, I didn't expect to trouble you to pick me up personally; I'm really sorry."

Zhenniao didn't look back, kept walking, and said lightly, "Who made you the Boss's key focus now? It's not a trouble."

"Key focus?" Huo La's heart lurched, and he quickly stammered, "Sister Zhenniao really knows how to joke; I'm just an ordinary Trainer, just unlucky, how could I be a 'key focus'? My whole journey has been forced, nothing I could choose, pure helplessness."

"Whether it's helplessness or initiative, the Boss knows," Zhenniao's voice remained even, "Rest assured, although the Boss's temper has become a bit odd lately, he shouldn't treat you badly. After all, you contributed the method to control Mewtwo, and the Boss still remembers that."

"That's really great," Huo La said as if sighing in relief, but his mind grew even more cautious.

Zhenniao specifically mentioned Banmu's "odd temper"; could it be hinting at something?

At that moment, Zhenniao stopped. In front of them stood an exquisitely carved golden gate, its door bearing intricate patterns, exuding authority and mystery.

"We've arrived," Zhenniao turned sideways, pointing at the door, "Explain your situation and the Boss's purpose for calling you once inside."

She paused, then added, "Once inside, get to the point. The Boss has no patience for idle talk." After speaking, she cradled the files, turned toward another corridor, leaving Huo La alone before the golden gate.

Inside, complete silence prevailed; no sound could be heard, yet an invisible pressure seemed to press against him, causing Huo La's heartbeat to quicken involuntarily.

He inhaled deeply, raised his hand, and grasped the cold door handle.