Chapter 427: Mikan Island

When the wooden boat came ashore, Huo La finally saw that the person standing on it was none other than Nurse Joy.

But she was completely different from the usual delicate Joy—her skin was dark, her body radiated solid muscles, her gaze was sharp, and as soon as she stepped ashore she frowned at Huo La, her tone carrying a hint of reprimand: "Who are you? How did you end up on this nameless island? Don't you know the Orange Archipelago is tense now and you aren't allowed to wander in recklessly?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Huo La hurriedly lowered his guard, bowed his head awkwardly, his tone sincere, allowing Nurse Joy to scold him without daring to object a bit.

Although the Orange Archipelago is currently under Rocket Team's control, whether because Sakaki has secret constraints or for some other reason, neither the Kanto Region nor the Orange Archipelago before them have any civil infrastructure damaged; all remain intact.

In stark contrast is the Hoenn Region.

The two great powers Chi Yan Song and Shui Wu Tong have been at odds for years, mutually restraining and slaughtering each other, throwing the entire Hoenn into chaos; it has become the most disorderly area in The Whole World, with no order at all and the people suffering unbearably.

"Fine, you seem to have corrected your attitude, so I won't press the issue," the dark‑skinned, muscular Nurse Joy said, her expression softening a bit, "What are you, exactly?"

"I'm with the League," Huo La said.

Facing a League‑trained talent like Nurse Joy, Huo La felt it was better to claim he was from the League.

Nurse Joy's face showed a hint of doubt: "You say you're with the League? Then why did you come all the way to the Orange Archipelago? Where are you headed?"

Huo La lifted his head and answered firmly, "I'm heading to Fire Island, Ice Island, and Thunder Island."

Upon hearing those three names, Nurse Joy's expression changed instantly, her tone growing serious: "Are you mad? Those three places have already been surrounded by Rocket Team forces, heavily guarded. Are you trying to walk into a trap?"

Huo La chuckled, a sly glint flashing in his eyes, and continued, "Don't worry, Nurse Joy, I'm not walking into a trap. The League sent me to gather intel, to see whether the Rocket Team has truly helped Gilbert capture Lugia."

Nurse Joy furrowed her brows, asking with complete incomprehension, "Why does the League send only you to spy? For such a dangerous task, doesn't the League prepare anyone to intervene?"

"Well, the League now has the will but lacks the power," Huo La sighed theatrically, his tone full of resignation, putting on a worried look.

Hearing that, Nurse Joy also couldn't help but sigh, her expression dimming a few degrees—she was aware of the League's current predicaments, internal and external troubles; being on the Orange Archipelago, she'd heard some rumors and naturally understood Huo La's meaning.

Seeing Nurse Joy relax, Huo La quickly added, "But Nurse Joy, don't worry too much. Our League already has members who have quietly infiltrated Gilbert's team. I'm here to coordinate with her, to see if there's a chance to thwart Gilbert and the Rocket Team's plot and stop their continued evil."

"…," Nurse Joy looked deeply at Huo La, thought silently for a moment, then said, "Alright, I'll see you off. I'm just about to go to Mikan Island to fetch some medicine, so we can go together and cut down on trouble."

Huo La's eyes lit up instantly, his heart leapt—when he checked the map earlier, he had noticed that Mikan Island lies close to Ice Island, and if he could slip from Ice Island into Shamouti Island, it would be the safest choice, saving a lot of effort.

"Thank you so much, Nurse Joy! Then I'll trouble you!" Huo La quickly clasped his hands in thanks, his tone full of gratitude.

Nurse Joy said nothing more, merely gave a slight nod, then turned and jumped onto the small wooden boat first.

Huo La dared not delay, hurriedly followed, stepping lightly onto the boat, careful not to sway it too much and affect navigation.

When the two settled, the massive Gyarados again swung its thick tail, vigorously churning the sea, dragging the small wooden boat forward like an arrow, spraying white froth.

Even with Huo La aboard, its speed didn't slow at all; it continued to glide swiftly and smoothly across the water.

Mikan Island, as its name suggests, is famed worldwide for the abundance of beautiful women on the island.

As soon as Huo La followed Nurse Joy off the small wooden boat and set his feet on the soft sand, the scene before him made him freeze for a moment.

He saw beautiful women everywhere on the beach, each with ample breasts and hips, slender waists, pretty faces, wearing colorful bikinis of various styles, stretching their bodies in the sea breeze, dazzling the eyes, making him feel a little dizzy.

Huo La quickly shook his head hard, forcing those indecent thoughts out of his mind, muttering inwardly: unlike Xiao Gang, who would freeze at the sight of beautiful women, he has urgent matters to attend to and cannot be distracted.

Nurse Joy, watching his reaction, let a barely perceptible smile flash in her eyes, then said, "This is Mikan Island. I'm heading to the island's Pokemon Center to get medicine and treat a few injured Pokemon, so I won't accompany you further."

"It's fine, it's fine, Nurse Joy, you just go about your business, I don't need you to worry about me," Huo La waved his hand, his tone sincere, "I really thank you so much today."

Nurse Joy looked at him deeply, her expression returning to its previous seriousness, and still couldn't help but caution, "You must be careful yourself. The Orange Archipelago is now under Rocket Team control, the situation is unlike before, everywhere is on guard. Don't be careless, don't expose your identity."

"I understand, Nurse Joy, I will be extra careful and won't cause you any trouble," Huo La nodded seriously, his tone firm.

Seeing this, Nurse Joy relaxed a little, gave a slight nod, and turned toward the direction of the island's Pokemon Center.

Huo La watched Nurse Joy's departing back, shook his neck, inhaled a breath of sea‑scented air, and steadied himself.

Compared with heading straight to Ice Island, the safest option now is to first gather information on Mikan Island—such as the Rocket Team's exact deployments on Fire Island, Ice Island, and Thunder Island, Gilbert's movements, and Bilan's whereabouts.

Having made up his mind, he stepped over the soft sand and walked slowly toward the island's interior.