Chapter 44

At the entrance of the Cerulean City Police Station, the sunlight spilled on the blue-and-white building's exterior wall, making the police badge particularly eye-catching.

The four brothers of Team Rocket wore cold handcuffs, their heads drooping, and were pushed into the police station step by step. Their past arrogant flames had long since disappeared without a trace.

Officer Jenny turned around, saluted Huo La and Brock upright, her tone sincere: "Thanks to your assistance! If it were any later, Clefairy and that researcher would probably be in danger. If you need to cooperate with the investigation later, I will contact you through the Trainer Pokédex."

"At your service at any time, Officer Jenny!" Brock immediately straightened his back, his eyes shining amazingly. "If there is any escort task that needs to be done, I will definitely be duty-bound—"

"That's enough." Huo La reached out and patted his shoulder in time, interrupting his words that were getting more and more enthusiastic, and turned to nod to Officer Jenny. "Sorry to trouble you, and thank you for specifically giving us a ride to Cerulean City."

Officer Jenny couldn't help but smile, waved her hand: "It's just a small effort. By the way, the League's reward for thanking you for assisting in capturing Team Rocket members has been synchronized to your TrainerID, remember to check it. If there's nothing else, I'll go in and handle their interrogation work first."

"Thank you for the notification."

Huo La responded, his gaze already crossing the police station wall, looking at the street scene of Cerulean City not far away—the buildings standing side by side were dotted with clear artificial river channels, the emerald green of aquatic plants and the light blue of the buildings complemented each other, and even the air was filled with a moist, fresh breath.

Officer Jenny had just pushed open the police station door, as if suddenly remembering something, and turned back to add: "By the way, if you intend to challenge the Gym, the Cerulean Gym is next to the Water-type Park in the city center. The Gym Leaders are the Cerulean Sisters. They are not only good at Water-type Pokémon battles but also occasionally hold water performances in the Gym, which are very characteristic. Remember to prepare for the Water-type before challenging."

"Cerulean Sisters?" Brock's eyes widened instantly, just about to ask "Are they as beautiful as Officer Jenny," when he was pulled by Huo La without a trace.

"We know, thank you for your specific reminder." Huo La took the lead in taking over the conversation, waving to Officer Jenny. "Go in and get busy."

Watching Officer Jenny's figure disappear behind the police station door, Brock sighed with regret: "It's not easy to be able to chat with Officer Jenny a few more times... But I've heard of the Cerulean Gym for a long time! I heard that the three sisters' Water-type tactics are very flexible, and the water performances they hold are particularly popular, and every time it's full!"

"Water performances can be watched later, the most important thing right now is the Cascade Badge." Huo La's gaze was cast toward the Water-type Park, his eyes gradually becoming firm. "My goal is to collect eight Gym Badges and get the admission ticket for the League tournament. Cerulean Gym is the second stop, and this Cascade Badge must be taken."

"Don't worry!" Brock patted his chest, his tone firm. "Although I specialize in Rock-type Pokémon, I know the routines of Water-type battles quite well—Water-type Pokémon are generally fast and good at long-range Water Cannon attacks, but your Bulbasaur happens to counter the Water-type. With the reputation of Cerulean Gym outside, you will definitely win!"

Huo La smiled, naturally knowing what the reputation of Cerulean Gym in Brock's mouth meant, but he chose to skip this topic and said: "With your help in analyzing tactics, I naturally have more confidence. But now I have to go to the Pokémon Center to settle down first, let the partners restore their stamina, and by the way, see what the League's reward is specifically."

He raised his hand and pressed the Trainer Pokédex on his waist. Under the cold metal shell, the screen instantly lit up with a faint blue light, and a "New Mail" prompt pop-up was clearly in sight.

Clicking on the mail, the content was concise and clear—first was the standard thank-you letter from the League official, the general idea was to commend their contribution in assisting in capturing Team Rocket members and maintaining regional safety; immediately after was the substantive reward: 40,000 League coins were split equally between the two, and 20,000 had already arrived in Huo La's TrainerID.

Huo La casually dragged the polite thank-you letter into the trash bin, his eyes falling on the "Balance+" prompt, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly—compared to empty praise, obviously League coins were more real.

"If you didn't mention it, I would have forgotten to check the reward!" Brock slapped his head, subconsciously touching the Poké Ball containing Zubat in his pocket, his tone light. "Just in time to use this money to buy some fresh berries and nutritional powder for it. Newly captured Pokémon must adapt to the new environment as soon as possible."

The two walked side by side along the stone path by the river. Along the way, the translucent umbrellas of Tentacool floated with the waves in the artificial river channel, and Goldeen shuttled between them with red tail fins, attracting children on the roadside to chase the river channel and cheer.

The breeze carrying the fragrance of water irises brushed against their cheeks, blowing away the fatigue of being in Moonview Mountain for days.

"By the way, Huo La," Brock suddenly turned his head and asked earnestly, "How do you plan to cultivate that green shiny Zubat? Although shiny Pokémon are rare, the aptitude may not be better than ordinary high-potential individuals. I have studied quite a few breeding formulas before, especially the physical enhancement agent for Flying-type Pokémon, which has quite good effects. Do you want me to help you prepare a portion?"

Huo La nodded immediately: "Then I'll have to trouble Brother Brock. With your professional guidance, it's definitely better than me fumbling around blindly."

Saying that, he clicked on the Trainer Pokédex again, found the "Transfer" function, entered 10,000 League coins to Brock's TrainerID, and confirmed the transfer.

"I transferred 10,000 League coins to you," Huo La put away the Pokédex and said with a smile, "The costs of buying materials and preparation are all covered by this, sorry to trouble you to spend more effort."

Brock didn't be polite either, responding calmly: "Okay, leave it to me! I'll go to the Pokémon supplies store to pick materials later, and guarantee to prepare the most suitable nutritional agent for Zubat."

He knew very well that traveling as a team is one thing, but when it comes to the breeding expenses of individual Pokémon, they should indeed bear their own, and there is no need to be fake polite.

While talking, the red roof, which is the symbol of the Pokémon Center, had already appeared at the end of the street ahead. The Poké Ball logo lamp hanging at the door was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, and one could vaguely see Nurse Joy in a pink uniform busy at the door.

"Let's go quickly!" Brock immediately quickened his pace, his tone full of expectation. "Let the partners restore their stamina early, and we'll go challenge the Cerulean Gym first thing tomorrow morning—I can't wait to see the Water-type tactics of the Cerulean Sisters!"

Huo La looked at his impatient appearance, and without thinking, he knew that this guy was so anxious, half for Nurse Joy in the Pokémon Center, and half for imagining "Are the Cerulean Sisters as beautiful as Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy."

He shook his head helplessly, but a smile couldn't help but curl at the corners of his mouth, and he followed quickly.

He was also determined to get the Cascade Badge of the Cerulean Gym.