Chapter 542: Seen It Before?

"Damn… this familiar headache… where the hell am I again?" Huo La propped his forehead with one hand, his whole body weak and limp, his tone utterly feeble.

This kind of uncomfortable feeling after waking from a long coma is all too familiar to him.

It is precisely this familiar sensation that steadies his mind—he's not dead, at least for now he's still alive.

He looked around and whispered, "Where is this?"

"This is the Rocket Team Headquarters infirmary," a cool, indifferent female voice suddenly rang out.

Huo La turned his head and saw a woman in a black professional suit sitting at the bedside, lightly nudging her glasses with a fingertip, watching him silently.

The moment he recognized her face, Huo La was startled, then let out a long sigh of relief.

"Zhenniao Secretary, long time no see. You speaking up like that almost sent me off," Huo La forced a smile and chuckled.

Zhenniao gave him a faint glance, her tone devoid of warmth: "It's rather surprising you can still recognize me after waking."

"I could ignore anyone, but I can't dare not recognize Sister Zhenniao."

Huo La struggled to sit up, leaning against the headboard with a wry smile: "Last time I was thrown to Hisui, nearly losing my life there, it was only because I saw you first that I survived; how could I forget?"

"Hmph, so you're blaming me?" Zhenniao's tone remained icy.

"Not at all." Huo La waved his hand hurriedly, a helpless expression on his face, "I'm just nervous; every time I see Sister Zhenniao, I feel my life hanging even tighter."

"Heh."

Zhenniao let out a cold, light laugh and rose slowly.

"Fine, since you're awake, get up. Banmu Laoda wants to see you."

Hearing that, Huo La froze for a moment, then sighed helplessly: "Right, I knew it."

He may vent on the surface, but his mind is clear—there's truly no choice.

Since Sakaki rescued him, he definitely isn't trying to kill him.

If he truly intended to act, back at the Hoenn Battlefield, the moment the Celestial Falling Star locked onto him, death was certain; there was no chance of being brought back here.

The fact that they deliberately rescued him and brought him back to the Rocket Team Headquarters shows… he still has some use.

It was still that incredibly familiar top‑floor office of the Rocket Team.

The minimalist, cold décor, the low, oppressive atmosphere, and that upright figure standing by the window with its back to him—all were exactly as in his memory.

The only difference was that the lazy MaoLaoda who used to lounge at Sakaki's feet was now nowhere to be seen.

Huo La stared at the solitary cold silhouette, inhaled slowly, suppressed the tangled emotions within, offered no extra pleasantries, and walked straight to the chair before the desk, sitting down calmly.

The quiet atmosphere lingered for a few seconds, then the figure by the window turned slowly toward him.

Seeing Sakaki's steady, deep‑set face, Huo La was momentarily speechless, his heart a swirl of emotions.

It was this very person who once sent him back, upended his entire life path, forcing him to wander until he arrived at today's thorn‑filled predicament.

Had there been no Sakaki, I'd probably have had a different life, right?

Countless thoughts churned inside, yet Huo La didn't erupt; he simply stared silently at the other.

Sakaki's gaze remained calm, giving him a light glance, his tone showing no emotional fluctuation: "Looks like your injuries are no longer serious."

"Thanks to your great fortune, my life's tough; I haven't died completely."

Huo La raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with unabashed sarcasm and detachment, each word dripping with long‑held resentment.

Sakaki stared quietly at Huo La; his usually placid, ice‑covered face suddenly tugged at a faint smile.

This bland yet eerie smile bore no warmth, but instead revealed an unfathomable scheming depth.

Huo La, seeing this, felt a sudden chill in his heart, his whole body tensing instantly.

Sakaki said nothing, paced slowly back to the chair behind the desk and sat, facing Huo La directly; their eyes met, and the cramped office instantly filled with oppressive dead silence.

Silence lingered for a few breaths, then Sakaki finally spoke slowly, breaking the hush first: "Do you know who tried to put you to death on the Hoenn Battlefield?"

Huo La's heart jolted sharply; he hadn't expected Sakaki to bring up the matter voluntarily.

He lowered his head, pondering briefly, the memory of the Celestial Falling Star's lethal ambush flashing through his mind; finally he steadied his thoughts and said quietly, "It was Arceus, right?"

This made Sakaki pause slightly, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes, then he nodded slowly: "Seems you've already guessed."

"That's also normal," Sakaki continued calmly, "You even returned safely from Hisui, so you must have seen it with your own eyes."

Huo La felt another sudden shock in his heart.

He suppressed the swirling emotions, speaking cautiously, "The 'it' you mentioned… is it really Arceus?"

Sakaki sat upright in the chair, his gaze blazing at Huo La, endless depth hidden in his eyes.

"Arceus… that's right."

He paused briefly, his tone suddenly deepening, adding the crucial half‑sentence: "Or rather, another Arceus."