Chapter 548: Turn Back, Open It Yourself, and You'll Know

After both sides fully finalize the cooperation and reach agreement, everything is implemented immediately.

Sakaki keeps his promise, promptly orders Zhenniao to contact all Rocket Team forces around Unova, orders everyone to cooperate with the League in battle, and rushes to reinforce the Unova Battlefield.

As for Huo La, the key figure of this cooperation, he officially moves into the Team Rocket Headquarters Building.

Last time he was here, he was unconscious;

but this time is completely different.

He moves freely throughout the building without any restriction, and Natsume accompanies him all the way, a treatment worlds apart.

As for the heir status Sakaki previously promised, it has not been publicly announced yet; it will be announced after Sakaki meets with League senior officials.

In the spacious headquarters corridor, Huo La and Natsume walk side by side, silent all the way, the atmosphere heavy and quiet.

Finally Huo La breaks the silence first, turning his head toward the girl beside him, speaking softly: "Miss Natsume, long time no see, I never had a chance to properly thank you."

"Thank me for what?" Natsume's voice is cool and gentle, not the icy aloofness expected.

Huo La scratches his head, smiles calmly: "Of course it's to thank you for saving my life."

He knows perfectly well that when the meteor fell and his life hung by a thread, even Palkia and Dialga couldn't react in time.

The only way he could be pulled from that dire situation was the joint effort of Natsume and Mewtwo.

When thanked, Natsume merely shakes her head lightly: "No need to thank me, it was all arranged and ordered by Boss Sakaki."

Huo La is slightly stunned, then asks in puzzlement: "So from the start, Sakaki had you watching me?"

Natsume does not hide anything, nodding calmly: "Exactly, ever since you reappeared, we have been secretly observing your every move."

Huo La hears this and can't help but smile wryly to himself.

He realizes that from beginning to end, he has always been under Rocket Team's surveillance.

But on second thought, there's nothing surprising about that.

Sakaki can even fully monitor the hidden Arceus; watching him is just a minor side task.

He gathers his thoughts and asks: "So where are we going now?"

"Dr. Sai Ge wants to see you," Natsume replies plainly.

Huo La is stunned on the spot, his heart full of surprise.

He naturally knows Dr. Sai Ge well.

He first joined the Rocket Team through the Rocket Team Trio's recommendation, via Dr. Sai Ge's channel. He never expected the other side to suddenly request a meeting at this critical juncture.

"Why is Dr. Sai Ge suddenly looking for me?" Huo La asks, puzzled.

"I don't know." Natsume shakes her head lightly, tone even, "The Rocket Team's Research Department has always been independent."

"Although they bear the Rocket Team name and use headquarters resources for research, they operate in their own way, unrestrained by outsiders. Even Boss Sakaki is usually very courteous to Dr. Sai Ge's group and does not interfere much."

Huo La nods inwardly, not surprised at all.

Earlier, while chatting casually with the Rocket Team Trio, he learned that Dr. Sai Ge has secretly favored them; otherwise, given their penniless nature, they could never continue to use Rocket Team resources after leaving the team.

He puts those thoughts aside for now, changes the subject casually, and keeps walking side by side: "By the way, how's your relationship with Mewtwo now?"

When she hears the words "Mewtwo," Natsume's steps pause, she looks at Huo La deeply, a faint ripple passing through her cool eyes.

A moment later, she resumes walking, her voice carrying a hint of detached chill yet unusually frank: "What's between me and Mewtwo isn't something to discuss openly. But you are the heir personally chosen by Boss Sakaki, so it doesn't hurt to tell you."

Huo La quietly follows her steps, listening attentively.

"Speaking of it, I owe my current unity with Mewtwo to you as well."

Natsume's tone softens a bit, shedding her former coldness: "When you challenged the Golden Gym and gave me those pointers, it truly awakened me."

A memory flashes in Huo La's mind, recalling that he indeed gave Natsume advice back then.

"Since then, I've tried to actively understand Mewtwo, communicating with it sincerely and keeping it company."

Natsume slowly recounts: "Between us, we moved from initial commands and obedience to gradually forging a genuine bond."

"Now that Boss Sakaki controls the Rocket Team, he's extremely permissive toward me and Mewtwo, fully supporting our growth, tacitly acknowledging our partnership, and never forcing Mewtwo into battle."

"During the time you were away, I traveled all over with Mewtwo, letting us both settle and gradually deepen our bond."

"Over time, we reached the present state of mutual understanding."

The two continue their casual chat and soon arrive at Dr. Sai Ge's private research institute within the Rocket Team Headquarters.

This place is entirely different from the temporary lab Huo La had seen before.

As an independent research institute of the headquarters, its equipment, spatial specifications, and precision instruments are a tier above, exuding the professionalism and luxury of a top‑tier research institution.

At this moment Dr. Sai Ge is intently watching the experimental apparatus, fully immersed in his research, while a group of assistants busily attend to their duties,

Noticing Natsume and Huo La's arrival, Dr. Sai Ge stops his work, wipes his hands casually, and looks up at the two.

"Dr. Sai Ge, they're here," Natsume reports.

Dr. Sai Ge nods slightly, his tone crisp: "Come with me inside for a talk."

After speaking, he turns and leads them into the private meeting room inside.

Once seated, Dr. Sai Ge skips any small talk and gets straight to the point.

He pulls a delicate storage box from a shelf behind him and gently pushes it toward Huo La.

Huo La, full of curiosity, reaches out, opens the box, and finds a wholly gold‑plated Master Ball lying inside.

He can tell at a glance that this isn't the Master Ball he used to store Dialga, but another one.

When the Tengai Inseki crashed and his life hung by a thread, he had already thrown away all his Pokeballs to protect every Pokemon, sending all his partners away.

Later, when Natsume and Mewtwo rescued him in time, they couldn't retrieve his Pokemon either.

"Take it," Dr. Sai Ge says firmly, "the Pokemon inside already belong to you."

Huo La stares at the unfamiliar Master Ball, confusion in his eyes, and asks: "Doctor, what Pokemon is inside?"

Dr. Sai Ge gives a vague reply, "If you turn back and open it yourself, you'll find out."