Chapter 99: Natsume's Father

Natsume... it seems she still has that boundlessly domineering temperament from my memory.

Huo La murmured softly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table—sure enough, the other party showed no restraint in wielding Psychic to brazenly manipulate challengers.

He looked up at the still‑shivering Ash, his tone deepening: "Tell me, how did you escape? With Natsume's temperament, she would never easily let a 'prey' get away."

"Yes, yes!" Ash clutched at a lifeline, nodding hurriedly, "Natsume originally wanted to turn me and Xiao Xia into dolls! Her Jolteon had already raised its hand, when suddenly an older man appeared, somehow blocked the Telekinesis, and led us out of the Gym!"

"What about that older man?" Huo La already had an answer in mind—someone who could rescue people right under Natsume's nose and still dare to meddle with Goldenrod City's Gym could only be Natsume's father, who has long tried to restrain his daughter; there would be no second person.

"I don't know!" Ash shook his head, his tone full of bewilderment, "He dropped us near the Pokemon Center, then turned and vanished without even giving his name."

"What about Xiao Xia?" Huo La asked again, scanning the area but seeing no other familiar figure.

"Xiao Xia went to the Jinhuang City Police Station to report it!" Ash said urgently, "She said Natsume illegally detained people; the police will definitely intervene!"

Huo La shook his head lightly at the words, his eyes full of understanding—if reporting to the police worked, Natsume's habit of turning people into dolls would have been fixed long ago.

Moreover, aside from her Gym Leader status being backed by the League, she also has ties to the Rocket Team; ordinary police can't handle that, and might even be manipulated by her Psychic.

"Huo La, what should we do? We must rescue Xiao Gang and Lilian!"

Ash scooped up Pikachu and came over, his voice trembling with sobs; the Pikachu in his arms weakly chirped "Pika," as if echoing him.

"Calm down, Ash," Huo La inhaled deeply, raised his hand to press Ash's shoulder, his tone as steady as possible, trying to soothe him, "Take Pikachu to the Pokemon Center for treatment first; its Spirit Shock injury is serious. When you return, we'll discuss a plan slowly. Rushing in will only create two more 'dolls.'"

Ash, though urgent, understood Huo La's point and gritted his teeth to nod: "I'll go quickly and come back fast! You must find a way!" He said, then, clutching Pikachu, rushed out of the room.

The moment the door shut, Gengar's sinister chuckle echoed from Huo La's body: "Heh heh heh… little brat, you saw this whole scene coming, didn't you? That's why you so eagerly hired old man?"

Huo La didn't deny it, his fingertips rubbing the table edge: "I just made the worst‑case plan in advance. I have a secret document showing Natsume is not only a Gym Leader but also a senior member of the Rocket Team. Her Psychic is already hard to counter, and with the Rocket Team's backing this battle will be especially tough—bringing you in early was just keeping a fallback."

"So what are you planning now? Take old man and go smash the Gym?" Gengar's aura drifted from his sleeve, his eyes full of mockery.

Huo La stood, walked to the window and stared toward the distant Golden Gym, his gaze steadily firming, "My original plan was to detour to Ziyuan Town and catch a Ghost-type Pokemon to counter her Psychic. But now that you're here, we can try a different approach."

He paused: "But Ash and Xiao Xia staying here would be a hindrance; we need to send them away first. Later I'll have them go to Ziyuan Town—tell them a Ghost-type Pokemon there might help, and keep them out of Natsume's sight. Once they're gone, I'll challenge the Gym alone."

"Go alone?" Gengar raised an eyebrow, "Are you that confident? Old man only acts when it's a matter of life or death."

"I'm not confident, but you're here," Huo La turned back with a smile, "You don't need to act; just help me block the Psychic surveillance and interfere with Natsume's Psychic—that should be enough against someone with strong Inner Focus."

Watching Ash and Xiao Xia's figures disappear at the road to Ziyuan Town, Huo La turned, his gaze fixed on the nearby building—the Golden Gym's silhouette gleamed with a cold, hard sheen in the sun, its entrance lacking even a receptionist apprentice, exuding an Intimidation that warned strangers away.

He straightened his collar and stepped toward the Gym.

Just as he neared the gate, rapid footsteps came from the side; a middle‑aged man in sportswear, running, caught up and reached out to stop him: "Young man, wait!"

The man gasped, sweat beads on his forehead, his tone urgent: "The Golden Gym is too dangerous; Gym Leader Natsume's Psychic is beyond what ordinary people can withstand. Many challengers have… have had accidents. If you want a Badge, go to Goldenrod City's Fighting Gym instead; don't gamble with your safety!"

Huo La looked up, assessing the man—tall and upright, his brows and eyes bearing a slight resemblance to Natsume's, but with added gentleness and fatigue.

He said nothing, slowly pulling a black Badge from his pocket; the center bore an "R", the Rocket Team emblem.

He raised his hand and pinned the Badge to his chest; the metal's coolness seeped through the fabric.

The man's gaze landed on the Badge, his complexion shifting instantly, his steps unconsciously retreating half a pace, his voice tinged with caution: "Rocket Team? Are you a Rocket Team member?"

"Talk?" Huo La, seeing he recognized the Badge, got straight to the point, his tone so calm it betrayed no emotion.

The man stared at the Badge on Huo La's chest for a while, then scanned the surroundings, finally seeming resolved, he gestured "follow me" to Huo La and led him to the shade of a tree opposite the Gym.

They sat on a bench; the foliage's shadow covered most of the sunlight, adding a sense of secrecy.

"You're so young, why join a place like that?" the man began, his tone tinged with regret as if a elder chastising a junior, "You could have taken a proper path, yet you chose to meddle with those crooked ways…"

"..." Huo La was speechless; he hadn't expected the man to speak in such a didactic tone, and his rehearsed lines got stuck in his throat.

He cleared his throat twice and hurriedly interjected: "Sir, let's not discuss that. I came to ask why Natsume joined the Rocket Team—was it because of you, or… her own choice?"

The man snapped his eyes up at the words, a flash of surprise in his murky gaze; after staring at Huo La for a long moment he asked, "Do you… know who I am?"

"Natsume's father," Huo La replied succinctly, his fingertips lightly tapping the bench edge, "Someone who cares enough to be near the Golden Gym and dares to directly advise challengers—aside from you, who has long tried to restrain her, there is no other person."