Chapter 108: Secretary

"Hand over the laptop you're holding, and the two of us sisters will let you off." Among the two Rocket Team members, the taller woman crossed her arms, her tone arrogant and intolerant, her gaze fixed on the device in Hongzhi's arms.

Hongzhi clutched the computer tighter, their body couldn't stop trembling, but their voice carried a desperate stubbornness: "No... even if I die, I can't hand over what's inside to you!"

"If you refuse the toast, you'll have to drink the penalty." The tall woman's expression hardened, and she ordered her companion, "Xia, move. Remember, the computer must not be damaged."

"Alright, big sis." The woman known as Xia stepped forward, disdainfully sweeping past the Gloom in front of Hongzhi, "Do you really think a Gloom can block my Flareon?"

She raised her hand and shouted, "Flareon, Flamethrower!"

Orange‑red flames instantly spewed from Flareon's mouth, rushing straight at the Gloom.

The Gloom couldn't dodge in time; its leaves ignited instantly, stumbling with sparks and collapsing before Hongzhi, the air filling with a burnt odor.

"Gloom! Hold on! Someone will definitely come to rescue us!" Hongzhi's eyes reddened with urgency, reaching out to help, "Stun... Stun Spore! Use Stun Spore, stun them!"

The Gloom struggled, propping up half its body, its bud trembling atop, trying to shake off powder for a counterattack.

"Stun Spore? Heh." Xia snorted, her tone ice‑cold, "Flareon, another Flamethrower, send this rotten flower to the Tower of Rest."

Flareon's mouth gathered flame again, and just as the blaze was about to erupt, a "Boom—" shout suddenly came from above: "Kingler, Water Cannon!"

Before the words finished, a yellow‑white Kingler brandishing red claws descended from the sky.

Its sturdy claws aimed at the flame, forcefully spouting a jet of water—"Boom—" a muffled blast, the Water Cannon precisely shattered the blaze, spray splashing everywhere.

"Who are you!" Xia snapped her head up, demanding loudly.

"Since you ask sincerely!"

"I shall now mercifully tell you!"

"This body is the Blade that Cuts Chaos!"

"This is the Declaration Piercing Eternal Solitude!"

"The aesthetic embodiment shining in the dark night! — I appear!"

Accompanied by the rhythmic lines, Huo La, wearing a Silver Kamen, leapt from the skylight, landing steadily before Hongzhi, his black cloak tracing a sleek arc as it hit the ground.

"Where did that brat come from, daring to meddle in Rocket Team's affairs!" Xia's expression turned icy.

"Wait, Xia." The tall woman suddenly blocked him, her eyes locked on the mask on Huo La's face, her brow furrowing, "Silver Kamen... meddling in Rocket Team's affairs, are you the Masked Child?"

Huo La tilted his head slightly, his tone playful, "Looks like you actually know me."

"This is the Masked Child who caused Captain Tatsumi to suffer a loss?" Xia froze for a moment, then her gaze hardened, looking at the tall woman, "Chun! This is a major achievement!"

"Don't be careless." The woman called Chun spoke in a low voice, scanning the surroundings, "He should have companions."

"They're right here!"

A crisp female voice sounded from behind them, Bilan also wearing a Silver Kamen: "Pikachu, Sing!"

"Beep~ Beep~ Beep~ Beep~ Bii~~~~~"

Pikachu hopped joyfully, its crisp, pleasant song instantly filling the air.

Chun and Xia's eyelids suddenly began to flutter uncontrollably, and even Flareon's head swayed, its gaze becoming dazed.

"Kingler, Whirlpool!"

"Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

The two commands were issued simultaneously.

Kingler's claws spouted a rapid water jet, which upon hitting the ground turned into a rotating water vortex, firmly trapping Chun, Xia and Flareon in its center;

Pikachu then aimed at the vortex, releasing a powerful bolt of electricity, the current spreading instantly along the water flow.

The Water-type and Electric-type combo attack was like a net over heaven and earth; a "Zing—" crisp sound rang, and the two trainers and their Pokémon instantly convulsed, falling stiffly to the ground, completely losing combat ability.

Huo La only then stepped forward, crouching before the gravely wounded Gloom.

The Gloom's leaves were more than half charred, yet it still struggled to lift its head, watching him warily, maintaining a defensive stance.

"You... are you also here to steal the classified data?" Hongzhi clutched the computer, curled in the corner, looking at the masked stranger before him, his voice full of caution.

Huo La shook his head, tone flat: "We Masked Children aren't interested in this. Saving you is only because we can't stand the Rocket Team's ways."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Hongzhi hadn't had time to exhale when a cold female voice suddenly came from outside the door.

Immediately followed by a "Boom—" thud of a heavy object colliding, Huo La whirled around—only to see Pikachu lifted by an invisible force, crashing heavily beside Xia, its body covered in ice shards.

Bilan staggered backward, eyes full of astonishment.

From the shadow outside the door, a tall figure slowly stepped in.

The newcomer wore a black professional suit, the fabric tightly hugging the curves, outlining a voluptuous figure, the front‑and‑back curves strikingly visual.

She wore gold‑rimmed glasses on her nose, eyes curved behind the lenses, a faint smile at the corner of her mouth, but the smile didn't reach her eyes, instead exuding a chillingly dangerous aura.

The moment Huo La saw the newcomer's face clearly, a flash of shock crossed his eyes, then his mind seemed struck by thunder— all previous doubts linked instantly, and clarity dawned.

He calmly walked up to Bilan, signaling her to be silent with his gaze.

"Little brother Huo La, little sister Bilan, is it you two?" Yingzi extended delicate fingers, gently nudging the glasses, her tone gentle as if chatting, entirely unlike the panic at the Pokemon Center.

Following her, a white‑faced red‑bodied Delibird entered, its right wing bearing a bulging Cloth Bag, its left wing hanging naturally, eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Bilan was about to retort, but Huo La stopped her with his gaze.

He pressed his throat, deliberately altering his tone: "Huo La, Bilan? Who are those people?"

"Heh, stop pretending." Yingzi giggled, her voice suddenly becoming seductive, "Think changing Pokémon and wearing a mask can hide your identity?"

Huo La slowly shook his head, tone cold: "I don't know what you're talking about. But if I'm not mistaken, you should be the 'Secretary', one of the Rocket Team's Five Great Commanders, right?"

"Correct guess!" Yingzi withdrew her smile, eyes suddenly sharp, "I am indeed the 'Secretary', one of the Rocket Team's Five Great Commanders. Since you refuse to acknowledge your identity, then I'll capture you and we can talk later."

Before the words finished, she raised her hand and ordered, "Delibird, Air Blade!"

The Delibird responded immediately, its right wing still holding the Cloth Bag, its left wing flapped fiercely, several cold‑glinting air blades sliced through the air, heading straight for Huo La and Bilan's faces.

"Kingler, Shell Blade, block!" Huo La's command was as fast as lightning.

Kingler darted, instantly spanning in front of the two, its sturdy right claw turning into a sharp Shell Blade, "Clang—Clang—Clang" a few crisp sounds, precisely deflecting most of the air blades.

But in the gap of its full‑force block, Huo La's figure, barely perceptible, shifted half a step to the right; a sharp blade slashed across Huo La's forehead—"crack"—the Silver Kamen on his face was torn apart, fragments fluttering down to the ground.

A youthful face with fine yellow hair was fully exposed before Yingzi.

A clear surprise flickered in Yingzi's eyes, a light "huh" sounded, evidently she hadn't expected that beneath the mask was such a face, a face completely different from Huo La's.

"Now! Kingler, use Hot Water!" Huo La seized the moment she was dazed, raising a hand to cover his face while swiftly issuing the command, simultaneously feigning a throw of a Pokeball, and loudly adding, "Bulbasaur, use Razor Leaf on her face!"

"Delibird, return!" Yingzi, indeed misled, hurriedly summoned Delibird to block the Razor Leaf.

But the expected green leaf never appeared; instead a jet of steaming Hot Water surged straight toward Yingzi and Delibird.

Delibird reacted instantly, raising the Cloth Bag in its hands as a shield—"sizzle"—the Hot Water struck the Cloth Bag, vaporizing into a large plume of White Fog.

When the mist gradually cleared, the center of the arena was already empty of Huo La, Bilan, and Hongzhi, leaving only a rear window knocked open, still trembling slightly.

Yingzi stood where she was, right hand propping her chin, her gaze behind the lenses fixed on the dimly swaying Pokeball on the ground, lost in thought.

A moment later, an invisible earpiece at her ear relayed a subordinate's report: "Commander, Officer Jenny and the League's forces have already breached the Westford Headquarters! Moreover, the surveillance team at the Pokemon Center reported that Bilan has been staying in the lobby drinking tea, and Huo La has been stuck beside Nurse Joy, assisting together with the Trainer named Xiao Gang, never having left!"

"It really wasn't him…" Yingzi murmured softly, the surprise in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of understanding.

She coldly ordered through the earpiece: "Notify everyone, retreat immediately. Hongzhi has fled; the classified data has most likely already been transferred, no need to waste any more time."

"Yes, Commander!"