Chapter 14: Executive? When Did We Become Executives?

At the big tree beside Huo La's campsite, Musashi, Kojiro and Meow Meow were hung by Vine Whip on the thick trunk, swaying lazily with the morning breeze.

Since last night's attempt to ambush Huo La and get caught, being tied up like a "zongzi" and hung on the tree, the three have held this position for a whole night.

Until dawn when Huo La got up to wash up, Musashi finally couldn't hold back and shouted, "You little brat! Get us down quickly! Otherwise when we get out, I'll make sure you can't walk away!" Musashi's voice was hoarse with hunger, yet still carried his usual arrogance.

"Musashi, stop shouting…" Kojiro said weakly, drooping his head, "I haven't eaten since yesterday noon, now I don't even have the strength to scold."

"Meow… Meow Meow is also hungry…" Meow Meow echoed, its yellow‑white fur damp with dew, looking especially disheveled.

Huo La was standing by the creek brushing his teeth; hearing that, he lazily lifted his eyes, gave the three a glance, spat out the foam, rinsed his mouth with clear water, and said in a nonchalant tone as if commenting on the weather, "Bulbasaur, Vine Whip."

The Bulbasaur crouching nearby responded immediately, two emerald‑green vines whooshed out, landing precisely on the three; the force was light but enough to hurt.

"Ah!"

"Ah!"

"Meow!"

Three cries of anguish rose one after another.

"No more chatter, I'll keep whipping until you shut up." Huo La set down his toothbrush; his tone showed no emotion, yet the three hanging on the tree fell silent instantly, even their breathing softened a bit.

A moment later, Huo La propped up the iron pot from last night, poured water into it, and took out a few packs of instant noodles, tearing them open and dropping them in.

When the water began to bubble, he pulled two orange‑yellow Energy Berries from his backpack, sliced them with a small knife into pieces and tossed them into the pot—the fresh scent of the berries mixing with the noodle aroma quickly spread through the forest.

To the three on the tree, that smell was practically a "torture."

Musashi swallowed, and finally couldn't help but speak, his tone softened a bit, "Little brat, didn't we just steal a bit of your leftover rice? You've hung us up all night, isn't that enough?"

"Exactly, exactly!" Meow Meow immediately echoed, eyes fixed on the noodles in the pot, "You're abusing Pokemon! I'm going to the Pokemon Center to complain about you!"

Huo La ignored them, first gave the Bulbasaur a bowl of noodles, then placed a small dish of berry pieces in front of Steelix; although Steelix is in its cocoon stage and doesn't need much food, a bit of energy never hurts.

"Sorry to trouble you both," he patted Bulbasaur's head, "I only brought noodles and berries this time; when we reach Viridian City, I'll prepare a proper meal for you."

Bulbasaur cheerfully chirped twice, "Seed~ Seed~", lowered its head and ate heartily;

Steelix's cocoon twitched slightly, as if responding.

After finishing, Huo La snuffed out the flame under the pot—after all, in the woods, fire safety can't be ignored.

He paced to the base of the tree, looked up at the three hanging for a moment, suddenly smiled, turned back to sit by the iron pot, and ordered the Bulbasaur, "Razor Leaf, put Meow Meow down."

Bulbasaur kept eating without looking up, but the seed behind it swayed gently; two sharp green leaves whooshed out, precisely cutting the Vine Whip that bound Meow Meow.

"Boom!"

Meow Meow hit the ground hard, but immediately rolled up and stood, arching its back, fur puffed, assuming an attacking stance, eyes fixed on Huo La, though its stomach growled, instantly breaking its composure.

"Oh? Want to fight me?" Huo La raised an eyebrow, picked up an empty bowl, filled it halfway with noodles, waved it at Meow Meow, "Sure you're not full before you fight?"

Meow Meow's gaze shifted between Huo La and the noodles twice, ultimately unable to resist hunger.

It dropped the attacking pose, ran a few steps to Huo La's opposite, sat properly, tail wagging in a friendly way.

Huo La smiled and handed the bowl over; Meow Meow snatched it instantly, devouring it greedily, not even sparing the broth.

Musashi and Kojiro on the tree stared dumbfounded, then started shouting, "Meow Meow! You traitorous fellow! Eating all by yourself, leave some for us!"

"Exactly! We're hungry too! We're a team after all!"

Hearing their shouts, Huo La breathed a sigh of relief.

Sure enough, it was the noisy but bounded Rocket Team Trio from his memory.

Although they love to steal and snatch, act unreliably, they never truly go after rookie Trainers with lethal intent, and even at crucial moments they show a hint of "clumsy kindness."

If these three became ruthless and completely unlike their remembered image, he'd probably have to contact the League immediately to report; but for now, there's no need to go that far.

Perhaps he could still coax some useful info out of their mouths.

Huo La looked at the soup‑splattered Meow Meow, then glanced up at the impatiently wriggling Musashi and Kojiro on the tree, and said slowly, "You can come down, even eat, but… you have to chat with me first. For example, what exactly are you doing around here?"

Huo La's reasoning made some sense.

Rocket Team usually doesn't wander into places with no profit; even though this trio constantly circles Ash and his Pikachu, it's because Pikachu is rare enough (must admit, their taste is top‑notch).

If the forest between Pallet Town and Viridian City had no goal for them, the Rocket Team's style wouldn't bring them here.

If they came from Pallet Town, the chance they'd cause a stir there is high, since Professor Oak's Lab in Pallet Town is a top‑tier research institute in the Pokemon World, housing many Rare Pokemon.

But Huo La hadn't heard any news or commotion, which was indeed odd.

When Huo La pressed about their purpose, Musashi and Kojiro first exchanged a rapid glance, as if swapping secret signals.

The next second, Musashi forced an exaggerated smile onto his face, deliberately softening his voice, "Ah, kid, you've got it wrong! We're just tourists in this forest, we got lost, happened to see your camp, and thought we could borrow some food!"

"Right, right!" Kojiro immediately echoed, trying hard to look innocent, "We're just ordinary visitors, not bad guys!"

Huo La crossed his arms, his eyes full of sarcasm, "Oh? Is that so? Then why do I recall that last night you sneaked over, tried to steal my Pokemon, and even claimed to be 'Executive of the Rocket Team', saying you'd take my Bulbasaur to some 'Boss'?"

He deliberately emphasized the word Executive, his gaze fixed tightly on the two up in the tree.

At that, Musashi's smile froze on his face, and Kojiro showed a confused expression, "Executive? When did we become Executives? Musashi, did you say that last night?"