Chapter 488: Meow

Nightfall cloaked the sea, and a small boat quietly docked at the pier of Yao Xiang Shi.

A few figures first cautiously looked around, confirmed safety, then disembarked one after another, silently melting into Yao Xiang Shi's night.

"Yao Xiang Shi... we finally made it to Kalos."

Huo La twisted his sore neck, his whole body radiating the fatigue of travel.

It must be admitted that smuggling is second nature to the Rocket Team Trio. During the three‑day voyage they avoided every patrol, never encountering a Flash Flame Team interrogation or interception, and easily slipped through Kalos's sea blockade line, arriving at their destination without trouble.

"Exhausted to death. Even though it was only three days, this boat was unbearably cramped; I never want to ride a ship again," Bilan complained, his face full of weariness.

Xiaoyin, usually haughty, now wore an unmistakable fatigue on his face.

Paipa rubbed his shoulders and agreed, "Let's find a place to rest first; I'm falling apart. The sandwiches we prepared earlier are long gone, so we should restock food and supplies."

"Exactly. We'll settle down for a night, and also scout the city's situation," Huo La nodded in agreement.

At that moment Bilan suddenly realized and asked in confusion, "By the way, what about the three of the Rocket Team? Aren't they coming up with us?"

Huo La shook his head and casually explained, "They said they're a stylish Dark Organization and have other private matters to handle, telling us not to worry about them; they'll contact us later on their own."

"Stylish? Heh..." Xiaoyin scoffed, his tone full of contempt, "Do they even deserve that?"

As soon as the words fell, a deafening Boom— roared under the night sky!

The boat that had just carried them across the sea exploded instantly, a blinding fireball shooting upward, and the raging flames dyed the entire black night sky crimson.

"What... what's happening?!" Paipa's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

Bilan instinctively covered their mouth, heart tightening, and immediately shouted, "Huo La! Hurry and rescue them!"

Huo La stared at the sudden explosion, then glanced at the town streets that were gradually becoming noisy in the distance, quickly composed himself and gave orders: "You and Paipa go find a place to stay first; I'll take Xiaoyin to check the situation."

Bilan still wanted to say something, but Paipa beside them quickly grabbed them, saying in a deep voice, "Follow Huo La's orders."

The four quickly split up, and Huo La led Xiaoyin back to the pier at a brisk pace.

At this moment the pier was already surrounded by many residents who had rushed over upon hearing the sound; at the wreckage of the exploded ship, several Flash Flame Team members in uniform stood ready, sealing off the site and keeping watch, the atmosphere especially tense.

Huo La blended into the onlookers, feigning curiosity as he asked, "What happened here?"

The resident being asked stared fixedly at the burning sea, absentmindedly replying, "The exact situation is unclear, but the Flash Flame Team came personally to guard it, so something big must have happened."

Another person nearby took over, "I heard it was members of the Resistance Organization clashing with the Flash Flame Team here."

"Sigh, lately the Resistance Organization and the Flash Flame Team have been fighting more fiercely, and it's restless even in the middle of the night," the resident who had spoken earlier sighed helplessly.

"Don't speak nonsense! The Resistance Organization led by Doctor BuLaTaNuo Bo Shi wants to free Kalos from the Flash Flame Team's control!" someone immediately retorted.

"Rescue? Whoever governs this region is the same; what does it have to do with us ordinary people?" the person muttered dismissively.

Huo La silently listened to the crowd's discussion, his gaze constantly fixed on the center of the ship explosion, carefully searching for any trace of the Rocket Team Trio.

But after scanning the area, aside from the alert Flash Flame Team members and the onlookers, there was not a single trace of the three and Miao Miao.

Huo La, without showing any reaction, gave Xiaoyin a glance; the two silently turned, slipped out of the onlookers, quietly left the pier, and prepared to meet Paipa and Bilan.

Meanwhile, inside a sewer in Yao Xiang Shi that leads to the sea.

The Rocket Team Trio was drenched, huddling against the cold wall, gasping heavily, their faces full of lingering shock and doubt.

"That really pisses me off! If we had reacted a half-step slower just now, we'd have been blown to ashes!" Musashi gritted his teeth, his belly full of rage.

Kojiro also wore a terrified expression, saying with lingering fear, "Those Flash Flame Team guys have no sense of rules; they launched a surprise attack without hesitation. Luckily our alertness was high enough to jump into the sea in time; otherwise we'd have really messed up this time."

Miao Miao licked his wet paws, his tone full of frustration and helplessness: "Meow! I just got in touch with our infiltrated operative in Kalos, and the next second we were ambushed by the Flash Flame Team's Fiery Arrow Eagle. Looks like our hidden base in Kalos has either defected or has already been wiped out by them."

Kojiro instantly panicked and asked, "What should we do now? Our escape route and intel are cut off."

Miao Miao thought for a moment, then said, "What else can we do? Contact Huo La and the others first. Anyway this place is close to Shixiang Town, just let them figure out a way to sneak into the town themselves."

"What about us? Aren't we supposed to meet them?" Kojiro kept asking.

Musashi immediately took the floor, his eyes filled with defiant pride: "Us? Of course we want revenge! Those guys dared to ambush us in secret; we must let them see who the real evil villain organization is!"

"Musashi, calm down first, don't speak rashly; it's just the three of us..." Kojiro hurriedly warned.

Before he could finish, Miao Miao abruptly shouted in support, "Meow—! I back Musashi! This attitude can't be tolerated; this grudge must be avenged!"