Chapter 77: I Want to Report a Case! There's Team Rocket Here!

"Wow~ you're amazing, Athena isn't even a match for you."

The chestnut-haired girl looked with considerable surprise at this red-eyed boy, and at the Charizard and Pikachu behind him.

She had originally just wanted this passerby to intercept Athena for her, so she could escape.

She hadn't expected that this boy, who looked about her age, would directly take Athena down!

If Athena hadn't sensed the situation was wrong and slipped away in time, the person probably would have been left behind.

"..." The red-eyed boy, in a 'cool' manner, pressed down the brim of his cap to cover his crimson eyes and responded with silence.

Looks very cold and aloof?

The girl analyzed this in her heart. Of course she knew this boy wasn't mute—after all, during the fight with Athena just now, he hadn't been shy about opening his mouth to give commands.

But it doesn't matter, this Miss is a social terror!

A young man this strong at such a young age will surely be useful in the future!

"Thank you so much for helping me, or else I don't know what terrible things might have happened."

On the girl's unremarkable face appeared a sweet smile as she expressed her gratitude to the boy.

"I'm Blue, Azure Blue, you can call me Little Blue. May I know your name?"

Little Blue blinked her big sparkling eyes, her sweet voice full of girlish charm.

"..." The boy pressed the brim of his cap even lower.

Little Blue didn't give up because of this, but kept gazing at the boy with expectant eyes.

"... Red." A low, boyish voice reached Little Blue's ears.

"Red, right? You're really amazing. Those evil Team Rocket members, oh right! I almost forgot."

Little Blue hurriedly took out a phone and quickly dialed a number.

"Hello hello hello? Is this Officer Jenny? Yes, I want to report a case! Here in the south district of the city, there's a very large Team Rocket base!"

"That's right, absolutely true! I just escaped from inside. As far as is currently known, this Team Rocket base probably has at least two high-ranking Team Rocket executives!"

"Okay, please rest assured, I won't act rashly. My name? Emmm... I'm just a passing concerned citizen."

"If you absolutely must record a name, you can register the name Red."

Little Blue spoke at a rapid pace, finally replying modestly.

Red: (⊙o⊙)

"Hehe~ sorry about using your name without permission. Little Blue here doesn't really like being in the spotlight, you know."

Little Blue hung up the phone, playfully stuck out her tongue, and tapped her own head with her white-gloved hand in a cute pose.

She certainly didn't like being famous—after all... if those former colleagues saw this, they would surely chase her all the way to Celadon City.

Little Blue pressed her lips together, and a shadow of darkness flashed through her clear, beautiful big eyes. Although she had already escaped, the shadow of that organization still clung to her every moment.

Red was silent. Although he was rather shy and introverted by nature, he was very sensitive to others' emotions. He could sense that this girl's heart was not as sunny and outgoing as her outward appearance.

Of course, what Red cared about more was another point.

There's a large Team Rocket base here?!

Red turned his head to look in the direction Athena had fled. As for Team Rocket, he had absolutely no goodwill toward them.

These tumors of the Kanto region—on the S. S. Anne before, they even tried to steal their Pokémon!

They could wantonly sever the bond and future between Pokémon and trainers—this is... unforgivable!

Red loved Pokémon battles. He aimed to become the world's strongest trainer, but at the same time, he sincerely hoped this world could be more beautiful.

He hoped this sky would forever be clear and azure!

An evil organization like Team Rocket, which doesn't care about others' feelings and brings sorrow to people, is unnecessary.

So since news of Team Rocket has been obtained, then...

Indigo Plateau.

"A large base discovered in Celadon City?"

Professor Oak frowned his grizzled brows upon hearing the report from the Officer Jenny chief.

"Yes. If we rely solely on the strength of the Celadon City police, I'm afraid we won't be able to wipe them out. Moreover, Gym Leader Erika is temporarily unreachable."

The Officer Jenny chief said. A large Team Rocket base would inevitably have high-ranking Team Rocket executives guarding it.

And Team Rocket executives are basically at the Elite Four level—even the weaker ones among the Elite Four level have combat power that ordinary trainers cannot handle.

And at this particular time, Celadon Gym Leader Erika couldn't be reached, but the Officer Jenny chief didn't think anything was amiss.

After all, just this morning, Erika was still properly staying at the gym.

"Should we send Lorelei and the others? Chairman." The Officer Jenny chief asked Professor Oak.

To reliably wipe out this Team Rocket base, dispatching the Kanto Elite Four would be the best solution.

"Rei, that place is Celadon City." Professor Oak replied with a headache.

The Officer Jenny chief responded with silence. Among the Kanto Elite Four, Agatha was after all already quite old, and her seniority and qualifications being what they were—unless absolutely necessary, Agatha would not be deployed.

And although Bruno had the lowest presence among the Elite Four, usually either training or lifting weights, his strength was indeed very strong. But due to his personality, Bruno could serve as a fighter, but was not suited to be an operation leader.

And then there were Lance and Lorelei...

These two were the most eager to wipe out Team Rocket, but precisely because of this, Professor Oak had a headache.

Because these two's attitude toward Team Rocket was simply too extreme, and they would show no mercy when dealing with Team Rocket.

According to statistics, of the ten Team Rocket members arrested by Lorelei, eight suffered severe frostbite—even after thawing, their bodies might have lasting aftereffects.

And Lance was even more straightforward—only those who could still survive after being attacked by Lance's Pokémon were 'qualified' to be arrested by the League.

But this contradicted the humanitarian principles of the Pokémon League, and Professor Oak was very troubled by this.

He had spoken with Lance and Lorelei about this matter more than once, but their hatred for Team Rocket was simply too deep.

A person's ideals — how could something like that be so easily changed?

"Kona, come to my office."

After thinking for a while, Damian sighed and sent a message to Kona. No matter what, this Team Rocket base had to be dealt with.

In no time at all, Kona arrived at the office.

"Chairman."

"Kona, a large Team Rocket base has been discovered in Ecruteak City. Go with Bruno."

"Ecruteak City? Understood."

Kona's cold, beautiful face showed no change. She pushed up her glasses and said flatly.

But Officer Jenny's representative and Damian could both feel that the chill around Kona had grown heavier.

Damian started to speak, then stopped, and finally could only sigh helplessly in his heart.

In his view, Kona had originally been a very kind child. When she was young, she had personally watched a small Seel grow weak and near death from industrially polluted water.

The sorrowful, pained gaze of the dying Seel was deeply etched into Kona's heart, impossible to forget forever.

To give nature and Pokémon a better future, Kona joined the Kanto League and became one of the Elite Four.

But before she knew it, the passion she once had had slowly turned into indifference — a bone-chilling indifference.

"I'm counting on you, Kona."

"Don't worry, Chairman." Kona turned and left, letting out a cold laugh.

"Those filthy, evil pieces of trash — I'll freeze every last one of them into ice sculptures!"

Watching Kona's departing back, a deep worry rose unbidden in Damian's heart.

The future of Kanto…

(End of Chapter)