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After the initial chaos, under the command of a low-ranking Rocket leader, the grunts finally began mounting a defense, sending out their Pokémon in response.
But against Interpol's elite strike force, it was barely a contest.
These officers weren't average Trainers, and neither were their Pokémon. They tore through the hastily formed Rocket lines, breaking through with overwhelming force until they reached the main base.
Led by Gengar, the team reached a hidden side entrance. On Anabel's command, a coordinated blast of Flamethrowers from multiple Growlithe melted through the steel gate.
As the agents streamed in, Kai and Erika remained outside. Their job was clear: guard the helipad.
If anyone attempted to escape by air, especially someone important like Sebastian, the scientist behind the Red Gyarados project,, they'd be there to stop it.
Besides, there was no need for Kai to get involved inside. With this many Interpol elites, if they couldn't take down a single base, he'd seriously start questioning their qualifications.
From the comms, he could already hear how the battle was going.
"Encountered resistance in corridor… target suppressed."
"Proceeding deeper, teams stay sharp and work together!"
"Team C reporting: Rocket personnel located in lab… zzzt… secured!"
Mixed with the crackle of explosions, the roars of Pokémon, and Rocket agents crying out in defeat, the comms painted a vivid picture of what was unfolding inside.
Everything was going smoothly.
Soon enough, thanks in part to Kai's map, the agents reached the research center and apprehended Sebastian. The infamous Rocket scientist didn't even make it to the helicopter; he was cornered before he could escape.
The battle was over.
Outside the base, Sebastian was marched out in restraints.
Kai leaned against one of the armored jeeps, arms crossed, watching the defeated scientist with a faint smirk.
"Well, well… long time no see, Doc. Still playing with evolution, you don't understand?"
Sebastian glanced up, scowling the moment he recognized Kai.
"You…! Even if you were burned to ashes, I'd recognize you. You and Lance ruined everything! If it weren't for your interference, my R Project would've succeeded!"
"You were never going to succeed," said a cold voice.
Anabel stepped out from the base, her expression steely as she approached. "Even if your twisted experiments worked once or twice, forcing evolution against nature's will was never sustainable."
Sebastian opened his mouth to respond, but the agents shoved him into the transport van before he could get a word out.
Anabel walked over to Kai, her demeanor now more relaxed.
She'd led the charge during the raid. Though Kai hadn't seen her in action, the battle chatter told him enough that she fought like someone who belonged on the frontlines.
"The base is secured," she said with a smile. "I've already contacted Officer Jenny. She's dispatching the local police to assist with containment and cleanup. Everything should be wrapped up soon. And Kai, once again, thank you. We couldn't have done this without you."
Kai didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he glanced around with a frown.
"…Something's off."
Anabel raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Kai stroked his chin. "We're missing two people."
"Missing who?"
"Those two from yesterday. One called Attila, the other Hun. They claimed to be part of Team Rocket's Pokémon Hunting Division. They were strong, definitely not grunts."
Anabel's face shifted. "We didn't run into anyone like that."
Her tone now serious, she opened the van and questioned Sebastian again.
He grinned, having overheard everything.
"You're too late," he sneered. "They left before you got here, took a team with them. You might've caught me, but Raikou… Raikou will still be ours!"
To his surprise, Kai didn't seem fazed at all.
Truthfully, he had expected something like this.
Yesterday's mission failure wouldn't sit well with Rocket. Of course, they'd make a second attempt.
What puzzled him was how they'd slipped past him en route. They must've taken a different route entirely.
If only I'd gotten here a little sooner… I might've cut them off.
Still, he wasn't too worried.
Jimmy and Marina might've been young, but they weren't weak, and with Eusine and Kudō around, Team Rocket wouldn't have it easy.
That said… it was time for Kai to return.
Just as he turned to tell Anabel, his phone rang.
He checked the screen, Jimmy.
He picked up.
"Kai! Bad news!" Jimmy shouted. "Raikou just woke up, and it smashed through the recovery room wall! It's gone!"
Kai's eyes narrowed. "Did Rocket get there already?"
"Huh? No. We haven't seen anyone from Rocket. We were following Raikou as it ran off, we just left the Center!"
So, Rocket hadn't arrived yet.
But it was only a matter of time.
"I got it. I'll regroup with you now. Be careful, I just confirmed that Attila and Hun are heading your way with a full team."
He hung up and whistled for Charizard.
As his partner landed with a heavy thud, Kai turned to Anabel.
"Something's come up at the Pokémon Center. I need to go."
Anabel nodded without hesitation. "Go. We can handle things here. Thank you again for everything."
Kai climbed onto Charizard's back, smirking.
"Once the Silver Conference ends, I'm heading to Hoenn next. I've got a feeling we'll be working together again soon."
Anabel smiled and shook his hand firmly. "I'd welcome it. With your help, I'm sure more of these criminal syndicates will fall, just like Team Rocket."
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