Erika declared her plan to infiltrate the Team Rocket base right in front of the three Executives and the boss himself.
Dylan couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up. She truly had courage! Erika was indeed a brave Gym Leader!
"I'm sorry, Ilene, but I might not be able to go out with you today," Dylan apologized to Ilene.
They had planned to spend these days together, but with this unexpected situation, Dylan had to rush over.
The Team Rocket base in Celadon City was undoubtedly one of the largest in Kanto, and this conflict would likely escalate quickly.
Even if Giovanni now warned Archer and the others at the Celadon City base to retreat, it would be too late. There was too much important information in a large base to evacuate in such a short time.
Moreover, Officer Jenny was already in the group chat, and she would have already notified the League and the police in Celadon City.
"No problem, but please be careful."
Ilene was worried, but she still softly supported her childhood friend.
She wasn't a Trainer, so she couldn't go with Dylan. Otherwise, she would only hold him back, and Ilene didn't want to be a burden.
"Don't worry," Dylan replied with a smile.
He quickly sent a message to Lance, packed up his main Pokémon, stuffed a napping Clefairy into his backpack, and flew towards Celadon City on his Articuno.
---
Team Rocket Base in Celadon City
In the control room, Archer was reviewing some research data.
"How is it?" Proton asked, lounging on a chair.
"It failed again. The genetic rejection is severe," Archer shook his head. Then he picked up a ringing communication device and saw it was the boss calling.
"Boss, what? Yes, I understand."
Archer's already grim face darkened further as he respectfully ended the call.
Afterward, he looked at the surveillance screens, his expression shifting between uncertainty and concern.
"What's wrong?" Proton noticed something was off and dropped his relaxed demeanor.
"Ariana, come to the control room," Archer contacted another Executive.
"The boss said someone has already infiltrated the base."
"That's impossible," Proton frowned. This underground base was extremely concealed, built right beneath the Game Corner, with their people all over it.
"Nothing's impossible," Archer's face looked even more grim.
"Officer Jenny must have received the information as well. Back up the important data; we have to abandon this base," Archer said coldly.
The door to the control room opened, and a woman with red hair in a white Executive uniform walked in.
She was Ariana, another Executive and one of the four Generals of Team Rocket.
"Proton, you and Ariana find that intruder. We can't let her escape."
Archer continued working at the computer. The genetic fusion research and data they were conducting in this base were extremely important, and they had to be backed up quickly.
"Heh~ I'm quite good at catching rats."
A cruel smile slowly spread across Proton's face.
---
Celadon City
Located in the central Kanto region, it was one of the largest cities, second only to the metropolis of Saffron City.
The city's name, "Celadon," referred to the dreamlike colors of a rainbow, and it was also known as the Rainbow City.
Celadon City was famous in Kanto. Though not as developed as Saffron City, its department store was renowned throughout the region, and the Game Corner was the largest in Kanto. The top prize at the Game Corner was even a rare Dratini, making it famous far and wide.
Articuno's flying speed was quite fast, and Dylan arrived just outside Celadon City after about two hours.
He had Articuno land outside the city, recalled it, and then walked into Celadon City.
Normally, cities didn't allow Pokémon to carry people into them, mainly to avoid disrupting the cityscape and preventing accidental injuries.
Moreover, Articuno was one of Kanto's legendary Pokémon, far too conspicuous. Though Dylan didn't mind being the center of attention—he actually quite enjoyed it—the timing wasn't right.
Outside a hotpot restaurant near the Celadon Game Corner was the place where Dylan had arranged to meet Leah.
"There's been no movement for over two hours. Could she really have been caught?" Dylan checked the Gym Leaders' group chat and noticed Erika hadn't said anything in the chat.
If she really had infiltrated the Team Rocket base, not having time to check her phone was understandable. But there was also the possibility that she had already been caught.
After all, Giovanni would have certainly informed Archer that someone had infiltrated the base.
"Hey~"
Just then, a girl's voice came from behind Dylan.
"Why are you dressed like that?"
Dylan turned around to see a rather ordinary-looking black-haired girl wearing a T-shirt and a plaid skirt.
He gave Leah a strange look, especially at her chest, since the curve was shockingly large—easily a D-cup at least.
"Hey, hey, hey! What kind of look is that, you pervert!" The girl named Leah immediately crossed her arms and puffed up her cheeks, noticing Dylan's inappropriate gaze.
"It's not always about being bigger, you know. You might be dissatisfied with yourself, but we have to face reality," Dylan thought for a moment and sympathetically consoled Leah for her self-deception.
"What do you mean!! I've always been this big!" Leah was furious.
What do you mean by "facing reality"?!!
"Okay, okay," Dylan nodded in response.
"Dylan!!"
Leah gritted her teeth in frustration. She had only dressed this way for disguise, though she had a tiny bit of personal motive. But she was naturally a cute girl, so what's wrong with enhancing her appearance a bit?
"Did you call Red?"
"Yes, but it'll take him some time to get here," Leah turned away, awkwardly changing the subject.
"Alright, let's observe the surroundings first."
Dylan glanced toward the large, bustling Game Corner.
"Okay."
The two of them began walking around the Game Corner like ordinary passersby.
"With this information about the Team Rocket base, Officer Jenny must have already received the news. I also informed Champion Lance."
"You told Lance?" Leah was surprised.
"Yes, why?" Dylan was puzzled by her reaction.
"It's not a huge issue, but Lance's attitude towards Team Rocket is extreme," Leah whispered.
She had once secretly witnessed Lance wipe out a Team Rocket base.
"In the Kanto League, Lorelei and Lance are quite unique. Their approach to Team Rocket is extremely ruthless."
Leah explained in detail.
"Apparently, of the Team Rocket members captured by Lorelei, seven out of ten might suffer severe frostbite, leaving them with long-term injuries. If not treated in time, they might even freeze to death."
"And Lance is even more extreme. Only those who survive his attacks are eligible to be captured by the League!"
Leah enthusiastically described the scene, showing no sympathy for Team Rocket.
Lance's attack had left a deep impression on Leah. The Draco Meteor that rained down from the sky completely engulfed the entire Team Rocket base in continuous bombardment.
In that kind of attack, those hiding in the base were truly unlucky, and their survival depended entirely on luck.
Leah knew all too well what Team Rocket did in secret. Because of her childhood experiences, she had absolutely no sympathy for an evil organization like Team Rocket.
This was also one of the reasons she constantly caused trouble for them.
"I see," Dylan mused. It seemed that both Lance and Lorelei had extreme personalities.
As they chatted, the two soon arrived at a secluded alley behind the Game Corner.
"By the way, look there. That's where I snuck into the Team Rocket base."
Leah pointed to a hidden manhole cover in a corner.
"It was quite a coincidence. I felt something was off about the Game Corner and decided to investigate. Then I saw someone sneaking out of here, and when I went in, I discovered it led directly to the Team Rocket base."
"Impressive," Dylan praised Leah.
Just then, the manhole cover was pushed open, and a person in tight black clothing climbed out, coming face to face with Dylan and Leah.
It was a girl, as her curves were still noticeable under the tight clothing.
The girl hesitated for a moment, but upon seeing Dylan, her expression brightened with relief, and she limped toward him, nearly in tears.
"Dylan, save me!"
"My goodness! I don't understand it. I hadn't been inside for long, but it felt like the entire base was searching for me!!!"
(Chapter End)