Chapter 116: Infiltration, Team Rocket's Base!

Lance interrogated the two fallen Team Rocket members. After learning the precise location of their base, he took out his communicator and contacted Officer Jenny in Viridian City.

This was the second time Hu Yang had seen Lance. The first time was in a newspaper. In reality, Lance possessed a face radiating a sense of justice, and with a cape draped over his back, he exuded a cool, passionate aura. Hu Yang couldn't help but compare him to Steven Stone. When there were no stones in front of him, Steven always maintained the image of a calm and composed young nobleman. But the moment he spotted a stone, he would turn into a child who had found candy, his eyes shining with excitement. This contrast was quite amusing.

Hu Yang was lost in thought, so he remained silent. Seeing him standing quietly to the side, Lance smiled and offered comfort: "Don't worry, it's over now."

"?" Hu Yang was confused. Why would he be worried? However, he quickly realized that in Lance's eyes, he was likely just a novice trainer who had just set out on his journey. But that wasn't the point; the point was that Poké Ball transfer machine he had just heard about!

After a moment of reflection, Hu Yang asked, "Mr. Lance, are you planning to head to the Team Rocket base now?"

Lance nodded.

Hu Yang said, "May I go with you? I can provide assistance."

Lance was taken aback, then let out a hearty laugh: "No need. I truly appreciate your help, but please, trust me—I can handle this." As a Champion, he bore the responsibility of protecting the people of Kanto; naturally, he would not allow others to be put in harm's way, especially a trainer who had just started his journey.

Just then, Officer Jenny arrived on her motorcycle at high speed. Hearing the noise, Lance turned around and handed the two criminals over to her. After Officer Jenny handcuffed the Team Rocket members and saluted, she turned and left. Lance prepared to set off to investigate the base.

Suddenly, someone tugged on his cape. Lance turned to see the boy with the innocent, cute appearance looking at him with a solemn expression: "No, I think you need help."

Lance paused, still refusing: "This is too dangerous. You cannot come."

Hu Yang: "..."

Lance turned and walked away. Watching his back, Hu Yang said to the invisible Gengar: "Follow him!"

The Team Rocket member had said the base was located beneath "three trees" and required a password to open the entrance. The slogan was "Raid On the City! Knockout, Evil Tusks!" Taking the first letter of each word spelled "Rocket." Hu Yang knew this, but he didn't know which three trees in Viridian Forest they were. Therefore, he had no choice but to let Gengar follow Lance and come back to fetch him later. For the sake of that Poké Ball transfer machine, he had to make this trip today!

Fortunately, perhaps to avoid drawing attention, Lance did not ride his Dragonite and chose to travel on foot. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for Gengar to keep up with him. About three hours later, Gengar returned to lead the way for Hu Yang.

...

Infiltrating a base was second nature to a League investigator. This was not the first time Lance had done such a thing. The Viridian Forest Team Rocket base was situated on a plot of land where three towering trees grew. To enter, one had to stand between the three trees and recite the slogan: "Raid On the City! Knockout, Evil Tusks!" The slogan would then activate a lift hidden beneath the grass, transporting the person into the underground secret base.

Lance skillfully retrieved props and clothing, disguising himself as a Team Rocket grunt. Standing at the target location, he announced, "Raid On the City! Knockout, Evil Tusks!"

A second later, the sound of machinery echoed from below, and a lift appeared before him. Lance stepped on, and the lift descended slowly. Once it disappeared, the grass returned to its original state.

The lift reached the lowest level. Lance walked out of the automatically opening electronic door, observing the structure and environment of the base with an impassive gaze. The base was massive; the walls, floors, and ceilings were all made of silver-white metal, appearing incredibly sturdy. A few scattered Team Rocket members in uniform walked through the corridor, unhurried. Perhaps because it was nighttime, there weren't many members around.

Lance made a quick assessment, bypassed the crowd, and found a room labeled "Transfer Room." Pushing the door open, he saw several members placing Poké Balls into a transfer machine. Lance frowned. Just then, one of the members spotted him and greeted, "Hey, friend, haven't seen you before. New here?"

Lance nodded, stepping forward to offer help while casually inquiring for information: "Yeah, just transferred here. Where are these Poké Balls being sent?"

The member smiled and replied, "There are so many destinations—Celadon City, Mahogany Town, Saffron City, and the branch bases in the Orange Archipelago and the Sevii Islands."

Hearing so many names, Lance felt a tightening in his chest. Unbeknownst to everyone, Team Rocket had evolved into a behemoth. He could not imagine how many members they had across Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Archipelago.

Just then, another member overheard them. He glanced at Lance casually, then left the room as if nothing had happened. A moment later, an alarm echoed throughout the base.

"An intruder?" The Team Rocket member in front of him immediately stopped what he was doing.

Lance paused, his right hand instantly dropping to his Poké Balls. The next second, the room door burst open, and a group of armed Team Rocket members blocked the exit. Leading them was the very member who had just walked out. He pointed at Lance and shouted, "He's the intruder!"

Lance asked calmly, "Are you mistaken about something?"

The man retorted, "You're lying! No new recruits have been transferred to this base in the last two weeks!"

With that, Lance hesitated no more. Both hands moved in unison, throwing three Poké Balls. As three flashes of white light erupted, a Gyarados and two Dragonites appeared before him.

"Twister!" Lance commanded.

As the order was given, a devastating tornado swept through the area. In the panic, someone recognized Lance's identity and let out a scream: "How is it the Champion?! We're no match for him! Call the Boss!"

Lance would not give them the chance. Twisters and Hyper Beams swept through the room, instantly incapacitating a large group of Team Rocket members. Even so, one managed to escape to a corner and make a call. The connection was made. The Team Rocket member reported with a trembling voice: "Re... reporting to the Boss! Base No. 1 has been infiltrated. The intruder is the Champion, Lance! Requesting reinforcements!"

There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then, a slightly hoarse, low voice came through: "I understand."

Meanwhile, at the Viridian Gym in Viridian City, a tall man with short black hair rose from his bed. He picked up a plain-looking Poké Ball from the table, walked to a transfer machine, and placed it into the slot.

Giovanni narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "I leave it to you, Deoxys."

As he spoke, the Poké Ball vanished from the slot.