The moment Blue saw Team Rocket, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
This was an organized operation to capture Mew.
Under normal circumstances, an operation of this scale would definitely involve at least one executive.
According to the intelligence currently held by the League, the executives were all highly skilled in concealment. One of them was said to be a top-tier ninja proficient in assassination, while another was an exceptionally powerful psychic user…
Most importantly, all possessed at least quasi-Elite level strength and had Elite-level Pokémon.
Trainers of that caliber were comparable to Elite Four members in a normal region, and in weaker regions, they could even rival a Champion.
And yet, all of them served Team Rocket.
Even after landing, Blue still felt a lingering fear.
He quickly instructed Pidgeot to fly at low altitude and headed toward the research institute.
If even one of those executives noticed him, the situation would become extremely dangerous.
Right now, Blue was only an ordinary trainer with not much strength. His strongest Pokémon was only at Advanced-level. He had not relied on his grandfather's help; every Pokémon he owned was trained by himself.
In the forest, Pidgeot continued to accelerate, its form like a streak of lightning.
* * *
Oak Research Institute. Outside the reception hall.
Shiro had just finished discussing some legendary Pokémon topics with a few researchers. After straightening his clothes, he walked out.
But behind him, several researchers hurried after him and stopped him.
"Professor Shiro! Wait a moment!"
"Professor, please, tell us more about the Legendary Birds!"
"We really want to know…"
Seeing this, Shiro sighed softly. "Alright… but it's getting late. I can only talk for five more minutes."
It was already around five in the afternoon. He still had to do some training and feed his Pokémon later.
The researchers nodded eagerly, practically urging him to continue.
Standing by the wall, Shiro cleared his throat and spoke calmly, "Moltres… it is said that when it is injured, it enters volcanic magma and burns its entire body to heal itself."
"Articuno—"
"Blue? Did something happen?"
The researchers paused and turned in surprise, following Shiro's gaze toward the boy who had just rushed in through the institute's entrance.
"Professor Corviknight…" Blue panted heavily. He spoke halfway, then quickly scanned the surroundings as if searching for someone. "Where is my grandfather?"
One researcher immediately raised a hand. "Blue, Professor Oak should still be in the lab."
"The lab?" Blue frowned slightly.
His grandfather's daily routine revolved around research, and he had even set a rule that unless absolutely necessary, no one should disturb him before ten hours of lab work.
Blue actually did not want to bring this matter to him at all.
If he did, then even if they managed to deal with Team Rocket and capture Mew, it would have nothing to do with him. It would most likely end up being taken for research by his grandfather.
So he quickly said, "Professor Corviknight… there's something…"
Looking at the boy's serious expression, Shiro realized this was no small matter.
After all, Blue had just left to begin his journey, and now he had returned so soon, looking this panicked…
Shiro briefly greeted the researchers beside him, then followed Blue as they ran out of the institute.
The remaining researchers exchanged confused looks, still not understanding what had just happened.
* * *
Boom!
North of Pallet Town, another burst of fire briefly lit up the sky above the forest.
As the flames faded along with a strange pink glow, the Team Rocket group running through the woods grew increasingly anxious.
Bailey could not help but curse, "Damn it! What kind of ability did that pink cat use? It actually erased Magmar's attack, and it can run so fast…"
Behind him, one of the members was drenched in sweat. He tightened his grip on a Poké Ball and recalled the Zubat that had been chasing Mew in the air.
With its limited speed and stamina, the Zubat could no longer keep up with Mew, nor even with the running Team Rocket members below.
Bailey shouted again, "Magmar! Use Flamethrower!"
At his command, the Magmar at the front, sprinting with its arms dragging behind, suddenly raised its head. A flicker of flame gathered in its thin beak. In the next moment, it burst outward, turning into a blazing pillar of fire that rushed straight toward Mew.
But Mew shifted almost imperceptibly, and the flames narrowly missed it.
Just as the fire was about to ignite the trees on both sides, Mew flicked its tail again. A surge of psychic power shot out and instantly erased the flames.
"…Damn it!" Bailey roared in frustration.
The subordinates around him were already exhausted. If not for fear of punishment, they would have stopped chasing long ago.
But Bailey still refused to give up.
This was a perfect chance for promotion, a raise, and recognition from the boss!
Besides, things had already come to this point. Their original mission was basically a failure. If they could not catch Mew, how would they explain it to the higher-ups?
Just as Bailey was feeling anxious, a subordinate behind him spoke up nervously, "C-Captain, maybe we should go to Oak Research Institute instead?"
Bailey, covered in sweat, shot him a fierce glare.
The man immediately shrank back, though he still forced himself to continue, "Captain, this is a legendary Pokémon. We didn't even bring proper capture equipment… with just us, how could we possibly catch it?"
"I think it's better to report this to the executives," another grunt added honestly.
Bailey looked displeased, but he understood the situation. He simply did not want to admit his rushed decision and failure so easily.
At that moment, a sharp voice rang out from nearby.
"Team Rocket! Stop!"
Except for Bailey, the other members all shuddered. They wished they could run away immediately.
Magmar, which had been charging at the front, came to a sudden halt.
A majestic Pidgeot blocked their path, carrying a young boy in its claws.
This Pidgeot had only reached Advanced-level. It was not enough to make the nearly Gym-level Magmar stop on its own.
But behind it stood something far more terrifying.
A massive black bird Pokémon, taller, fiercer, and radiating an overwhelming presence. Just its aura alone made Magmar unwilling to take another step forward.
In fact, if not for its trainer standing behind it, Magmar would have already tried to flee. That black giant bird was not something it could even think of facing.
In that instant, at the sight of Corviknight, every Team Rocket member held their breath.
Even the most exhausted among them covered their mouths, not daring to make a sound.
**
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