: The Rockets' Big Gift Pack is Here!

next second.

Xiaoxia felt as if she had been struck by an electric current, and she was thrown back a large step, almost hitting the edge of the front desk.

"Miss Joey! No, no! That's not true at all!"

She waved her hands frantically in the air, as if trying to dispel the shameful words, her face flushed red as if it were about to bleed, and you could even see steam rising from the top of her head.

"I... Jiang Chuan and I are just... just ordinary travel companions!"

"We've only known each other for a short time, she's definitely not my girlfriend!"

"That kind of deep...deep intimacy and stuff...ahhhhh!"

She was only halfway through her incoherent explanation when she was burned by the taboo word herself. She let out a short, mournful cry and suddenly covered her cheeks with her hands, revealing a startling red through her fingers.

"Huff... huff..."

She was panting heavily, her chest heaving violently, feeling as if her brain was about to be overheated and burned out.

Steam Girl, truly deserving of the name.

Hanako stood to the side, taking in the entire scene.

The corners of her lips couldn't help but turn up slightly, outlining a gentle yet slightly playful smile.

Hearing others naturally pair her and Jiang Chuan together, she felt no resistance whatsoever; instead, a secret sweetness welled up inside her.

So instead of avoiding him like Xiaoxia did, she stood more naturally, almost leaning against Jiang Chuan's arm, her mature and voluptuous body curves pressed against him, conveying a silent intimacy.

However, seeing that Xia was about to explode with embarrassment, Hanako, as the older and more mature sister, stepped in to defuse the situation.

Her voice was gentle and soothing.

"Miss Joey, you've misunderstood. Xiaoxia and Jiangchuan are indeed just friends who recently started traveling together, and they don't yet have... well, the kind of deep relationship you're talking about."

"Please arrange three single rooms for us, thank you."

Miss Joey was also taken aback by Xia's overly strong reaction.

She blinked her gentle, large eyes, quickly regaining her professional smile, and said with a hint of apology:

"Ah, I'm so sorry, I was being abrupt. I was just explaining the rules routinely, and I didn't mean anything by it, so please don't take it to heart..."

boom! ! !

Miss Joey's explanation hadn't even finished.

A deafening, violent explosion suddenly erupted from the direction of the Pokémon Center's main entrance without warning.

Immediately following was the ear-piercing sound of shattering glass, and the dull echo of the building structure being impacted.

Thick smoke, mixed with dust, billowed into the hall like a roaring gray dragon, quickly spreading out from the entrance, obscuring the view, and carrying a pungent smell of gunpowder.

"Cough! Cough cough cough...!"

Startled by this sudden turn of events, Xiaoxia temporarily forgot her shame, covered her mouth and nose, and frantically waved her other hand in front of her to drive away the thick smoke.

"What happened? What's going on?"

Hanako immediately stopped smiling, instinctively moved closer to Jiangchuan, and looked warily at the entrance where thick smoke was billowing.

Miss Joy's expression changed, and her professionalism as the head of the Pokémon Center prompted her to take immediate action.

She quickly said to Jiang Chuan and the other two, "I heard that a very rampant Pokémon theft gang has recently appeared in the Kanto region. Could it be that...?"

Without hesitation, she bent down and pressed a hidden red alarm button under the front desk with her fair fingers.

Almost at the same moment.

The crisp system notification sounded again in Jiang Chuan's ears.

【Ding! 】

[Emergency Mission Triggered - Protect the Pokémon Center: Defeat the attacking Team Rocket trio and protect the Pokémon Center's facilities, Pokémon, and personnel from further damage.]

【Quest Reward: Silver Dust*1 - Pokémon holding this item will have their Bug-type moves' power increased by 20%】

Joey Family Affection +10 – Applies to all Joey Family members. Accumulated affection increases the chance of triggering special interactions and hidden rewards.

Officer Jenny Family Affection +10 – Applies to all Officer Jenny Family members. Accumulated affection increases the chance of triggering special interactions and hidden rewards.

At the same time, Jiang Chuan's waveguide also vaguely detected three familiar life waves from the depths of the thick smoke, waves that carried a comical yet reckless air.

Sure enough, it was those three clowns.

Jiang Chuan's eyes narrowed, and he instantly got into focus.

"Everyone be careful, they're up to no good," he whispered, leaning forward slightly to shield Hanako and Kasumi a little distance behind him, his sharp eyes locking onto the thick smoke.

After pressing the alarm, Miss Joey's steps were unusually firm, though a hint of fear was in her eyes.

She quickly walked around from behind the front desk, her long, beautiful legs, tightly encased in pure white over-the-knee stockings, striding directly in front of Jiang Chuan and the others. She spread her arms, using her slender body to shield the trainer from danger.

"You guys get out of here! Leave through the back door!" Her voice trembled slightly with nervousness, but her tone was absolutely resolute.

"I'm in charge here, I'll stall them! Please go find Officer Jenny and call the police for help immediately!"

Amidst the billowing smoke, three figures made a grand entrance, accompanied by awkward but highly recognizable lines and erratic steps.

"To prevent the world from being destroyed!"

"To protect world peace!"

...............

"That's it, meow~!"

The smoke dissipated slightly.

The leader, Musashi, with a stunningly hot figure, walked out arrogantly in Team Rocket's standard white uniform skirt suit, her long legs clad in high heels. Her gaze greedily swept across the hall, finally settling on Miss Joy and the others.

"Enough with the nonsense!" Musashi waved his hand, too lazy to continue the act. "Hand over all the precious Pokémon here now! Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite!"

"The Rockets!"

Miss Joey gasped, her face turning even paler.

As an employee of a legitimate organization in the Kanto region, she was well aware of the organization's notoriety and danger.

But her body, which was blocking the way, did not move back an inch.

"Hmph hmph hmph..."

Just then, a deliberately suppressed laugh, tinged with a strong sense of adolescent angst, suddenly rang out from the side.

Just moments ago, Xiaoxia was so embarrassed she was practically melting away, but now she had straightened her back.

The blush on her face had not completely faded, but in her large amber eyes, a fierce anger and a certain... eager excitement shone through.

The thick smoke and explosions seemed to instantly switch her focus.

"Theft? Robbery? And you even tried to destroy the Pokémon Center?"

Xiaoxia suddenly tossed her short orange hair, raised her right hand high, and pulled out a red and white Poké Ball with lightning speed.

She stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Miss Joey, striking what she considered a glamorous and dashing pose, pointing into the depths of the thick smoke, her voice clear and resonant:

"Unforgivable!"

"Today, let me thank the beautiful mermaid warrior of love and justice, Miss Xiaoxia!"

"Let's teach you bad guys who don't follow the right path a lesson!"

The dialogue is slightly embarrassing, but it's full of momentum.

Xiaoxia has completely entered "Partner of Justice" mode, and her earlier shyness has long since vanished.

"It really was you villains! Trying to steal Pokémon? You'll have to get past me first!"

She pressed her thumb on the button on the baby ball, as if to throw it.