Chapter 56
"Team Rockets: Thank you so much!"
Red-browed, she frowned, about to refuse.
Bai Zhou preemptively manipulated Xiao Bai to agree.
The Rockets members were overjoyed and gave each of them a Rockets identification card and a gleaming gold bead.
Then, like an NPC completing a task, it quickly disappeared into the roadside bushes.
"People need to be flexible. Just because I agreed to join Team Rocket doesn't mean I'm officially on the team."
Before Chi Hong could ask any questions, Bai Zhou calmly and confidently gave his explanation.
"As Jia said, this is called tactical infiltration, do you understand undercover work? Undercover work."
"How? You can play it like this?"
"Rockets: Thank you so much!"
"You're a real bastard! Teacher Salty Fish knows how to join in! Hahaha!"
Amidst a barrage of admiring comments in the live stream, Bai Zhou, his face flushed with confusion, turned into the green park next to the bridge, which is Highway 25.
There's nothing here either, just lots of trainers.
Pushing all the way to the end, the view suddenly opened up!
An endless expanse of azure sea, seemingly merging with the sky, rushes towards you, the sea breeze carrying a salty, damp scent.
This is the famous cape scenic spot.
Legend has it that lovers who walk hand in hand through this place will receive eternal blessings.
On the coast, a simple wooden house stands quietly.
A handwritten, slightly messy notice was posted on the mailbox in front of the house.
"Seaside Cottage"
"Zhenghui lives here!"
Pushing open the door, the room was filled with various scientific instruments flashing indicator lights, with parts and papers scattered everywhere.
The most striking feature is the two cylindrical chambers connected by thick pipes in the center of the room.
Looking around, there was no one in sight.
Before Bai Zhou could give any instructions, Chi Hong started rummaging through the pile of instruments with his little Chi Hong.
A moment later, he walked over, carrying a struggling little Rattata.
Strangely enough, this little Rattata... actually has hair!
Upon approaching it, a dialogue was triggered, and it even spoke human language.
"Rattata: Let me go! I'm a Pokémon... No! I'm not! I'm Bill! A true Pokémon fanatic!"
Radamanthys: Hey! Why are you looking so suspicious? Kid! I'm not kidding!
"Rattata: My experiment failed, and I ended up fusing with a Pokémon! Help me return to normal! I'll reward you!"
As Little Rada spoke, he struggled against Little Red, which was quite comical.
"A talking Pokémon! Wait! Is that Rattata Bill?"
"Is this Pokémon fusion... even legitimate?"
"This is hilarious! A talking Rattata! I really want to have one."
"Combined...hehe..."
"A reward for the lady with the smudged lips upstairs, you're welcome."
Comments scrolled by, but the conversation continued.
But Crimson clearly had no patience for long-winded explanations. He skillfully grabbed Rada by the scruff of its neck, walked to the huge machine, opened one of the hatches, and threw it inside without hesitation.
The hatch closed, and Chi Hong returned to the control computer next to him, neatly and efficiently pressing the start button.
The machine emitted a deep startup sound.
A beam of light, representing energy, emanated from the compartment containing the small lada and surged through a thick pipe towards another empty compartment.
A few seconds later, the target hatch opened with a hiss as it was depressurized.
Amidst the swirling smoke, a young man with disheveled hair, wearing a white coat, and still looking somewhat shaken, staggered out.
He patted his chest, let out a long sigh of relief, and walked up to Xiaobai and Xiaochi with a smile.
Zhenghui: Oh my gosh! Thanks, guys, I owe you one!
"Zhenghui: How should I express my gratitude... Ah! This! This should be good!"
"Xiaobai and Xiaochi received their tickets from Zheng Hui!"
"Xiaobai and Xiaochi put the boat tickets into the important prop pocket."
"Bright: The St. Anne cruise ship is currently docked in Vermilion City. I heard many trainers will be boarding it. Go and enjoy yourself for me!"
After saying that, he didn't even bother with a few more pleasantries before rushing back to his computer to continue fiddling with his pile of instruments that looked quite dangerous.
"A ticket for the St. Anne? I think I sneaked on board back then..."
Chi Hong had barely begun speaking when Bai Zhou interrupted her with a violent cough.
"Cough cough cough! Green and healthy! Green and healthy!"
Bai Zhou emphasized the main theme of the live broadcast.
"Now that we have the tickets, our next city will be Kurenai City. We'll show you the high-class life on a luxury yacht. Follow me, I know a shortcut."
Red scratched his head awkwardly and controlled Little Red to follow Little White out the door.
Highway 25 ends at the sea, but White Boat did not choose to return the way it came.
"By water!"
Bai Zhou gave the order.
White rode on Gyarados, while Red clung to Poliwag.
The two, along with a dragon, a frog, and a rat, cleaved through the waves, crossing the bay directly and returning to the beach of Cerulean City.
After landing, Xiaobai led Xiaochi through the alleys of Cerulean City, eventually stopping in front of a house that looked as if it had just been battered by a typhoon.
At the door of the house, Officer Jenny, dressed in a smart police uniform and looking very capable, stood there with a furrowed brow.
Approaching triggers a dialogue.
"Miss Officer Jenny: This poor man's house has been completely ransacked."
Officer Jenny: It's obvious that Team Rocket is behind this heinous act!
Officer Jenny: Even if we mobilize all our police forces, we're no match for Team Rocket!
"Teacher Salty Fish, let's go inside and take a look. There must be some mission rewards here!"
Red, relying on his extensive adventure experience, made a solemn vow.
Bai Zhou, on the other hand, seemed uninterested and gave perfunctory answers.
"Uh-huh."
"Officer Jenny is so cool! I want to..."
"The Alliance has a complete criminal code."
"It's the Rockets again! Their reputation is terrible!"
The two entered the house, which was in a mess, with furniture overturned and clearly had been violently looted.
An old man stepped forward and cried.
"Poor thing: Look what they've done! They stole my Move Learning Device, Dig! That thing cost me a fortune!"
"Let's go, let's get the stuff back, and then head to Vermilion City along Highway 5."
Bai Zhou controlled Xiao Bai to push aside a collapsed bookshelf, behind which was a dug hole. Without saying a word, he crawled into it.
Red, seeing this, thought it was fun and followed suit, crawling inside.
"Following the strange tree, the Crimson Legend has also followed in its footsteps..."
"Don't worry, there will definitely be more people who get misled in the future."
"Teacher Salty Fish is really something else. Taking a shortcut means going through someone else's tunnel."
Passing through the tunnel, the other end connects to a lush forest path—Highway 5.
Many fresh footprints remained on the ground.
After searching all the way, they finally saw the Team Rocket members counting the stolen money under a big tree.
"Rockets members: Hey! Stop right there! Who are you...?"