Watching Koga's figure disappear, Gu Yuan began to contemplate the situation.
Using the system's detection function, Gu Yuan determined that the strongest Pokémon in the hole was only Ace Rank, and the number of Pokémon was far too small. With a powerful enemy advancing, logic dictated that the Team Rocket members inside the base should have released all their Pokémon.
Even if Hawkins was confident he could escape, he should have at least released his Leader Rank Hypno and Alakazam. Otherwise, relying only on Ace Rank Pokémon meant they would easily be crushed by Crobat, which was a full rank stronger. They could potentially be wiped out.
Therefore, the best explanation was that Hawkins was not in the base at all and had taken a large number of people with him.
Unfortunately, even knowing this was useless to Gu Yuan right now. The best course of action was to capture the people inside alive and try to interrogate them about Hawkins's whereabouts.
Soon, the sounds of battle echoed from the hole. The surrounding personnel no longer hesitated and charged in with organized speed to provide support.
With the absolute power advantage, by the time Gu Yuan entered the base, the battle was essentially over. The only remaining Ace Rank Executive was captured alive.
"Ah!"
Following the capture, a series of miserable screams erupted.
To quickly extract information about Hawkins, the Fuchsia Gym Ninja and the League investigators immediately began an on-the-spot interrogation. Furthermore, many people were instantly detached and sent back to reinforce Fuchsia City at the fastest speed, just in case Hawkins was planning a desperate final attack.
"I'll talk, I'll say everything!"
Under Koga's fierce interrogation, the Team Rocket Executive ultimately broke, immediately revealing everything he knew.
"Hawkins left yesterday with most of the people, saying the Mind Lotus was about to bloom, leaving us here to guard the hideout."
"The Mind Lotus is not far, it's right at..."
Having obtained the intelligence, Koga immediately led the remaining people away.
Gu Yuan's gaze lingered on the Team Rocket Executive; he felt something was off. Why would Hawkins leave but not take everyone, and why would he leave behind someone who knew his destination? Was he truly that confident that no one could locate his base?
Could it be that Hawkins had been in Fuchsia City for so long and still failed to get intelligence about the Fuchsia Gym launching a full-scale assault?
Unfortunately, Gu Yuan did not have time to think further. Swept up in the crowd, Gu Yuan followed Koga to Hawkins's current location.
En route, Gu Yuan made sure to send the news to Agatha, which was the only thing that gave him peace of mind. Regardless of Hawkins's scheme, as long as Agatha was involved, he was destined to cause no significant harm.
"Everyone, prepare. Team Rocket is just ahead. We must unleash our strongest power immediately and catch them completely off guard!"
Koga did not give the group much time to prepare.
Mere seconds after he finished speaking, Koga's own Crobat launched the first attack. Using Air Slash, Crobat cut a sharp path through the air. No Pokémon could withstand its strike until an Alakazam suddenly appeared.
The forceful impact of Alakazam's Psychic forced Crobat to halt its charge.
With Crobat clearing the way, the League forces successfully unleashed their full power. Within a single exchange, Team Rocket suffered heavy losses.
"I truly did not expect your Alakazam to have stepped into the Elite Rank, but fortunately, there is still time."
As he spoke, Koga released an Ariados and a Muk, which also possessed Elite Rank strength.
"You can't defeat me just by talking. Bring out whatever skills you have."
Feeling the combined aura emanating from Crobat and the others, Hawkins showed no panic. He simply commanded his Hypno, which also possessed Elite Rank strength, to join the battle.
From a distance, Gu Yuan took the opportunity to clearly observe Hawkins's appearance. With his neatly styled long hair and appearance, he looked like a nobleman. The most striking feature, however, was his pair of deep, sapphire-blue eyes, as profound as the ocean.
In the forest, Team Rocket and the League forces tacitly cleared a wide space, allowing Koga and Hawkins to fully display their strength.
Due to the unsettling nature of Psychic-type Pokémon, even with three Elite Rank Pokémon, Koga could not gain a decisive advantage. Although Gu Yuan was unsure of Koga's complete strength, he felt that a man who would eventually become an Elite Four member surely possessed more power than this.
Unfortunately, Gu Yuan's system could not detect Pokémon inside Poké Balls, so he could not know Koga's true capabilities.
Thinking this, Gu Yuan stopped focusing on the battle. He glanced toward the area behind Hawkins; presumably, the Mind Lotus was located there.
Hawkins had arrived yesterday and likely cleared any obstructions by now. Whatever Hawkins's full scheme was, it was ultimately tied to the Mind Lotus. At the very least, the Mind Lotus was a crucial element of his plan.
With this thought, Gu Yuan prepared to pull the rug out from under Hawkins.
Quietly moving through the crowd, Gu Yuan quickly reached the outer edge of the fighting.
"Sylveon, use Helping Hand! Charizard, use Fire Blast!"
As the light of Helping Hand enveloped Charizard, a powerful Fire Blast shot out.
At this moment, the Ace Rank members of Team Rocket were tied up by the League forces, and even the quasi-Ace personnel were engaged. Among the remaining opponents, Senior Rank members were the top fighting force.
Facing the enhanced Fire Blast from Charizard, two Senior Rank captains exchanged glances and commanded their Pokémon to defend together.
"Weezing, use Sludge Bomb!"
"Arbok, use Sludge Bomb!"
Two clumps of sludge shot out together, detonating the moment they contacted the Fire Blast.
Gu Yuan had a more important objective and no time to play games with them, so he immediately prepared for a quick finish.
"Sylveon, use Shadow Ball after Helping Hand!"
"Charizard, use Dragon Rush!"
Seeing Charizard and Sylveon move again, the two captains immediately became alert. To their surprise, both Charizard and Sylveon were aiming their attacks at an empty patch of ground.
While they were confused, Gu Yuan suddenly released his Alakazam.
Alakazam first used Teleport to appear in front of Charizard and Sylveon's combined attack, and then Alakazam immediately used Ally Switch, targeting Weezing.
In fact, the two captains were ready the instant Alakazam appeared, but Alakazam's movements were too fast, preventing their Pokémon from reacting immediately.
"Weezing, use Self-Destruct!"
Seeing his Weezing about to be engulfed by the incoming attack, its trainer prepared to go down fighting!