"I found it. This is Search Team Group C. Dr. Namba, we've discovered traces of Lugia."
More than 3,000 meters beneath the sea, three submarines were quietly patrolling the area near where Ash and the others were.
"You found it? Transfer the footage to the main screen immediately," Dr. Namba ordered at once.
Ever since the failure of the Mewtwo project, Dr. Namba had shifted his focus toward other Legendary Pokémon. Team Rocket, having suffered massive reputational damage from the Mewtwo incident, no longer dared to operate openly in any region. Until they regained absolute power, they could only act from the shadows.
Following Namba's command, images of the baby Lugia, Ash, and the others quickly appeared on the monitor in front of him. Machines had no life force, so Ash's perception couldn't detect them at all, allowing the surveillance to approach unnoticed.
"So it really is Lugia… and it's still in its infancy. What incredible luck." Namba's eyes widened, as if he had found the perfect research subject.
"Doctor, now that we've located Lugia, should we begin the capture operation?" a Team Rocket member asked.
"Excellent timing. Begin the operation immediately. Notify Groups B and C to proceed with the capture," Namba replied with a cold smile.
Without Mewtwo, Team Rocket's overall strength had dropped significantly. This operation was their chance to rise again.
"Yes, sir." The grunt saluted before relaying the order. Within Team Rocket, Namba held a very high position, otherwise Giovanni would never have entrusted him with projects like Mewtwo.
Boom!
"Ah!"
Just as Ash was about to continue questioning Oliver, a loud blast rang out. A reinforced net shot forward instantly, trapping the baby Lugia, while a rope tightened around it and began dragging it away.
Splash!
Two submarines suddenly surfaced, their hatches opening as numerous Team Rocket members rushed out toward Ash and the others, aiming directly for Lugia.
"Team Rocket… I didn't expect to run into you here. I knew you wouldn't stay quiet for long, but to show up right in front of me… hmph."
The moment Ash saw them, his Sharingan activated instantly. To everyone's shock, he stepped forward and stood directly on the surface of the sea, something no ordinary person could accomplish.
"Nathan, take Oliver, Lugia, and Chinchou and get out of here," Ash said calmly, as a crimson energy cloak began forming around his body.
"No… you're going all out right from the start? Forget one, just come with me, now!" Nathan's pupils shrank sharply. He clearly remembered the time limit of Ash's Susanoo and didn't want him to waste it recklessly.
"Okay!"
Although Oliver didn't fully understand what was happening, he reacted immediately. After tearing apart the net trapping Lugia, he grabbed Chinchou and ran toward the shore, while the baby Lugia took flight and followed alongside them.
"Damn it! Dr. Namba, Lugia is escaping!" the captain of Team Rocket's Group B reported urgently.
"What are you waiting for? Capture it immediately! You must not let this opportunity slip away!" Namba roared. Whether Team Rocket could recover depended entirely on this moment.
"Understood!"
After ending the communication, the Group B captain immediately issued pursuit orders. At the same time, Group C had already joined forces with them, closing in on their target.
"Move! Capture Lugia at all costs!"
After Groups B and C joined forces, their captains immediately issued the attack order. Dozens of Team Rocket members surged forward, charging straight toward Ash.
Because they were in the sea, their movements were slowed. Most of them swam forward, while a few raised their machine guns and opened fire at Ash.
"Da da da…"
"Do you really think toys like that will work on me?" Ash's eyes turned cold as countless bullets approached.
In an instant, a crimson skeletal ribcage formed around him, shielding his body completely. At the same time, a massive skeletal arm materialized from the upper left side of the ribcage, towering over the battlefield.
"Disappear."
Boom!
"AHHH!"
Ash controlled the skeletal arm of his Susanoo and swept it across the sea. The enormous force sent multiple Team Rocket members flying. Some lost consciousness on the spot, others suffered broken limbs, and a few were killed instantly as their bodies twisted unnaturally from the impact.
"Isn't that… him?" The captain of Group B stared in horror at Ash's Susanoo, immediately recalling the person responsible for Team Rocket's current downfall.
"Yes… it's that kid! Send the footage to Dr. Namba right now! There's no way we can defeat him alone. That kid's strength is on par with Legendary Pokémon!" the Group C captain shouted, panic rising in his voice.
A subordinate quickly relayed the live footage back to the submarine where Dr. Namba was stationed.
"Damn it… I didn't expect him to be here."
The moment Namba saw the image, his face turned pale.
"Retreat immediately. We cannot let him discover our exact location."
At this point, capturing Lugia was no longer the priority. Survival was.
The hatred between Team Rocket and Ash had long reached the point of no return. If he fell into Ash's hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.