Seeing their prey escape, the Team Rocket members were now truly desperate!
They had already lost their hidden base. If Raikou also escaped, this operation would not only be a complete failure, but they would have lost their home base as well!
They wanted to give chase, but Kenta and his group wouldn't give them the chance!
Although Kenta and the others also wanted to chase after Raikou when they saw it escape, their purpose was different from Team Rocket's. It was more about protection and observation, a benevolent intention. They also understood in their hearts that they couldn't let Raikou continue to be tormented in the barrier.
Now, seeing Natsui break the barrier and let Raikou escape, although they felt a slight sense of regret, they were also relieved.
And so, with one side trying to break through and the other desperately defending, both sides erupted, unleashing their Pokémon's power to the fullest, once again reaching a stalemate!
However, Team Rocket was merely at the end of its rope.
Lacking stamina, they were caught off guard by Natsui's Pokémon and received a sound beating, quickly being suppressed.
Especially Charizard, using its teeth and claws simultaneously, directly dismantled the mechanical shark, turning it into a pile of parts!
Seeing that the situation was not in their favor, Buson and Attila wanted to escape. But as Team Rocket's Pokémon fell one after another, they lost the ability to retreat unscathed and were soon surrounded, fighting like cornered beasts.
"Damn it!"
Buson looked around, knowing that all was lost.
Finally, when Gardevoir's Psychic defeated the last of Team Rocket's Pokémon, these guys had no way to resist anymore.
"It's over!"
Eusine and Professor Kodama wiped the sweat from their foreheads. For people like them who didn't battle often, the recent fight had required their full concentration just to hold off Team Rocket and avoid being defeated and becoming a weak point. Now that all of Team Rocket's Pokémon were defeated, they could finally relax.
It had to be said that although they had struggled in the initial stages of the battle, after Natsui joined, the pressure had instantly shifted, and in the end, it was a complete steamroll.
It was like breaking through a membrane; once breached, everything that followed became incredibly smooth.
This made them wonder how Natsui's Pokémon could be so strong!
At this moment, Kenta took a climbing rope from his bag and, with the help of Eusine and Professor Kodama, tied up the dozen or so Team Rocket members.
Buson, relying on his sturdy physique, still wanted to put up a last-ditch struggle with physical force, but when Charizard's head came close to his face, and they stared at each other, his momentum instantly faltered. Knowing he was no match for a Pokémon, he had no choice but to quiet down.
Attila, who had remained calm throughout, stared coldly at Natsui.
"We underestimated you this time!" Attila's voice was cold. "I admit that, like the other executives, I made the mistake of underestimating you. We lost. But don't think that just because you've captured us and found one of our bases, you can completely defeat Team Rocket!"
"Of course, I know Team Rocket is a large organization," Natsui said, unfazed by Attila's taunts. "I also know that losing a few members is nothing to you. But don't worry, someone will be joining you soon."
Catching the underlying meaning in Natsui's words, Attila snorted and turned his head away.
He would no longer engage in a pointless verbal spar with Natsui. This was his final act of defiance and dignity!
Just then, Kenta walked up to Natsui's side.
"Raikou, it..."
Looking at him, Natsui smiled. "I've had my Pokémon follow it. Want to come along?"
Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Kenta hesitated for a moment and then actually shook his head!
"Forget it. This is good enough."
This time, it wasn't just Natsui who was surprised; even Marina was shocked!
"Kenta, you..."
Kenta gave a carefree smile, his still-youthful face now filled with maturity. "Although I really like Raikou, I won't capture it. And I could see it in its eyes, it's very wary of humans. Returning to nature is the best place for it!"
Feeling a sense of respect for his choice, Natsui then turned to Eusine and Professor Kodama.
"What about you two?"
Eusine and Professor Kodama also waved their hands in refusal.
"I'll pass," Eusine was the first to speak. "My goal has always been one and only one: Suicune! Seeing Raikou this time was an unexpected bonus, but I have no intention of going after it."
Professor Kodama also smiled, "The same goes for me. Besides, I've already collected some good data. I can go back and report to Professor Elm now!"
Natsui really hadn't expected these people to have such a mindset!
But as for himself, after failing to capture Raikou last time, he had made up his mind not to miss this opportunity, no matter what!
He was determined to get Raikou!
The chubby stranger, whom he had met for the first time, however, walked up to Natsui with a cheerful smile and expressed his desire to go find Raikou with him.
To this, Natsui just wanted to ask: Who are you? I've never seen you before!
Fortunately, Marina quickly made the introduction for Natsui. She smiled and said, "This is Junichi. Like Kenta and me, he's a companion who also started his journey from New Bark Town!"
Junichi?
Natsui took a closer look at this boy named Junichi.
Actually, Junichi wasn't that fat; he was just slightly broader than others his age. He had short gray hair styled into a crest, was clean-cut, and looked quite ordinary, but he had a bright, sunny smile on his face and seemed very easy to get along with.
Since he was a companion of Kenta and Marina, this person must have appeared in the anime as well, but Natsui had no memory of him.
But it didn't matter. Even if he did remember, he wouldn't be taking this person with him to find Raikou.
"In that case, I'll leave these Team Rocket members to you. I won't be heading back to the Pokémon Center. Let's say our goodbyes here."
With that, Natsui waved to the group and was about to turn and leave, but Kenta quickly called out to him.
"Mr. Natsui!"
"What is it?" Natsui turned to look at him.
"You're also going to participate in the Silver Conference, right?"
"Of course."
"That's great!" Kenta said excitedly. "Our battle yesterday was interrupted, and we didn't get to finish, but that's okay. I usually save the best for last, and the same goes for battles. I'll officially challenge you at the Silver Conference! Please have a battle with me then!"
"Of course, no problem," Natsui nodded with a smile. "I'll be waiting for you there!"
Waving goodbye to them once more, he and Erika watched the group leave. Then, without lingering, the two of them mounted Charizard and flew off in the direction Raikou had gone.