Natsui and Erika followed Anabel out of the Pokémon Center.
Since Anabel had already brought people here, Natsui naturally wanted to go with them to deal with Team Rocket.
Kenta, Marina, Eusine, and Professor Kodama remained behind to continue watching over Raikou and observe its condition.
Before leaving, Natsui and Kenta exchanged phone numbers, so they could easily contact each other in case of any unexpected situations.
Stepping out of the Pokémon Center, Natsui immediately saw seven or eight police armored vehicles neatly parked by the roadside.
In front of the police cars, over forty International Police officers, clad in special police uniforms, steel helmets, and armed with batons and riot shields, stood ready.
And the officers' partners—Growlithe and Machamp—also stood by with serious expressions.
Just as Weezing, Arbok, and Golbat had become symbols of Team Rocket, Growlithe and Machamp had almost become the representative Pokémon of police officers.
Looking at their serious faces and sharp gazes, they were indeed a well-trained, elite police force!
Not only did Natsui and Erika look at the officers, but even passing Pokémon trainers were amazed by this force, turning their heads to watch.
Anabel surveyed the scene. Seeing the image of the International Police on display, she nodded with satisfaction.
"Get in the cars!"
At her command, the officers and Pokémon boarded the vehicles. Natsui and Erika, along with Anabel, got into the first police SUV.
Guided by Gengar, the convoy set off towards the Team Rocket base.
Along the way, Natsui learned from Anabel that the reason they were able to arrive fully equipped that morning was that they had been on a special mission nearby. Upon hearing Looker's request, they had immediately rerouted to this location.
Natsui couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
To abandon an ongoing special mission and instead deal with Team Rocket, it seems Team Rocket's priority is undoubtedly the highest!
Indeed, such large cross-regional organizations are the most worthwhile targets!
After driving for a while, the convoy had left the paved road and turned into the forest.
The complex terrain not only slowed the vehicles down but also made the ride extremely bumpy.
In the passenger seat, Anabel, holding onto the handle above, turned to Natsui and said, "Thanks to your discovery, another Team Rocket research facility has been exposed. Once we clear this place, Team Rocket's influence in Johto will be largely wiped out. At this rate, they'll eventually be uprooted!"
Natsui remained skeptical of Anabel's optimistic confidence.
Although she said so, he knew that no matter how many grunts were caught, as long as the mid- and high-ranking executives remained at large, especially if Giovanni wasn't apprehended, Team Rocket would eventually make a comeback.
While a series of blows would indeed significantly impact Team Rocket, as long as the core members were safe, they could withstand even the greatest losses.
Of course, regardless, the International Police were clearly full of momentum, and Natsui naturally wouldn't voice his concerns to dampen their enthusiasm.
In the forest, seven or eight police cars advanced towards the Team Rocket base until they reached its outskirts and stopped.
Further ahead, besides Team Rocket's surveillance cameras, there would be patrols. The rest of the journey required caution.
To annihilate this group in one fell swoop, Anabel dispatched two small teams, sending them to the left and right of the base to form a pincer movement.
Anabel was very confident about this operation.
Now the enemy was exposed while they were hidden. With the right tactics, they could definitely catch these Team Rocket members by surprise!
The group took cover behind a rock and peered forward.
This secret Team Rocket base was built on a bald, small mountain in the forest.
All the trees around the small mountain had been cut down, leaving no cover. It would be impossible to approach stealthily; they would definitely be discovered if they showed themselves.
However, Anabel wasn't concerned about this. In fact, she had already prepared for a direct assault. Having arrived here without a sound, even if they were discovered, Team Rocket would have very little time to react.
At this point, Anabel looked at Gengar again.
"How many people are inside the base? What's the layout like?"
Although she had received information from Looker last night, out of caution, she wanted to confirm again before acting.
Gengar chuckled, "The mountain is practically hollowed out. Their base is hidden inside. As for the number of people, there are about a hundred or so, but don't worry, most of them are researchers. They have no real combat ability."
Over a hundred people?
Anabel quickly calculated. She had brought too few people. Even if half of Team Rocket were researchers, controlling everyone would still be a challenge.
"And the entrances/exits?"
"I've mapped them all out; there are three," Gengar added, remembering something else. "However, there's a helipad inside the base with a helicopter parked there."
Anabel pondered for a moment, then looked up at Natsui. "Mr. Natsui, our anti-air capabilities are a bit weak. Could I trouble you to handle that helicopter?"
"Don't worry," Natsui took out a Poké Ball and released his Charizard. "As long as a plane flies into the sky, I'll make sure it comes down immediately!"
After speaking, Natsui also took out a map from his pocket and handed it to Anabel.
"This is a map I drew last night based on Gengar's description. It's a bit simple, but I hope it can help you."
Anabel thanked him, took the map, and studied it carefully. After a long moment, she nodded.
"It's very useful indeed; it will save us some detours. I just didn't expect this base to be of such a scale. I wonder how long they've been operating it!"
Ten minutes later, when the teams responsible for the encirclement reached their designated positions, Anabel decisively gave the command to attack.
"Move out!"
The officers charged forward. After only a few steps, they were spotted by patrolling Team Rocket members, triggering the alarm.
As the siren blared, the Team Rocket base instantly descended into chaos.
Dr. Zager, who was conducting research in the laboratory at the time, looked up from his instruments and frowned, looking around.
"What's going on?"
A researcher ran over. "Doctor! We're under attack!"
"Attack!? By whom!?"
"The International Police!"
"The International Police!? Damn it!" Dr. Zager's expression changed. "How did they find out about this place? And at such a critical moment!"
With that, his heart sank, and he no longer cared about anything else. He quickly ordered, "Quickly transfer all the data we have! Destroy anything we can't take with us!