After the initial chaos, under the command of a squad leader, the Team Rocket members sent out their respective Pokémon and began to fight back.
The two sides clashed, but as the most elite unit of the International Police, their Pokémon were naturally much stronger than those of ordinary officers, and far superior to these Team Rocket grunts.
Just after engaging, the officers quickly broke through Team Rocket's hastily formed defensive line and pushed forward with unstoppable momentum, right up to the front of the base.
Gengar led them to a secret entrance. At Anabel's command, the Growlithe combined their flames, using the high temperature to melt the steel door.
Watching the officers file in, Natsui and Erika did not follow. They had to keep an eye on the helicopter. If anyone were to use it, it would have to be an important figure, most likely Dr. Zager. Their objective was to prevent anyone from escaping!
Besides, the rest of the operation didn't require his involvement.
The International Police officers who had come this time were elites. They were more than enough. If they still couldn't take this base, Natsui would have to question their professionalism.
"Report! Encountering resistance in the hallway... cleared..."
"Continue advancing, maintain squad coordination!"
"Squad C reporting, Team Rocket members found in the room... crackle... successfully subdued!"
Anabel's commands and the team members' feedback crackled through the radio, mixed with the sounds of explosions, Pokémon roars, and the cries of Team Rocket members.
These sounds, all mixed together, allowed Natsui, even from outside the base, to get a rough idea of what was happening inside.
Overall, the operation went surprisingly smoothly, without encountering any significant resistance.
Soon, with the help of the map, the officers made a direct path and successfully captured Dr. Zager. The ambitious Team Rocket scientist was cornered in his research lab before he even had a chance to escape on the helicopter!
Finally, the fighting inside the base completely ceased, signifying the great success of the raid!
A short while later, Dr. Zager was escorted out of the base, and Natsui once again saw the evil scientist who had once attempted to alter Gyarados with his research in the Johto region.
In front of an armored vehicle, Natsui leaned against the door and smiled at the defeated Dr. Zager. "Long time no see, Doctor. Do you remember me?"
"It's you!?" Dr. Zager heard the voice. Despite being held by the officers, he struggled to lift his head and recognized Natsui at a glance. "Hmph, I'd remember you even if you were turned to ash. If you and Lance hadn't ruined my R-Project back then, I would have succeeded long ago!"
"You would never have succeeded," Anabel, who had just walked out of the base, interjected. She looked coldly at Dr. Zager and retorted in a low voice, "Even if you had succeeded in one or two experiments, an evolution that goes against the laws of nature is destined not to exist in this world!"
Dr. Zager opened his mouth to argue, but before he could utter a single syllable, he was pushed into the vehicle by the officers.
Anabel walked slowly to Natsui's side, her expression relaxed.
She had been the first to charge into the base. Although Natsui hadn't seen her fight, he could imagine her valor from the radio communications.
"The base has been taken. Next up is the cleanup and documentation," Anabel said with a smile. "I've already contacted Officer Jenny and asked her to call in the local police. I believe with their help, the wrap-up work will be finished quickly. Now, although I've said it several times before, I must say it again: thank you so much!"
Unexpectedly, after hearing her words, Natsui looked around and frowned.
"Is it over?"
Sensing that something was wrong with his expression, Anabel asked, "What is it?"
Stroking his chin, Natsui said, "It seems there are still two people missing."
Anabel was startled. "Who's missing!?"
"The two I fought yesterday, one named Buson and the other Attila. They claimed to be from Team Rocket's Pokémon Hunting Unit and were very strong."
"Hmm? But I didn't encounter those two..."
At this point, Anabel also realized something was amiss. She opened the car door and went back to Dr. Zager.
"Hehehe..." Inside the vehicle, Dr. Zager, who had overheard their conversation, let out a strange laugh upon seeing Anabel enter, and taunted, "You're too late! The two of them have already left with a team of members. Even if you've caught me, Raikou will surely fall into our hands!"
To his surprise, however, when Natsui heard this news, his expression showed no sign of panic.
In fact, it was entirely predictable that Buson and Attila would go after Raikou.
After all, having Raikou, which was almost in their grasp, rescued yesterday, how could they possibly let it go!
What Natsui hadn't expected was that they hadn't run into them on the way to the base!
It seems we just missed each other...
If we had come just a little earlier, we could have trapped them in the base!
But missing them didn't really matter. Although Kenta and Marina were young, they were not weak. And with Eusine and Professor Kodama helping, it wouldn't be so easy for Team Rocket to capture Raikou this time.
But regardless, he really should head back and check.
With this thought, he was about to bid farewell to Anabel when his phone suddenly rang.
He took out his phone and saw the name. As expected, it was Kenta!
As soon as Natsui answered, Kenta's urgent voice came from the other end.
"It's bad! Raikou just woke up, but it broke out of the sickroom and escaped!"
"Did you run into Team Rocket?"
"Team Rocket?" Kenta paused on the other end. "No, we didn't. We've been following Raikou ever since it left the Pokémon Center!"
It seemed Team Rocket hadn't arrived there yet, but it was only a matter of time.
"I understand. I'm finished here. I'll head back to meet up with you right away. Be careful. I just got word that those two guys from yesterday are heading your way with a team!"
Hanging up the phone, Natsui waved his hand and summoned his Charizard, then turned to Anabel.
"Miss Anabel, something has come up at the Pokémon Center that I need to handle. Please excuse me."
"Of course. We can handle the rest from here. Thank you so much for everything you've done!"
Natsui smiled, "After the Silver Conference, I'm heading to the Hoenn region for my next adventure. I'm sure we'll have more opportunities to cooperate!"
"That would be wonderful!" Anabel shook his hand and thanked him solemnly. "I'm sure with your help, many more evil organizations like Team Rocket will be brought to justice in the future!"