To be honest, Garchomp's roars and Hyper Beam alone were already enough to draw attention. Coupled with its strange rampage—though the damage wasn't severe—the chaos itself far exceeded any actual harm.
Simply put, the impact was enormous. Police responded far more strongly than usual, swiftly surrounding Team Rocket's base in Rainbow Wing City. Even Team Rocket's spies couldn't delay this raid.
From that researcher, plenty of Team Rocket intelligence should surface.
As for Satoshi's current situation, it was already being broadcasted live.
A news helicopter hovering overhead had zoomed in on Satoshi. Through the camera lens, everyone could clearly see him clinging tightly to Garchomp's back, reaching toward its neck, clearly trying to remove the collar and restore its freedom.
Team Rocket's Tatsumi had already caught up, riding his Corviknight.
"A boy is riding Garchomp! Is he trying to remove the collar around its neck?! The person flying after them—is that Team Rocket?!"
This live footage spread instantly across TV screens. Rainbow Wing City was already among the most famous cities in Kanto, and now countless eyes were glued to this unfolding chaos.
Why are you there?!
Togawa Sakiko stared at her phone screen, unable to believe what she saw, unable even to form words. She knew Satoshi was reckless, but she never imagined he'd put himself directly into something like this.
From Sakiko's understanding of him, it was definitely that idiot who'd recklessly charged into Team Rocket to rescue Garchomp, creating this mess.
You fool!
At least think a little about those of us who care about you…
Sakiko stared fixedly at her phone, anxiety written all over her face. Panic surged inside her, and she quickly rose from her seat.
"Hey, Sakiko, you're heading out, right? Go buy me some booze—I'm running low."
But at this moment, her worthless father rose from his futon, empty bottle in hand, looking sloppy as always. His voice instantly worsened her mood.
"Shut up!"
"Ah… uh… Sakiko? What's wrong?"
Instantly, Sakiko's father became timid, shrinking back. He'd never seen Sakiko show this kind of attitude before.
There were even tears shimmering in her eyes—none of her usual composure.
Since moving out a year ago, Sakiko had never shed a single tear.
"I'm going out for a bit." With vision blurred by tears, Sakiko rushed out, her phone slipping from her fingers and hitting the shabby futon's worn blanket with a dull thud.
"…This? Does she…like this boy? And behind him, that's Team Rocket, isn't it? How brave—completely unlike me." Her worthless father picked up the fallen phone, eyes fixed on the screen.
An intense wave of guilt and self-blame surged through him.
It wasn't just him. This event had drawn attention from countless others, shocking those who knew Satoshi personally.
I can't believe it—the boy I know is at the center of it all!
...
"He's the one who got third place in the Afro Buffalo Cup, right? Who knew he was this passionate deep down? Ah… I, Setsuna Yuki, really can't just sit here—I'm going over there too!"
...
"Hara-sho (Amazing)… This face, Asama... Satoshi? Isn't this my fiancé?"
...
"Onii-chan… Why is Onii-chan over there?!"
...
"Gabu!!"
At this very moment, Satoshi and Garchomp had reached Rainbow Wing Tower. From its mouth, Garchomp unleashed another fierce Hyper Beam, blasting the tower and triggering a massive explosion. Shattered stones flew everywhere, flames flaring and smoke billowing.
Still, Satoshi desperately clung onto Garchomp's back. But due to its constant thrashing, he simply couldn't remove the collar.
"Garchomp, can you hear me? You're suffering, right...? You're in pain, aren't you...? Everyone's worried about you. Don't worry—I'll remove the collar and bring you back to them." Satoshi gently comforted Garchomp, soothing the Pokémon being controlled against its will.
Garchomp's Rough Skin scraped his palms constantly, but Satoshi ignored the pain, continuing to calm it.
"Gabu…" Slowly, the intense red glow in Garchomp's eyes faded, the violent glare softening. It closed its jaws, ceasing the destructive beams.
With this moment of calm, Satoshi stood firmly atop Rainbow Wing Tower, finally able to remove the collar.
His chosen method?
Take my elbow strike!
"Mega Prison-Boss All-Out Elbow Strike!" Gathering his full strength, eyes blazing with determination, Satoshi focused on the collar. He inhaled deeply, stepped forward powerfully, leaning his body into the strike, and swung his right elbow out like lightning.
His elbow smashed directly into the collar's center, a distinct crack of breaking metal echoing clearly.
Under Satoshi's elbow strike, the collar instantly shattered into pieces.
"GABU—! Ga…" Feeling its restraints vanish, Garchomp let out a triumphant roar before collapsing weakly into Satoshi's arms.
"Are you alright? It really hurt, didn't it...? Help will be here soon."
"Gabu~"
Satoshi gently supported Garchomp, reassuring it. The Pokémon responded faintly before slumping exhaustedly against Satoshi.
But this brief peace didn't last long.
"Good job. Now, please hand over that Garchomp to me."
Not even a moment's rest—immediately appearing atop Rainbow Wing Tower was Team Rocket's officer—Tatsumi!
Riding his Corviknight, Tatsumi hovered nearby, coldly eyeing Satoshi.
"I'll never give Garchomp to you guys. I'm gonna take care of you myself!"
Satoshi swiftly drew Pokéballs from his pocket. Tatsumi mirrored his action.
Their eyes locked, both clearly knowing exactly how to resolve things.
Pokémon Battle! …No-holds-barred edition!
"Raichu, Frogadier, Grookey, I choose you!!"
"Bisharp, Scrafty, hurry up and finish them off!"
Both sides had three Pokémon each—a 3v3 battle. Each side needed to settle this battle without collapsing Rainbow Wing Tower.
"Raichu, use [Thunderbolt]! Target Corviknight! Frogadier, [Water Pulse] on Scrafty!"
"Grookey, [Grassy Glide]!"
"Raiii—!" "Koga—!" "Pachi—!"
As usual, Satoshi started with his familiar moves. His three Pokémon launched simultaneous attacks. Tatsumi immediately countered.
"Scrafty, block with [Brick Break]! Bisharp, finish off that Grookey first. Corviknight, evade and support them with [Air Slash]!"
Raichu unleashed Thunderbolt, a dazzling streak of lightning flashing through the air. Corviknight desperately dodged Raichu's strikes, retaliating with sharp Air Slashes.
The bladed gusts whirled fiercely, disrupting the battlefield continuously. Yet, against Raichu's relentless electricity, Corviknight found almost no opportunity.
They only needed to make sure Rainbow Wing Tower remained standing.