"Hahaha, that's right! This place is the Team Rocket HQ, and this time, a competition is being held here. You, young master, are to participate in this competition and win the first-place prize."
"That's it? Since it's Team Rocket's operation, can't my father just take it himself? Besides, why do I have to come? With your strength, can't you handle it?" Alex said, wiggling his bound wrists.
"Because this is Team Rocket's Newcomer Championship. Even with our strength, it would still take some effort to force our way in. Lord Ye Chen specifically arranged for you to do this. He said he would only be at ease if you handled it," Zaobo explained slowly.
"Oh? Newcomer Championship? My identity has never been exposed. Won't I be discovered if I go this time?" Alex asked curiously.
"You don't have to worry about that, young master. We have already made all the arrangements. This is your Team Rocket uniform." Zaobo said, pulling out a set of Team Rocket clothes from behind him.
"You need to wear this uniform underneath your normal clothes," Zaobo instructed, handing over the clothing.
"Why not just wear it directly? Since this is the Team Rocket HQ, why can't I just swagger in? Why all this trouble?" Alex asked, feeling overwhelmed. Wearing two sets of clothes would surely be uncomfortable.
"That won't do! This Team Rocket secret base is built under a shopping mall. On the surface, it looks like a large shopping mall, and there are still many ordinary people shopping here. To get into the secret base, we need this uniform," Zaobo explained.
"The base is in a shopping mall?" Alex mumbled. Hidden away in the city, this Team Rocket leader isn't stupid after all.
"What is the prize this time that makes you go to such great lengths, even kidnapping me in public? Aren't you afraid Jenny and the others will come looking for you?" Alex probed.
"The prize this time is a Mega Evolution bracelet and a Mega Evolution stone. These two items are appearing for the first time in the Kanto Region, so they have great research value, which is why Lord Ye Chen sent you here," Zaobo explained.
"Alright, young master, take a break, and then let's go to the Team Rocket HQ. This time, you must succeed; you cannot fail," Zaobo said, his eyes squinting in a smile.
Somehow, Alex always felt that this person's smile was ill-intentioned.
After getting ready, Alex put on his hat, pulled the brim down slightly, opened the door, and stepped out onto the crowded street.
Looking around, he saw dazzling lights and bustling activity everywhere.
They really are audacious.
Alex arrived at this so-called Team Rocket HQ full of energy. As expected of a large shopping mall, it was bustling with people coming and going.
Where is the Team Rocket HQ?
This is clearly a legitimate marketplace.
"Hey, young man over there! I have excellent Poké Balls! They're easier to catch Pokémon with than the ones sold in Pokémon stores. Don't you want some? They're not expensive at all—only 998! Only 998! You won't lose out! The price is affordable; miss this chance, and you won't find this store again!" a bearded uncle shouted at Alex.
"Forget it, uncle. Unless you have a Master Ball, I'm not interested," Alex replied, rolling his eyes as he bypassed the uncle.
After walking around for a while, Alex was dazzled by the sights. There were indeed many good items inside, but they probably cost a fortune.
Next, Alex casually browsed the bustling market. He didn't want to buy anything extravagant, so he settled for some ordinary supplies and food for his Pokémon.
This was all average; there were no treasures. But then again, how could treasures be obtained so easily, especially in such a market?
"Please stop! This is a VIP area, and only those with credentials can enter," two men in black suddenly blocked his way.
"I know, I have it." Alex said, pulling open his clothes expressionlessly, revealing the Team Rocket uniform underneath.
"Go in." The two men exchanged glances and then stepped aside, clearing the way.
Once inside, he faced a staircase spiraling down into the ground, bottomless, with only faint lights along the sides. Looking down, the bottom was almost invisible.
"Is the secret base built in such an underground space?" Alex muttered to himself.
He took out the prepared flashlight and walked down.
After about four or five minutes of walking, Alex finally reached the bottom.
Although it was just a short passage, there were many guards on both sides and a countless number of people, most of whom were staring fiercely at Alex.
After a moment of thought, Alex stripped off his outer clothes, revealing the Team Rocket uniform underneath, and then stuffed his casual clothes into his backpack.
He walked past them with his head held high and chest puffed out.
When those people saw him wearing the Team Rocket uniform, their eyes dimmed, and they didn't intend to cause him any trouble.
As he passed, Alex could feel the unpleasant aura emanating from them.
After traversing the passage, Alex suddenly spotted an elevator in front of him and couldn't help but feel a little stunned. What the hell? He wasn't going up again, was he? He had just come down and walked for so long.
"Go in, kid. It will take you where you need to go," one of the Team Rocket members guarding the elevator said with a smile that sent shivers down Alex's spine.
Forcing himself to suppress the discomfort, Alex smiled slightly and stepped into the elevator.
Once inside, he realized that this wasn't a real elevator but a room, and inside sat a Psychic-type Pokémon, Venomoth.
"How can there be a Psychic-type Pokémon here?" Alex was stunned, not understanding what this meant.
Venomoth expressionlessly pointed to its head.
Following its gaze, Alex almost cursed out loud. A poster was pasted above.
But the content was very simple and crude: money, Teleport, 800, no loss.
"What a crappy place—Teleport costs money?" Alex grumbled, reluctantly pulling out his league currency.
Upon seeing the league currency, Venomoth's eyes lit up. After taking the currency from Alex's hand, its expression softened a bit.
Then, Venomoth's hands emitted a soft halo, enveloping Alex.
Teleport.
The next moment, Alex's surroundings twisted and vanished.
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