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The speedboat carved twin wakes across the ocean as it cut through the water at full throttle.
Just like Shu said, he was a skilled pilot. The boat barely rocked even at high speed, gliding so smoothly that it was clear he'd grown up on the sea.
But it wasn't just Shu the weather was perfect, too. Unlike the turbulent skies when they first arrived, the waters were now calm, the skies clear.
A few wild Water-types occasionally leapt from the waves, but no one was in the mood to admire the view.
The group was focused dead silent.
They had one goal: to infiltrate the Rocket base.
The constant hum of the motor eventually faded as they docked at the port on Ogi Island. Once ashore, Shu led them straight to a local dive shop.
Despite the town's remote location, it was surprisingly well-stocked.
Kai quickly bought a full set of underwater gear for everyone goggles, portable oxygen tanks, and waterproof slates for communication.
They all knew how to swim, especially Ash and Misty, but breathing support was still essential, and the slates would help coordinate in the depths.
Thanks to Shu's connection with the shop owner, they got a solid discount. Kai didn't exactly need to pinch pennies, but it helped.
Before leaving, Kai also contacted Anabel.
He sent her their coordinates and gave her a quick update not to request backup, but as a failsafe. Just in case.
With preparations complete, they boarded the boat again and followed Poliwhirl's lead to a seemingly ordinary stretch of sea.
A few jagged rocks jutted out nearby barely noticeable markers. But Poliwhirl pointed eagerly at the water, signaling the location below.
Everyone geared up.
Kai turned to Shu. "You're staying here. Guard the boat with Lanturn."
Shu nodded without hesitation. "Got it. Be careful down there."
Kai gave him a thumbs-up. "We will."
After securing their equipment and confirming hand signals, the six divers Kai, Erika, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Ritchie sat along the boat's edge.
One by one, they rolled backward into the water.
Splash. Splash. Splash.
The ocean swallowed them whole.
---
Cold water surged over Kai's body. He kicked gently, adjusting to the temperature. Their Pokémon were already waiting aquatic allies acting as escorts through the deep.
As they descended, the sunlight above slowly faded, swallowed by the abyss. The pressure increased with every meter. Even without deep-sea phobia, the darkness was oppressive.
But his teammates swam alongside him. And Dratini coiled protectively at his side.
Poliwhirl led the way.
They passed coral reefs and rock walls until there it was.
A glowing structure beneath the sea.
Team Rocket's base.
Lights gleamed from its interior, illuminating the otherwise pitch-black surroundings. The massive structure sat atop a flat seabed, an unnatural creation in the deep.
The others stared in awe.
"I can't believe they built this here…" Brock mouthed behind his mask.
They hid behind a coral outcrop, watching for patrols.
Surprisingly, there were no visible guards only a few mounted surveillance cameras sweeping the area.
That in itself was dangerous.
The cameras covered nearly every angle.
Stealth wouldn't be easy.
Kai could feel the others turning to him, waiting.
He was the de facto leader now Ash, Misty, Erika, even Ritchie all looked to him for direction.
Kai squinted through his mask, studying the cameras. Then, his eyes widened.
Got it.
He pulled out his slate and quickly scribbled instructions, passing it to Misty.
She read it, then grinned and nodded.
"Corsola," she signed underwater, pointing at her Pokémon.
The pink coral creature swam forward like a curious wild Pokémon and approached the nearest camera—then froze, staring at its own reflection.
It tilted its head.
It blinked.
Then it pressed its face right against the lens.
From the control room's perspective, this was just typical sea-life behavior—nothing suspicious at all.
Kai didn't wait.
He signaled the group, and together they swam swiftly through the blind spot Corsola had created.
They reached the base's outer wall undetected.
Moments later, Corsola "lost interest" and swam away.
The camera resumed its sweep none the wiser.
They were in.
----
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