"So, where should we go in?" Natsume asked calmly.
Xia You looked up at the surveillance cameras around the Silph Co. Building, then glanced around and pointed to another commercial office building next to it.
"This building is only half the height of the Silph Co. Building. If we can enter the Silph Co. Building from its rooftop, we can avoid the Team Rockets members on the lower floors."
Natsume didn't object. She followed Xia You, crossed the street, blended in with a group of office workers, and entered the office building.
The two took the elevator to the top floor. At the stairwell leading to the upper floors, Natsume used her Psychic ability to twist the doorknob off, allowing them to smoothly reach the rooftop.
It seems Psychic is truly a powerful and convenient ability!
A cool breeze blew on Xia You. He stood at the edge of the railing and looked forward.
On the street, the endless stream of vehicles had become tiny, and the Silph Co. Building opposite them was still a considerable distance away.
"What? Are you scared?" Natsume asked softly.
"Not scared, just a little shaky in the legs…" Xia You didn't pretend to be strong but admitted frankly, "But at a time like this, there's no way to back down."
With that, his gaze searched the opposite building and quickly found a broken window, damaged during Team Rockets' invasion.
It was a well-lit French window, but it was already shattered. The room behind the window was an office, but it was now empty due to the commotion.
"Let's go in through there!"
Seeing Natsume nod slightly, Xia You gestured to Kirlia. Kirlia then came to Xia You's side and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Teleport activated.
The next second, Xia You disappeared, and when he and Kirlia reappeared, they were already standing in that office.
He looked back at Natsume, just in time to see her body float directly from the opposite rooftop without any wind.
Well, you have Psychic, you're amazing!
Once the two reunited, Xia You quietly called out, "Gastly."
Gastly's body floated out of his shadow: "What is it?"
But before Xia You could speak, Natsume, surprisingly, covered her mouth in astonishment.
"It can talk?!"
"What's so strange about that?!" Gastly glanced at Natsume. "It's just human language. Little girl, you haven't seen enough of the world!"
"Alright, stop chattering," Xia You said. "Let's go scout the area quickly and make sure to pinpoint Team Rockets' positions."
Watching Gastly pass through the wall, Natsume turned back to Xia You, as if seeing him anew.
"A Pokémon Trainer, International Police, a talking Gastly… I didn't expect you, at an age similar to mine, to have experienced so much."
"That's nothing compared to you," Despite the perilous environment, Xia You's mood wasn't particularly tense. "Not only do you have Psychic, but you also became a Gym Leader. You're the one truly to be envied."
Perhaps she had heard too many compliments, as Natsume didn't pay much attention and instead asked, "Do you know what Team Rockets' objective is?"
Xia You shrugged, indicating he didn't know.
He couldn't quite remember the details about Silph Co. from the game because too much time had passed, but he was sure it had something to do with the company's president.
At this moment, he took out his phone and checked it. As expected, just like on the St. Anne, the signal was completely blocked.
It wasn't long before Gastly returned.
"Most of Team Rockets' members are concentrated in the lower and upper sections, with very few in the middle."
"What about the staff in the building?"
Gastly said, "They've all been gathered into a few rooms and are being guarded separately, but I don't think Team Rockets intends to harm them, so they are still safe for now."
"What do you plan to do next?" Natsume asked.
"With so many people, we definitely can't rescue all of them," Xia You thought for a moment. "I think we should find the president's office and rescue the president. As long as we can ensure his safe departure, no matter what Team Rockets does, their plan will fail."
Natsume nodded: "That sounds very dangerous, but don't worry, since I accepted the commission, I will definitely assist you."
"Those words really put one at ease."
Taking a deep breath, Xia You peered into the hallway but quickly pulled back.
"There's a camera right in front of us. If we go out like this, we'll definitely be seen, so we must deal with the surveillance before leaving!"
Saying that, Xia You turned to Gastly and instructed, "Next, let's split up. You go to the monitoring room first, see if you can disable the entire system, and then meet us on the top floor!"
"Heheheh." Gastly grinned. "Leave it to me. Destruction is my favorite and most Specialties thing to do!"
With that, its figure dissipated within the room.
...
Silph Co. Building, first-floor monitoring room.
At this moment, two Team Rockets members were intently staring at the monitors, afraid of missing any information.
Before today's operation, both their Big Boss and their superior Rocket Executive had already ordered everyone to be on high alert and not to relax for a moment.
As ordinary members with grand ideals and ambitions, they naturally executed this order perfectly.
Although it was an evil organization that often did bad things, Team Rockets' internal treatment was actually excellent.
Not only were they large-scale, owning many large cross-regional listed companies, but they also provided their members with comprehensive social welfare, paid salaries on time, and offered resources such as equipment and Pokémon. They also frequently held fellowship meetings, tea parties, and motivational meetings, which is why their cohesion was so strong.
A frivolous male voice suddenly came from the walkie-talkie: "Hey, hey, how's the situation over there?"
"Reporting, Mr. Lance!" one of the Team Rockets members said respectfully, "No abnormalities found on the exterior of the building!"
The walkie-talkie asked again, "What about inside the building?"
The Team Rockets member's gaze swept across all the monitor screens: "No abnormalities found on any floors either!"
"Very good." The frivolous male voice praised them a couple of times, then instructed, "Stay vigilant. If there's any problem, you must report it immediately!"
"Yes!"
Putting the walkie-talkie aside, this member wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand and, in a joking tone, chuckled to himself, "Ugh, no matter how many times I talk to these Rocket Executives, every time it makes my heart pound."
However, a long time passed after he spoke, and he didn't hear his companion respond or agree. Surprised, he quickly turned to look and saw that the other member was actually lie on the control panel, motionless, seemingly asleep!
"I say, what kind of joke are you playing!?" He stood up and walked over to the member, pushing him hard. "You dare to sleep at a time like this? You've got some nerve!"