One month later, on a certain training ground at the Team Rocket Pewter City branch. Nobunaga was sitting upright on a simple exercise device, sweating profusely.
And Koffing was floating in the corner of the training ground, continuously firing "Mud-Slap" and "Grimer Bomb" at the target.
Zubat had also successfully evolved into "Golbat" yesterday, breaking through to become an elite-level small Pokémon, and was now circling in the air above the training ground, adapting to its post-evolution body.
Ekans, in the center of the field, was practicing coiling while also practicing its Intimidate ability.
Grimer, by Nobunaga's side, shrank and then grew bigger; after a while it melted itself into a puddle of sludge.
A small training ground presented different scenes.
At this time, a burst of footsteps suddenly came from outside the field.
"Nobunaga, I'm back. Gather at the ninth training ground at twelve noon." It turned out that Yingcai had returned.
Twelve noon
On the ninth training ground
"I received notice this morning. The higher-ups have decided to blockade Mt. Moon for a week. Starting tomorrow, all combat personnel must put down what they're doing and participate in this operation."
After hearing Yingcai's words, Tajima and Shuimen were both somewhat at a loss; this news was far too sudden, and beforehand they had not heard any news at all.
Only Nobunaga had heard Stone mention their captain's guess, so he had some mental preparation.
After the other two members of the squad came back to their senses, Nobunaga hurriedly asked Yingcai.
"Why are the higher-ups suddenly blockading Mt. Moon?"
"Wasn't Dr. Nanbo's Pokémon Rage device destroyed by the Elite Four member Lance at the Lake of Rage?"
"But fortunately the most important experimental data wasn't lost. After being busy during this period, it was manufactured again, so the doctor decided to conduct the experiment directly at Mt. Moon this time."
After Yingcai finished speaking, Nobunaga and the other two understood why the higher-ups wanted to blockade Mt. Moon.
"You all hurry back and prepare. After packing your things, check them twice more. This time we may have a head-on conflict with the League."
After hearing the captain's words, the few of them hurriedly left. Only Nobunaga, walking at the very back, was quietly called to a stop by Captain Yingcai.
"This operation of ours will definitely draw the Elite Four, it's just that we don't know which one will come. You kid had better be sharp; if you find something is off, hurry and slip away."
Nobunaga froze for a moment, not expecting Yingcai to say such words to him, and then nodded to show that he understood.
Seeing that Nobunaga understood what he meant, Yingcai patted Nobunaga's shoulder meaningfully and then left calmly.
At this time, the trade market
"Hey, what's going on, even the most ordinary Berries have gone up in price!" "I want all of these healing sprays." "If you don't sell it to me, I'm not leaving here today."
Amid all kinds of mixed, noisy sounds, you could hear just how anxious and uneasy this large-scale mission had made everyone.
Seeing this, Nobunaga also hurriedly joined the ranks of the big buying spree.
Dormitory
"Ah, I finally bought everything I needed. One large-scale mission, and it actually made the entire base restless."
"Supplies that you can usually buy casually are actually twice as expensive this time, and demand exceeds supply. You can see how dangerous this mission is."
In the evening, Nobunaga and Menyan Stone met up once more at the training ground.
They exchanged the intelligence they knew, and agreed that if they faced a situation where the League encircled and suppressed Team Rocket and it scattered, they would hurry and run; if they got away, they would meet at the old house of Nobunaga's family in Sanshi Village.
After speaking in a hurry, they left.
After returning to his room, Nobunaga checked again the supplies he should take tomorrow. After confirming nothing was missing, he let out the few small Pokémon.
"Starting tomorrow, everyone will enter an emergency state,
and must stay by my side at all times." The few small Pokémon all nodded to show they understood.
Next, Nobunaga gave instructions to the few small Pokémon.
"Grimer, after you become small, melt onto my shoulder. As for Koffing, float by my side. Ekans, still wrap around my body. As for scouting work, it'll be handed to Golbat."
"Starting tomorrow we'll be living in the wild. When eating, everyone has to take turns eating, so today I'm giving everyone an extra meal. Eat freely, don't save rations for me."
After saying that, Nobunaga took out the food he had prepared in advance for the few Pokémon: high-concentration gas, Fire Stone fragments, Miltank's milk, cow blood, Pidgey bird eggs, a box of compressed garbage, and some Berries.
After seeing these delicacies, the few Pokémon quickly stepped forward and ate in big mouthfuls.
Nobunaga stood to the side, and after seeing how the few small Pokémon ate, he smiled and complained:
"It's not like I've ever shorted you guys on food and drink—how come each and every one of you is like you've never eaten a full meal."
Koffing looked at Nobunaga, inhaling and exhaling gas while grinning foolishly; Golbat, as if it hadn't heard, was gulping down cow blood; Ekans, because it had swallowed an entire bird egg in one bite, was slumped sitting on the ground; Grimer was sprawled on the garbage, wriggling, and also did not respond.
After the few Pokémon had eaten and drunk their fill, Nobunaga took the few Pokémon back into their Poké Balls, and after tidying the room once more, he also lay down on the bed.
"Tomorrow, perhaps I'll truly face death head-on, but it's also possible it'll be a step further." Nobunaga thought this way.