Chapter 165: Exposure

Ash reached for his Poké Ball, considering whether to use this brief moment to allow Pidgeotto to inherit the techniques. However, as he noticed the elevator doors already beginning to slide open, he hesitated.

There was no time.

"System, can a Pokémon inside its Poké Ball still receive an inheritance?" he asked silently.

"Yes."

A flicker of relief crossed Ash's face. Without hesitation, he gave the command in his mind:

"Use the inheritance immediately! Secret Technique: Aerial Ace and Ignorant Three-Stage Thrust—target, Pidgeotto!"

Just as the system acknowledged the command, the elevator doors fully opened. A Team Rocket member stood at the entrance, eyeing Ash and the secretary with suspicion.

"Secret Technique: Aerial Ace and Ignorant Three-Stage Thrust have been applied. Pidgeotto is undergoing inheritance..."

Ash and the secretary stepped forward, and at that exact moment, the system voice echoed again in his mind:

"Inheritance complete!"

Ash didn't react outwardly, keeping his expression neutral. However, inwardly, he was thrilled—Pidgeotto had successfully inherited the techniques, and he hadn't wasted any time.

But now, the real challenge began.

Under Scrutiny

The Team Rocket grunt guarding the elevator studied them both with narrowed eyes. His gaze lingered particularly on the secretary.

"What's going on?" he demanded. "She was taken away by Master Archer. Why is she back up here?"

Ash remained composed. He had already prepared an answer for this.

"Master Archer ordered me to bring her up," he said coolly. "She didn't know where the research data was stored, but after some persuasion, she agreed to help convince the president of Silph Co. to cooperate."

The grunt frowned but seemed to consider the explanation. "Where's Master Archer, then?"

Ash had anticipated this question as well.

"There's been an issue outside," he replied smoothly. "The Alliance and Interpol have started catching onto our operation. Master Archer went to handle it himself."

The grunt hesitated, but the mention of Alliance and Interpol made sense. It explained why Archer might not be here personally.

"That so…" The Team Rocket member nodded slightly, but his gaze lingered on Ash a moment longer.

Something felt off.

"You seem unfamiliar," the grunt muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Which unit are you from?"

Caught in a Lie?

For a split second, Ash felt his heart pound, but he quickly steeled himself. He had already planned for this possibility.

"I'm a direct subordinate of Master Archer," he said firmly, keeping his tone confident.

The grunt's eyes flickered with recognition. "Oh… that explains it," he muttered, finally stepping aside.

Ash let out an internal sigh of relief.

"You can go in. The boss is inside," the grunt continued. "That old man still refuses to talk about where the research data is stored…"

Ash nodded slightly and motioned for the secretary to move forward. They walked past the grunt, heading toward the office doors.

Just as Ash thought they were in the clear, something unexpected happened.

Busted

A sudden grip clamped onto Ash's right wrist—strong and unyielding.

Before Ash could react, his arm was twisted behind his back.

"Master Archer's direct subordinate?" The Rocket grunt's voice had turned mocking, filled with cold amusement. "Funny. Because I am Archer's direct subordinate, and I don't recall ever seeing you before!"

Ash's face darkened.

Of all the bad luck…

He had run into one of Archer's actual subordinates.

Escape Instincts Kick In

The Team Rocket member smirked. "Who the hell are you, really?"

Ash gritted his teeth. He had seconds to act before the situation spiraled out of control.

He didn't hesitate.

"Pikachu!"

The moment the name left his lips, a small yellow blur shot out of the elevator behind them.

CRACK—!

A sharp impact echoed through the hallway as Pikachu slammed into the Rocket grunt's back with full force.

"Pi—KA!"

The electric-type Pokémon discharged a powerful jolt, sending the unsuspecting grunt flying forward. His grip on Ash immediately broke.

Seizing the moment, Ash twisted his body, ripping his arm free.

The grunt hit the ground hard, his muscles convulsing from the electricity coursing through his body.

Before the other Team Rocket members could fully react, Ash grabbed the secretary's wrist.

"RUN!"

Fight or Flight

Shouts erupted as the other grunts snapped to attention.

"Intruder!"

"Stop them!"

Ash and the secretary bolted down the hallway, Pikachu sprinting alongside them.

"Go, Raticate!"

"Arbok, stop them!"

Two Rockets sent out their Pokémon—a massive Raticate and a coiled Arbok, both blocking their escape route.

Ash's eyes flickered. He needed a way out—fast.

"Fine," he muttered. "We'll do this the hard way."

Pikachu vs. Team Rocket

Pikachu dashed forward, eyes blazing with determination.

"Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded.

ZZZZZ—KRACK!!

A bolt of electricity ripped through the air, striking both Raticate and Arbok simultaneously.

The two Pokémon shrieking in pain as the lightning engulfed them. Sparks flickered across their bodies as they collapsed, completely paralyzed.

The Team Rocket grunts gawked in disbelief.

"What the—?!"

"That Pikachu…!"

Ash didn't waste time gloating. He grabbed the secretary's wrist again and raced forward, leaping over the fallen Pokémon.

"That's a freaking high-level Pikachu—don't let them get away!"

But Ash wasn't planning to run forever. He had another card to play.

Counterattack

Reaching for his Poké Ball, he released Pidgeotto mid-sprint.

The bird Pokémon burst out in a flurry of wings, its newly inherited techniques now fully activated.

"Pidgeotto—Aerial Ace!"

The falcon-like Pokémon dived forward, wings glowing as it slashed through the Rockets standing in their way.

Two grunts hit the ground, knocked unconscious in an instant.

Ash vaulted past them, dragging the secretary along.

"We need to get to the maintenance shaft!" she gasped.

"Where?!"

"In the president's office—inside!"

Ash clenched his jaw. That meant going straight toward Giovanni.

But right now, they had no other choice.

A Reckless Gamble

"Then we're going in," Ash said.

Pidgeotto circled above, keeping watch. Pikachu remained ready to strike.

And as Ash pushed open the doors to the president's office, Giovanni was already waiting.

The Rocket Boss sat calmly behind the desk, his fingers interlaced, as if he had expected them all along.

Behind him, a Persian lay curled up, flicking its tail.

"So," Giovanni said, his deep voice carrying an amused undertone. "You finally stopped pretending, hm?"

Ash's heart pounded.

Giovanni knew.

He had known from the start.

And now?

Now there was no going back.

To be continued…