Chapter 76: Become My Subordinate

Gengar ran to Sato's side, apparently, all the Pokémon were now ready to escape.

Over a hundred Fire-type Pokémon sounded like a lot, but since most of them were relatively small, they only formed a compact group when gathered together.

The self-destruct program would erase all data and software from every computer in the base. With its twenty-year lead in technology, this program was virtually unbreakable given the current level of tech.

To ensure a smooth escape, Sato set a thirty-minute countdown before taking the lead alongside Gengar at the front of the group.

"Woof~"

Houndour's leadership shone brilliantly at this moment.

Those Pokémon still enduring pain clenched their teeth, forcing themselves to remain silent. Meanwhile, the larger ones, like Magmar and Rapidash, began carrying those too weak to flee on their own.

Seeing this, Sato nodded at Houndour, signaling that he was entrusting the group to it. Then, he turned toward Gengar.

"Lead the way!"

Gengar grinned widely and floated forward. Spinarak silently climbed onto Sato's shoulder, its round eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Larvitar and Zoroark flanked Sato on both sides, staying close and refusing to let their guard down for even a second.

After rounding a corner, Sato saw several Team Rocket grunts sprawled limply on the floor, occasionally smacking their lips as they slept soundly.

Just then, a Houndour in the group suddenly had bloodshot eyes, glaring at the unconscious Team Rocket members before lunging at them in a savage bite.

"Woof-!"

A faster shadow crashed into the attacking Houndour, knocking it away. Sato's Houndour then clamped down on the aggressor's neck, dark red blood slowly seeping from between its fangs.

Among the hundred Fire-type Pokémon, about half gradually regained their senses, now looking at Sato's Houndour with a mix of fear and awe.

Releasing its grip slowly, Houndour returned to the front with an air of pride and dominance. Instantly, the once-restless group fell into absolute silence.

A show of force, Houndour, having been a leader before, had now fully unified the group.

Sato quietly observed everything from the side. Once again, he felt incredibly fortunate to have captured Houndour.

Many of these Pokémon had been captured by Team Rocket, and if they had resorted to attacking every enemy they encountered along the way, escaping would have been impossible.

From that moment on, whenever they encountered Team Rocket members, every Pokémon was strictly ordered to ignore them, even when some grunts carried the scent that they would have resented for a lifetime.

Beep-Beep-Beep-

Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the entire base, alternating with flashing red lights. Team Rocket had discovered the intrusion!

"Damn it!" Sato's heart tensed. He had known they would eventually be discovered, but this was way too soon!

"No choice, we have to defeat every single one of them that tries to stop us! Houndour, have the Pokémon join the fight, you lead them!"

"Awooo!"

A howl of war echoed through the air. Though Houndour's body was small, it exuded an imposing aura. Even the Pokémon still suffering from the serum's effects forced themselves to stand, determined to fight!

"Gengar!"

Gengar emerged from thin air, frustrated that the alarm had completely nullified its hypnosis.

With Sato and his Pokémon at the front, Houndour led over a hundred Fire-type Pokémon behind them. With such a force, there was nothing to fear!

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"They're over there! Weezing, Raticate, stop them!"

"Fearow, Arbok, go as well!"

A group of grunts rushed forward, immediately tossing out several Ordinary-Peak tier Pokémon, but before Sato could even give a command, a surging wave of fire instantly roasted them.

Instant defeat!

Of course, there were over a hundred Fire-type Pokémon gathered here.

While they had been confined in cages earlier, making their strength seem negligible, now that they were free and united, the sheer terror of their presence was undeniable.

"Awoo!"

Houndour barked out another command, and all the Fire-type Pokémon sprang into action, surrounding Sato and his team as they charged toward the exit together.

As Sato ran, a thought crossed his mind, perhaps he wouldn't even need to do much in this battle and could just slip away quietly.

Meanwhile, the alarms and flashing red lights continued blaring throughout the base, but the Pokémon force pushed forward aggressively.

Every Team Rocket member they encountered along the way became mere cannon fodder, completely unable to stop them.

Before Sato even realized it, they had reached the base's exit, a staircase leading up to the surface lay quietly ahead.

However, standing in their way was Voya, the leader of the base. Beside her, a Ninetales stared at Sato coldly, its nine tails fanned out arrogantly!

Sensing the challenge, Zoroark stepped forward instinctively, facing off against its fellow fox Pokémon. The Illusion Fox and the Fire Fox, flames and darkness clashed as both of their auras surged fiercely!

"Ninetales!"

Finally, after holding back for some time, Ninetales could no longer contain itself.

With a powerful kick off the ground, it lunged forward, its nine tails didn't hinder its speed at all, closing the distance to Zoroark in an instant!

Zoroark moved just as quickly.

With greater explosive power and a body built for battle, Zoroark held the clear advantage in direct combat against Ninetales!

As claws and fangs clashed head-on, Zoroark's dominance was undeniable, within moments, Ninetales' body was riddled with wounds.

"Ninetales, stop using your tails so stubbornly!"

Hearing the command, Ninetales let out a reluctant cry but obeyed. Instead of using them as before, it now wielded its tails as its most powerful weapons!

When soft, the nine tails flowed like silk, creating mesmerizing illusions that bewildered opponents. When rigid, they spread out like a fan, capable of sending foes flying with a single powerful strike!

Just moments ago, Zoroark had the upper hand, but now, it was struggling to keep up!

Narrowing his eyes, Sato quickly commanded, "Grab its tail and swing it!"

"Ninetales, be careful!"

Too late!

With a swift motion, Zoroark seized one of Ninetales' tails and swung it violently like a spinning top!

BAM!

Ninetales smashed into the ground with great force, nearly losing its breath from the impact. But in the next moment, a blast of crimson flames shot toward Zoroark!

There was no time to think, Zoroark immediately released Ninetales' tail, dodging the flames.

Turning its gaze, it saw a fiery red Pokemon standing in front of Ninetales, Charmeleon, the Fire-type starter of the Kanto region!

"Larvitar, assist!" Sato ordered.

At the same time, Houndour led the Fire-type brigade straight into battle against the incoming Team Rocket reinforcements.

With Team Rocket now grouped together, the previous numerical advantage was gone, the battle had reached a stalemate.

At the center of the chaos, the fight between Zoroark and Ninetales raged on, but now with Charmeleon and Larvitar joining the fray!

"The Dark Pokémon, Zoroark. A pseudo-legendary hatchling, Larvitar. A Gengar and a Spinarak…"

Holding what appeared to be a communication device, Voya slowly spoke Sato's identity aloud:

"You're the Trainer causing trouble for Team Rocket in Goldenrod City, Sato!"

"If you want a fight, then let's fight! Larvitar, Rock Slide! Zoroark, Dark Pulse!"

"Ninetales, Flamethrower! Charmeleon, Dragon Rage!"

"Fight as much as you like… but honestly, I think you're quite impressive, why not become my subordinate?"

"...""Gengar!"