The ventilation duct was narrow, but it was more than spacious enough for a child to crawl through.
Sato advanced in a plank position, minimizing any noise from his movement.
"Take me to the most crowded area first," he whispered to Gengar, whose head was halfway out of the vent.
Gengar grinned, then vanished into the shadows to scout ahead. Within two minutes, it returned and pointed to the right, indicating the correct path.
The ventilation system extended in all directions, and Gengar led Sato through its winding passages.
Along the way, they encountered multiple exits.
If there were voices in a room, Sato stopped to eavesdrop. If a room was empty, he peered through the vent to observe before continuing forward.
After gathering bits and pieces of information, Sato deduced that this facility was similar to the one beneath the Natural Park. It was also conducting research on forced Pokémon evolution.
However, the focus here was Fire-type Pokémon!
Given their reputation for powerful attacks and explosive strength, Fire-types held far more research value than the comparatively weaker Bug-types.
As a result, the entire base was bustling with activity, and the research appeared to be in full swing.
Gengar turned back to Sato, nodded lightly, and then pointed downward, signaling that they had reached the area with the highest concentration of people.
Crawling closer to the vent opening, Sato checked the direction of the lighting and positioned himself in the shadows before peering down.
As expected, the busiest area was the research center, and at that moment, chaos was unfolding below.
A group of disheveled researchers in white lab coats were locked in a tense standoff against Team Rocket operatives in battle gear. The grunts were holding two captured researchers.
Sato's position was closer to the researchers' side, allowing him to clearly hear their whispered conversations.
"How did they get caught again? Do you think they'll spill anything?"
"Damn it! I told you letting them escape was a bad idea. Now that they're back, we're all going to be implicated! I don't want to die!"
"You didn't say that when we were planning this. What, you scared now? They need us, we're too valuable. Just stay calm!"
"You might have value, but I'm just an assistant!"
It was clear that the escape of these two researchers had been a collective effort. Unfortunately, Team Rocket had discovered and recaptured them.
The commotion continued until an elderly, bald researcher slowly stepped forward. His presence immediately silenced the rest of the research team, who instinctively parted to make way for him.
"Either let your commander, Miss Voya, speak with me, or release them right now!"
The old researcher's words carried undeniable weight, even the Team Rocket grunts hesitated, unable to make a decision on their own.
Minutes passed. Both sides stood in tense silence, holding their breath.
Then, the sharp sound of high heels clicking against the floor echoed through the room, approaching from a distance.
"Lady Voya, you're here!"
The Team Rocket grunts also stepped aside, clearing a path for the woman named Voya to take center stage. She was accompanied by a strikingly elegant Ninetales, its demeanor as proud and commanding as its trainer.
Sato looked at the twenty-years-younger version of Voya, momentarily struggling to recognize her.
In his past life, after becoming involved with Team Rocket, he had once worked alongside her on a mission. Sato had been the sharp dagger, leading the charge, while Voya had coordinated and commanded from behind.
However, by then, she was no longer called Voya. She had risen through the ranks to become one of Team Rocket's Seven Star Hunters: The Blazing Star Hunt!
Because of her exceptional beauty and her ranking among the top three of the Seven Star Hunters, many who knew her preferred to call her the Fire Rose!
And now, at just fifteen or sixteen years old, she was already beginning to make a name for herself as the leader of this research facility.
"Miss Voya, I sincerely apologize. These two immature subordinates of mine have caused you trouble. I will make sure to properly discipline them when we return."
The elderly researcher was the first to speak, bowing at a full ninety degrees, his attitude remarkably humble despite his age.
The surrounding Team Rocket members, however, were furious.
This act of pleading for mercy had clearly been performed many times before. They cursed the researchers for their shamelessness and urged their leader, Voya, to teach them a lesson.
Dressed in her sleek black combat suit, Voya was unmoved by either side's arguments. She simply walked forward at a leisurely pace, the sound of her high heels clicking against the floor as she approached the two captured researchers.
"Was the sky blue outside?"
The two men, who had barely regained some strength, exchanged a hesitant glance before nodding.
Voya smiled, revealing a set of pristine white teeth. Her stunning beauty momentarily eased the tension in the air.
The two researchers widened their eyes in disbelief, their gaze shifting downward to their chests. Two iron-gray tails had already pierced through their hearts.
Voya turned away as Ninetales, standing loyally at her side, slowly withdrew its two bloodstained, silver-glowing tails. Once the last drop of blood trickled off the tips, the metallic sheen faded, and the Iron Tail dispersed.
For a moment, the room fell silent. Then, Team Rocket's operatives erupted into cheers, celebrating their leader's swift and decisive execution.
Amidst their excitement, however, there was a lingering trace of unease, an unspoken fear of the young woman who led them.
On the other side, the elderly researcher, Dr. Parlo, went pale. His entire body trembled as a storm of emotions, rage, terror, regret, overwhelmed him. He nearly collapsed on the spot.
"Dr. Parlo, you were brought here to conduct research. Until you produce results, do not test my patience."
Voya's voice was calm, yet the weight of her words silenced everyone instantly.
Parlo and the rest of the research team fell into a stunned silence. Not a single one dared to voice a complaint.
As the crowd dispersed, two Team Rocket grunts dragged the bodies of the executed researchers away. The remaining scientists looked on helplessly, wanting to stop them but too afraid to act.
Voya also turned to leave. Beside her, Ninetales suddenly glanced up at the ceiling vent, its sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
After a brief moment, it dismissed the feeling as a mere illusion and followed its trainer.
From his hiding place, Sato felt a rare moment of tension when Ninetales had looked in his direction. Thankfully, the Pokémon hadn't discovered him.
Just as he was contemplating his next move, the researchers' whispered conversation below drew his attention once more.
"Dr. Parlo, what should we do now?"
"Yeah, Dr. Parlo, Jack and Tanichiro are dead just like that. I don't want to die too!"
"Dr. Parlo, let's just hand over the research results. We can't keep hiding this anymore."
Dr. Parlo's trembling body gradually stilled. He listened to his colleagues' panicked cries and complaints with a cold expression before wordlessly turning away and leaving.
So the research results were already complete?
Sato's thoughts drifted back to Voya's Ninetales. In his past life, Voya's Ninetales possessed a unique ability, one she had once mentioned was obtained through a rare, coincidental opportunity.
Could this research be the reason for it?
Originally, Sato had planned to slip away quietly.
He was tempted to stay.
After all, Houndour's Fire-type potential was still missing that one crucial piece!