44. Giovanni
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'Master Ball? This is indeed their goal!'
At this moment, Sabrina twisted slightly in discomfort.
After holding the same position for an extended period, her body had inevitably grown stiff.
However, as she shifted to relieve the tension, her proximity to Kai grew closer.
Feeling the warmth and noticing a few soft sensations, Kai's heart began to race. Even Sabrina's breathing seemed to quicken slightly.
Fortunately, the Team Rocket members only took a short break before leaving the activity room.
As their voices faded away, Kai and Sabrina quickly emerged from their hiding spot in the cramped locker.
After being confined for so long, Kai took a deep breath of fresh air. Was it his imagination, or had Sabrina's subtle fragrance lingered on him?
To avoid further awkwardness, Kai deliberately avoided meeting Sabrina's gaze and instead peeked cautiously out the door.
A dark, round face stared back at him.
Kai flinched before realizing it was his own Gastly.
"Why are you outside?!" he whispered.
"It's because you were moving so slow," Gastly floated in through the wall, glancing suspiciously between Kai and Sabrina. "Weird… what were you two doing just now? Her face looks a little red."
"Hey, don't talk nonsense!" Kai waved his hand, attempting to cover Gastly's mouth, but his hand went straight through its ethereal form. "We were just hiding from Team Rocket!"
Gastly smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say. Anyway, the coast is clear now. Let's get moving."
Leaving the activity room, Kai and Sabrina ascended the stairs cautiously.
The building, however, was crawling with Team Rocket members. Before long, they ran into a group head-on.
"Who are you?!" one of the grunts barked.
Kai and Sabrina's attire didn't match the lab-coat-wearing researchers.
Before the grunt could act, Sabrina's eyes glowed faintly, and the entire group was swiftly enveloped in psychic energy.
Moments later, they were transformed into small, doll-like figures, completely immobilized.
This was the same technique Sabrina had once used to deal with Brock and Misty when Ash challenged her at the Saffron City Gym.
The victims could not resist and could only be manipulated by her psychic powers.
However, the grunt's shout had alerted others. More Team Rocket members poured into the area.
"Things aren't going as smoothly as we hoped!" Kai muttered.
The two bolted up the stairwell, with an ever-growing crowd of Team Rocket grunts in pursuit.
"Intruders!"
"What's going on? Why didn't the surveillance room catch this?"
"How did they sneak in? Report this to the executives!"
After several frantic flights of stairs, their path was blocked by another group of grunts at the next landing.
With enemies both in front and behind, their situation looked grim.
"Guess we have no choice!" Kai said, pulling out a Poké Ball. He released his Kirlia, while Gastly floated eagerly by his side.
"Gastly, use Hypnosis! Kirlia, use Psychic!"
Both Pokémon launched their moves simultaneously. The grunts, caught off guard, crumpled to the ground like bowling pins before they could even summon their own Pokémon.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Kai and Sabrina pressed on, heading for the upper floors.
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Top Floor of the Silph Co. Building – President's Office
As the leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni stood in the grand office, exuding an aura of authority.
Dressed in his signature black suit with impeccably combed hair, his piercing gaze was fixed on an elderly man seated on the sofa.
Despite being in his seventies, the man radiated resilience. Even under the current circumstances, his expression remained calm, betraying no hint of fear or panic.
"Old man," Giovanni said, his voice deep and commanding. "For the sake of your employee's safety, tell me where you've hidden the Master Ball."
The old man's tone was steady as he replied, "You'd best abandon that idea. Such a dangerous device will never fall into your hands."
He paused before continuing with a wry smile, "I must admit, though, I'm surprised. The infamous leader of Team Rocket, personally leading an operation to seize my company? Quite bold of you."
Giovanni remained unmoved by the sarcasm. His focus was absolute.
After a thorough search of the building had turned up no Master Ball, this man was his last hope.
A Team Rocket grunt approached Giovanni, whispering something in his ear.
"Intruders?" Giovanni's sharp eyes narrowed. "And you're only telling me this now?"
The grunt paled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "They broke into the control room first, sir. Knocked out our personnel and destroyed the surveillance equipment. That's why—"
Giovanni's plans, meticulously crafted, now faced an unexpected disruption.
"Who are they?"
"There are two intruders, sir," the grunt stammered. "One is confirmed to be Sabrina, the Saffron City Gym Leader. The other is a male, roughly her age, but we haven't been able to identify him yet."
"Sabrina?"
A flicker of irritation crossed Giovanni's face. As a Gym Leader officially recognized by the Pokémon League, Sabrina's involvement was a serious threat.
Worse, her psychic abilities could uncover Giovanni's secret role as Team Rocket's leader, a revelation that could jeopardize everything.
He turned his attention to one of the Rocket executives leaning casually against the wall.
"Archer," Giovanni ordered coldly, "take care of this. Make sure they don't leave this building alive."
The man, dressed in Team Rocket's standard black uniform and sporting long blue hair, straightened with a sly smile. "As you wish, boss. This won't take long."
Kai and Sabrina finally reached the top floor, gasping for air. As they caught their breath, the sound of helicopter blades sliced through the air.
Looking out the window, they spotted a helicopter lifting off from the rooftop and disappearing into the distance.
After barricading the stairwell door, they turned to survey the room.
The sound of clapping broke the silence.
Stepping forward, Archer applauded mockingly. "I must admit, you two are impressive. Getting this far through our defences? Not bad at all."
Behind him, a squad of Team Rocket grunts stood ready. At the same time, the stairwell door rattled violently as the grunts they'd outrun finally caught up, smashing it open.
The corridor was now teeming with enemies, leaving Kai and Sabrina surrounded.
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