Ecruteak City, Slowpoke Cafe.
Sato took small sips of coffee that was said to taste like Slowpoke tail, but his attention was already focused on Gengar's illusion.
Within the illusion, a red-and-purple figure darted rapidly through the deserted streets.
It was moving too quickly, and even after studying it for quite a while, Sato still could not make out what Pokemon it was.
"Is this Sosuke's latest discovery?" Mowen asked softly, pointing at the illusion that was about to disappear.
"Geh~"
Gengar nodded, then silently hid beneath the ground again, as though it had never appeared.
Sato did not care either. To outsiders, he merely looked like a handsome man talking to himself.
A little while later, Si'nan entered the cafe with hurried steps. Upon spotting Sato, he immediately jogged over.
"Gym Leader, we found something!" Si'nan lowered his voice, pretending to be calm.
"Did you find the base?"
"Uh..." Si'nan choked up and could only shake his head awkwardly. "We found the general area, and we tracked down an elite member. If we follow the vine to find the melon, we'll definitely locate the base."
Sato nodded without saying anything more, merely ordering Si'nan another coffee flavored like Slowpoke tail.
The two quietly drank their coffee. Ten minutes later, Sosuke hurried over as well.
"Gym Leader! I found the target Team Rocket has been searching for!"
Sosuke lowered his voice, though he spoke with obvious excitement.
Sato twitched an ear and paused for a second before asking further, "What is the target?"
"An Ariados that's only as big as a Spinarak!"
Sosuke sounded extremely certain. Clearly, he had done more than merely discover it.
"You confirmed its location?"
"Yes. My Ariados is beside it, but it's very wary of humans."
Sato raised a brow and looked at Sosuke with