Two hours passed, and Gongping was still at the frontline command post, reviewing various documents, including detailed floor plans of every base throughout Mt. Moon and the numbers of Pokémon being trafficked there.
These bases were primarily used by Team Rocket to research and traffic Pokémon, so their designs were extremely well concealed. Without intelligence from special channels, the League would not have been able to pinpoint them easily.
"Come on, Gongping, don't be so tense. It's only Team Rocket. They're hardly worth taking this seriously."
Bruno grinned with an arm hooked around Gongping's shoulders. Faced with the Fighting-type Elite Four member's enthusiasm, Gongping, who looked like a lamb to outsiders, remained meticulous as he discussed Team Rocket.
"I'm just curious why Team Rocket places so much importance on Mt. Moon. I don't think they would build so many bases so close together here just for their so-called research and trafficking."
It made no sense to set up so many bases. With Team Rocket investing so much manpower and resources in Mt. Moon, could they have another objective?
Although Bruno thought Gongping's analysis was making a mountain out of a molehill, he had to grow cautious for the sake of the League's reputation.
"So what do you have in mind?"
"I'd like to lead a team out myself and confirm the direction of Team Rocket's operations."
Under the original plan, the Elite Four members were to remain in the rear in case anything went wrong. But with the League having dispatched two Elite Four members, they had more than enough fighting strength, so Bruno agreed after considering Gongping's proposal.
The League's investigative force for this operation consisted of over thirty people, divided into four teams. As the leader of Team One, Gongping took six members with him to handle four bases in eastern Mt. Moon.
Ten minutes later, six investigators in silver uniforms assembled at the designated location. At a glance, perhaps because they had spent years fighting in the field, every one of them exuded an intense, murderous aura.
"Everyone, let's get ready to move."
Gongping's voice rang out without warning, letting the six investigators, who were ready to fight at any moment, breathe a sigh of relief. Their captain might be young, but that display alone showed that he lived up to his title as a member of the League's Elite Four.
There were thirteen target bases in total. According to their assignments, Gongping's team would sweep Bases Six, Seven, Eight, and Nine. Base Eight was the closest geographically, while Base Nine was the farthest.
"Let's start with Base Nine."
One of the team members was about to speak when rolling yellow sand suddenly appeared across the ground, as though it might swallow them all at any moment. Moments later, a massive Sandstorm roared upward. Seven small hands formed from condensed sand lifted everyone and began moving slowly.
Control through the Sand Stream Ability, combined with Dragon Dance boosts? Had this Sandstorm Elite Four member already begun preparing before he appeared?
Gongping was extremely cautious by nature and made no pointless preparations. With Tyranitar fully boosted, he had also secretly released several Pokémon to stand by around the area. The massive Sandstorm became a moving platform of air currents, swiftly carrying the seven of them to their destination.
Yellow sand filled the sky. It had to be said that Gongping's display was spectacular. While the six were still stunned by their captain's control, the enormous Sandstorm arrived at the entrance to Base Nine.
Less than three minutes from start to finish?
With a thunderous crash, an endless torrent of sand surged into the base. At the same time, several figures darted inside, swiftly subduing all the base's staff before they could react.
"Search!"
Large amounts of data were retrieved, and the Pokémon confined throughout the base were released. But when Gongping stepped forward and picked up the documents to read them, his brows furrowed.
It was all inconsequential research. Some of it was even testing conducted in support of Silph Co.'s pharmaceutical production. If not for the R emblem, this could have passed for an ordinary research institute.
The staff left at Base Nine were all ordinary students who had only recently been recruited from outside. They seemed entirely unaware of both the base's emblem and the nature of their work.
"Head to Base Eight!"
The result was the same. Unlike Base Nine, which had still held a batch of Pokémon, Base Eight contained only stored equipment. Rather than a base, it was more of a giant warehouse, containing every kind of equipment imaginable. There were even models from decades ago-enough to open a museum.
"What about Bases Six and Seven?"
On the way to Base Eight, Gongping had split off two pairs to visit the other two bases. Word soon arrived from them, but the results were just as worthless.
Gongping considered it worthless, but to the League, it was a major victory. Online forums everywhere were flooded with reports of the large-scale crackdown on Team Rocket and how many Pokémon had been rescued in one operation.
With Fighting-type Elite Four member Bruno in overall command and Sandstorm Elite Four member Gongping operating on the front lines, thirteen Team Rocket bases had been successfully destroyed after several hours of combat. This was the largest public security operation in the Kanto Region that year and played a vital role in maintaining the region's stability.
As they browsed the news on their phones, the investigators seemed unsurprised. The League had sources of intelligence within Team Rocket, but Team Rocket was also highly adept at infiltrating the League. At least this time, Team Rocket seemed to have known about the operation well in advance, leaving the League empty-handed.
"The League is shameless. They found absolutely nothing, yet they can claim a sweeping victory."
The six investigators gathered together, indignantly denouncing the League's actions, while Gongping remained silent, seemingly pondering something.
"These reports seem to have originated from a media company under Silph Co."
Gongping's abrupt remark made the investigators pause. There was a touch of dark humor in its implications. What difference was there between Silph Co. releasing the news and the League releasing it?
"The public didn't know about this operation beforehand. But now, to save face, the League has no choice but to play along with these reports. These big shots really know how to play the game."
Gongping spoke in a subdued voice. One of the female investigators gave a dry laugh and stepped forward. "Captain, why don't we head back first? It looks like Team Rocket is more cunning than we imagined."
"Mm, but before that, we ought to have something to show for this."
"But?"
"Arresting the six of you would make this trip worthwhile."
With a roar, a giant wave of sand surged up, sweeping over the surrounding grounds and enclosing the area, cutting off every escape route for the six investigators.
"Captain, what is the meaning of this?"
Paying no heed to the danger he was in, Gongping said quietly, "I've already reviewed the information in your Poké Balls. Many of your Pokémon aren't native to Mt. Moon, yet you caught them here."
At Gongping's audacious actions, one of the investigators' expressions darkened. "Checking our Poké Ball data without permission violates League regulations. We're going to file a complaint against you."
Hearing this, Gongping looked bewildered. "Since I found a problem, that makes it no problem at all. Besides, do you have any evidence that I tampered with your Poké Balls? Is there something wrong up here?"
Pointing at his head, Gongping questioned their intelligence. During the verbal exchange, the six had imperceptibly surrounded Gongping from several directions. Although sand shrouded the area outside, sinister smiles now appeared on their faces.
Did this guy still not realize he was already trapped in a hopeless situation?
Quick Attack! A Gengar suddenly emerged from one investigator's shadow, flashing into view like a phantom and lunging at Gongping at tremendous speed.
"Die, you arrogant fool!"
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