"Target locked."
A red arrow appeared in Gu Qiu's vision.
Only he could see it.
It wavered slightly.
The direction kept shifting.
Ralts was still running.
Still fleeing.
"Pika-Itachi. Frogadier. Keep up."
His tone changed.
Calm.
Focused.
Chakra flowed naturally into his legs.
In a forest—
A shinobi's speed was terrifying.
Silent.
Explosive.
Less than three minutes—
He arrived.
And what he saw—
Made his expression turn cold.
A tiny Ralts.
Surrounded.
Three Rockets.
Three Pokémon.
Predators closing in.
At that same moment—
From another direction—
A woman frowned slightly.
"I'll check that side. You two follow me. The rest continue patrol."
"Yes."
"HAHA! Ralts, nowhere left to run now!"
The small figure collapsed.
Her stamina exhausted.
Teleport had drained her.
Her body curled inward.
Shivering.
Soft cries escaping.
Heartbreaking.
"She's persistent."
"Don't hit too hard. If we injure her badly, we'll have to visit a Pokémon Center. If they detect forced capture, it'll be troublesome."
"Understood."
"Golbat! Supersonic!"
"Houndour, block the escape route!"
"Weezing, seal the flank!"
No escape.
No hope.
Ralts closed her eyes.
She already knew.
Her future would be miserable.
Then—
The attack never landed.
Instead—
A pair of hands.
Warm.
Gentle.
Touched her antenna.
Ralts' antenna could sense emotion.
And what she felt—
Was calm.
Protectiveness.
Warmth.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Kid, get lost. We're Team Rocket."
"You know what happens when you offend us."
Ralts slowly opened her eyes.
What she saw—
Was a broad chest.
A steady heartbeat.
"Ralts."
"No one will hurt you anymore."
The voice was soft.
Like spring wind.
Something inside her loosened.
The fear.
The panic.
Faded.
She had never felt this kind of protection before.
She chose—
To believe him.
Gu Qiu hadn't had time to think.
When Golbat launched Supersonic—
He had already moved.
Body flickered.
Instantly appearing in front of Ralts.
Shunshin no Jutsu.
Chakra condensed into a barrier.
Supersonic shattered against it.
"Close your eyes."
His voice was gentle.
Ralts trembled slightly.
Then obeyed.
Instinct told her—
This human would not deceive her.
Gu Qiu's gaze shifted briefly.
Toward a specific tree.
Brows slightly furrowed.
Hidden behind it—
Kona's heart skipped.
He just looked this way.
Did he sense me?
Impossible.
She was a titled Elite Four.
Her own combat ability was not weak.
In this world—
As Pokémon grew stronger—
Their trainers were strengthened in return.
A novice detecting her?
Absurd.
It must be coincidence.
She had arrived a second late.
She didn't see how he appeared.
If she had—
She would have been stunned.
"Kid! I'm talking to you!"
"Boss, forget it. He's alone. Just kill him."
"He's strange. Don't let him escape."
"Houndour! Fire Fang on the trainer!"
That was Rocket style.
They didn't follow League rules.
Normal trainers might be unpleasant.
But they wouldn't target the trainer directly.
Rocket?
They did whatever it took.
League regulations clearly prohibited attacking trainers.
Elite trainers were national assets.
Rocket didn't care.
Gu Qiu assessed instantly.
Golbat – Level 32. Elite tier.
Houndour – Level 29.
Weezing – Level 28.
Three against one.
He held Ralts gently behind him.
Cold light flickered in his eyes.
"You're looking for death."
The forest air—
Dropped several degrees.
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