"My name is Miranda, and I'm the manager of Vermilion Port."
The blue-haired woman took a step forward. Perhaps from years of managing the docks and seeing many unruly tourists, her expression carried a hint of impatience as she spoke.
"If you want to understand the state of the ocean, just go and listen to the sound of the waves." Facing everyone's confusion, she crossed her arms, seemingly unwilling to explain further. "Even I, who grew up by the sea, have never seen a storm as intense as today's!"
"Is it really that serious?"
Miranda nodded with a cold expression. "And New Island, where you're headed, is the very center of this storm. In weather like this, I will absolutely not open the port and let ships risk the journey!"
Seeing her firm attitude, a slightly overweight trainer in the crowd said dismissively, "It's fine. My Pokémon is a great swimmer. If the ships can't sail, then I'll just have my Pokémon carry me across this ocean!"
Although his words were met with agreement from some, the vast majority of people did not share his confidence.
"No, you can't rashly go out to sea!" Officer Jenny quickly interjected to stop them. "Putting aside how dangerous it is to go out in this weather, if your Pokémon were to be injured, the Pokémon Center here wouldn't be able to treat them right now!"
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
Officer Jenny pointed to a missing person notice posted nearby and sighed. "The Nurse Joy from here has suddenly disappeared for some reason. We've been looking for her for a week straight, but there's been no news at all."
Hearing this, the crowd was surprised, and many began to have second thoughts.
"Maybe we shouldn't be in such a hurry?" someone muttered. "I think we should wait for the storm to pass before heading to New Island..."
Although many backed down, it didn't change Natsui's or Ash's minds in the slightest.
Natsui took out his phone and, based on the coordinates he had just received, looked up the location of New Island.
It was originally a deserted island in the middle of the ocean that, at some point, had been transformed by Mewtwo into its territory.
But because it was so far away, getting there was an extremely time-consuming and exhausting task.
The most conventional method was to first get to the port, take a passing ship into the deep sea, and when the distance to New Island was close enough, jump off and find another way to get ashore.
But now, with no boats available, they had to rely entirely on themselves.
At that moment, several people, including the chubby trainer, eagerly walked out of the hall.
They all summoned their Pokémon. Some rode on Pidgeot or Fearow, risking being struck by lightning to travel by air.
Others rode on Water-type Pokémon like Dewgong to cross the sea.
In just a short while, a dozen people had already left. Seeing this, Officer Jenny rushed out after them, but even if she wanted to stop them, it was already too late.
Inside the hall, seeing that some had already taken the lead, Natsui, Ash, and their group exchanged glances, then nodded in unison and also ran out.
By now, the sky outside had changed color, looking like night. The violent rain made it almost impossible to open one's eyes, and only the occasional flash of lightning brought a brief moment of brightness.
When they reached the pier and looked at the raging sea, they were temporarily at a loss.
Brock scratched his head and asked, "What do we do? We don't have any Pokémon that can cross the sea."
"My Charizard can fly," Ash said with a troubled expression, "but it won't carry us..."
Just as Natsui was about to send out his Gyarados to carry them, he saw a small wooden boat rowing over from a distance.
On the boat were a man and a woman, two crew members dressed as Vikings, their faces completely hidden by masks.
The most eye-catching feature of the small wooden boat was its figurehead, which looked like a helmeted girl!
"Looks like you're in trouble," the female crew member said, holding an oar with a hint of a smile in her voice. "How about it? If you're in a special situation, we can give you a ride for free."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Hearing this, Ash expressed his thanks and immediately leaped onto the boat. After him, Brock and Misty, without suspicion, also boarded.
Although the three of them had no clue, Natsui could tell at a glance that these were the members of the Team Rocket trio in disguise!
While he didn't know their objective, since it would save Gyarados's stamina, Natsui certainly wouldn't object.
But could such a flimsy boat really avoid capsizing in this violent storm?
As Jessie and James rowed, the small boat slowly left the port.
Amidst the strong winds and huge waves, the boat was like a floating leaf, in constant danger of sinking. But under the duo's skillful and clever coordination, despite shaking violently and looking like it was about to fall apart, it continued to press on into the deep.
Whoosh!
The journey was perilous but without incident. Just as they thought they would continue like this and arrive safely at New Island, a giant wave swept towards them from the front!
In an instant, the wave crashed against the boat's hull. Natsui had just managed to take a deep breath and instinctively grab the side of the boat when his vision went black, and his entire body was submerged in seawater!
Fortunately, a few seconds later, when the wave had passed, everyone was still sitting in the boat, unharmed.
But that massive wave had washed away Team Rocket's disguises, allowing Ash and the others to see their true faces!
"It's you!?" Brock frowned and shouted. "Honestly, why do you follow us everywhere we go!"
Jessie and James struggled to their feet and laughed.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation..."
Following their routine, the two were about to recite their lines when they saw another monstrous wave rushing towards them!
"Aah!"
Just as Jessie let out a cry of alarm, the wave crashed down on them again.
This time, under the immense force, the wooden boat instantly disintegrated, and Natsui and the others were scattered by the violent current.
He was swept by the water and pulled towards the seabed. Before he could even react, his hand was grabbed by Misty, who at the same time sent out her Starmie to carry them back to the surface.
When the wave passed, they saw Ash and Brock pop their heads out of the water with the help of Squirtle.
Looking around, the members of Team Rocket were nowhere to be seen!
But no one had time to worry about them now. Seizing the moment, Natsui immediately sent out his Gyarados.
"Everyone, climb on quickly, and remember, no matter if another big wave comes, do not let go this time!"
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