Once Director Yanagi landed, nearly all the teachers had arrived. Director Yanagi stepped forward and asked, "Sato, tell me specifically, what is going on here?"
Sato then recounted the entire process and their experiences to Director Yanagi. After listening, Director Yanagi asked Sato to lead him to take a look. A group of them crept to the edge of the forest, where they saw mining carts going in and out.
After a moment, one teacher remarked, "It really is White Iron Ore and Team Rocket."
"Alright," Director Yanagi said after observing the scene. "Let's discuss how to rescue Eichi and the others. Sato, how is Eichi doing inside?"
"He's doing well," Sato replied. "Furthermore, he has obtained the keys and can release the workers at any time."
Director Yanagi fell into deep thought. While he pondered, everyone remained silent, their eyes fixed on him. The atmosphere was incredibly tense. After a while, Director Yanagi's communicator rang.
He answered it, and a female voice came through: "Hello, Director Yanagi. This is Officer Jenny. We have arrived and are nearby. How should we proceed?"
"Wait for the police to charge in and capture them," Director Yanagi instructed. "Our primary goal this time is rescue. We have 28 teachers here; we will charge inside, while the outside is left to you."
"Understood," she replied.
After hanging up, Director Yanagi turned to Sato. "Send a text to Eichi. Tell him to release everyone once we head inside and draw their attention."
Sato nodded. "Okay."
He took out his communicator to message Eichi. While he was typing, Director Yanagi spoke to the others. "Listen up. Once the police move out, we strike. Ignore the people outside and charge straight for the interior. I saw earlier that there are many Team Rocket members, including at least two Executives. Fukiishi, Yoshijima, if Executives appear, the three of us will handle them."
"Yes, sir!" they replied.
Fukiishi was the Director for the second-year students, and Yoshijima was the Director for the third-year students. Among everyone present, these three were the strongest.
Eichi received Sato's text. After putting away his communicator, he saw Tetsu wake up. He moved quietly to Tetsu's side.
"Tetsu, wake everyone up," Eichi whispered. "I have something to say."
Seeing Eichi's serious expression, Tetsu knew he was about to take action. "Alright," he replied.
Eichi nodded. The two of them went around waking everyone up one by one. Once everyone was awake, Eichi beckoned them. "Everyone, gather around. I have something to tell you."
Judging by Eichi's expression, they all had their suspicions and crowded in. Eichi looked around and whispered, "Don't interrupt while I'm speaking. Wait until I'm finished. I'm telling you now that Director Yanagi has arrived; he's right outside."
Shinta started to speak, but everyone looked at him, so he immediately covered his mouth.
"The police are here too," Eichi continued. "In a moment, the police will lead the attack on Team Rocket. Then Director Yanagi and the others will charge inside. At that time, Team Rocket's attention won't be on us. I will open the cages. You go straight to the small passage to take back your belongings and escape with the workers, understood? Any questions?"
As soon as he finished, Tetsu asked, "Eichi, you said you'd open the cages, but how?"
Eichi smiled. He unzipped his jacket and produced a ring of keys from his belt.
"Where did you get those?" Shinta asked, his eyes wide.
Eichi gave a mysterious smile. "You'll find out soon enough."
Seeing Eichi didn't want to explain, they didn't push him. They all waited in place. Eichi watched the Team Rocket members guarding the area. Just then, the guards were rotating shifts. The departing guards walked into the small passage.
Seeing his chance, Eichi called out to the air, "Haunter."
As soon as he spoke, Haunter appeared out of thin air. Everyone finally realized how Eichi had obtained the keys.
"Haunter," Eichi commanded. "They'll probably realize the keys are gone soon. Go knock them out."
Haunter nodded and slowly vanished. A minute later, it returned and nodded to Eichi before disappearing again. Eichi remained where he was, watching the guards outside. Two Poké Balls appeared in his hands. He waited for the opportunity, and the others prepared themselves as well.
In the main hall, two men were chatting in the rest station. The hunchbacked one spoke first. "Hiraoka, why haven't those three brats been caught yet?"
"I've already sent men to look for them," Hiraoka said calmly. "What's the rush, Yakusho?"
Yakusho sneered. "It's been so long. For all we know, they've gone to call for reinforcements. We need to speed up the process."
Hiraoka took a sip of water and thought for a moment. "We leave today. The League has likely caught on by now."
Just as he finished speaking, a loud explosion and the roar of Pokémon echoed from the distance. The ground shook. Yakusho dropped his cup.
"What happened!?" Yakusho roared at his subordinates below.
The men below were equally confused. A few seconds later, a man ran in looking frantic. He rushed toward the two leaders.
"My lords, the police are here! And many powerful trainers!" the man gasped.
Yakusho and Hiraoka's expressions changed instantly. "Where is Sanzhi?" Yakusho asked darkly. "What is he doing?"
"Lord Sanzhi is currently in battle," the man replied. "The opponent is very strong, roughly equal to Lord Sanzhi."
Yakusho and Hiraoka exchanged looks. This was bad; they were in trouble. They both walked down. Hiraoka shouted loudly, "Everyone! Stop what you're doing and get out of here!"
"You want to leave? Did you ask me first?"
A figure charged in. Hiraoka's eyes narrowed when he saw the newcomer. "It's you, Yanagawa."
The newcomer was Director Yanagi. Seeing Hiraoka and Yakusho, he laughed loudly. "Yakusho, Hiraoka, we meet again. This time, I'm definitely taking you both in."
Director Fukiishi stepped up behind him.
"Fukiishi, Hiraoka is mine," Director Yanagi said. "Yakusho is yours."
"Leave him to me," Fukiishi said firmly.
Hiraoka sneered. "Yanagawa, do you think you've got me? Yakusho, prepare for battle!"
"Come out, Rhydon!"
"Go, Crobat!"
Hiraoka released a Rhydon, while Yakusho sent out a Crobat.
Seeing this, Director Yanagi released his own Pokémon. "Go, Blastoise!"
Fukiishi released an Arcanine. The battle was about to erupt.