Bounty Hunters, Pirates...
It's no surprise, even though the Pokemon Realm has various continents and regions, many of them have been discovered by the Alliance and added to the map later.
But in fact, more of it is the boundless vast ocean.
Since there is the sea, inevitably many pirates will develop here to seek survival and profit.
The most typical example is Ocean Team (Water Fleet), one of the two major underground forces in the Hoenn Region.
Previously, Natsuhiko was always on the mainland, unable to encounter such things.
And now, what is presented before him is the most real conflict belonging to the sea.
Even though Bounty Hunter Lai Le fought fiercely, he was still too severely injured previously, and coupled with the fact that his strength was indeed different, Lai Le only caused some trouble for Pates and Crawdaunt but was ultimately solved by Pates.
The fierce glint in Pates' eyes slightly restrained, and he spat a mouthful of blood-tinged saliva.
"Trash. I don't know how many bounty hunters like you I've killed at sea every year."
These pirates, what they hate most is not the Alliance, but these persistent bounty hunters that pursue them like barnacles.
These bounty hunters, upon seeing pirates with a bounty like him, are like hunting dogs smelling the scent of prey.
Only this time, the positions of the hunting dog and the prey have switched.
Originally, Pates disliked Lai Le, but he restrained himself onshore, as it was rumored Lai Le had connections with the Alliance; he also had tasks to do, not wanting unnecessary trouble.
Lai Le, relying on the people behind him, kept tightly pursuing him.
Helpless, Pates could only lure Lai Le to such a relatively remote area, and after ensuring there was no one around, finally revealing his vicious fangs.
Just as Pates was about to collect the money and Pokémon from Lai Le, the nearby Crawdaunt issued a warning.
Pointing to the not-too-distant beach.
It could be seen that the sand there had noticeably different colors compared to the surrounding sand, darker in color, seemingly like it was raked and then smoothed over.
Because there is no sunlight coverage and few activities here, the moisture content of sand on the beach's surface differs from the sand beneath it, causing the color to be different naturally.
Even though Natsuhiko left with a few Pokémon, smoothing out the traces they left on the beach, such traces of sand color cannot be hidden just by smoothing them out.
Pates, previously busy fighting with Lai Le, had not noticed.
Now that the battle is over, he naturally has discovered these traces.
Pates' complexion darkened, his previously bent waist straightened again, his fierce eyes scanning around.
Yet he failed to find a well-hidden Natsuhiko.
"Damn it."
Pates couldn't help swearing under his breath.
He lured Lai Le here and solved him to prevent others from knowing it was him who did it.
Whether Lai Le truly has connections with the Alliance Navy is unclear, but if he's truly connected, and if word gets out that he killed Lai Le...
Normally it wouldn't matter, at worst he could flee to sea, but now he still has the Captain's task on him.
"Friend! Why not come out for a meet!"
Pates shouted, his rough voice echoing across the beach.
Hiding in the crevice of the rocks, Natsuhiko guessed that the other party might have discovered the traces left when Togepi and the others were playing, though he also prepared for Abra to use Instant Movement to take him away at any moment.
But now...
'A pirate like Pates should have quite a high bounty, right?'
Moreover, Gerwin mentioned before, among those pirates who like to lure Sharpedo as a test, there is the "Star of Blood."
This sparked some ideas in Natsuhiko.
The key is, after their earlier fight, Natsuhiko realized that this pirate's strength did not exceed his tolerance range, and now is wounded...
However, just as he was considering whether to try and test it out.
Pates found Natsuhiko's hiding spot.
"Found you!" Pates pushed aside a clump of dense bushes, seeing Natsuhiko hiding in a rock crevice not far away.
As a veteran pirate, his ability to trace clues isn't weak.
In this regard, Natsuhiko is somewhat lacking in experience.
"So it's a tender-skinned brat."
Pates clenched his fist with cracking sounds.
Indeed, compared to his knotted muscles, rugged face, thick and rough skin, Natsuhiko truly fits the term "tender-skinned."
Looking at the ferocious-faced Pates, Natsuhiko emerged expressionless from the crevice holding his Pokemon.
Apparently.
Pates helped him decide when he was still hesitating.
Since that's the case, staying in the cramped rock crevice would be too passive.
When he saw Natsuhiko holding the "fearful" Togepi walking out, a hint of disdain flashed through Pates' eyes.
In his mind, Natsuhiko was naturally projected as a "weak" Trainer, an inconspicuous flower in the Alliance's greenhouse.
Even though there were Beedrill and Abra as well, it couldn't overturn such an impression.
Such individuals often have fair battle experience, yet their actual combat ability in the field is too weak.
Pates blinked, motioning dismissively.
"Brat, go home and find your mom."
With a disgusted expression.
Natsuhiko pressed his lips lightly, instantly understanding Pates' thoughts, "cooperating" by showing an expression of fear and hesitation.
"You, won't kill me?" he asked softly.
Pates appeared somewhat impatient.
"Get lost! Or I might change my mind."
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko cautiously backed away, adjusting his direction, and once seeing that Pates truly didn't mean to attack, he turned around and trotted away from the beach.
As he turned away, Natsuhiko's expression cooled down, he cast a glance at Beedrill beside him.
Beedrill understood, nodding subtly.
And seeing Natsuhiko truly leaving fearfully, Pates finally showed disdain.
Soon followed by a frost-covered, violent look with murderous intent.
He patted the Crawdaunt next to him.
Crawdaunt naturally understood Pates' thoughts at that moment.
Black Mist emerged beside it, grasping its massive pincers swiftly crossing the considerable distance between it and Natsuhiko, Dark Assault on the Vital Point burst forth.
And directly targeting the most vulnerable Natsuhiko.
But in the next second.
Just when Pates and Crawdaunt thought the strike succeeded.
Buzz——
The smoothly flying Beedrill's wings abruptly vibrated, carrying arcs of electricity, flashing to appear behind Natsuhiko, facing Crawdaunt's attack.
The glowing green Cross Cut burst forth from its Double Needle.
Bang!!
In the collision, Crawdaunt was frantically pushed back, leaving deep scratches on the sand with several of its limbs.
Beedrill also retreated a short distance.
But without a doubt, Crawdaunt, being weak to the Insect-type, suffered more damage.
Pates' self-satisfied expression abruptly changed.
Soon he saw a cold Natsuhiko slowly turning around, his eyes revealing a hint of mockery.
Pates' trick was anticipated by him.
The reason he followed his words was just to lower his guard.
"Beedrill."
"Buzz!"
The Beedrill, grasping the situation, flitted swiftly to close in on the already-retreating Crawdaunt.
Meanwhile.
Realizing the situation had developed beyond expectations, Pates reached for the Pokeball at his waist.
"Abra."
But Natsuhiko, already prepared, would not allow him to continue summoning Pokemon.
Wild combat isn't the turn-based, one-Pokemon-at-a-time formal battle.
This is the real fight!
Abra's eyes erupted in cerulean light, psychic power stretched instantly, crossing the distance, tightly immobilizing Pates' body, particularly restraining the hand reaching for his waist Pokeball.
On the other side.
Beedrill successfully suppressed Crawdaunt, delivering two more Cross Cuts, even if they didn't land on vital points, Crawdaunt immediately fell.
Having dealt with Crawdaunt, Natsuhiko stepped by step approached Pates.
Stopped before him.
Veins squirmed on the greasy forehead, but no matter the struggle, he couldn't escape the psychic constraints of Abra.
Then he heard Natsuhiko's cold voice.
"Now, I ask, you answer."