Lapras, this kind of Pokémon.
It's quite amusing when you think about it.
The rapid industrial development in the Pokemon Realm, coupled with a lack of proper environmental measures, has led to a lot of wastewater being discharged into the ocean.
This has caused a drastic decrease in the number of Lapras, which has extremely high requirements for water quality.
In recent years, the Alliance has noticed this issue and has started strictly regulating wastewater treatment in some factories.
The seawater has gradually become clearer, yet the number of Lapras has not recovered.
As a result, the Kanto Alliance has introduced several protection policies for Lapras, categorizing it as a protected Pokémon, similar to Farfetch'd.
The natural environment of Laplace Beach has also been preserved because of these policies.
However, Lapras remains relatively rare in regions like Kanto and Johto.
The black market prices remain sky-high.
Before setting sail, Natsuhiko considered whether to purchase a Lapras as a means of transport on the sea.
The outcome was quite disappointing.
He explored every Pokémon Store in the black market, only to receive the answer...
Sorry, none available.
Reservations can be made, but a high deposit is required first.
Therefore, he gave up on the idea.
However, Natsuhiko knew that in the distant seas of the Alola Region, where industry is less developed and the ecological environment is relatively better, coupled with intentional protection of Lapras, they have proliferated in large numbers, to the point of becoming a menace.
The large population of Lapras resulted in a drastic decrease in the number of fish in the sea, even affecting the number of Wild Pokémon in the waters.
"Unfortunately, the Alliance has yet to announce the discoveries in the Alola Region. It's unclear whether it's due to unsuccessful settlements facing strong resistance from the locals, or some other reasons..."
In short, if you wish to go to the Alola Region, sorry, there are no flights or sea routes available at the moment.
"It could also be due to large numbers of Flying Pokémon interfering with flight paths, or the excessively aggressive Wild Pokémon in the waters outside, making these routes temporarily unsafe and undisclosed."
Natsuhiko clicked his tongue.
"What a pity, if one could go to the Alola Region, capturing dozens or even hundreds of Lapras and selling them in the Kanto Region, there wouldn't be any resource concerns before Pokémon power reaches Qualification Level."
He shook his head, abandoning the unrealistic thought.
"Everyone's in good shape today, so we'll start with some real-world training with Water-type Pokémon, try to identify any shortcomings, and then correct them."
Natsuhiko said, calling the Pokémon over.
They still had to continue traveling on the sea for some time. The previous encounter with Sharpedo was an experience, and he didn't know what other Water-type Pokémon they might encounter. Natsuhiko's Pokémon had insufficient battle experience against Water-type Pokémon.
"Sssspee!"
Beedrill wielded its "double guns" with high spirits. The gentle healing at the Poke Center yesterday made it feel better than ever.
"Kesi."
Abra squinted. It had already started mastering the technique Strong Mental Will, thanks to its prior psychic-enhancement training, allowing it to get started quickly, but mastering it required more than just training.
"Togepii—"
Togepi was also a bit excited, eager to test the results of its recent training.
The two little eyes were whirling mischievously, plotting something unknown.
But it shouldn't be a big problem, with Shuckle and Sharpedo to hold the line.
Natsuhiko took out a small bottle with a sparkling green liquid inside.
This was a little gadget he bought from the black market yesterday.
A special nectar extracted from Gloom's buds, it had no stench, but rather a "Sweet Fragrance" like effect, attracting nearby Wild Pokémon.
After making sure the Pokémon were ready, Natsuhiko nodded, opened the bottle, and placed it at the center of the beach.
As the faint fragrance wafted through the air, the gently rippling sea surface gradually showed signs of activity.
Plop plop plop—
Soon after.
A few Krabby spitting foam, their eyes fixed on the bottle's location, crawled out of the sea.
"Krabby? Abra, Togepi."
Without any Senior Level Pokémon, there's no need for Beedrill to take action, giving the two little ones more opportunities to train.
"Kesi—"
Abra's eyes emitted a faint blue glow, psychic energy bursting from its body, slowly expanding and extending, and the Psychic Arena was thus released.
Arenas Techniques.
Within the Psychic Arena, the power of Psychic-type Techniques will be enhanced, up to a fifty percent increase.
Natsuhiko nodded secretly as he watched.
Abra's psychic talent had gradually turned into power, and the Psychic Arena was now about half the size of a battle arena, encompassing the approaching Krabby.
Next, Abra made strange sounds, a faint blue glow flickering around its body.
Meditation.
Meditation: Calming the mind, increasing Special Attack and Special Defense.
On the other side, Togepi's eyes became sneaky and naturally released the tactic Deceit, further enhancing its Special Attack.
The two Pokémon were ready.
The next moment.
Abra took the lead, gathering psychic energy into a small sphere and smashing it at one of the Krabby.
Bang!
The unprepared Krabby was hit, and almost in an instant of endurance, it rolled its eyes and lay on the sand.
Meanwhile, Togepi's eyes also emitted a faint blue light, and due to the change in the arena, Secret Power's attribute and Technique form changed accordingly—Telekinesis!
Secret Power within the Psychic Arena will adapt to become Telekinesis, with a certain probability of additional effects.
Secret Power's additional effect when turned to Telekinesis in the Psychic Arena has a thirty percent chance to reduce the opponent's speed by one level, and because Togepi's trait is Celestial Grace, the probability of additional effect doubles!
This means, within the Psychic Arena, when Togepi uses Secret Power, it not only causes damage but also has a high chance of reducing the opponent's speed.
And this.
Is the basic tactic that Natsuhiko devised for Abra and Togepi's combination battle, centered on Abra's Psychic Arena.
After witnessing the Pokémon lineup construction of Agatha and Uncle Liu, Natsuhiko keenly noticed the roles of Gengar and Piloswine in their lineups.
It wasn't because he understood the core requirement of an Elite Trainer having a core, but simply because he felt the presence of these two Pokémon made the Elite Trainers' strength formidable.
In contrast, although Tamechi's Pokémon were strong, something seemed missing, causing the Pokémon to fight independently, capable of displaying a hundred percent strength but unable to exceed that limit.
Combining this with a certain degree of comparison and simulation with Tom Rokicki's Mr. Mime's role in his lineup.
Natsuhiko realized he could also use Abra as the core for his Pokémon, devising tactics and constructing lineups.
As the core, Abra could be responsible for harvesting and main output, while Celestial Grace Togepi could handle control and support.
This way, it could highlight strengths and avoid weaknesses, maximizing the traits of all three Pokémon.
Natsuhiko didn't know that reaching Elite Trainer Level had the unavoidable core requirement, but not knowing didn't matter—he could try to imitate, learn from others, adapt, and make it his own.
Because it could indeed yield unexpected results.
And this, unconsciously, reduced many twists and bumps on his future path.
While other Trainers of the same level were busy improving their Pokémon's strength, capturing more suitable or favorite Pokémon, Natsuhiko, having witnessed higher-level battles, had preliminarily and immaturely constructed a lineup core.
It must be said, this is the enhancement in vision and understanding that comes after witnessing the battles of truly powerful figures.
And this benefit, brought about invisibly, was something Natsuhiko was not even aware of himself.