A middle-aged man in black walked up, looking slightly disheveled, but with a confident expression, laced with disdain and arrogance.
His gaze passed over Natsuhiko and Absol, landing on Jirachi behind them, emitting a purple aura.
His eyes were fiery.
"I thought it was already useless, unable to be repaired," the middle-aged man said.
He strolled toward them as if taking a leisurely walk.
Absol's hostility toward this man was obvious, crouching on the ground, emitting low "hoo hoo" sounds.
This was a sign that it was about to attack.
But the middle-aged man ignored its threat.
He just looked at Natsuhiko, a slight smile curling at his lips, "Let me give you some advice: leave now, and you might just find a way out."
Natsuhiko did not believe a single word he said.
Using escape as an excuse, and then suddenly attacking when he let his guard down—this was not the first time he faced something like this.
Natsuhiko merely watched him silently.
The middle-aged man noted Natsuhiko's lack of response and chuckled lightly, "Oh~ excuse me, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Klei. You may have heard of me, or maybe not, but it doesn't matter. I'm a hunter, and I don't just hunt Pokémon; do you understand what I mean?"
His tone and demeanor were filled with undisguised disdain, even contempt.
Hunter.
'So, is he the one Ryuzi is looking for, the one who entered Meteor Village and stole the Dragonling?'
"I forgot to mention, my patience is limited, and so is the time and opportunity I'm giving you."
The middle-aged man casually brushed back his coat, revealing the Pokeballs at his waist, and plucked one off.
With the flicker of red light, a massive purple creature appeared in the cave.
"Roar!!"
The roar dislodged some small rocks inside the cave.
Nidoking!
Natsuhiko squinted, having a deep understanding of Nidoking. Based on this Nidoking's robust frame, glossy exterior, the length of its horn, and the condition of its tail, he could roughly gauge its strength.
Qualification Level!
Also known as Daoist School Level, or Gym Leader Level.
An existence surpassing the Elite Level!
If the man possesses three or more Gym Leader Level Pokémon, he qualifies to challenge a region's dojo leader of the League, which is why such Pokémon are called Qualification Level.
Of course, the strength of a town's dojo leader, appointed by the League, is usually much stronger, with some dojo leaders comparable to the Elite Four.
Having the qualification is just that, merely a qualification.
However, compared to others, for Natsuhiko, just this one Nidoking put him under immense pressure.
Even if all his Pokémon performed excellently together, they might still not be a match for this Nidoking.
However.
The Beedrill may not stand a chance, but it does not mean there is no Pokémon here that can match him.
For example, Absol, who was now crouching beside him, poised and ready.
Natsuhiko's face was stern as he slowly crouched down, approaching Absol, hesitantly reaching out his hand.
Finally, he placed it on Absol, gently stroking its smooth fur, feeling its throbbing chest.
"Mmm."
When Natsuhiko touched it, Absol almost reflexively turned to glare at him.
But it ultimately showed no great resistance to Natsuhiko's touch.
In fact, deep down, Absol felt a slight thrill, an unusual sensation rising from its heart.
It seemed...
The feeling of having this person standing behind, facing this situation together, wasn't so bad.
Absol's angry breath gradually calmed, its gaze remaining sharp, but it no longer exposed its ferocity to Klei.
True strength is not what is shown on the surface.
The more fiercely you display your prowess, the more you tell your opponent "how formidable I am," often, the more fear and trepidation lie in your heart.
Seeing Natsuhiko not only stayed but also soothed Absol, Klei's expression slowly condensed.
Natsuhiko stood up again, looking directly into his eyes.
"I'm giving you three seconds. Leave now."
Natsuhiko's tone was calm, yet filled with firm unyielding authority.
Klei's eyes widened, then he laughed in disbelief.
"Hahahahaha—Kid, are you joking with me? Who do you think you are? What gives you the confidence to talk to me like this? With those three Beedrill at best at the Elite Level, or is it this Absol, which looks fine on the surface but is actually quite injured that you're counting on?"
"And what are you relying on? Your one Nidoking that's still in decent condition? Or... those few Pokémon of yours that haven't even half recovered?" Natsuhiko retorted, unwilling to be outdone.
Upon hearing this, Klei's expression finally darkened.
"How do you know?"
When he asked this question, Natsuhiko knew his guess was correct.
"Do you know which kind of dog is the most dangerous?"
Without waiting for an answer, Natsuhiko said:
"The dog that doesn't bark."
With a smile on his face, he continued, "Do you know why I'm calming Absol? Because the more obvious you make it, the more it reveals your guilt. A dog that barks like you shouldn't expose your limits to me."
Funny.
Natsuhiko did not believe someone who had circled around "Meteor Village" and stolen some things, had fought with Absol, could still remain in perfect condition.
Moreover, since Jirachi's anomaly appeared not long ago and he appeared here, it indicates he hadn't gone far, lingering in the vicinity; he hadn't left Meteor Falls to fully recover his Pokémon.
Most importantly, Jirachi's crystal was still here.
This shows that after fighting with Absol, he gained no advantage, only broke Jirachi's crystal, injuring Absol, while failing to take the crystal.
If you were to switch places, as a hunter, if you could beat Absol, you couldn't possibly leave such a valuable target behind.
So, summing up the points leads to ...
He's bluffing!
"Dog?"
Klei's expression turned slightly feral, but he quickly regained control.
Just as Natsuhiko had suspected, he came to Meteor Falls for Jirachi.
He just hadn't found Jirachi yet and, for certain reasons, first entered "Meteor Village," simultaneously stealing a batch of valuable Dragon-type Pokémon infants.
Of course, he also fought with a few Meteor People.
And ended up severely injured.
After leaving "Meteor Village," luck favored him, and he found Jirachi's location.
But Absol appeared, and he fought with Absol again.
The outcome was expected.
Not only did he damage Jirachi's slumbering crystal, but he also failed to beat Absol.
The reason for coming back now is that he knows, as a wild Pokémon, Absol's recovery is not simple, and although he hasn't completely recovered either, he's undeniably better off than Absol.
What he said earlier was an attempt to appear strong, perhaps to test Absol, and the purpose was roughly the same.
But from Natsuhiko's current attitude, it looked like a fight was inevitable.
Listening to their exchanges, both unyielding.
Absol hesitated, unsure if it should turn back.
It understood the reasoning; Natsuhiko's words were meant for the other side.
Yet, for some reason, it felt like what Natsuhiko said about facing a dog somehow unknowingly included it as well.
In the end, Absol chose not to move.
At times like this, whoever responds is admitting to it, isn't it?