Ryuzi entered.
He saw the mess on the ground and Natsuhiko calming Absol.
His eyes narrowed.
He asked in disbelief, "Mr. Natsuka, was this... all your doing?"
Especially when he saw Absol, he felt a strong sense of threat, and the Flygon beneath him let out a soft hum, expressing the pressure it felt from Absol.
It is known.
Back when this Hunter entered "Meteor Village" and stole a group of Dragon-type Pokémon eggs, he also fought with some experienced Dragon Tamers of "Meteor Village."
Although he fled in embarrassment in the end, Ryuzi learned from those Dragon Tamers that the Hunter's strength was not simple.
Even now, not fully recovered, Ryuzi thought he was not a match.
The Beedrill that clashed with his Flygon several times without falling behind made Ryuzi think Natsuhiko's abilities were about the same as his own.
But upon seeing this Absol, his perception was refreshed.
'Turns out Mr. Natsuka really held back last time and even caught this despicable thief for us...' Ryuzi thought to himself, his attitude toward Natsuhiko improving.
He leapt down from Flygon's back, landing in front of Natsuhiko, placed his right hand on his left chest, and slightly bowed.
"No, it was all thanks to it." Natsuhiko patted Absol's back and spoke truthfully.
After the battle, Absol's recognition of Natsuhiko increased.
But in the face of the unfamiliar Ryuzi, it reverted to the cold demeanor it had when it first encountered Natsuhiko.
The same way.
'Isn't this Absol Mr. Natsuka's Pokémon?'
Seeing Absol's differing attitudes towards him and Natsuhiko, Ryuzi became even more certain.
'Mr. Natsuka is being modest. The elder said the stronger one is, the more humble they are. This Absol gives me a feeling no less than that of the elders' dragons. Indeed, at their level, humility becomes instinctive.'
Ryuzi remembered a few of the more amicable elders, always having a kind, smiling demeanor.
Whenever he asked how strong they really were, they always replied, "Just lived a few years more than you, Ryuzi. Your potential is limitless, the future is yours."
But whenever he sparred with them, they would easily defeat him with just a couple of moves.
So all masters are humble.
Thinking of this, Ryuzi felt a bit of admiration for Natsuhiko.
After all, the elders were indeed much older than him, while Natsuhiko seemed only a year or two older at most.
"Still, I must thank Mr. Natsuka for the help in catching this thief for us." Ryuzi said again.
Natsuhiko waved his hand.
"Catching him is not the key, the key is that group of 'Dragonlings'."
He said while checking the items Klei carried.
Not much.
The items Klei originally had were all used to restore the Pokémon.
Fighting with the "Meteor People," battling Absol, and dealing with the wild Pokémon in Meteor Falls had depleted most of his supplies.
Had there been anything useful left, he wouldn't have brought Nidoking and injured Pokémon to battle in such a state.
As for money, he surely had a lot.
But most of it was in a bank card, unavailable to Natsuhiko.
After rummaging around, aside from a few Pokémon, the most valuable things were the Life Treasure Pearl taken from the heavily injured, comatose Nidoking and a single sharp, unknown-origin tooth found on him.
Nothing was found of the Dragon Pokémon eggs and other valuables Ryuzi mentioned as stolen.
He couldn't help but want to ridicule this outcome.
But upon recalling, he realized he hadn't done much either; it was all Absol leading the charge, so he let it slide.
Glancing at the tooth in his palm, he pursed his lips and quietly pocketed it.
"Mr. Natsuka, you needn't worry about that. While searching for him, I already found the group of 'Dragonlings' and the lost items. He hid them in a corner of Meteor Falls but didn't realize how familiar we are with it. How could he hide it from me?"
Ryuzi grinned, rubbing his nose, with a "praise me" expression.
Natsuhiko: "..."
Seeing the nearly two-meter-tall guy with a hopeful expression, he didn't know what to say.
He was considering if he could snag a few Dragon Pokémon eggs.
Who knew Ryuzi had already taken them back.
Such an honest community...
He couldn't help but glance at Klei on the ground, unsure if he should criticize his habit of not keeping valuable items on him.
Otherwise, he might have gotten a few Dragon Pokémon at least.
Those are Dragon Pokémon!
Someone doesn't have a single pure-blooded Dragon Pokémon!
Forcing a smile, he patted Ryuzi on the shoulder, "Good... job..."
"It was the least I could do."
Natsuhiko: "..."
Taking a deep breath, he silently gathered Klei's few Pokémon.
Limit the losses.
"By the way, Mr. Natsuka, please do accompany me back to 'Meteor Village.'"
Natsuhiko pondered.
"Please! If the elders knew about your help, they would surely thank you greatly." Ryuzi said earnestly.
Thanks?
Could they give a Dragon Pokémon as gratitude?
Natsuhiko touched his nose.
"I am indeed quite interested in seeing the unique landscape of 'Meteor Village.'"
After handling the traces on the ground and organizing the spoils of three captured Pokémon, they also gathered around Natsuhiko.
Upon hearing his words, the three Pokémon reacted differently.
"Togetic!" Togetic was the most excited, eager to see what "Meteor Village" looked like.
Yujira retreated a step without a trace.
Beedrill remained silent.
"Great!" Ryuzi was also very pleased.
"Meteor Village" rarely opens to outsiders, but since Natsuhiko indeed provided a lot of help, Ryuzi saw no problem with it.
"Wait for me a moment."
Natsuhiko went over to Absol and whispered a few words.
Absol hesitated, looked at him, then at Jirachi's Sleeping Cocoon, and finally at Ryuzi.
It nodded.
Seeing Absol accepting, Natsuhiko finally smiled.
After all, heading into someone else's territory, Ryuzi might think there'd be no problem, but Natsuhiko wasn't about to trust someone else's "no problem" with his safety.
Compared to humans, he trusted Pokémon more.
Having gone through this ordeal with Absol, they've established a basic "revolutionary" camaraderie.
With Absol present, even if it couldn't guarantee his safety, it could at least forewarn of some things, coupled with Yujira's Instant Movement, making safety more assured.
As for Jirachi's Sleeping Cocoon.
It had remained here without encountering any danger, and now Klei was captured, so there's no safety concern.
With that decided.
Natsuhiko, with a few Pokémon including Absol, followed Ryuzi out of the cave, ready to head to "Meteor Village."
"Mr. Natsuka, about that rock just now..."
"Just a rock." Natsuhiko replied casually.
"Oh."
"And it will come with us." Natsuhiko pointed to Absol.
Ryuzi naturally nodded.
Isn't it natural for a Pokémon to follow its trainer?