Person?
Just after using Yujira's instant movement to return to a previous "anchor" point, Natsuhiko saw a vague figure emerging in the dust not far away, seemingly approaching their position.
Natsuhiko squinted his eyes and gave Doublade a look, and Doublade immediately hid in his shadow.
Togetic also slipped into Natsuhiko's wide coat, sticking out its little head.
Beedrill and Yujira stayed by his side.
It's essential to guard against others.
Just like before entering the alternate space, Natsuhiko, Lance, Flint's little fangirl Du Juan said, don't trust others too easily.
Do you really think everyone in the Alliance is as naive and sweet as Master Ash?
Don't be naive.
If that were the case, why would Tom Rokicki betray the Alliance?
Why are the internal factions and relationships within the Alliance still so complex, with major families and forces interwoven?
Otherwise, with the current power of the Alliance, wouldn't it be easy to defeat the Rocket Team, or the Magma Team and Ocean Team in the Hoenn Region, if only willing to pay a relatively modest price?
Where there are people, there will be conflicts.
Where there are interests, people's hearts can never withstand the test.
Therefore, whether it's the Rocket Team or the Alliance, there are few people whom Natsuhiko can fully trust, no more than can be counted on one hand.
Let alone a person he has just met.
As Natsuhiko arranged his Pokémon, the figure came closer and soon appeared in his sight.
Their eyes met.
In the other's eyes, Natsuhiko saw a hint of surprise and delight, along with something inexplicable.
And it's often this inexplicable thing that is the key.
After a brief moment of astonishment, the person quickened their pace towards Natsuhiko.
And the Pokémon accompanying him finally revealed its appearance.
Little Earth Dragon, Flygon!
The person was all smiles.
"Finally met the first person. Hello, I'm Hoshino Ryuzaki from Zhuqing City in the Sinnoh Region. My father is Hoshino Ryuzen, Gym Leader of Zhuqing City. My grandfather... hehe, is the current Elite Four Hoshino Ryuzi."
A very detailed self-introduction.
When talking about his father, it was okay, but when he mentioned his grandfather, he smugly rubbed his nose.
Upon hearing him mention his grandfather is the current Elite Four of the Sinnoh Region, Natsuhiko was somewhat surprised.
He then looked up and down at the newcomer.
This guy named Hoshino Ryuzaki has earth-yellow hair, wearing a dark brown coat, and appears to be eighteen or nineteen years old. His fairly handsome face is filled with a warm smile, and the Flygon beside him, judging by appearances alone, should not be weak, and a Dragon-type Pokémon fits well with the identity of an Elite Four's grandson.
As the grandson of a current Elite Four, the resources and connections he possesses are unimaginable for a regular trainer like Natsuhiko.
However, previously when Natsuhiko decided to settle in the Sinnoh Region, he did investigate some things about the current Sinnoh Elite Four.
Among them was something rather interesting.
Originally, Hoshino Ryuzaki's grandfather Hoshino Ryuzi was the Ground-type Elite Four, but later the current Ground-type Elite Kikuno came up and challenged him, successfully becoming the new Ground-type Elite Four.
Most veteran Elite Fours in such situations would retire gracefully, ending their Elite Four glory with a smile and then withdrawing.
But Hoshino Ryuzi was different. He stubbornly moved over and sat in another vacant Elite Four position, changing the type he represented to Rock Type, becoming the Rock-type Elite Four.
As everyone knows.
Ground and Rock types go hand in hand. His behavior of nearly taking advantage became a laughingstock in many people's hearts at the time.
Yet Hoshino Ryuzi is thick-skinned enough to sit in the Rock-type Elite Four position to this day.
Even though Kikuno's age is not small, he still remains as an Elite Four with no intention of letting young people have a chance.
Of course, jokes aside, his ability to hold the Elite Four position stable is undoubtedly due to his strength.
If the person before him is indeed his grandson, then his strength should not be weak.
His identity should also be a target many choose to win over.
Though Natsuhiko doesn't intend to win him over, he doesn't want to offend him either.
After all, if he wishes to become a Gym Leader in the Sinnoh Region in the future, he will still be under the management of the Elite Four.
Natsuhiko put on a standard smile, "Hello, my name is... Natsuhiko, from Liberty Town in the Sinnoh Region."
Seeing Natsuhiko's impeccable smile, a hint of displeasure flashed deep in Hoshino Ryuzaki's eyes, but he showed nothing on his face and still had a full smile, "Liberty Town? Oh—I remember, it's the pastoral town east of Celestial Crown Mountain, right?"
"Correct." Natsuhiko nodded.
It's just a random concoction, it doesn't matter where he's from.
Otherwise, should he say his three friends will be champions of three regions in the future?
"Brother Natsuhiko just arrived here? I've walked here many times before, but there were no signs of any activity." Hoshino Ryuzaki asked.
Natsuhiko scratched his head and chuckled, "Yes, just as I arrived, I accidentally encountered a group of Krookodile and was chased back."
Upon hearing this, Hoshino Ryuzaki showed some surprise, "Oh? Encountered that group of Krookodile, they're not easy to deal with, brother Natsuhiko must have some strength to have made it out."
Saying this, his gaze swept over Beedrill and Yujira, showing a hint of awareness.
Two Elite Level, that's not considered weak.
Yet still using Beedrill at the elite level suggests either a preference for Insect-type Pokémon, or... a lack of resources to switch to other Pokémon.
Hoshino Ryuzaki's evaluation of Natsuhiko downgraded a bit in his mind.
Natsuhiko shook his head, lamenting, "Still too weak, being chased by the Krookodile."
Clap—clap—
Hoshino Ryuzaki very naturally patted Natsuhiko's shoulder, "Everyone starts from weak experiences, brother Natsuhiko shouldn't be discouraged."
Natsuhiko glanced at the shoulder being patted, subtly nodding.
"If there's nothing else..."
Before he finished speaking, Hoshino Ryuzaki interrupted, "Brother Natsuhiko, let me share a secret with you."
"Hmm?"
Hoshino Ryuzaki stepped closer, speaking softly near Natsuhiko's ear, "Actually... beneath the quicksand area at the center of that Krookodile territory, there are precious materials and resources they guard. From what I know, there's high-quality Sun Stone and Sandy Rock."
"How do you know?" Natsuhiko was a bit surprised.
That group of Krookodile are not easy to deal with.
However, if there truly are high-quality Evolution Stones, that would indeed be something good.
A high-quality Evolution Stone is worth millions, and its value could be higher when meeting someone in urgent need.
Hoshino Ryuzaki rubbed his nose again, patting the neck of the Flygon next to him, "My Flygon has gone down, but was chased out before exploring thoroughly."
He said while shaking his head regretfully.
Krookodile and Flygon have a rather good relationship; wild Krookodile and wild Flygon usually choose to hunt together, partnering up.
How he said it does make sense.
But at this moment, the Togetic inside Natsuhiko's clothes was rather restless.
It was signaling to Natsuhiko.
This person has a problem!
"Brother Natsuhiko, I have a proposal."
At this point, Hoshino Ryuzaki finally revealed his intention.
"What is it?"
"I can't handle that group of Krookodile alone, and I believe you can't either. But if the two of us cooperate, then who knows. So I propose we cooperate, and split all the gains fifty-fifty, what do you think?" Hoshino Ryuzaki said.
Regarding this proposal, Hoshino Ryuzaki was certain Natsuhiko wouldn't refuse.
Because in his impression, trainers with relatively few resources wouldn't pass up such opportunities.
"Fifty-fifty?" Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, fifty-fifty! You can trust me! Even if you don't trust me, you should trust my grandfather, Elite Four Hoshino Ryuzi, the current Rock-type Elite, his reputation is reliable." He patted his chest proudly, assuring Natsuhiko.
"So how should we cooperate?" Natsuhiko showed an interested expression.
Hoshino Ryuzaki was somewhat troubled, hesitating for a moment before speaking up, "Since it's fifty-fifty, out of respect, I trust brother Natsuhiko wouldn't want to take advantage of me, so I won't think ill of others."
Thus possibly assuming some of the more dangerous task distribution.
This was the underlying message in his words.
And it blocked Natsuhiko from showing weakness or trying to exploit any loophole.
Natsuhiko smiled a curve only he understood.
Even when I'm being courteous and polite to you, why would you treat me like a fool?
But he still followed along with Hoshino Ryuzaki's words, stiffly replying, "Of course!"
Upon hearing this, Hoshino Ryuzaki smiled with satisfaction.
"Great!"