In the exchange, it reached the point where the opponent was struggling to even defend.
But Natsuhiko was more wary of him than Hoshino Ryosaki.
Atuo's danger did not lie in direct combat, but rather in his assassination and use of poison. A single carelessness could easily lead to falling into his trap.
Yet Natsuhiko saw through this point clearly, so no matter what Atuo said before, he was determined to end him here, eliminating future threats.
As Natsuhiko's Pokémon exert their strength one by one, finally, the first of Atuo's Pokémon couldn't withstand Yujira's attack and fell.
It was Ariados.
Then, like a domino effect, the chain reaction began, and the second Pokémon soon fell, which was Golbat.
Then it almost became one-sided.
The third to fall was Arbok.
Out of a total of six Pokémon, now there were only three left, and Atuo finally couldn't sit still.
"Gengar, Zangoose."
He called back two Pokémon and let Weezing step up to endure Yujira's attack.
Under Natsuhiko's watchful gaze, Atuo, with a grim face, retrieved two deep purple balls from the pouch at his waist.
After glaring viciously at Natsuhiko, he gritted his teeth and threw these two balls into the mouths of Gengar and Zangoose.
This was his last trump card, something his teacher Aju had concocted over the years of researching toxins and Poison-type Pokémon.
By injecting a large amount of foreign toxins, it stimulates the existing Poison Energy within the Pokémon, causing a massive short-term power boost.
But this method has significant side effects; if unlucky, the Pokémon that consumed it might die directly after its effects fade, Atuo's final resort.
He originally didn't want to use it, but Natsuhiko's strength exceeded his expectations, and if not used now, it might lead him to the grave.
In the next second.
Rich Poison Energy erupted crazily from the two Pokémon, and their aura received a massive short-term boost.
Under the penetrating purple Poison Energy, Gengar grinned eerily as it slowly drilled into the shadow.
"Kehehe—"
Zangoose's already reddish eyes were now entirely filled with a rich purple, leaving a scorched footprint with each step.
At this moment, the toxins within it had accumulated to an extreme threshold, and its "Poison Surge" trait fully exploded at this moment.
Natsuhiko furrowed his brow.
"That ball..."
It was quite clear that after ingesting those two purple balls, the two Pokémon saw a short-term surge in strength. That ball was likely Aju's life-saving tool given to him, stimulating the toxins within the Pokémon in exchange for power.
But it can be foreseen that such a method definitely comes with huge side effects.
However, what it exchanged for was, Zangoose and Gengar's strength instantly crossed the Elite Level threshold and entered Gym Leader Level.
Bam!!
As Atuo boosted the two Pokémon's strength, the Weezing he sent out to endure the damage also fell to the ground.
And once Weezing fell, the "Flash" technique it was maintaining disappeared, plunging the cave into pitch darkness.
But the dark environment was Atuo's favorite.
Bang!!
A sudden attack came from behind, the silently approaching Gengar hurled a Shadow Ball at Yujira.
Fortunately, Yujira's Super Sensing was always active, so it responded in time.
But with Gengar's surged power, this attack wasn't easy to parry, and Yujira was wounded.
"Feel the fear brought by darkness." Atuo's voice became elusive.
Clearly, the ninja in him also began to move, and his target was naturally but one.
Natsuhiko!