The trembling eyes only conveyed one message.
This is the one you wanted me to help?
Munchlax looked down at its two small hands.
It suddenly felt that its greatest role might be to help move the fainted Kricketune together.
As for assisting in battle... if Garchomp released just a bit of power, I'd probably lie down with those Kricketune.
Mai was speechless, just a moment ago she was worried that Garchomp would be surrounded by the Kricketune clan, yet Garchomp hadn't even moved.
It only unleashed Dragon Rush once, and the entire Kricketune clan was suppressed.
The nearest Kricketune was directly knocked out, the rest froze in place trembling, and the strongest Boss Kricketune was stunned on the spot.
The battle had just begun... no, this battle didn't even truly start.
Mai stared blankly at Cynthia standing in front.
What did this woman just say?
Leave it to her?
Turns out it wasn't a boast.
She genuinely thought she could handle all the Kricketune alone.
"Come back."
Cynthia spoke softly.
The Dragon-type energy surrounding Garchomp quickly dissipated, and the terrifying aura pressing down on everyone vanished completely.
The Kricketune around felt pardoned.
They didn't even care about their leader and turned to flee down the slopes.
Moments later, only the few fainted Kricketune and the stunned Boss Kricketune remained on Deertrack Heights.
Ash smiled and gave Garchomp a thumbs up.
"Truly worthy of being my sister's Garchomp."
"Pika pika!"
Pikachu nodded fiercely while perched on Ash's shoulder.
Only now did Mai understand why Ash never intended to step in.
It wasn't that Ash didn't worry about Cynthia, but rather he was fully aware of Cynthia and Garchomp's abilities.
This level of situation couldn't possibly pose a threat to them.
I kept urging Ash earlier to help... looking back now, those words were truly unnecessary.
This wasn't an equal battle, it was a one-sided domination by Garchomp!
"Huff huff!"
"Huff huff!"
A sudden panting sound came from behind.
Professor Laventon and Rei finally ran up along the slope.
They had seen Dragon Rush from afar.
But by the time they arrived, the battle was completely over.
Professor Laventon, hands on his knees, gasping for breath, looked at the boss Kricketune lying at the bottom of the hillside.
Then he raised his head, looking at the unharmed Garchomp.
"Is... is it over already??"
Rei was similarly stunned.
He originally thought Ash's Pikachu was terrifying enough.
Didn't expect Ash's sister to be even more exaggerated!
He witnessed from afar, this Garchomp didn't even actually attack, merely the aura from its move defeated the boss Kricketune.
Are all beast tamers from overseas of this caliber?
"Mai, are you okay?"
Professor Laventon noticed Mai hadn't spoken at all, revealing a worried expression.
He wondered if Mai was too shocked, if her mind was overwhelmed...
Mai shook her head slowly.
"I'm fine, just a bit overwhelmed by the scene..."
She looked at Cynthia, her expression turning complex.
"I was just thinking about having Ash join you, but now, forget just me."
"Even if our Diamond Clan leader came here, they might not be able to beat you and Garchomp."
"I truly wonder how you trained such powerful Pokemon."
Cynthia just smiled at these compliments.
She didn't explain her training methods.
Garchomp's growth to this current level was largely due to its talent.
Apart from that, there were modern, complete training systems and medical conditions, as well as research into Pokemon food and skill development.
These elements have been continually improved by countless trainers and researchers, forming a stable and efficient training method.
The Hisui Region has just begun trying to live alongside Pokemon.
People of this era still call trainers beast tamers, many even harbor deep fears towards Pokemon.
In such an environment, those who can systematically train Pokemon are few and far between.
Let alone Champion-level Pokemon.
Anyone who can train Pokemon to reach the Elite Level is already considered a rare genius in this era.
The difficulty of artificially cultivating Champion-level Pokemon is even more unimaginable.
Even without Ash being here, Cynthia and Garchomp are enough to sweep through the current Hisui Region.
Mai saw that Cynthia didn't answer and didn't continue to press her.
In her view, such methods of training Pokemon might belong to important knowledge from overseas regions.
It's not appropriate to inquire recklessly.
She walked quickly to the Boss Kricketune, took a box of salve out of her bag.
The salve was light green, and upon opening the lid, one could smell a cool herbal scent.
Mai used her finger to scoop up the salve and applied it evenly to the Boss Kricketune's forehead and chest.
This salve not only treats injuries but also calms the mind.
The Kricketune didn't have any visible wounds, and applying the salve was mainly to suppress the violent emotions within the Boss Kricketune.
Originally, Mai had prepared quite a few medicines for treating external injuries.
Who could have thought this powerful Boss Pokemon hadn't endured a single true attack before fainting from the aura released by Garchomp.
After finishing, Mai closed the salve box and clapped the residue from her hands.
"That's it, let's see if he continues to rage after awakening."
"If this salve really works..." Mai's eyes lit up, "then we might also be able to use this method to quell the Noble!"
First defeat the enraged Noble, then apply the mind-calming salve on the Noble.
This method is simple, yet it is the most effective means they can currently think of.
Ash glanced at the Boss Kricketune lying on the ground, then suddenly turned to look at Professor Laventon.
"By the way, wasn't Professor Laventon interested in studying Kricketune?"
"Now that it's unconscious, you can take this opportunity to observe it closely, right?"
Professor Laventon had just been pondering at what level Cynthia and Ash were on an overseas scale.
After Ash's reminder, he suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Oh right! I almost forgot the most important thing! Now is the perfect opportunity to observe the Boss Kricketune!"
Professor Laventon quickly opened his backpack and took out a square-shaped black device.
He first aimed it at the front of the Boss Kricketune, pressing down on the button at the top.
"Click!"
A crisp sound rang out.
A flash of white light appeared at the front of the device.
Professor Laventon then moved to the side, taking continuous shots of the Boss Kricketune's arms and legs.
"Click!"
"Click!"
It was Cynthia and Garchomp that shook Professor Laventon just now.
Now it was Professor Laventon's turn to leave Ash and Cynthia stunned.
Ash stared at the device in Professor Laventon's hand for a long time before speaking hesitantly.
"Professor Laventon."
"That thing in your hand... is it a camera?"
Professor Laventon paused and nodded as if it were the most natural thing.
"Yes."
"Thanks to this magical device, I can completely document the Pokemon's appearance at that time."
"It can preserve every detail."
"Even if I don't take the Pokemon back to Team Galactic, I can continue the research through the photos."
Ash & Cynthia: ...
After traveling all the way to the Hisui Region, the clothing they saw was very ancient, and the architecture and furniture all had distinct historical characteristics.
Here, even Pokeballs weren't fully widespread yet.
But what Professor Laventon brought out was actually a digital camera!!
Such a thing may not be unusual in modern times, but appearing in the Hisui Region a thousand years ago, it seemed very peculiar.
Ash took a closer look, and there was even a screen at the back of the device that could display photos.
This was no old-fashioned film camera, but rather a genuine digital camera!
"Where did you get this camera from?"
Cynthia asked.
Professor Laventon glanced down at the camera in his hand.
"The first one was found on someone."
"Just like you, that person also fell through a space-time rift."
"Later, Team Galactic conducted long-term research on that device."
"After many failures, we finally managed to replicate a functioning camera."
Cynthia and Ash exchanged a glance; another person who fell through the space-time rift?