It was a sleek, deep blue pokémon with a lithe and powerful build.
The red feathers on its head resembled flickering flames, and its scarlet eyes gleamed with a wild, untamed light.
Its claws were slightly extended, their sharp tips reflecting a cold, menacing glint under the lights.
A Sneasel!
Jiang Han's eyes lit up instantly.
Not for any other reason, but because this pokémon perfectly fit his vision for his future team!
Almost subconsciously, he pulled out his pokédex and aimed it at the Sneasel before him.
"Beep."
A cold electronic voice sounded.
"Sneasel, the Sharp Claw pokémon. Level 15. Ability: Inner Focus (possesses a powerful heart that maintains concentration and prevents flinching). Moves: Glare, Taunt, Assurance, Hone Claws, Agility. Robust physique, muscular strength far exceeding its peers, sharp claws... Aptitude Assessment: Quasi-Elite Four Level!"
Quasi-Elite Four Level!
Jiang Han's heart skipped a beat.
This meant that as long as resources could keep up, this Sneasel's level cap could easily break through Level 60, or even higher!
This wasn't some common street-side variety; this was a top-tier combat powerhouse in the making!
High Attack, high Speed, the dual typing of Ice and Dark—it was the perfect template for a physical attacker!
The Ice-type was the natural enemy of the Dragon-type.
And the Dragon-type happened to be a common attribute among many Pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
Jiang Han knew very well that on his future path, he would inevitably clash with those powerful enemies.
When that time came, this Sneasel would be the sharpest dragon-slaying blade in his hand!
Athena really had sent quite a generous gift.
Jiang Han sneered inwardly; he didn't believe this new superior of his would be so kind-hearted.
He looked over the Poké Ball in his hand; the 'R' logo on it made him frown slightly.
As long as he still held his status as a League Trainer, such iconic items must absolutely never be found on him.
This was the most basic level of caution.
"Return."
Jiang Han recalled the Sneasel into the ball and then unhesitatingly initiated the unbinding procedure.
A Team Rocket Executive's exclusive Poké Ball allowed for the link with a pokémon to be easily severed through its internal system.
With a flash of red light, the Poké Ball's indicator light went out.
Jiang Han took out a brand-new Poké Ball from his backpack, preparing to capture the Sneasel.
However, the moment he aimed the Poké Ball at Sneasel, a sudden change occurred!
The Sneasel, having just been unbound, flared with a fierce light in its eyes!
It didn't give Jiang Han any time to react, its figure turning into a bolt of black lightning as it instantly lunged at the Poké Ball!
"Swish!"
The light sound of sharp claws slicing through the air rang out.
Jiang Han felt a blur before his eyes, and that sturdy Poké Ball was actually sliced neatly in half!
"Clatter."
The two fragments fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Sneasel landed steadily on the ground and let out a low growl at Jiang Han, its gaze filled with disdain and provocation.
Its appearance seemed to say: 'You think you're worthy of being my master?'
Jiang Han looked at the sliced Poké Ball on the ground, startled at first, then he laughed.
It wasn't anger, but rather he found it interesting.
So that was it.
This was Athena's true test.
First, use a Poké Ball with the Team Rockets logo, certain that he would change the ball to hide his identity.
Then, utilizing the moment of unbinding, allow this untamed Sneasel to regain its freedom so it would launch a challenge against its new master.
If he couldn't even capture a Level 15 pokémon, then this so-called genius of his wouldn't have the value for her to continue investing in him.
"Interesting."
The smile on Jiang Han's face gradually faded, replaced by a cold calm.
What he was best at was breaking in all sorts of defiant fellows.
Whether they were humans or pokémon.
"It seems that before joining our big family, you need to receive a welcoming ceremony from the new members."
Jiang Han unhurriedly took two Poké Balls from his waist.
"Come out! Sandile, Inkay!"
With flashes of red light, two pokémon appeared before Jiang Han.
As soon as Sandile appeared, it stood firmly on the ground, its sand-colored body filled with a sense of power. Its eyes, beneath the sunglass-like markings, locked onto the Sneasel opposite it.
Meanwhile, Inkay floated lightly in mid-air, the glowing organs on its head spinning. It looked harmless, but its tentacles had already quietly tensed up.
Seeing the two opponents that had suddenly appeared, Sneasel showed no fear; instead, it grew even more excited. A threatening 'he-he' sound came from its throat as it crouched low, assuming an attacking stance.
It had absolute confidence in the speed it took such pride in.
"Go."
Jiang Han said only one word.
Almost the instant the words left his mouth, Sneasel moved!
Its figure left an afterimage in its wake, its claws whistling through the air as it lunged straight for the larger Sandile!
Assurance!
However, Sandile didn't even flinch.
Just as Sneasel's claws were about to touch it, Sandile suddenly opened its large mouth!
"Roar!"
A powerful blast of air mixed with sand erupted from its mouth!
Sand Tomb!
Sneasel was fast, but at such close range, it was impossible to dodge. It was instantly swept into the Sandstorm.
Its body lost balance in the shifting sand, and its proud speed advantage vanished instantly.
Before it could struggle out, a beam of eerie blue light shot over silently, accurately hitting its head.
It was Inkay's Psybeam!
Although Psychic attacks are ineffective against Dark-types, the mental impact of Psybeam still truly affected Sneasel.
Sneasel felt its head spin, and countless afterimages of Jiang Han and Sandile appeared before its eyes.
"Wu..."
It shook its head painfully, trying to shake off the confusion, but its body swayed uncontrollably.
"Sandile, Dig."
Jiang Han's voice rang out again, calm and steady.
Receiving the command, Sandile instantly dove into the ground and vanished.
In its confusion, Sneasel instinctively sensed danger coming from below. It wanted to move, but the Sand Tomb held it in place like a quagmire.
The next second!
"Bang!"
Sandile's figure burst out from beneath Sneasel's feet, slamming hard into its abdomen!
"Hiss!"
Sneasel let out a cry of pain as its body was knocked high into the air.
With nowhere to gain leverage in mid-air, it became a complete sitting duck.
"Inkay, Bind it."
Inkay's tentacles, like flexible whips, instantly elongated and bound Sneasel tightly in mid-air.
"Wu!!"
Sneasel struggled frantically, its sharp claws leaving white marks on Inkay's tentacles, but it couldn't cut through the seemingly soft yet incredibly tough appendages.
"Bang!"
Inkay controlled its tentacles and slammed Sneasel hard onto the ground.
The series of maneuvers was fluid and seamless; from Sneasel's attack to its complete subdual, barely ten seconds had passed.
This Level 15 Quasi-Elite Four pokémon hadn't even been able to land a single effective attack.
It lay on the cold ground, gasping for breath, the tiny wounds from Sand Tomb and the impact of Dig causing it intense pain throughout its body.
But what made it feel worst of all was that deep sense of powerlessness.
Its speed and its claws seemed so laughable before these two perfectly synchronized opponents.
It looked up at the youth who had been standing there the whole time, not having moved even a single step.
Jiang Han walked slowly over to it, looking down from above.
Sandile and Inkay stood to his left and right, completely sealing off its path of retreat.
Sneasel's gaze was still fierce, but behind that ferocity was a hint of hesitation it hadn't even noticed itself.
"Now, can we have a proper talk?"
Jiang Han knelt down to look Sneasel in the eye.
He took another Ultra Ball from his pocket and placed it in front of Sneasel.
"Follow me, and you will become stronger. Far stronger than you can imagine."
His voice was soft, yet it carried an unquestionable power.
"Of course, you can also choose to refuse."
"But if you refuse me, I can guarantee you won't see tomorrow's sun."
Sneasel looked at the Poké Ball before it, then at Jiang Han's calm, emotionless eyes.
In those eyes, it saw not a shred of pity or hesitation.
It belonged to a species that worshipped strength, and it could clearly feel that this human and the two pokémon beside him all possessed power far beyond its own.
Silence.
A long silence.
Finally, Sneasel moved.
It reached out with its one intact claw and, with the sharp tip, lightly... touched the button in the center of the Poké Ball.
"Hum."
A flash of red light pulled it inside.
The Poké Ball rocked twice on the ground, then with a 'click', it settled into complete silence.
Capture successful.
Jiang Han picked up the Ultra Ball from the ground, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He had gained a powerful new partner.
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