At the Water Blade Gang stronghold~

Drednaw’s eyes were slightly closed, and it lay quietly under the shade of a tree. Although its posture was lazy, the aura of an Elite Four Pokémon prevented weaker Pokémon within a fifty-meter radius from approaching.

Captain Shi was sitting on Drednaw’s back, wiping the s-level ground gem he had just snatched from the Research Institute team.

“Boss Shi, why didn’t we just go all out and kill them all just now? My Sharpedo is gone! That’s too much of a loss!” The Little Boss asked Captain Shi, annoyed and confused.

Xia Yong echoed, “Right, Captain Shi, even if the Alliance sent a Flying-type Elite, their paper strength wasn’t our match, not to mention we still have our trump card.”

Captain Shi rarely looked unkindly at everyone, then said, “If we kill a Flying-type Elite and anger the Hua Country Alliance, what if they send three Elites or a Hua Nan Champion? Can we still complete the mission? Who will bear the losses? You will?”

The harsh, hoarse voice entered the Water Blade Gang subordinates’ ears, immediately striking terror into their hearts. They quickly defended themselves, “No... no, Captain Shi, we just wanted to share your burden.”

“Hmm? Share my burden? The two Sharpedo and Qwilfish meticulously cultivated by the organization couldn’t even defeat a Quasi-Champion Beheeyem or a Gym level Golduck. I had to step in.”

Immediately, the Little Bosses became silent as cicadas, too afraid to speak.

“Don’t worry, there were some losses in the process. But we also managed to snatch the s-level ground gem. This counts as a preliminary completion of the mission, and the organization will resupply you with new Pokémon.”

Hearing Captain Shi’s words, Xia Yong and the Little Boss were very excited and said, “Thank you, organization, thank you, Captain Shi.”

After all, their Crawdaunt and Sharpedo had died in battle, and their combat strength had plummeted. Getting reinforcements was the best possible outcome.

“The message from the organization says that in two days, the domain on Lake Heart Island will fluctuate. That will be our perfect opportunity to land on the island. Don’t make any more mistakes.”

“Yes, Captain!”

——————

At Tianwang Zou Yi’s suggestion, the Research Institute personnel began to retreat.

Zou Yi took out two red and white Poké Balls from his personal rescue pack. Bang, a white light flashed, and two large Pokémon appeared.

Their bodies were brownish-gray, with long necks and thick limbs. It had three green leaves on its head, one large leaf covering its head, two smaller leaves on either side, and three leaves wrapped around its neck. It had four large leaves on its back, and a bunch of yellow Berry-like fruits hung from its jaw.

Zhang Heng: “Tropius!”

Zou Tianwang: “Could it be that Little Friend Zhang also likes Flying-types?!”

Zhang Heng replied, “I love all Pokémon, not just Flying-types. However, I think having a Tropius would be very convenient for traveling.”

Friends who have played Emerald would certainly not be unfamiliar with this utility Pokémon. Two Tropius, 2.5 meters tall and weighing 200 kg, were more than enough to carry the Research Institute personnel.

After everyone was seated on Tropius’s back, Tianwang Zou Yi, riding Swanna, began to escort them. Because Tropius’s flying speed was relatively slow, Zou Yi’s teaching aura activated, and he began to explain Tropius’s situation, while also relieving everyone’s fatigue.

“Tropius resides in tropical jungles and flies through the air by flapping the leaves on its back, distributing the popular sweet fruits that grow from its neck to children. It is very popular with children. In warm places, there are many ranches that raise Tropius. The string of fruits that grow from the necks of Tropius in Siam Country are much sweeter than those from other regions.”

Zhang Heng, at 17 years old, was full of curiosity about everything. He listened to the knowledge, stroked Tropius’s back with his hand, and tasted the guava-like fruit from Tropius’s neck.

Time approached evening.

With Zou Tianwang’s Helping Hand, everyone saved a lot of time and returned to the temporary camp they had set up after finding the Swamp Monster Clan.

Ou Yishu and the two researchers who stayed behind felt a cold sweat break out when they sensed the Elite Four pressure from Swanna in the sky. The One-Eyed Marshstomp and the Marshtomp in the camp were on high alert.

The two fins on the Marshstomp’s head emitted special sound waves like antennas to determine if the approaching figures were allies. However, Swanna, an Elite Four Pokémon, was too powerful, interfering with the Marshstomp’s ability.

Rock energy surged around the One-Eyed Marshstomp, and a milky white light emanated from its body, as if communicating with ancient fossil power deep within the ground. Five giant fossil blocks appeared around it, and it stared at the three figures slowly approaching from the distant sky, ready to unleash a thunderous strike.

Dr. Chen spoke at this moment, “Beheeyem, Teleport.” Beheeyem vanished like a ghost, then floated in the sky about 50 meters outside the camp.

Beheeyem raised a hand and made a “Gurun” sound, stopping the Marshstomp from charging its move.

The camp researcher shouted excitedly when he saw Beheeyem, “Is that Beheeyem?! Dr. Chen and the others are back.”

Ten breaths later, everyone landed.

Those who had stayed behind saw that Dr. Chen and the others who returned had solemn expressions, and they did not ask about whether there was a suitable habitat for the Swamp Monster Clan on Lake Heart Island.

Ou Yishu: “Zhang Heng... it’s good that everyone returned safely.”

Zhang Heng also nodded at Yi Shu, then turned back with a look of guilt towards the One-Eyed Marshstomp.

As one of the initial starter Pokémon, Swampert is very understanding and easy to get along with. It just shook its large head slightly, indicating understanding and not caring.

Zou Yi spoke, “Dr. Chen, it’s relatively safe here now. I also need to fulfill my duties. I’ll leave Tropius with you to make it convenient for you to return to the Wilderness Area base camp.” Zou Yi was preparing to leave after escorting them to this temporary camp.

Dr. Chen responded, “Zou Tianwang, please be careful and don’t force anything. Investigate thoroughly and then report back to the Alliance.”

Zou Yi nodded slightly. A high-pitched bird cry, “Kree!”, then Swanna carried Zou Tianwang, flapping its wings and flying back to the Lake Heart Island area.

Thud~

With a dull thud, a large Marshstomp suddenly knelt on its hind legs and heavily collapsed onto the ground. It clutched its slightly glowing abdomen with one hand, its expression pained, and its breathing difficult and rapid, as if it was enduring extreme suffering.

Zhang Heng heard the sound and quickly looked back, his heart sinking. He immediately realized the situation was bad, because the Marshstomp’s behavior was a sign of impending delivery.

The estimated due date he had calculated during his last check was not today, and he had planned to suggest to Dr. Chen that they take the Swamp Monster Clan back to the Wilderness Area guard station together.