Chapter 493: Probably a Fake Chieftain
As Arthur coolly withdrew his sword from the last Diggersby's chest, Skarner swallowed hard, his heart trembling. "Arthur... Team Leader," he asked cautiously, "wasn't that a bit... excessive?"
The reason he was only speaking up now was because Arthur had acted too damn fast. While he was still trying to figure out the enemy's motives, Arthur's series of commands had already flowed out like mercury. By the time he had gathered his thoughts to say something, Arthur had already scored a triple kill. He hesitated a moment longer, and by then, Arthur had finished them all off.
It was enough to make Skarner, a former elite scout, feel like his heart couldn't take it. That was just too fast!
Because of this, he had been calling Arthur by his first name, but now he had consciously added the title "Team Leader," and with a great deal of respect.
However, his change in attitude didn't affect Arthur's judgment. "This will make explaining things to the Chieftain much easier. Besides, this was a golden opportunity. The enemy was clearly afraid of the Krookodile Chieftain and didn't dare to show themselves. If we don't seize this chance, it won't be so easy to take them out next time."
Although Arthur was ruthless, his mind was always clear. His anger was merely a catalyst for his power; it hadn't affected his thinking or his judgment of the overall situation in the slightest. From the moment the first Kabutops had fallen to Old Flame's claws and he hadn't seen a recall beam, Arthur had keenly realized that the enemy hiding in the shadows wouldn't dare to show themselves today.
Using the Krookodile Chieftain was a double-edged sword. While the enemy was using the Chieftain to put pressure on them, they were also limiting their own options. If they had lured the Chieftain away and then confronted him directly, Arthur could use his recall tactics, but so could the enemy. In that case, killing a trainer's Pokémon would have been far more difficult.
So, Arthur had made an instant decision: this was an opportunity. The best opportunity to weaken the enemy. He was certain they wouldn't dare to come out and support their Pokémon, so he didn't plan on letting a single one of them escape.
As for Skarner's question of whether it was excessive? Arthur didn't think so at all. Not only were they a lawless poaching ring that had even bombed the precious sand-proof forest just to capture the Sandslash, but once they were enemies, Arthur had never been one to hold back. After over a decade as a combatant in his past life, this level of killing was nothing to him.
And events unfolded just as he had predicted. Even after he had wiped out the entire group of Pokémon sent to capture the Sandslash, the enemy remained hidden, holding back their anger. Although the captain hiding in the shadows was grinding his teeth in frustration, he still didn't dare to show himself. Arthur had completely gotten into their heads. Their plan to use the Krookodile Chieftain to pressure Arthur had backfired spectacularly. Now they were the ones stuck in an awkward position.
A short while later, the Krookodile Chieftain arrived before Arthur. Its nearly ten-foot height was incredibly intimidating up close. Skarner swallowed again. It was one crisis after another. Just as they had dealt with the ambush, the enraged territorial leader had arrived.
But after a few seconds, even Skarner noticed something was off. This Krookodile Chieftain didn't seem as angry as it had a moment ago.
If he could hear its thoughts, the Chieftain would probably roll its eyes. It had been in a bad mood, for sure. Anyone who gets a grenade thrown at their head while walking through their own territory would be. But as it was charging over, it had witnessed Arthur annihilate the entire ambush team with astonishing efficiency, racking up five kills in a short amount of time. Its anger had quickly subsided, and reason had reclaimed the high ground.
Then, when its own sub-leader came over to explain, it readily accepted the story.
"So, these Pokémon are not with us. We definitely didn't throw that grenade at you. It was all a misunderstanding," Arthur explained calmly.
After having the explanation relayed by its own kind, the Krookodile Chieftain nodded in acknowledgment. This left Skarner bewildered. Huh? He just accepted it? That easily? Aren't Krookodile supposed to have terrible tempers? Since when were they so reasonable?
If the poaching ring hiding in the shadows had seen this, they probably would have coughed up blood. Their carefully planned frame-up had been diffused so easily, with just a few words from Arthur.
Of course, while it seemed easy on the surface, anyone else would have found it impossible to handle the situation so calmly. What had truly resolved the misunderstanding and hatred wasn't just Arthur's statement of fact, but more importantly, the pile of bodies at his feet.
The Krookodile Chieftain had estimated that it had taken it less than half a minute to charge over. In those few dozen seconds, Arthur had already wiped out an entire team of Pokémon that had the advantage of a surprise attack. This level of strength had brought a great deal of clarity to the Chieftain's enraged mind. With its heir kidnapped, it needed to be more cautious now. This wasn't cowardice; it was for the good of the tribe and its territory. With these thoughts, the Chieftain's impulsiveness and aggression vanished.
The sub-leader Arthur had sent over nodded in agreement. Exactly, boss! That's what I was thinking too!
Arthur then nudged the Talonflame's body with the tip of his foot. "It was the one that threw the grenade. It's yours now."
The Krookodile nodded again, accepting without any hesitation. This made something click in Skarner's mind. "So, when Team Leader Arthur said 'this will make explaining things to the Chieftain much easier,' this is what he meant?" He felt like he understood, but not completely. He had seen the method, but he could never replicate it. If he tried this, he'd probably be the one ending up dead. Just like some Pokémon had exclusive moves, this was probably Arthur's exclusive skill.
Arthur then spoke again. "Also, there's something I'd like to ask you."
The Krookodile Chieftain's eyes darted around, and it let out a series of low rumbles. Greninja translated, "He says there's no hurry. He's inviting us to his settlement, the stone city up ahead. We can talk over a meal."
This was an incredibly friendly gesture. It completely contradicted the rumors that this territory was exceptionally hostile to humans.
Skarner was astonished. I must be looking at a fake Krookodile Chieftain.
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