The Ocean Team and Magma Team are the two major underground forces in the Hoenn Region.
They definitely can't compare to the Rocket Team in overall strength, but they shouldn't be underestimated either.
However, unlike the Rocket Team, the Ocean Team and Magma Team have not been exposed, even though the Hoenn Alliance knows of their existence, they just keep an eye on them because they're relatively "well-behaved" instead of launching an extermination campaign.
After all, the cost is too high.
Normally, the Magma Team retreats inland within the Hoenn Region, mostly concentrated around Chimney Mountain, while the Ocean Team stirs up trouble at sea, plundering resources.
The Ocean Team's Leader, Archie, is also a wise man; he didn't personally take action but dispatched cadres from within the Ocean Team.
However, whether it's the Ocean Team or the Magma Team, due to their dormant nature, it's become significantly more challenging for them to recruit members, far less easy than it is for the Rocket Team.
Furthermore, training new members from scratch requires consuming a lot of resources.
So the Ocean Team set their sights on the pirates of the ocean.
Aren't they ready-made laborers?
Of course, this is just a small part of their larger plan.
As he watched his crew leave one by one, Henry's expression grew more and more grim.
Black Tide looked at him again, his smile growing somewhat enigmatic.
"Black Tide, answer me one question, tell me truthfully, and I'll board the ship."
Facing this situation, Henry knew he had no choice.
Not only was he no match for Black Tide, but now that most of his crew had left, if he didn't board, there was only one outcome.
However, he was still a bit unwilling.
"Oh? Let's hear it." Black Tide raised an eyebrow.
"I want to know, from the beginning of your scheme, was recruiting us always part of it?" Henry asked in a deep voice.
"That's right."
Black Tide replied quite straightforwardly.
Henry fell silent.
Black Tide wasn't in a hurry to urge him, turning instead to look at Binina.
"What about you all?"
Binina wore a stern face.
But before she could speak, Gerwin from behind spoke up, "Sister Binina, no matter what you choose, I'm with you!"
"That's right, Captain! We haven't seen you get married yet, how can we leave!"
The other crew members chimed in as well.
And as the topic of Binina's marriage came up, the pressure in their hearts suddenly lessened a lot. In fact, many even smiled.
Black Tide narrowed his eyes.
No one on the "Charming Star" left, which was somewhat beyond his expectations.
"Binina, do you want to take your lovely crew and die together?" Black Tide threatened, his smile carrying a menacing undertone.
Binina still didn't speak.
But Natsuhiko beside her knew Binina could never agree.
Not just because of these companions around her.
If Natsuhiko wasn't mistaken, there might also be the shadow of the Alliance behind Binina.
Binina's lips moved slightly.
Gerwin, beside her, was taken aback by her words, giving her a deep look before moving over to Natsuhiko.
Whispering in Natsuhiko's ear, "Sister Binina wants you to find a chance to leave, this has nothing to do with you, you don't need to get involved."
Natsuhiko was surprised by Gerwin's words.
Are you really pirates?
Even thieves follow a code?
He looked towards Binina.
And saw Binina give him a subtle nod, then cast a look at Natsuhiko.
Binina's look conveyed to him.
She wanted him to take Gerwin with him as well.
Natsuhiko's expression was complex.
To be honest, he was a bit moved.
He originally thought such a scene would only appear in movies and novels, but he didn't expect to encounter it.
It's really not everyone, when facing death, can remain so calm and rational, even thinking of others.
At least, if Natsuhiko and Binina were to switch places, he might choose to accept Black Tide's proposal.
It's just a matter of joining them, only temporarily joining. There might be a chance to leave in the future, no need to throw away one's life for it.
Perhaps.
This is the difference between Natsuhiko and them.
With a silent sigh, he nodded solemnly towards Binina.
Seeing him understand her meaning, Binina flashed a charming smile.
Whoosh—
The gentle sea breeze brushed by, tousling her hair, caressing her face with that familiar salty scent, but there was also...a hint of warmth?
Even if this is the Southern Country, it's still winter now, why is there warm wind?
"Hmm?"
Feeling the warmth of the sea breeze, it was not only Binina, but also Black Tide and...Natsuhiko.
Almost simultaneously, they gazed towards the thick mist shrouding the island.
No one noticed a pair of eyes quietly appearing in Natsuhiko's shadow, along with the faint sound of chewing.
Simultaneously, a voice reached Natsuhiko's ear.
"Masha."
It came.
Natsuhiko's expression shifted.
It...
Whoosh—
The sea wind grew more and more vigorous, ripples spread across the sea surface, and the temperature of the wind climbed higher.
"Roar!!!"
A resounding dragon's roar emanated from the mist.
Hearing the roar, the expressions of Black Tide, Binina, and Henry all changed, while Natsuhiko merely raised his eyebrows.
"Goodness, so it was it!"
Swish—
The thick mist parted, a pitch-black silhouette with wings stretched wide, tail enveloped in ethereal, almost-black azure flames, emerged with an overwhelming, terrifying presence.
Hovering above the three ships.
The Pokémon emerging was none other than the one Masha had previously soothed and taken away...
Shining Charizard!
"Masha Masha." Masha's eyes curved in delight upon seeing Shining Charizard.
"This is..." Binina stared at Shining Charizard, sensing immense pressure, far exceeding that from Black Tide.
Because she noticed, the Shining Charizard's eyes were fixed on their side.
"Sister, this Charizard...."
"Shining Charizard." Binina nodded with a stern expression, adding, "So strong, no, so terrifying."
Black Tide's hand was already on his waist's Pokeball, the Crawdaunt that had been hiding behind him moved to the front, warily eyeing the Shining Charizard in the sky.
"Masha Masha."
Friend, go on up.
Masha's voice echoed in Natsuhiko's mind again.
At Masha's urging, Natsuhiko flew towards the sky, surprisedly.
The might of the Shining Charizard had been witnessed by him before, even Agatha, one of the Elite Four back then, mustered four Pokémon and could only hold it at bay.
Though it was due to the substantial amount of energy from the Dragon Fire Fruits contained within the Energy Blocks, but even without those boosts, the prowess of this Shining Charizard shouldn't be underestimated.
Plus, its temper wasn't the best.
"Masha Masha."
Quick, quick.
Masha urged again.
With no choice, Natsuhiko steeled his resolve and flew up.
With Masha present, surely the Shining Charizard would behave.
Summoning Beedrill back, holding Togetic, under the psychic power of Abra, Natsuhiko slowly soared upwards.
"Natsuka?" Gerwin was taken aback seeing Natsuhiko ascend.
Binina was also staring at him in surprise, or rather, everyone present looked at him in surprise.
At Masha's urging, Natsuhiko approached the Shining Charizard.
Whoosh—
The Shining Charizard exhaled two streams of searing breath from its nostrils, showing disdain towards Natsuhiko.
Yet it didn't act out of bounds, since Masha appeared in the shadow on Natsuhiko's shoulder.
"Masha."
Masha spoke softly to the Shining Charizard.
The Shining Charizard glanced sideways at Natsuhiko, eventually nodded reluctantly.
Suddenly, the psychic power enveloping Natsuhiko from Abra was dismissed, and a swirl of Black Mist enveloped him, controlling him as he landed atop the Charizard.
Clack.
Gently, Natsuhiko stepped on the back of the Shining Charizard, feeling the heat emanating through his shoes from its body.
The next second.
"Roar!!!"
The dragon's roar echoed to the heavens!