"It seems the Druddigon has quite a few good treasures."
In the cave filled with an overwhelming stench, Natsuhiko's flashlight swept across the scattered bones.
Amidst these piles of bones, he found some interesting items, like the crimson prism-shaped crystal he had just unearthed from the thick pile of bones, which emitted a faint glow and provided a slight warmth.
When held in hand, one could feel the continuous heat being transferred from the crystal to his palm.
"The Druddigon probably chose this cave as its dwelling because of this stone, right?"
Blazing Rock.
A type of Pokémon item.
It can extend the duration of Sunny Day when the Pokémon holding this item uses the move or when it's triggered by the trait "Sunshine."
It's a very useful item for some trainers and Pokémon who rely on Sunny Day tactics.
Additionally, Blazing Rocks are relatively rare and quite valuable.
But for Natsuhiko now, it wasn't all that useful.
Of course, it could be sold.
However, finding a buyer might be challenging, as only a small portion of trainers understand the importance of these core strategies; most trainers capture Pokémon based on their own preferences or luck.
Among those who understand the importance of core strategies, only a very small fraction use Sunny Day as a core tactic.
Finding a suitable buyer isn't easy.
If they can't find one, they might have to accept the deliberately lowered prices of black market merchants.
But for Natsuhiko, these aren't major problems.
Because he has a friend who is a stone expert with a vast network, possibly helping him find a suitable buyer and offer a fair price.
This is where the importance of having a network comes into play.
Besides this "Blazing Rock," Natsuhiko also found some other good items, though none as valuable as the Blazing Rock.
But it's better than nothing.
An Elite Level Druddigon can already fetch a large amount of money.
"Perhaps, I should consider adding a new member to our team."
He's now accumulated roughly four million League Credits, along with two Intermediate-quality Fire Stone and Water Stone obtained from Agatha and Uncle Liu, plus this Blazing Rock, and the still unassessed Spirit Realm Cloth.
It should barely sustain the daily consumption of four Pokémon.
Actually.
Not every trainer is like Natsuhiko, constantly increasing resource investment in Pokémon.
In fact, trainers like him make up only a small portion.
The common situation is having similar Pokémon, similar training methods, similar resource investments, resulting in similar training outcomes, ultimately producing similar trainers and Pokémon.
In other words, the so-called "Average Joe and Average Jane."
With the resources he currently owns, it would be more than enough for cultivating three or four Pokémon, easily double that for others.
"That should be it, probably no more valuable things left."
After checking thoroughly again and confirming there was nothing valuable left, Natsuhiko prepared to leave.
"Togetic?"
But just as Natsuhiko was about to leave, he noticed Togetic's faint glow, staring mesmerized at the deepest part of the cave's rock wall.
"Togekiss..."
At the same time, Marshadow peeked out its head, with orange eyes also staring at the rock wall, just like Togetic.
"What's wrong, Togetic?"
Natsuhiko walked over, asking softly.
"Togekiss."
Togetic shook its head.
It didn't know, the glow on its body slowly retracting, just having an indescribable feeling.
Natsuhiko had a thought and couldn't help but ask, "Is there something hidden behind this rock wall?"
In the underground tunnels beneath the Dark Ruins, Togepi had once sensed and reacted to the rock walls which had a Dark Stone forming.
Finally, when Agatha arrived there, they knew that a large number of Pokémon corpses were buried behind the rock wall.
For Togetic, who can sense happiness, sometimes its feelings and intuition often delve deeper than the naked eye can see.
This made Natsuhiko couldn't help but wonder.
"Togekiss."
But Togetic still shook its head.
This time it was certain, behind the rock wall lay nothing, just the solid mountain structure.
Natsuhiko pondered briefly but decided to leave first; if something significant really emerged, he couldn't handle it anyway.
"Let's go."
Saying this, he picked up Togetic, and headed out of the cave.
Compared to its evolved form, Togetic was much larger, but still smaller than Abra, and didn't feel awkward when held in arms.
Leaving the cave.
Taking a deep breath.
Ah, fresh air feels good.
"Considering the time, even if pirates did attack the Saint Anus, it should be over by now?"
No matter which side won, Natsuhiko felt he ought to catch up and take a look.
He was traveling on the Saint Anus, not alone.
After all, being alone on the vast sea is quite dangerous, even with the support of Water-type Pokémon.
"When dawn breaks tomorrow, we'll leave the island, if the Saint Anus is unharmed, maybe we can head back under the cover of night, if the pirates took it, it'll be back to the mainland to find another ship."
Still, Natsuhiko thought.
A cruise like the Saint Anus, one of the best, shouldn't fall to a group of pirates.
Even if the pirates had planned it out.
"Buzzing!"
Suddenly.
Beedrill let out a low cry, its crimson compound eyes gleamed, piercing through quite a distance, directed towards the area where they docked at the small town.
Following Beedrill's gaze, Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes.
And saw a faint light, like a will-o'-the-wisp in the night.
"Fire?"
Natsuhiko was surprised.
He remembered, there were no living people in the town.
So there's only one explanation.
Outsiders.
A few thoughts flashed across his mind.
"Abra."
Abra nodded, enveloped them with psychic energy, used Instant Movement, and quickly arrived at the wooden, run-down pier on the town's edge.
Since they were outsiders, first they needed to determine who they were.
To enter the town, one would have to land from the wooden pier on the southern side; other places weren't suitable for bringing the ship ashore.
Sure enough.
On the only somewhat sturdy wooden stake of the pier, a rope was tied, leading to a small wooden sailboat.
Natsuhiko's gaze soon landed on the small flag on the boat.
A crimson blood-red skull was printed on this flag.
"Star of Blood?"
Natsuhiko's expression darkened.
"Were they passing by unintentionally, or was it a targeted action? This ship can hold at most one person, so... a scout?"
He hadn't forgotten that on Little Orange Island, he had dealt with a crew member of the "Star of Blood," more accurately, a newly appointed boatswain.
"According to Gerwin, the captain's words, those plotting against the Saint Anus were likely from the 'Star of Blood'..."
"So, did the operation fail, fleeing all over, unintentionally approaching here?"
"The traces of my activities on the island weren't deliberately concealed, anyone with a bit of experience could tell there were people active on the island, confirming my presence..."
The next moment, he stopped his thoughts.
Because....
The person had arrived!
"As expected, there are still living people on this island, just lighting a torch was enough to lure you out." A sharp voice reached them.
"Suddenly appearing at the pier, and the unusual energy wave just now, was it.... Instant Movement?"
A scorching gaze fell on Abra beside Natsuhiko.
In the wild, the move Instant Movement is very handy.
The silhouette slowly approached, dressed as a pirate, next to him a Crawdaunt.
Natsuhiko wasn't too surprised,
he suddenly asked, "Do you.... have a bounty?"
"Hmm?"