Cross Cut, Deadly Needle Stab, Double Needle...
Beedrill repeatedly thrust out its long needles, attacking again and again, fiercely.
Even when the sly Celestial Dog fell to the ground, it couldn't distance itself from Beedrill, let alone counterattack, and could only keep retreating under Beedrill's ferocious assault.
Watching this scene, Abra and Togetic's eyes glowed.
Beedrill...
So strong!
The people watching this battle were also filled with surprise.
They initially thought that Natsuhiko would need to rely on tactics and the cooperation of three Pokémon, at some cost, to have a chance to fend off the sly Celestial Dog's offensive.
But unexpectedly, Beedrill actually managed to suppress the sly Celestial Dog instead!
Who could have predicted this?
Even Natsuhiko himself hadn't expected it.
Beedrill had accumulated for too long, gathering too much.
From when the Zapdos incident ended, Weedle evolved into Kakuna and then into Beedrill, Beedrill had already reached Senior Level strength back then.
Witnessing Abra's growth to Excellence Level, seeing Togepi join and evolve into Togetic with the same Senior Level strength.
Witnessing the powerful and fierce Aerodactyl, seeing the terrifying Shining Charizard, encountering the terrifying strength of Agatha and Uncle Liu, two members of the Elite Four.
Beedrill had been waiting for too long.
During this period, every day, every moment, it never relaxed its training, strictly completing the tasks Natsuhiko set, even continuing its own training methods during rest times.
At the same time, Beedrill defeated countless opponents—some easily, others as memorable as Druddigon. Countless opponents had fallen under its long needles.
But what truly mattered to Beedrill wasn't these past encounters.
It was every time Natsuhiko was in danger, and it was powerless to help.
But now.
The moment of explosive growth finally arrived!
"Ssssbee!"
The golden pattern on its back jumped at high frequency, and the silver powder covering its body burst into dazzling white light. With Beedrill's roar, its momentum far surpassed its strength.
Bang!
The Deadly Needle Stab struck the sly Celestial Dog again.
This time, Beedrill didn't deliberately keep its distance, instead knocking it into the air, sending it crashing to the ground far away.
"It's done!" Natsuhiko couldn't suppress a rare display of excitement on his face.
He knew Beedrill's accumulation had finally been thoroughly unleashed under the pressure of facing an Elite Level Pokémon.
Elite Level!
Although Beedrill's rising momentum slightly subsided, it didn't return to its original level and gradually stabilized within a threshold.
Natsuhiko's efforts, Beedrill's efforts, had not been in vain.
"Beedrill!" Natsuhiko shouted.
"Ssssbee!"
Beedrill flicked its long needle, looking at the sly Celestial Dog with a bit more supremacy in its eyes.
At Senior Level, it could suppress the sly Celestial Dog, not to mention now that it felt an endless source of power surging from its body.
It knew this was the power gained from its efforts during this period.
Buzz—
The golden arc brightened, and its speed reached the peak at this moment.
The sly Celestial Dog, just getting up from the ground, saw Beedrill charging at it once more.
But the feeling Beedrill gave it was entirely different now.
The previously seemingly elusive aura condensed into something tangible at this moment.
Fear appeared on its face involuntarily.
It wasn't a match!
It wasn't a match for Beedrill!
Even before clashing, it had already concluded in its mind.
It looked to its trainer for help.
But what it got was more bewilderment.
What should it do?
It's coming.
No, it's already here!
Before the body arrived, the wind did.
Beedrill's crimson compound eyes locked onto the sly Celestial Dog. When the opponent hastily tried to dodge, Beedrill's long needle arrived.
The sharp long needle carried an irresistible offensive, slashing onto the sly Celestial Dog.
Bang!
An emerald light flashed.
The sly Celestial Dog was sent flying and, before it even hit the ground, the severe damage had made it lose its ability to battle completely.
"I'm taking your bounty."
Suddenly, before the third boatswain could accept that his sly Celestial Dog had lost the battle, he felt a chill on his neck.
With goosebumps standing, Beedrill's cold needle hovered at his neck.
His entire body froze in place.
Around.
The surprised looks in the eyes of those witnessing this battle slowly faded away.
The people of the "Star of Blood" felt the situation getting worse; not only hadn't the sly Celestial Dog resolved the opponent, but it had instead become a stepping stone. The already formidable Beedrill had advanced under pressure, leaving them unsure of what to do for a moment.
When they looked to their captain for help, they found their captain's situation was even worse.
And the people of the "Charming Star" each wore knowing smiles.
Natsuhiko's progress in strength made them feel that he seemed more "compatible" with their captain.
"Gerwin's eye is quite impressive this time."
"Yeah, yeah."
A unanimous agreement was reached.
Not far away, watching this side, Captain Binina pursed her lips, "I thought there would be some tactics, but it ended up being a direct power crush..."
Although she was complaining, she couldn't help but smile slightly.
She turned to look at the increasingly grim-faced Henry, giving a sweet smile.
"Now it's your turn, Blood… Henry?"
Gently fiddling with her hair, she looked very confident.
At this moment.
"Captain Binina!"
"Boss Henry!"
Almost simultaneously, the lookouts standing on the highest masts of the two ships, holding binoculars, shouted towards their respective captains.
"A ship is approaching fast!"
"It's the 'Black King'!"
The lookout on Henry's side directly shouted out which side the newcomers belonged to.
Upon hearing this.
Binina and Henry exchanged a glance.
"Did you call them?" Binina asked with a frown.
Because as far as she knew, Henry had been closely associated with the Black King's captain, Black Tide, recently.
However, Henry's expression was even more troubled than hers.
The Black King had chased them here, even though there was supposed to be no signal.
Then the image of that woman, Black Spring, flashed through his mind.
It must be her!
Though relying on signals was common on the seas now, it didn't mean there were no other methods.
Henry knew more than one.
For instance, he knew of a Pokémon called Finneon, which could emit a kind of fluorescence barely visible to the naked eye, only detectable under special lighting.
"That bastard came to fish trouble from the two sides." Henry said through gritted teeth.
Binina glanced at him once more, disregarding whether Henry had called them. She only knew that given the current situation, if they didn't escape, facing the group led by the Black King, no one would likely survive.
Actually, the one truly in a pickle right now should be Natsuhiko.
Just having embraced the joy of Beedrill's advancement, another stronger wave was coming before they even finished one battle.
The "Black King" Black Tide, if Natsuhiko guessed correctly, this so-called Black Tide was highly likely one of the highest officers of the Ocean Team.
Because the Ocean Team often roamed the seas, plundering to enrich their resources.
Having Tide pushed to the fore was probably a move to hide their true intent.
But what to do now?
"Fight or flee?"
The people on both ships had ceased their actions, their expressions serious.
Natsuhiko gritted his teeth and headed into the cabin.
He needed to have a good "talk" with Masha, as it was the cause of his frequent troublesome situations!