Binina's Wigglytuff was still given away.
But the result of such a cost was also quite significant.
Chansey and Pixie completed all the prerequisite steps of the Shrinking Tactics.
Originally, Pokémon like Chansey would be too obvious of a target if fighting alone and might be defeated before the strategy was fully formed, so an assisting Pokémon is needed, with the best being Pixie, followed by Shuckle.
Now Pixie hadn't even been "sacrificed," only using a Wigglytuff as a trade-off, which was really too cost-effective.
Pixie also completed shrinking, coupled with Chansey's Mud Throwing, the opponent couldn't hit these two Pokémon at all.
Moreover, Pixie could also use the 'Spotlight' technique on Chansey, and with Chansey using Substitute and Egg Move, even if it was hit unluckily, it couldn't be defeated.
If all else failed, Pixie could still use "Look at Me" to share the burden with Chansey.
Henry originally thought that defeating the Wigglytuff was already half the victory, but upon seeing his Pokémon unable to deal effective damage, he was instantly disgusted.
He tried to have his three Pokémon directly raid Binina herself, but they were either thrown away by Chansey's Earthbound or distracted by Pixie's alternating "Spotlight" and "Look at Me" techniques.
Couldn't even attack the Trainer directly.
"Damn it! When did this woman have such a disgusting tactic?"
In contrast to Henry's expression, there was Binina.
Her fair face was full of blush, her excitement was hard to contain, and coupled with her already excellent appearance and attire, many men from the "Star of Blood" were staring at her.
No wonder she is the "Charming Star."
Amidst Binina's excitement, she murmured to herself, "Why does this tactic feel so dirty to me?"
She immediately felt.
She was unclean.
Who made her unclean?
Binina turned her head again to look at Natsuhiko.
This little man who suddenly appeared on the ship made her unclean!
Meanwhile, not far off, Natsuhiko had been watching the battle unfold.
After careful observation, he roughly determined the strength of Binina and Henry, and their Pokémon seemed to have reached the Qualification Level, meaning they could be comparable to Dojo Level Trainers if converted to the Alliance's system.
If they had connections high up in the Alliance, they could probably serve as a Gym Leader in a smaller town.
At sea, they were marked as "Five Stars" by the Alliance, as great pirates.
Aside from not obtaining the status recognized by the Alliance, their earnings seemingly were not inferior to a Gym Leader, perhaps even more substantial.
'Therefore, as long as there's strength, even if unable to mix with the Alliance, becoming a pirate at sea is also a worthy option...' Natsuhiko couldn't help but think to himself.
Just when he was lost in thought, he met Binina's gaze.
Excitement, mixed with a hint of resentment?
One must say, Binina was quite attractive, deserving the title "Charming," especially with her blushed cheeks and soul-catching eyes...
Natsuhiko paused for a second, then chuckled softly.
A classic thought crossed his mind.
Women only slow down my sword drawing...
Seeing Natsuhiko's smile, Binina felt a bit disdainful and was momentarily taken aback.
What does he mean by this?
Disdain for her "crude" tactics?
Upon further thought, it didn't seem too out of place.
"Hmph, men..."
Turning back to continue dealing with Henry, determined to first take down this arrogant man!
Natsuhiko put no more thought into it, focusing entirely on commanding Beedrill, combining with Abra and Togetic to form a small squad of three Pokémon, achieving the same outcome, even against five or six Senior Level Pokémon.
As long as Elite Level Pokémon didn't appear, Natsuhiko managed with ease.
But his wanton harvesting finally couldn't be tolerated by the "Star of Blood" people anymore.
Coupled with Henry's gradual disadvantage, impatience stirred within them.
Finally.
An Elite Level Celestial Dog stood before Beedrill.
Commanding this Celestial Dog was the third Boatswain of the "Star of Blood."
Having confirmed her advantage, Binina, with Chansey having worn out Henry's Sharpedo to death with Earthbound, now had the leisure to pay attention to her crew.
Natsuhiko under the watch of the opponent's third Boatswain, and an Elite Level Celestial Dog dispatched, didn't escape Binina's notice.
She had already gauged Natsuhiko's strength earlier, Senior Level Beedrill, Senior Level Togetic, and Excellence Level Abra.
Considering his age, his strength wasn't weak, but against Elite Level Pokémon, still...
Binina's eyes sparkled.
'You disdain it, don't you? Now, I'll see how remarkable your tactics can be.'
Though thinking that way, she still signaled with her eyes to one of her Boatswains.
The boatswain instantly understood.
Their picky "leftover woman" Captain is actually showing concern for a man?
This is a scene they've been hoping to see for a long time!
Several boatswains from the "Charming Star" exchanged glances, understanding the meanings in each other's eyes.
For the chance to get married themselves... oh! To help the Captain get married!
This new "Ship Pet," they've got him!
Natsuhiko didn't realize that an Elite Level Shiftry seeking him out would cause so much attention.
"Star of Blood" was eager to see him die, while "Charming" was determined to protect this "Ship Pet" at all costs.
Natsuhiko's attention was fully on the dominant presence of the Elite Level Shiftry opposite him.
His pressure wasn't too high.
If it were before he successfully defeated the Druddigon, Natsuhiko might have felt immense pressure.
But now having taken down an Elite Level Druddigon, he wasn't too worried about a Shiftry that Beedrill had a quadruple attribute advantage over.
He lifted his eyes to Beedrill.
At this moment, Beedrill was in prime condition; although Dark Type is immune to Psychic Type, minimizing Abra's effect, and Togetic was also greatly weakened, Natsuhiko was still very confident.
Because of Beedrill!
Just as Sharpedo could sense Beedrill's improvement in strength, Natsuhiko, as the Trainer, could feel it even more clearly.
Perhaps...
"Perhaps this Shiftry will be the opportunity for Beedrill's strength breakthrough."
If Beedrill advances further, it will reach the Elite Level!
This will be a transformation in strength.
"Beedrill."
"Buzz!" Beedrill roared, its twin needles glowing with a greenish sheen.
"Shiftry, Clap Attack!"
Shiftry's slender, tengu-like nose trembled slightly, with a sly smile, it leaped from the deck, jumping towards Beedrill.
Bzz——
But Beedrill shuddered, creating several phantoms around itself.
Clap Attack is a high-priority move, but unfortunately, Abra's Psychic Arena can counter these high-priority moves.
Although it didn't have much effect on the Elite Level Shiftry, it gave Beedrill some reaction time.
Shiftry, however, didn't give up, and as it faced Beedrill, dozens of Leaf Blades flew from its hands, dispersing Beedrill's Shadow Clones.
Beedrill didn't take the hit directly, withdrawing to maintain distance.
Since the opponent used Flying Leaf Swift Sword to scatter his Shadow Clone, their Clap Attack wouldn't be effective.
Shiftry squinted, a black aura surged from its body, forming a black ray and attacking Beedrill again with Surprise Strike!
Bang!
"Buzz!!"
This time, Beedrill couldn't evade—after all, speed was the opponent's forte.
But it didn't intend to dodge in the first place.
Beedrill's crimson compound eyes glowed an even brighter red, filled with an uncontrollable desire to battle.
White light spots appeared on its body, as Togetic's pre-applied Prayer technique took effect.
Simultaneously, Shiftry's approach presented an opportunity for a counterattack.
Enduring a hit, its twin needles cut out, and the Cross Cut aura slashed hard against Shiftry.
Boom!
Shiftry was knocked down from the sky, as Beedrill's attack power reached its peak due to the stacking of gains and Silver Powder, with a quadruple attribute advantage, leveling the power disparity solely in terms of attack power.
With gleaming eyes, Beedrill's wings flapped, electric arcs appeared, chasing down, and each wingbeat increased its momentum.
As it approached Shiftry, it nearly reached its peak.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Its twin needles struck continuously, forcing Shiftry to defend, unable to dodge mid-air.
And with each strike, its already peaked aura continued to rise, clearly surpassing its original limit.
In a short time, the Senior Level Beedrill surprisingly suppressed the Elite Level Shiftry.
Natsuhiko squinted his eyes from below.
"Has the opportunity come? Protect Beedrill with all your might to keep it from being affected."
"Abra!"
"Togetic!"