Each Pokémon was undergoing its own specialized training, and more than a month quickly passed.
For more than a month, no one had come to this shaded area of the mountain, leaving Tetsuya without even a single real battle opponent. However, he was still very confident. With his current level, although he did not dare to say he could defeat members of the Shadow Team, among the kids who came to the island, it was impossible for anyone to be his opponent.
There was only one week left until the first half-year deadline.
Now every day, dozens of Chatot circled throughout the forest. Their purpose was naturally to notify the people in the forest to quickly gather at the base camp.
Those who did not appear would be regarded as dead by the Shadow Team. Everyone understood this clearly, so many people had already begun to set out.
Catching three Pokémon as an initial task was relatively easy, but things were far from that simple.
With only one week remaining and still a long distance from the Shadow Team's camp, Tetsuya also had to depart.
However, this time the battle only required three Pokémon, and he was still very confident in the strength of his Pokémon.
Ditto needed no mention. It trained in swimming and diving every day, and its physique had been further strengthened. It had long dominated this shallow water area, and even some huge Water-types were no match for it.
With Haunter absent, Piloswine was clearly the strongest in his team now. Even if Haunter were present now, it might not necessarily be Piloswine's opponent. After all, it had been trained by Pryce, and had absorbed a piece of Everfrozen Ice and the Eternal Ice energy within Pryce's Piloswine.
Now the piece of Eternal Ice in his hand had already been licked away by Piloswine by one-sixth. Its Ice-type moves and perception of Ice-type energy had improved further.
With continuous improvement of its physical condition and perfecting of its moves, Piloswine now already showed the bearing of a "master". There was no doubt it would be the first to reach Elite Four level.
Golett's long march was still ongoing…
Beedrill had now learned Poison Jab. Although the power of its tail stinger could not yet compare with its twin stingers, its power was still terrifying… for its level.
Over this one and a half months, the main focus had been training its flight speed. With Golett's help, Beedrill's normal flight speed was now not much slower than when using Agility. The number of Double Team clones it could maintain was also normally over twenty!
Aside from Haunter, Beedrill's speed was definitely the fastest among his Pokémon. Seeing that the first step of his "merging" was about to be achieved, he could not help but feel excited.
Houndoom itself was already very strong. After more than a month of systematic training, move combination, and overall development, its strength could now completely suppress Beedrill. In order to defeat Piloswine, and with its innate "kingly" aura, Houndoom trained the hardest.
Faced with such a situation, Tetsuya could only encourage and guide it…
It was possible that due to Houndoom's diligence, it might surpass Piloswine for a period of time. However, Piloswine had never been lazy either. In the end, its results would definitely not surpass Piloswine's. This was a matter of potential, talent and aptitude, something no one could change.
Although Tetsuya was unwilling to accept it, he had to acknowledge such reality. There were always people in the world who could rank at the top without attending classes or doing homework, and who could maintain a slim figure while eating lavish meals every day. It was simply too provoking…
---◓---
This time, he naturally would not bring all his Pokémon: Houndoom definitely could not be brought along, the reason being that its companions were there.
And Golett, after more than a month of intense training, although the sealed energy within it had greatly spread, it had only spread to half of its limbs, so, still could not battle… well, the main reason was that Tetsuya was worried Houndoom might have some thoughts, so he deliberately let Golett stay behind to accompany Houndoom.
Before leaving, Tetsuya placed all of Golett's food inside the tent. Houndoom could forage for itself, so there was no need for him to worry.
"Houndoom, Golett, you two complete your usual training here. I am going to the other side of the island this time and will return here within a month at the latest. Training must not fall behind!"
After giving his final instructions, Tetsuya left. This time, he was destined to face the hardships in the open. He also left the tent behind to store Golett's food, mainly to give them something to look forward to.
This time, the main combat forces were Piloswine and Beedrill. Ditto naturally still could not appear, and in order to make up three Pokémon, he would bring a Gloom as a filler.
---◓---
In these past few days, people all over the island were gathering in the same direction. Along the way, some teams inevitably had conflicts, but these were only verbal. No one dared to easily engage in battle.
At such a life-or-death moment, no one could guarantee that no accidents would occur in battle. If an accident happened at this time, one would have to capture new Pokémon to make up the numbers. Those that could be captured would naturally be weaker, and the combat power would be reduced, lowering the chance of survival. Therefore, no one would do such a foolish thing.
When he was about to arrive at the Shadow Team's camp, Tetsuya released five Gloom. At that time, one of them was specifically kept by him to make up the numbers.
After the five Gloom came out, they swaggered to a place with sufficient sunlight to bask in it…
Over these past few months, these Gloom had been living such a lazy and comfortable life, at most providing nectar for Beedrill.
But now he could not take them to the Shadow Team's camp, because there was a rule that once entering the half-year "evaluation" period, the number of Pokémon on one's person could not exceed five, otherwise all of them would be confiscated.
Such a rule was completely normal, mainly to control the strength of these kids and prevent them from possessing too many Pokémon.
Of course, these extra Pokémon could also be exchanged in advance, but these Gloom were an important catalyst for enhancing Beedrill's poison and toxins, and he was unwilling to exchange them away.
"Beedrill, [Twin Fury]. First knock these five Gloom into a state where they completely lose the ability to battle."
Tetsuya gave the command. Beedrill had already darted out, and in an instant, before the Gloom could understand what was happening, they had already been knocked unconscious.
"Drain their nectar, as well as the toxins."
One Gloom was split into four parts by Beedrill. All the nectar and the toxins were completely absorbed by Beedrill. Tetsuya observed Beedrill's reaction and saw that it was thoroughly enjoying it, which reassured him.
After all, Beedrill's Poison Gland and sac compatibility was not as good as those "famous" Poison-types such as Ariados, Drapion, Arbok, Weezing, and Muk. The only toxins it was compatible with were the Grass-type's.
However, Beedrill could only consume two per day, and it took three days to finish all five Gloom.
---◓---
After a total of four days, Tetsuya also arrived. The grassland in front of the Shadow Team's camp was already filled with people.
Cramming at the last minute, everyone was busy training. Tetsuya was now observing, seeing which ones could pose a threat to him.