"Ivan, command Ariados to use Sneak," Ivan ordered, watching intently as Ariados executed the unique move, vanishing from sight only to reappear stealthily behind the unsuspecting Beedrill.
"Now, Bug Bite!" Ivan swiftly followed up with another command, seizing the precise moment as Ariados emerged from its invisibility. The move was flawlessly executed, and the Beedrill let out a pained scream, losing consciousness from the surprise attack.
Turning his attention to another of his Pokémon, Ivan then instructed, "Squirtle, use Rapid Spin!" He observed the situation, calculating his next move. As the Beedrill, reeling from Squirtle's attack, prepared to strike back, Ivan quickly intervened, "Use Water Gun and move back!"
Squirtle skillfully executed the Water Gun, using the recoil to propel itself backward.
Nearby, Kang Jihoon was orchestrating his own battle, commanding his Magby, Elekid, and Wartortle against a swarm of Beedrill. Similarly, Bianca, Ryota, Li Qin, Cuong, and others were engaged in their own confrontations, directing their Pokémon with precision and strategy as they defended themselves against the aggressive Beedrill.
The other Pokémon included in the exploration were not idle either. They actively participated in the defense, showcasing their prowess and training.
Meanwhile, Floyd and Kanraku observed the battle from a distance. Floyd watched with a hint of appreciation and pride at the skills and coordination displayed by the trainers and their Pokémon. Kanraku, on the other hand, seemed more anxious, his eyes constantly scanning the scene, ready to call upon Blastoise at the first sign of danger.
Suzuki Akiko stood nearby, her gaze frequently darting towards her nephew. Her expression was a mix of concern and readiness, prepared to summon her Wartortle should the need arise to protect Ryota.
Observing the battle's progress, Floyd commented to Kanraku, "Professor, do you see? Each person here can already defend themselves effectively."
"Uhm, having observed the trainer's potential, I've proposed a live broadcast for the villagers. Now, witnessing these scenes, I am even more resolved to enhance the 'Trainer' system," Kanraku said, nodding with appreciation.
"Have you noticed? The roles of Breeder and Trainer are interconnected. As a trainer, you need your creatures to be well-fed and trained to grow stronger, while a breeder requires ample materials to create suitable food for the beasts. Alternatively, one could take on both roles as a Breeder and Trainer," Floyd added thoughtfully.
"Just like you," Kanraku remarked, looking at Floyd, acknowledging his ability to blend the roles of a Breeder and Trainer seamlessly.
"Uhm," Floyd responded, acknowledging the point. "But, to be honest, specializing in one profession over the other is also a viable option. If you prefer to focus solely on being a trainer, you can rely on breeders for the production of food and the health care of your Pokémon. And vice versa, if you're not inclined to venture into dangerous areas, you could choose to be a breeder, leaving the task of gathering materials to the trainers. It's all about establishing agreements or transactions between the two, which could pave the way for a new industry," Floyd elaborated thoughtfully.
"That's true..." Kanraku murmured, intently noting down everything Floyd said. He then added, "After the live broadcasts, we must strategize for the improvement of the Alliances. We need to reconsider everything – the rules, regulations, and how we present ourselves to the world. It's crucial that our existence and our efforts are recognized globally."
"I see," Floyd simply nodded in agreement. His attention then shifted to the battlefield, noting that the skirmish had concluded. With the battle over, they resumed their exploration.
About half an hour later, the group found themselves at the edge of an unknown forest, marked by a peculiar wooden barrier. Floyd recognized this as the work of Venusaur's secret power. These barriers were not to be trifled with; anyone attempting to intrude would find themselves ensnared by the vines, rendered immobile. Floyd and his Pokémon had previously gained access because Ivysaur, familiar with the Secret Power, was accompanying them.
Remembering this, Floyd retrieved a piece of vine given to him by Venusaur and gently placed it on the ground. Almost immediately, the forest responded; the trees shook, and the wooden barrier receded and vanished, revealing the path ahead.
"Let's go," Floyd announced, turning to his companions. Their expressions were a mix of shock and awe at the sight they had just witnessed. Snapped back to reality by Floyd's call, they nodded in understanding and hastened their pace.
"Hurry up, remember what I mentioned earlier about the time limit," Floyd reminded them. His words spurred everyone to move faster.
They all successfully entered the territory of Venusaur, albeit only the outer location.
"Let's continue moving," Floyd instructed as they proceeded. Suddenly, they heard a strange noise from behind.
Glancing back, they observed the vines they had passed through weaving back into place, forming a wooden wall. This signaled that the time limit for safe passage had expired, effectively sealing them within Venusaur's domain.
"Ivysaur~"
"Bulbasaur~"
"Bulbasaur~"
"Bulbasaur~"
"Bulbasaur~"
As they continued their journey, the group encountered an Ivysaur and a quartet of Bulbasaur who greeted them, though with a hint of wariness at the sight of the large group of Pokémon and humans.
Floyd, along with everyone else, turned their gaze, and Floyd realized that this Ivysaur was different from the one he had met the previous day.
At first, the Ivysaur and its four Bulbasaur companions were cautious. However, they soon recalled Venusaur's instructions about expecting guests, and their demeanor changed, especially when they recognized Floyd at the forefront of the group.
The four Bulbasaurs, unable to contain their excitement, rushed towards Floyd. They clearly remembered him – the one who had rescued them from Ursaluna, healed their wounds, and fed them delicious food.
Floyd welcomed them with a warm smile, embracing each one and gently patting their heads.
"Ivysaur~" Ivysaur, though finding the scene endearing, called out to the four little ones. Despite their fondness for Floyd, they needed to remember caution, as the others were still strangers. Ivysaur, while also having a good impression of Floyd, maintained its rationality.
Responding to their leader's call, the four Bulbasaur hurriedly returned to Ivysaur's side. They then beckoned Floyd and the rest of the group to follow, and they all proceeded forward.
"So, these are the pre-evolutions of Venusaur. They're quite adorable," Kanraku observed, his curiosity piqued as he watched the Bulbasaur and Ivysaur.
"Yep, just like Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise, right?" Floyd replied, offering a hint to Kanraku, who seemed unaware of the connection.
"Yes, and they are all quite cute," Kanraku agreed, not fully grasping Floyd's implication but expressing his genuine admiration.
Soon, the group arrived at another part of the forest, which marked the outskirts of the territory. This area was designated for Floyd and the others to stay, as they were not permitted to enter the core location without explicit permission.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps caught their attention, and they turned to see a Venusaur appear, flanked by an Ivysaur. Floyd recognized them immediately – these were the same individuals he had encountered before.
The group also noticed several Bulbasaur and Ivysaur peeking out from behind the trees, their curiosity evident, yet they remained hesitant to approach the newcomers.
Observing some Bulbasaurs playfully hiding behind the trees, Floyd couldn't help but smile warmly at them.
Their eyes sparkled with recognition and excitement upon seeing Floyd, clearly eager to rush over to him. However, several Venusaur and Ivysaur gently held them back, restraining their enthusiastic approach.
Nonetheless, the Bulbasaurs continued to sway their vines energetically, as if waving hello to Floyd from a distance. 'They're just too adorable,' Floyd thought to himself, filled with affection.
Suddenly, one of the Ivysaur, unable to contain its excitement, dashed towards Floyd, leaping into his embrace. Floyd caught it with open arms, a wide smile on his face.
The leader Venusaur, observing this heartwarming scene, also bellowed a friendly "SAUR!" in greeting, particularly acknowledging Floyd.
Kang Jihoon, observing the grand Venusaur, turned to the others, his voice filled with awe. "So, this is the Venusaur that the youngest and the professor have been talking about?" He looked at the majestic creature before them, utterly mesmerized by its presence.
Floyd, sensing the moment was right for introductions, addressed the Venusaur. "Venusaur Boss, allow me to introduce you to these people. They are the ones I mentioned before, and this," he said, gesturing towards Kanraku, "is our leader, Professor Kanraku."
Kanraku, stepping forward with a respectful demeanor, bowed slightly to Venusaur. "Hello, Venusaur Boss," he greeted. "I believe this isn't our first meeting. You've rescued us before, and for that, we are truly grateful."