Raikou's Crisis, Suicune Arrives

Raikou launched another attack.

Although the Electric-type attacks were drawn away by Lightning Rod, that did not stop him from using them to wear down the opposing Raichu's stamina.

Raichu was under immense pressure. As an Electric-type Pokémon, it could instinctively sense the power of Raikou's lightning. That was why it only dared to direct the electricity into the ground rather than absorb it directly.

Guiding the lightning consumed an enormous amount of stamina. Even with Raikou's strength weakened, Raichu might not be able to hold out much longer.

A Legendary Pokémon truly was something else. Qing Mu had already encountered several Legendary Pokémon, and although most had been his enemies, he could not help but marvel at their strength.

His subordinates were also buzzing with discussion:

"So this is a legendary beast? This is my first time seeing one."

"I've been on several missions already. Legendary Pokémon really are incredibly powerful."

"Good grief, isn't this big kitty way cooler than my Persian?"

"I want a Legendary Pokémon too!"

"Wake up. It's still daytime, so stop dreaming."

These people stayed far away. Aside from a few bolder ones who cared enough about their own Pokémon to go retrieve them, the rest chatted away happily, seemingly unconcerned about whether their Pokémon lived or died.

Qing Mu watched it all and silently noted down the names of those members who had recalled their Pokémon.

Turning his attention back to the battlefield, Raikou was still locked in fierce combat with the Pokémon Qing Mu and his subordinates had just sent out.

Perhaps because he saw that victory was already assured, Qing Mu released another Pokémon—Houndoom.

It had only evolved recently under his training, and its individual potential was exceptional. Its talent surpassed that of all his other Pokémon. In the future, it would be his most promising Pokémon, and the one most likely to reach its limit.

Unfortunately, this fellow was somewhat timid, and it possessed a kindness that Qing Mu had no idea where it came from. Qing Mu found that utterly baffling.

How could a Dark-type Pokémon have such a personality?

And how could someone in their line of work, whether human or Pokémon, have such a personality?

The key was that Qing Mu had trained it for a long time, yet its temperament had not changed in the slightest. If it were not fairly obedient, and if Qing Mu had not been reluctant to part with a Pokémon with such potential, he would have kicked it out long ago. Yes, that was exactly it. He would not have missed it at all.

Releasing it this time was also a chance to let it see the world. Perhaps after fighting a Legendary Pokémon, it might change that personality of its.

Fortunately, it only acted that way toward the weak. It was still quite vicious toward other Pokémon.

Having received its orders, Houndoom joined the battle.

The local Pokémon grew increasingly worried. Even Raikou, one of the Legendary Pokémon, could not possibly defeat so many Pokémon around his own level, could he?

Legendary Pokémon were still Pokémon. Aside from their racial advantages and greater individual strength, they were not so different from ordinary Pokémon. They could bleed, be injured, and even be defeated.

Some Pokémon had already become afraid and quietly fled the area, leaving behind the homeland where they had lived since childhood. Running away might be shameful, but it was useful. At least they would not be captured or killed.

Some Pokémon wanted to keep fighting, but they were not strong to begin with, and after being weakened by the interference device, they looked even more feeble. Charging in to help might only make things worse.

Even more Pokémon prayed for victory, hoping that Raikou could drive off the humans on the other side.

Unfortunately, things did not go as they wished. Raikou's movements visibly slowed, and the power of his attacks was far weaker than before. Faced with the combined assault of so many Pokémon, he was clearly struggling.

He had not expected the weakening effect to grow stronger and stronger.

Qing Mu watched the scene with great satisfaction. As expected of the latest research product, its ability to weaken Pokémon was truly formidable. And as time passed, that weakness would continue to spread. The Raikou before him was perfect proof of that.

Together with his own crucial commands and interference from firearms, Raikou would sooner or later be his for the taking.

Events unfolded just as he had expected. Raikou was already beginning to lose against his Pokémon.

Finally, after a violent clash, Raikou exhausted the last of his strength and collapsed helplessly onto the ground.

Yet all he could think was, Why haven't those two come yet?

If they don't come soon, I'm done for.

Seeing that Raikou no longer had the strength to resist, Qing Mu's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

So Legendary Pokémon were not all that impressive after all. He was about to be captured already. What a disappointment.

Jokes aside, his strength truly was formidable. Qing Mu was fairly familiar with Legendary Pokémon by now, and this Raikou's strength definitely ranked around the middle.

The other Pokémon stood around Raikou to prevent him from suddenly escaping.

After all, the Legendary Beasts were famous for roaming. If they were given an escape route, they might simply flee outright.

Houndoom did not join the others in surrounding Raikou. Instead, it quickly ran to its master's side, hesitated for a moment, then rubbed against his pant leg and stuck out its tongue, looking like it wanted praise.

Qing Mu: "..."

This again.

"How many times have I told you not to rub against me? Do that again and I'll throw you out." Qing Mu's gaze was fierce, but it seemed to have little effect on Houndoom. It merely restrained itself a little, though it still looked eager to be praised.

Qing Mu ignored it. He had more important matters to handle.

Raikou might have called for reinforcements. He needed to finish this quickly, lest more complications arise.

Qing Mu pulled a purple Poké Ball from his pocket.

It was the Master Ball, rumored to be able to capture any Pokémon with a hundred percent success rate.

In truth, the Master Ball was not as absurdly overpowered as it was in games, where you could just throw one and capture a legendary beast at full health. A legendary beast could simply smack the ball away, and then there would be nothing he could do.

However, as long as one threw the ball in a surprise attack while a Legendary Beast was distracted, or when it was too weak to dodge, the Master Ball was still extremely effective—worthy of its name.

Raikou did not know what this thing was, but it could vaguely sense something. If it were trapped inside that ball, then in its current condition, it definitely would not be able to break free.

No, absolutely not. Raikou tried to rise, only to be pressed back down by the Pokémon beside it.

"Don't be afraid. You're just entering a new environment. Nothing will happen to you. At most, you just won't be free anymore." Qing Mu saw the resistance in Raikou's eyes and spoke with a touch of mockery.

Watching helplessly as it was about to fall into the hands of such a detestable human, Raikou was furious and sorrowful. It swore that if it ever got the chance, it would make these people pay.

Just as Qing Mu was about to throw the Master Ball, a massive torrent of water suddenly shot toward them like a cannonball. The skill's target was Qing Mu himself.

Humans might be able to withstand [Hydro Pump] from some lower-level Pokémon, but a [Hydro Pump] of this power was something no human could endure. Once it hit, death or crippling injury was inevitable.

It was clear that the attacker intended to kill with a single blow.

For the first time, panic appeared in Qing Mu's eyes. Human reaction speed simply was not fast enough; this [Hydro Pump] was guaranteed to hit.

Hydro Pump crashed into its target, yet Qing Mu was not harmed.

At the critical moment, Qing Mu's Houndoom used its own body to block the [Hydro Pump], and was blasted several meters away by the force of the attack.

The level 40 Houndoom had taken a powerful Water-type move that countered it, and immediately fell into a near-death state.

Qing Mu froze for a moment and looked in the direction the attack had come from. Standing there was none other than Suicune, one of the Legendary Beasts.

Even Suicune, who was relatively mild-tempered, would be angered by seeing its good brother treated like this. Naturally, it had attacked with lethal intent.

"Damn it, reinforcements came so quickly. Looks like Raikou notified them yesterday." Qing Mu glanced at Suicune, then at Houndoom lying motionless on the ground. He felt irritated, but quickly calmed down.

"Since another one has come, don't blame me for catching one more."

Qing Mu was clearly enraged. He had nearly been ambushed by a Pokémon, and his lifelong reputation had almost been ruined.

Suicune looked at Qing Mu expressionlessly.

One battle had ended, but a new round of fighting was about to begin.

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