They're a Trainer's Pokémon!
"Help me find someone to remove their Poison Sacs. Remember, you must find someone you trust completely. If you can't... you know what to do." When he said this, Natsuhiko's expression was serious.
Joanna's heart tightened.
"These..."
"Five Elite Candidate level, one Gym Leader level." Natsuhiko said slowly.
Hearing this, Joanna's eyes couldn't help widening.
Five?
"Who on earth did you take out?"
"You really want to know?" Natsuhiko looked at her with a hint of teasing.
Joanna's expression froze for a moment, and she didn't say anything more.
...
...
Three days later.
Natsuhiko once again arrived at Withered Leaf City in the Kanto Region.
He held his cap as he walked down from the plane.
He took a deep breath of the warm wind that carried a faint salty-fishy smell of the sea.
Compared to Sinnoh, that northern-adjacent region, Withered Leaf City, sitting on the southern seaside of the Kanto Region, was undoubtedly much warmer.
"Natsuhiko, so Feebas not only evolves through external items like the 'Beautiful Scale', it can also evolve by relying on its own perception of beauty, increasing its 'Beauty'?"
A soft, gentle voice came from behind him.
He turned around.
It was a pretty girl in a long black dress, her long, soft golden hair fluttering in the warm breeze.
Hilona.
After learning that Hilona and the others were also going to attend Sakuragi's conferment ceremony, Natsuhiko decisively chose to hitch a ride on their private jet.
Speaking of which, Natsuhiko actually had a rather awkward problem right now.
Most of his Pokémon could fly.
Among them were even "airplanes" like Togekiss and Latios.
He had even just recently caught a domineering Quasi-God Pokémon like Hydreigon.
If he were heading out to some deserted place it'd still be fine.
But for diving into cities like this, Togekiss couldn't carry people, Latios was way too conspicuous, and Natsuhiko wasn't planning on using Hydreigon under his real identity for the time being.
So in the end, his main Flying Pokémon for going out ended up being Noivern of all things.
So when he heard that Hilona and the others were taking a private jet, Natsuhiko rushed over to rendezvous with them and came together to Withered Leaf City.
"Yeah, in theory that's how it is." Natsuhiko smiled. "After all, most of the Milotic we've discovered nowadays live alone. If they can't get their hands on a 'Beautiful Scale', how would they evolve?"
Hearing this, Hilona showed a thoughtful look.
"Also, in my opinion, this method of evolving by changing one's own inner self should produce Milotic that are stronger than those that rely on external items like the 'Beautiful Scale'—their potential and ceiling will both be higher. Of course, that's just my guess. Right now there isn't enough theory or data to prove it."
"Looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer." Hilona brushed back her hair that had been blown loose by the wind and said softly.
"Not necessarily, you could try raising a Feebas right now."
"Mm..." Hilona showed a hesitant expression.
One look and you could tell her decision-making paralysis was acting up again.
"Judging from your current team composition, Gastrodon can already do a great job as your Special Shield. For Milotic's trait I'd suggest 'Competitive', so looking for an excellent Feebas with the 'Slow' trait should be the most suitable choice." Natsuhiko gave his suggestion.
A Milotic with the "Competitive" trait should be raised as a Special Attacker.
"But Glaceon and Togetic..." Hilona was still a bit hesitant.
Both Glaceon and Togetic, which will evolve into Togekiss, are Pokémon that lean toward Special Attack.
"For Glaceon, I think its biggest role is still dealing with specific Pokémon—like Dragon Type, Flying Type, and Grass Type.
If Togetic evolves into Togekiss, its primary role will definitely be as a Controller.
Milotic's Special Attack isn't as strong as Glaceon's, but its Special Defense Ability means it's a sustained-damage Pokémon, better at prolonged battles. It's also more flexible and faster, so there's no overlap in roles with Glaceon.
It can absolutely serve as a second Special Attacker, and it's also good for targeting Pokémon that are weak to Water Type."
For example, when dealing with Da Ye, Milotic would be the best choice.
Of course, Natsuhiko didn't spell it out that clearly; he believed Hilona understood what he meant.
"Mm..."
Hilona nodded slowly, repeating Natsuhiko's words in her mind while also sketching out her own Pokémon lineup.
People like Hilona and Lance had already started consciously building around a core and planning out their team compositions.
Natsuhiko didn't yet know what Hilona's current strength was.
But the number of mainstay Pokémon she and Lance were raising was undoubtedly far more than his. Although that increased the team's margin for error, a person's energy was limited; the more it was spread out, the harder it was to push each individual to the limit.
He figured quite a few of their Pokémon had already stepped into Elite Candidate Level.
But it shouldn't be to the point where all of their main forces were at that level.
"Hehe—what are you two little ones chatting about? The car's here, time for us to go."
At this moment, Dr. Yamanashi walked over in a neat blue suit, carrying a briefcase, his hair slicked back impeccably, and said with a smile.
Next to Dr. Yamanashi stood a tall, thin man who looked relatively younger, a middle-aged man.
Professor Elm.
He was one of Professor Oak's most accomplished students, and his main research focus was Pokémon breeding habits.
The topic of "Egg Group" was first proposed by Professor Elm.
The proposal of a research topic doesn't mean only one Researcher will work on it.