Hydreigon didn't refuse either, it just gulped them all down in one bite.
Only, the look it gave the fatty grew even sharper.
The fatty couldn't help taking another step back, swallowing lightly.
Tap, tap, tap.....
The slow sound of leather shoes clacking on the floor drifted out from the pitch‑black corridor behind the fatty.
Hearing this sound, the fatty immediately put away his terrified expression, wiped his sweaty forehead with his pudgy hand, stepped respectfully to the side, and his body, round like a ball, even bent a little.
Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes at the corridor.
Before long.
The footsteps drew closer.
The one who slowly walked out was a middle‑aged man.
His brown hair was a complete mess, like a bird's nest; you could even see two tiny gleaming tear marks at the corners of his sleepy eyes. His hooked nose was strikingly prominent. He wore a brown jacket full of wrinkles and a pair of somewhat worn leather shoes, his heels exposed as he treated the shoes like slippers, shuffling along and making his identity all the more obvious.
The man had one hand in his pocket, the other at his mouth as he let out a long Yawn.
He looked a bit decadent.
Hunter Z!
One of the top six seats of the Hunter Guild.
He was even....
One of the strongest in the guild before Tom Ruoqi took the top seat.
You could see that from the fact that he could serve as the head of the Hunter Guild in the Kanto Region.
Wedged between the Alliance and the Rocket Team, he'd still managed to firmly root the Hunter Guild in the Kanto Region and even expand the Kanto Region branch—doing that took not only ability, but strength.
And knowing Tom Ruoqi's personality, if conditions allowed, the Kanto Region would definitely have been her first choice.
Yet she'd settled for second best and chosen the Johto Region instead. To say that decision didn't have this "Hunter Z" and his strength as a factor—Natsuhiko wouldn't buy it.
The man's sleepy eyes flicked toward Natsuhiko, lingering for a few seconds on the Hydreigon at his side.
A faint glimmer flashed through those lazy eyes.
He scratched his head, looked at the respectfully standing fatty, and after another Yawn, asked, "Ball, what time is it?"
Ball?
The corner of Natsuhiko's mouth twitched.
Looked like he wasn't the only one who saw the fatty that way.
The fatty slapped his forehead. "Boss, it's already 1 a.m. now—you've almost slept sixteen hours. And also... didn't we agree you wouldn't call me 'Ball' anymore?"
Sixteen hours?
The hooked nose man suddenly got it.
He waved his hand casually. "Got it, Ball. Understood, little Ball~~"
The fatty's face was full of helplessness.
"Also, next time you can wake me up after fifteen hours of sleep. What does it look like, sleeping sixteen hours a day?"
"Waking you up... someone has to dare to first. Boss, your morning temper—don't you know yourself..."
The fatty's words were cut off halfway by Mr. Z's sharp glare.
Only then did Mr. Z look back at Natsuhiko. "You're the N that Q mentioned, right? That Hydreigon is not bad."
Natsuhiko lightly lifted the brim of his cap, speaking respectfully. "If I didn't show a little something, I probably wouldn't even get past this door."
Hearing that, Mr. Z gave the fatty beside him a sideways glance.
Only to see the fatty tilt his head awkwardly, putting on a face that screamed this-has-nothing-to-do-with-me.
"Alright then. Q said you had something to tell me. Go on." Mr. Z still looked very sleepy.
But Natsuhiko didn't speak. He glanced around instead, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
"Oh, almost forgot about that."
Noticing Natsuhiko's movement, Mr. Z's eyes flashed again, and much of the sleepiness on his face faded.
With a snap of his fingers—
Two Pokémon appeared, curled up, round and plump, with soft pink bodies like tapirs, eyes closed, pale pink mist puffing from their noses.
They floated to his side.
Munna!
This was the real reason Natsuhiko had summoned Hydreigon.
Never underestimate a Trainer who can reach Elite Trainer Level strength—especially one who's also an actual power-holder in the underground.
No matter how lazy he acts.
If you don't have some means or precautions.
You might unknowingly fall into the Dream Realm, or be put under Hypnosis.
With Munna's abilities, it can completely devour another's dreams and then project them, movie‑style, in its own way.
Seeing the other side recall Munna, Natsuhiko exhaled lightly, then said in a low voice, "Miss Q said.... to join forces."
"Mm..." Mr. Z didn't seem surprised by Natsuhiko's words; he just lightly rubbed his chin.
Then Natsuhiko saw him take out a special communication device.
He tossed it to Natsuhiko.
"Ask him."
Catching the device, Natsuhiko was a bit surprised.
This device had video‑call capability, and the call was already connected.
On the screen of the phone, the most eye‑catching thing was without a doubt that fiery red "R".
But what drew Natsuhiko's attention the most was still the man sitting in the shadows beneath that "R", his outline just barely visible.
On the table beside him lay a faintly visible Persian.
The man's hand gently stroked it.
Natsuhiko's pupils contracted.
Giovanni!