After leaving that reef, he headed toward Lilycove City.
On the way, he encountered this group of fishermen who claimed to be residents of Lilycove City.
He needed a cover identity and a guide familiar with the local situation.
These simple fishermen were undoubtedly the best choice.
"Little brother! Quick, hide in the cabin! These brutes have gone mad!"
The Old Fisherman noticed Ariel still standing at the bow and shouted anxiously.
In his mind, this young man he had rescued halfway was refined and looked like a student from the city; he didn't want him to be hurt by these fierce Wingulls.
Ariel didn't respond, only slowly raising his hand.
He didn't even look at the white figures diving down, his movements as casual as if he were brushing dust off his shoulder.
He lightly tossed a red-and-white Poké Ball.
"Come out."
His voice wasn't loud, nearly inaudible amidst the sea breeze and the screams of the gulls.
A flash of light passed, and a small pokémon appeared on the deck.
It had only one head, with thick black fur covering its eyes, leaving only its mouth visible.
Its tiny body looked almost adorable, completely out of place in the tense and murderous atmosphere.
Deino.
"Roar?"
Deino shook its head, seemingly dissatisfied with the noisy environment.
"What pokémon is that? It's so small..."
"It doesn't look very strong. Will it work?"
The fishermen cast doubtful glances, clearly not believing this silly-looking little fellow could change anything.
Ariel ignored their chatter. His gaze finally withdrew from the distant horizon and landed on the Wingull closest to him, which was about to snatch a Goldeen.
"Dragon Breath."
His voice remained flat, as if giving a most ordinary command.
The next second, the previously dazed Deino suddenly snapped its mouth open.
A visible torrent of emerald-green energy erupted from its small mouth!
It wasn't fire or air, but a surge of pure energy, carrying a heart-palpitating Dragon-type pressure.
"Gah?!"
That Wingull didn't even have time to react before it was accurately struck by the breath.
Its body stiffened mid-air, its wings instantly failing to obey. With a short cry of distress, it fell straight from the sky like a stone, hitting the sea with a "plop" and a small splash.
Killed in one hit?
No, it was paralyzed.
Ariel's gaze swept over, making a judgment in his mind.
The additional effect of Dragon Breath was super effective against these low-level wild pokémon.
The entire noisy sea fell silent for a fraction of a second due to this sudden scene.
All the fishermen were stunned. They stood with their mouths agape, looking at the Deino still on the deck as if nothing had happened, and then at Ariel standing calmly at the bow.
"Gah—Gah gah!"
After the brief silence, the Wingull flock erupted in even more furious screams.
The fall of their comrade completely enraged these predators of the sky.
They stopped testing the waters and lunged toward the fishing boat where Ariel was from all directions like a white avalanche!
The sight was enough to make any novice Trainer's palms sweat.
"Little brother, quick, call it back! There are too many!"
The Old Fisherman's face changed drastically as he cried out in alarm.
Ariel acted as if he hadn't heard.
A faint, almost imperceptible curve even hung at the corner of his mouth.
He softly uttered three words.
"Dark Pulse."
Deino moved again. This time, it didn't look up but lowered its head slightly.
Ripples of deep purple, almost black, suddenly spread outward with it as the center!
The ripples weren't physical, yet they carried a strange power that made the soul tremble.
Ignoring physical obstacles, they passed through the air and instantly dispersed in all directions.
Every diving Wingull froze the moment they came into contact with that Dark Pulse.
In their eyes, their original greed and ferocity were instantly replaced by an extreme terror.
As if they had seen the most terrifying natural enemy in the world.
The bloodline suppression of the Dragon-type Pokémon race, combined with the deterrent effect of a Dark-type skill, was super effective against this flock of wild Wingulls!
"Gah... Gah..."
The sharp cries turned into intermittent wails, and the Wingull flock's formation instantly collapsed.
They scurried about in the air like headless flies, crashing into each other. Some even lost their ability to fly out of sheer terror, flapping their wings as they fell into the sea.
The once-menacing white tide disintegrated within seconds, turning into a group of startled birds fleeing in disarray toward the distance, never daring to look back.
Peace returned to the surface of the sea.
Sunlight spilled down again, shining on the shimmering sea and the stunned faces of the fishermen.
They looked at the Deino, which had already closed its mouth and returned to its adorable appearance, their Adam's apples bobbing, but unable to say a single word.
Less than a minute had passed.
The siege of hundreds of Wingulls... just ended like that?
What kind of monster was that seemingly harmless little fellow?
And what was the background of this young man who hadn't even changed his posture from beginning to end?
"Alright, it's over."
Ariel recalled Deino, as if he had only done a trivial matter.
He turned and looked at the Old Fisherman, who was still in shock.
The Old Fisherman snapped out of it, his wrinkled face flushing red with excitement.
He stepped forward quickly and grabbed Ariel's hand. Those large hands, as rough as sandpaper, were now trembling slightly from the force.
"Little brother! Thank you... thank you so much! You've done us a massive favor!"
The Old Fisherman's voice carried a hint of lingering fear and immense gratitude.
"If it weren't for you, our catch for this trip would have been completely lost, and people might have been hurt!"
Feeling the warmth and strength from the hand, Ariel showed a perfectly timed, gentle, and humble smile.
"Old uncle, you're too kind."
He gently pulled his hand away from the Old Fisherman's, his tone sincere.
"As a League Trainer who takes maintaining regional peace as my duty, it's only right for me to step in and help when I see injustice."
These words were spoken with righteous conviction, and combined with his harmless face, they sounded more real than pure gold.
Hearing this, the fishermen's gaze toward him changed instantly.
From initial doubt to the recent shock, it had now turned into complete admiration and worship.
League Trainer!
So it's a distinguished League Trainer! No wonder he's so powerful!
"So you're an official from the League! Please excuse our lack of manners!"
"We truly failed to recognize a great person!"
For a time, words of flattery and gratitude were endless.
Ariel responded to each one with a smile, his performance impeccable.
But inside, he was as cold and calm as ice.
League Trainer? What a useful identity.
He looked at these fishermen who were full of gratitude toward him as if looking at a group of pawns that could be used at any time.
Their gratitude and admiration held no meaning in his eyes.
He just needed a means of transportation that wouldn't attract the League's attention and some information about the city on his way to Lilycove City.
That was all.