The aftershocks of the waves were still churning, and the air was filled with a salty, fishy scent—a lingering mark of the intense battle that had just taken place.
Ariel floated on the water's surface, his chest heaving violently, every breath pulling at his aching muscles.
He had already recalled Malamar into its Poké Ball; at this moment, he was left all alone on the vast, boundless ocean.
As the small boat ahead approached, Ariel was able to see its appearance clearly.
That small boat was ridiculously elegant in its design, with smooth lines and a snow-white body, looking like a swan on the gray-blue sea.
It sliced through the waves, gliding silently toward Ariel's position without the roar of an engine, only the faint sound of water being gently pushed aside.
Ariel's muscles tensed instantly, his vigilance reaching its peak.
Friend or foe?
Even though the other party had saved him, Ariel remained wary.
He quietly reached his hand underwater, gripping a Poké Ball, ready at any moment to release Gyarados for another life-or-death battle.
The small boat drew closer and closer, and a figure stood at the bow.
They wore a daringly cut white crop top, revealing firm and graceful waist and abdominal lines.
A head of flamboyant, light green short hair fluttered slightly in the sea breeze, and a long, green gradient ribbon behind them danced in the wind as if it were alive.
Seeing Ariel, the person broke into a brilliant smile and raised a hand to wave vigorously.
"Hi! Ariel! Over here!"
This voice... it sounded familiar.
Ariel narrowed his eyes, struggling to dig into the depths of his exhausted mind for memories.
That excessively handsome face, that flamboyant personal style that was almost over-the-top...
In a flash, a name popped into his mind.
Wallace!
The one he had met at the Devon Corporation fossil presentation, introduced by Steven!
He remembered Wallace, but he hadn't expected Wallace to have such a deep impression of him, recognizing him at first glance in this situation.
Ariel's tense body relaxed slightly, but the clouds of suspicion in his heart grew heavier.
He didn't believe that a Team Aqua Executive would be scared off by Wallace.
Wallace might be top-tier in Pokémon Contests, but in terms of strength in battles, for now, Ariel estimated him to be at the Superior Level, or at most, Gym Leader Level.
This level of strength, scaring off that experienced Team Aqua Executive?
It was simply a fantasy.
When that Executive retreated, it was clear they had felt a much more powerful pressure.
The Kingdra that had flashed by, the aura it radiated was definitely at the Quasi-Elite Four Level!
Ariel felt reassured.
There was definitely someone else on this boat!
He released the Poké Ball underwater and swam toward the small boat, raising a hand in response as well.
"Wallace!"
When he swam closer, Wallace tossed a soft rope from the boat.
Ariel grabbed the rope and climbed up, using its momentum.
His arms had been exhausted in the previous battle, and now every movement brought a shuddering soreness.
Finally, he climbed onto the deck.
Beneath his feet was a polished, mirror-like wooden deck, spotless and emitting a faint, woody fragrance.
Every detail of the small boat, from the carvings on the gunwales to the weave of the ropes, exuded a refined aesthetic; rather than a boat, it was more like a work of art floating on the sea.
Ariel was soaked to the bone, seawater dripping from his hair and the hem of his clothes onto the deck, instantly ruining the perfection.
He panted heavily, his face pale; compared to the boat and the pristine, glamorous Wallace on board, he looked utterly disheveled.
"Goodness, Ariel, what on earth did you go through?"
Wallace exclaimed dramatically, then quickly brought over a clean towel and some supplies.
Ariel took the towel, wiped his face and hair haphazardly, then unscrewed a bottle of energy drink and downed it in one go.
The cold, sweet liquid slid down his throat, allowing him to exhale a long sigh of relief.
He picked up a high-energy protein bar and polished it off in a few bites.
The hunger in his stomach and the exhaustion in his body eased slightly, and only then did Ariel feel like he had come back to life.
He looked at the curious Wallace and explained concisely:
"I ran into some people from Team Aqua."
The smile on Wallace's face faded slightly:
"Those Team Aqua people have been truly rampant lately. Why were they hunting you down?"
"It's a long story."
"By the way, is that Kingdra your Pokémon?"
"How could it be!"
Wallace smiled and waved his hand, his posture as elegant as a bow on stage,
"Such a powerful Kingdra belongs to my teacher's Pokémon."
Teacher?
The heavy stone hanging in Ariel's heart finally dropped.
He had guessed right!
There really was an expert on this boat!
Just then, the cabin door was gently pushed open, and a figure stepped out.
It was a middle-aged man, tall and upright, wearing an elegant blue robe with a meticulously tied tie at the collar.
He didn't speak, just stood there quietly, and an aura as steady and vast as the deep sea rushed toward them.
His eyes were very calm, like the surface of the sea before a storm, and his gaze landed on Ariel, carrying a hint of scrutiny and inquiry.
Ariel's breathing slowed subconsciously.
He knew this person!
Although he had only seen him in magazines and on the news, that unique attire and extraordinary temperament could not be mistaken!
The Hoenn region, Sootopolis City Water-type Gym Leader, top Coordinator—Juan!
The sea breeze, carrying salt and moisture, blew across the deck.
The waves lapped against the hull, making a monotonous yet rhythmic sound, as if drawing a long rest for the chase that had just ended.
Ariel's chest was still heaving, his lungs burning—a lingering effect of the intense physical exertion.
He steadied himself and bowed solemnly to the elegant middle-aged man before him.
"Thank you for your help, senior."
His voice was a bit hoarse from exhaustion, but every word was clear.
Juan waved his hand casually, his eyes, which had seen through the ways of the world, swept over Ariel, his tone as indifferent as if he were discussing the weather,
"It was just a small gesture; don't take it to heart."
The deck was quiet for a moment, with only the cries of seagulls occasionally piercing the sky.
Juan's tone shifted without warning, like a stone thrown into a lake, breaking the brief tranquility,
"However, why were the people from Team Aqua so determined to kill you?"
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