"Baluya."
Before Natsuhiko could ask Chimchar how it felt, what techniques it mastered, or what it had gained from this fragment, Dragapult suddenly shouted at Natsuhiko and then vanished again, hiding stealthily.
Natsuhiko's expression changed slightly upon hearing Dragapult's words.
Someone is coming?
And they're approaching rapidly.
Someone significant enough that Dragapult places importance on them.....
Should we run?
No, there's no time!
It's uncertain whether the person coming has means to counter psychic abilities and instant movement.
If not, there's naturally no issue.
But if they do and interrupt instant movement forcefully, that could be too dangerous.
No time to think deeply.
Natsuhiko immediately withdrew all his Pokémon, including Chimchar.
He wrapped the fragment with psychic powers and placed it in his backpack, but Chimchar's body color did not revert back.
Leaving Doublade in the shadows as a guardian, and Turtonator, which he had summoned earlier to resist Volcarona's surging energy waves.
Turtonator was actually caught with the intention of being sold after leaving.
As a Dragon-type Pokémon, and one of Elite Candidate Level, its value wouldn't be low, and it might even cause a frenzy if it appeared.
But after much deliberation, Natsuhiko decided to keep it.
On one hand, because Elite Candidate Level Pokémon are indeed hard to sell; one must either attend an auction or, if selling directly to a Pokémon store, although the price wouldn't be low, it wouldn't reach its true value.
But whatever option is chosen, it would definitely attract unnecessary attention.
If Hoshino Ryosaki's Elite Four grandfather wanted to investigate, traced back, and discovered that someone participating in the trial with Hoshino Ryosaki owned an Elite Candidate Level Pokémon, how would he react?
He would probably want a nice "chat" with Natsuhiko, adopting a rather ruthless approach.
Don't underestimate the abilities of a seasoned Elite Four member.
On the other hand, Natsuhiko considered that he had already faced environments with magma several times, opting to avoid or retreat.
Turtonator's capabilities on land or sea aren't ideal, but amidst magma, none of his current Pokémon would be more suitable.
The reason for not recalling it is to prevent an attack from someone with hostile intent, with Turtonator's defense power being able to withstand attacks even from Elite Trainer Level Pokémon, giving Natsuhiko time to react.
Quickly, after recalling his Pokémon.
The presence Dragapult mentioned rapidly approaching appeared in sight.
A Charizard speeding through the air.
And on Charizard's back stood a woman, wearing the special attire of the Magma Team, tall with delicate features and purple bangs.
The chief officer of the Magma Team's expedition to spatial territories, one of Flarepine's trusted subordinates.
Campfire!
Flying in the air, Campfire noticed Natsuhiko standing on the rock mountain.
She gently patted Charizard's neck, descending quickly from the sky.
Landed on the rock mountain.
Under Natsuhiko's gaze, Campfire fixated on the still ascending Volcarona from afar, moving near him.
Feeling the aura of Campfire's Charizard, Natsuhiko pulled his hood down slowly, subtly moved his expression.
He respectfully greeted, "Lady Campfire."
As expected of the chief officer of the Magma Team, this Charizard's strength... is formidable!
Turtonator, upon seeing Charizard, became notably cautious in its manner and expression.
"What's the situation?" Campfire's cold voice echoed.
As if speaking with an ordinary Magma Team member.
"Don't know." Natsuhiko responded following her lead.
It was then that Campfire finally turned her head, scanning him and eventually fixing her gaze on the Turtonator by his side.
She furrowed her brows slightly, "An ordinary member?"
Natsuhiko kept his head lowered, saying nothing, indicating with silence.
Though the league members entering the alternate space this time were a group of young Trainers, to Campfire, they're just "rookies" with slim chances of infiltrating the Magma Team.
Yet, seeing Natsuhiko here, accompanied by an Elite Candidate Level Pokémon, inevitably stoked curiosity within her.
"Name." Campfire inquired.
"Zhenwu." Natsuhiko answered.
Campfire nodded imperceptibly, "Affiliated with whom?"
Natsuhiko pondered briefly before responding, "Yamauchi."
Since Yamauchi had already been eliminated by him, there were no witnesses to testify.
"Yamauchi..."
Campfire reminisced briefly before recalling that Yamauchi was a subordinate under her subordinate Nether Fire.
A fairly distant connection.
She couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Whether she was laughing at the chain of relationships or Natsuhiko's caution remained unclear.
She shot him a glance, faintly saying, "Staying this far away might not be a good thing."
In her view, staying here was to avoid trouble, positioned so far from Volcarona.
Natsuhiko maintained his gaze downward without uttering a word.
"Hmph." Campfire snorted arrogantly, mounting Charizard's back again, "Follow along."
With that, Charizard lightly flapped its wings, stirring up a gust, soaring into the sky.
As for the identity issue, it can only be sorted out with more people.
Beneath his hood, Natsuhiko pursed his lips, realizing Campfire hadn't left immediately, but was waiting for him.
He sighed silently.
Fortunately, his preparations were quite complete, with Nanmu and Ishino being able to somewhat help resolve the identity issue.