Chapter 321: Sceptile vs. Vileplume

Chapter 321: Sceptile vs. Vileplume

Crescent Forest—

Located in southern Kyoto, it got its name from its crescent-moon-shaped landscape, classified as an A-rank secret realm.

At its center reigned two powerful Pokémon: Vileplume and Bellossom, a mated pair considered the forest's overlords.

Riding atop Charizard, Hikaru felt the warmth of the fire Pokémon's body beneath him.

Honestly… it felt kind of cozy.

He leaned forward, patting its creamy white underbelly.

"You're probably close to hitting Master level by now, huh?"

"Rrr?" Charizard grunted in confusion.

Hikaru's sudden affection was throwing it off.

"You little…" Hikaru chuckled, giving Charizard a friendly smack on the head.

"What? I can't give you belly rubs?"

"Rrr..." (Is there a reason for that, or are you just being weird?)

Charizard snorted, releasing a puff of white flame from its nostrils.

It didn't get why humans were so sentimental.

"Alright, alright…" Hikaru grinned.

Both Charizard and Greninja were the same—

Not the type for emotional gestures.

Redirecting his focus to the forest below, Hikaru activated his Aura Sense.

There was something… off about Crescent Forest.

Most of the wild Pokémon within were timid, acting with excessive caution.

And the closer Hikaru flew to the center, the weaker the Pokémon became—

The exact opposite of most secret realms.

But that wasn't unusual.

Because at the forest's heart, Hikaru had already sensed the energy signatures of Bellossom and Vileplume.

They were clearly the undisputed rulers of the realm.

"So Bellossom's the mother and Vileplume the father, huh… But this situation looks messy."

Upon reaching the center, Hikaru couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

He had run into a familiar face.

"Step on it, Charizard."

He infused Dragon energy into Charizard's body.

"RrrRAAH!"

Charizard roared and beat its wings, instantly picking up speed.

Even though it lacked Dragon typing, Dragon energy still provided a buff—

Just not as dramatic as with Latias.

---

Center of Crescent Forest

Standing in a clearing was a Bellossom with vibrant red flowers atop her head and a leafy green skirt.

Her eyes were filled with worry, and her slightly rounded belly revealed she was pregnant.

Beside her stood a Vileplume, glaring warily up into the trees.

Above them, perched silently on a branch, was a Sceptile.

A thin twig rested between its lips, and its gaze was cold and calculating.

Though Bellossom and Vileplume were both Mid-Master Tier,

Sceptile didn't seem the least bit intimidated.

Vileplume rasped out a question, demanding to know what the intruder wanted.

Even though they held higher raw power,

Sceptile held the tactical advantage—

This was its territory now.

With its unmatched agility, Sceptile could move through the forest unseen,

and Bellossom and Vileplume, who hadn't fought seriously in years, were at a disadvantage.

Especially with Bellossom pregnant.

As for Sceptile?

It was young, strong, and brimming with combat experience.

Sceptile leapt from the branch, spat out its twig, and said casually:

"Chamo." (Make room—I'm staying.)

Ever since it was defeated in the Changchun Secret Realm by that monstrous Dragonite, Sceptile had wandered aimlessly.

Eventually, it ended up here in Crescent Forest.

And now?

It wanted to claim this place.

But Vileplume wouldn't have it.

This was their home—

They weren't going to let some stranger take over while Bellossom was expecting.

Vileplume flatly refused.

Sceptile didn't seem surprised.

It unsheathed the twin Leaf Blades on its arms—

white energy glimmering with deadly precision.

The mere motion sliced nearby leaves clean off.

If he couldn't have it, he'd take it by force.

That was the law of the wild.

During its time in the Changchun Secret Realm, Sceptile had learned that negotiations were useless.

The moment you revealed your strength?

Everyone ran.

So now, in the wild, Sceptile had adopted a new code:

"If I want it—I take it."

Vileplume panicked.

It tried to ready a counterattack.

Beads of glowing energy formed rapidly in its mouth,

launching like missiles toward Sceptile.

The sheer force made the air crackle with pressure.

But Sceptile didn't flinch.

Slash. Slash. Slash.

Each Seed Bomb was precisely cleaved in two midair.

Say what you will about its temper—

Sceptile's technical mastery was top-tier.

Seeing that its attacks were useless, Vileplume resorted to a desperate strategy.

It fired a Sludge Bomb to force Sceptile back, then coated itself in slick sap, activating Grassy Glide.

By sliding across the ground, it boosted its speed, trying to lure Sceptile away from Bellossom.

But Sceptile saw right through it.

It suddenly turned its gaze to Bellossom.

From the start, it was prepared to take on both of them.

Who it attacked first didn't matter.

"Vaa!"

Vileplume shrieked in horror.

Bellossom, terrified, released a thick cloud of Sleep Powder in every direction.

A shimmering mist flooded the clearing.

But Sceptile wasn't fooled.

This wasn't his first battle.

To him, Bellossom's Master-level aura felt like that of a frail rookie.

With a flourish of its arms, the twin Leaf Blades plunged into the soil—

unleashing a swarm of twisting vines that surged like serpents across the ground.

Hidden nearby, Hikaru's eyelid twitched.

"This guy... always goes straight to full power."

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