Chapter 157 — The Real Master Level

"Huh?"

Compared to Sachi's persuasive words to Darkrai, Sun Wuming's first sentence completely threw Latios off.

What the heck?

You're not following the usual script!

At a time when you should be getting emotional, you're asking about introducing your sister to me?

Well, can't help it.

Mainly because Latios, both in appearance and battle style, didn't match Sun Wuming's requirements for catching Pokémon.

At least Latias is cuter, right?

Sachi, who was busy persuading Darkrai nearby, almost tripped when she heard Sun Wuming's words.

Goodness, what's with this guy's thought process?

Noticing Latios's desperate expression, like someone who'd just been dumped by a scumbag only to meet a player.

Sun Wuming cleared his throat and opened his palm to Latios:

"Want to come along?"

After all, he couldn't do that smooth-talking thing like Sachi.

His attitude toward Latios was simple - come if you want, if not, you can leave.

"Hmm..."

Latios's expression became complicated.

It had to admit, its former trainer was indeed a jerk.

But this guy in front... didn't seem very reliable either.

"Melo~"

At this moment, the Blaziken standing next to Sun Wuming with one hand on its hip, looking almost like a stunning beauty if you didn't look carefully, suddenly spoke up, saying something incomprehensible.

"Huh? I can't understand what you're saying, you can't use telepathy."

Sun Wuming glanced sideways.

[Blaziken says it thinks it would be good if Latios joined the team]

Little Diancie translated promptly.

"...Because if it joins, you won't be the weakest anymore?"

After a brief silence, Sun Wuming saw through Blaziken's thoughts.

Blaziken turned its face away tsundere-style, as if saying "Hmph, I'm angry."

But this indeed proved that Sun Wuming had hit the nail on the head regarding Blaziken's thoughts.

After all, being the weakest doesn't feel good.

Blaziken was currently in that position, and if Latios joined, it wouldn't have that pressure anymore.

The, the weakest?!

Hearing these words from Sun Wuming, Latios looked at Blaziken in shock.

This female bug is the weakest in this human's team?!

Recalling how Blaziken had just sent that Toxicroak flying with one armament-enhanced kick.

Latios thought that if such a kick landed on itself, it would probably break a couple of bones.

And this monster is actually ranked at the bottom?

How strong must the others be?!

"Whoo?"

After a few seconds, Latios seemed to make up its mind, flew to Sun Wuming's waist, aimed at an empty Poké Ball, and headbutted it.

Instantly transforming into a red light and flying inside.

Everyone was dumbfounded at this sight - this could actually happen?!

Meanwhile, on the other side, after talking extensively, Sachi finally convinced Darkrai to become her Pokémon and captured it.

"Mr. Sun's strength once again exceeds my understanding."

Sachi said to Sun Wuming while weighing Darkrai's Poké Ball in her hand.

She had truly learned something new.

Indeed, trainers with great power could have even legendary Pokémon willingly follow them.

"Was this Giovanni's idea?"

Sun Wuming suddenly thought of something.

Although Darktwo had two legendary Pokémon, Team Rocket could have kept both for themselves.

There was no need to voluntarily give him one.

After all, what evil organization would complain about having too many legendaries?

"No, this was my own initiative."

Sachi's lips curved into a mysterious smile, "I just hope that when trouble comes, Mr. Sun might lend a hand."

"Oh?"

Sun Wuming couldn't help but show an interested expression.

Actually, Sachi's position was quite dangerous now.

Her true identity was Team Galactic's second-in-command, just below Cyrus.

She had been arranged by Cyrus to infiltrate Team Rocket as a spy.

But as her position within Team Rocket grew steadily.

Sachi increasingly felt that Team Rocket seemed to have more potential than Team Galactic.

But even so, Sachi didn't dare to directly switch sides.

If Cyrus revealed her identity in anger, she might end up losing both sides.

In this situation, Sachi could only try to maintain balance between both sides.

It was thrilling, but also dangerous.

Therefore, Sachi wanted to secure a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Yes, that was Sun Wuming.

For this, she even used her influence in Team Galactic.

Getting high-ranking officers Charon and Jupiter to come help her put on this show.

Sun Wuming quickly guessed Sachi's intentions and smiled without saying more.

However, Sachi understood that Sun Wuming's attitude.

Meant he had agreed.

"The small gift has been delivered, so I shall take my leave."

Sachi quickly merged into the crowd, and when no one was paying attention, summoned a Starmie and disappeared into the night sea.

"Wuming!"

At this moment, Lusamine came running over and said to Sun Wuming:

"All the trapped civilians have been rescued, but there seems to be a problem with the ship's drive system, it won't start. The captain is contacting Sinnoh police for reinforcements."

After all, this ship had been attacked shortly after departure and was still in Sinnoh's jurisdictional waters, so naturally Sinnoh would need to send reinforcements.

"Let's go rest."

Under the envious gazes of many men, Sun Wuming took the hand of Lusamine, this peerless beauty, and returned to their room.

"I heard a lot of commotion from your side earlier, did something happen?"

Lusamine asked curiously.

"Uh... it's like this..."

Back in the room, Sun Wuming lay directly on Lusamine's lap and briefly explained what had happened earlier.

Of course, he knew what could and couldn't be said.

"How did such a coward manage to catch legendaries?"

After listening, Lusamine was both angry and amused.

Especially when hearing about how Darktwo abandoned his Pokémon and fled, she couldn't help but laugh in anger.

How could someone like that be worthy of being a legendary trainer?

"In matters of life and death, people can do anything."

Sun Wuming placed his hand on Lusamine's face, "But with me here, you'll never encounter such things."

"Mm~"

Lusamine responded softly, placing her hand on the back of Sun Wuming's, then slowly lowered her head.

At this moment, a yellow mouse wandered back and saw...

The yellow mouse once again made a deadpan face.

Eating face water again?

Are you guys addicted to this or what?!

...

...

"I never imagined Team Galactic would be so bold as to openly plunder others' Pokémon."

Within an hour, Lucian, one of Sinnoh's Elite Four, had arrived and begun investigating.

"Thank you, Mr. Sun, or who knows what heinous acts Team Galactic might have committed."

Lucian then thanked Sun Wuming.

According to others' testimonies, it was Sun Wuming and another mysterious woman who had repelled Team Galactic.

But they couldn't be found anymore.

"It's nothing, we need to go now, we're in a hurry to get to Johto."

Late at night, Sun Wuming had no interest in chatting with Lucian, chose a new ship heading to the Johto region, and left with Lusamine.

"Latios and Darkrai were caught by this man and that mysterious woman?"

Lucian watched Sun Wuming's departing figure thoughtfully...

Just hoping this wouldn't be a bad thing for Sinnoh.

...

The next day, approaching ten o'clock.

Sun Wuming and Lusamine successfully arrived at Olivine City, the famous port city in the Johto region.

"Wuming, are we going to that place where Suicune was reportedly spotted?"

After disembarking, Lusamine asked Sun Wuming.

"No rush, since we're rarely in Johto, there's someone I quite want to meet."

Sun Wuming shook his head slightly.

That trainer at the ceiling level of masters—

Pryce!

Sun Wuming really wanted to know if Mahogany Town's Gym Leader Pryce.

Was he the somewhat serious old man from the anime.

Or the monster from the manga who could take down Ho-Oh and Lugia with just a Delibird.

If it's the latter, that would be a true master level.

As for Suicune, Sun Wuming wasn't in a hurry.

After all, Sachi had said she would notify him immediately if there was any movement.

...

...

Pryce of Mahogany Town was, in the public eye, a somewhat reclusive but courteous elder.

Due to his advanced age making movement difficult, he often sat in a wheelchair.

Several days later, in the afternoon.

When Sun Wuming and Lusamine arrived at the Mahogany Gym entrance.

As if sensing visitors, the heavy doors made a "ka-ka" sound and slowly opened.

Just as a gap appeared, revealing the seeping strong cold wind, it made Lusamine shiver.

"Is Pryce here?"

Sun Wuming took off his training uniform's outer garment and covered Lusamine with it, then called out while walking in.

At this time, the gym's other side door slowly opened.

A small, harmonious-looking elder as rumored, sitting in a wheelchair, holding a Swinub in his arms, controlling the wheelchair's direction with a cane, slowly appeared.

Pryce!

"A challenger? This year's Silver Conference has been cancelled, yet someone still comes to challenge the gym..."

Pryce squinted his eyes, looking toward Sun Wuming.

"...What rules would you like? One-on-one? Two-on-two? Or even double battles are fine."

Sun Wuming, hearing this, didn't hesitate long before cheerfully saying:

"Then let's make it one-on-one. I'm not planning to participate in the Silver Conference, I just simply want to experience the strongest gym leader in Johto."

"Hehe, I dare not claim the title of 'strongest'."

Pryce also grinned.

Grandpa?

It's been a long time since anyone called him that.

"Then I won't be polite, grandpa."

Sun Wuming threw out a Poké Ball.

Bang!

As Pangoro landed, it released a thunderous sound, letting out a low "woo-si" cry, full of presence.

"You've raised it very well."

Pryce's expression changed slightly as he praised, then added:

"But young man, haven't you forgotten something? In gym challenges, the leader sends out their Pokémon first."

Sun Wuming smiled: "I was a bit eager, please make your move, grandpa."

Sun Wuming indicated that he couldn't exactly say he was afraid of being fooled by a random Pokémon, which is why he showed his first.

"Hmm..."

Pryce pondered for a moment, then gently threw out a Poké Ball.

"Then this one it is."

When the ball opened and the Pokémon landed.

Lusamine was completely stunned.

Se, Seel?!