Chapter 128:The Powerful Strength of Annihilape! Natsume's Promise

Although the Cloudtop Secret Realm is referred to as a Pokémon prison, it truly resembles a Pokémon paradise.

The Pokémon here can do just about anything as long as they cannot leave the secret realm.

On the riverbank, Pokémon like Mabosstiff are leisurely strolling.

On the grass, Scrafty and a Bisharp are practicing their battle skills.

In the sky, Flying-type Pokémon are calling out as they swiftly fly by.

Lopunny walked alongside Natsume.

They curiously observed the Pokémon around them.

"The internal space of the Cloudtop Secret Realm is 500 square kilometers, roughly equivalent to half of Harbor Island."

As Tomohira led Natsume deeper into the secret realm, he explained, "Because the ecological environment here is suitable for most Pokémon to thrive, it was chosen as a Pokémon prison."

"Even though it’s a Pokémon prison, there are no restrictions on the Pokémon here."

"Mightyena~"

While Tomohira was speaking, five Mightyena, along with two Poochyena, let out howls nearby.

Their opponents were two Weavile.

"Weavile!"

The Weavile exchanged a few low conversations and then turned to leave.

"Those five Mightyena belong to different Trainers, but now they have formed a new group."

Tomohira gestured for Natsume to look at the group of Mightyena and said, "By the way, those two Poochyena were born and hatched in this secret realm."

"As for those two Weavile, they are also troublesome Pokémon in this secret realm."

"They often try to steal Pokémon eggs from here."

Tomohira said with an exasperated expression, "Even giving them enough food doesn’t help."

Natsume looked at the surrounding environment, observing the Pokémon here.

The levels of the Pokémon in this area were mostly above level 30, and their potential wasn’t bad either.

After all, the Pokémon that could be confined here usually belonged to Trainers who had committed serious crimes or even capital offenses.

Those who had been stripped of their Trainer rights for life were certainly not ordinary people.

Natsume said, "So, this place is like a closed ecological park, right?"

Tomohira nodded. "You could understand it that way."

Natsume smiled at Gardevoir beside him and said, "Having a secret realm feels like having a private world."

"I should take some time to research it and see if we can find a secret realm to establish on our farm."

Not far ahead, a small woods appeared.

Tomohira explained, "It's just up ahead."

"Annihilape primarily resides there."

Bam~

A loud explosion sounded up ahead.

"Annihilape, let’s have a battle."

In front of the woods, a man wearing a yellow jacket shouted at the Annihilape standing in the shadows of the trees, "If I win, you’ll come with me."

Annihilape coldly stared at him without saying a word.

In front of this man stood a Hawlucha.

Beside him was a Decidueye.

Tomohira glanced at him and said to Natsume, "His name is Nobukō; he’s the gym leader of a city-level gym."

"He previously challenged Annihilape once here, but because he was unprepared for Annihilape's attack, he ended up in the hospital."

"This time, he clearly intends to continue challenging that Annihilape."

Natsume briefly checked the data of the three Pokémon.

Decidueye was a Grass and Ghost-type Pokémon.

Its level was 48, and its ability was Overgrow.

Hawlucha was at level 52, a Fighting and Flying-type Pokémon with the ability Limber.

Finally, Natsume focused his gaze on Annihilape.

Name: Annihilape
Type: Ghost / Fighting
Level: lv52
Ability: Defiant
Individual Values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Special Attack 29, Special Defense 30, Speed 31
Moves: Shadow Claw, Counter, Fling, Cross Chop, Assurance, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Rage Fist, Protect, Phantom Force, Outrage
Inherited Moves: Curse
Potential: Elite

Looking at the data for this Annihilape, Natsume was immediately intrigued.

This Annihilape was strong and had high potential.

If he could bring it back to the farm, Infernape and the others would definitely be happy.

They would have another competitor and companion to engage with.

"Hawlucha, Aerial Ace!"

In front of him, Nobukō had already given the attack command.

"Hawlucha!"

Hawlucha's colorful feathers gleamed with white light.

It swiftly flew toward Annihilape.

Annihilape coldly stared at the charging Hawlucha.

Just as it was about to use Phantom Force to slip into another space, Nobukō suddenly said, "This time, I won't make the same mistake as last time."

"Decidueye, use Spirit Shackle!"

"Decidueye!"

Decidueye assumed the stance of drawing a bow.

Ghost-type energy condensed into an arrow that rested on the vines hanging from Decidueye's head.

Whoosh!

The long arrow shot out and struck Annihilape's shadow.

Annihilape suddenly felt a strange power pinning it in place.

Bang!

At the same time, Hawlucha collided with Annihilape.

Aerial Ace hit successfully!

Nobukō triumphantly waved his fist and said, "So, what do you think, Annihilape?"

"This attack combo isn’t bad, right?"

"Annihilape!"

Annihilape glared furiously at Nobukō and the two Pokémon in front of him.

Its crimson eyes revealed madness and fury.

"It seems you still don’t plan to back down."

Nobukō observed Annihilape's expression and said, "In that case, I won’t hold back."

"Hawlucha, Aerial Ace!"

"Decidueye, hit it with Spirit Shackle again!"

Decidueye drew back its bow once more.

Hawlucha charged quickly toward Annihilape.

This time, Annihilape reacted.

It swiftly stretched out its hand and grabbed the arrow shot by Decidueye!

The piercing Ghost-type energy eroded Annihilape's palm.

"Discard!"

Annihilape turned, ignoring the pain in its hand, and plunged the arrow into Hawlucha's shadow.

"Hawlucha!"

Hawlucha suddenly felt as if it were losing control, its body began to fall.

Annihilape charged forward, grasped Hawlucha by the neck, and slammed it down to the ground.

"Hawlucha!"

Immediately after, Annihilape's fist came crashing down mercilessly on Hawlucha's face.

This was Annihilape's Rage Fist!

Rage Fist is a move that converts anger into power.

When Annihilape is attacked, the pain in its body empowers its strikes.

"Oh no."

Nobukō's expression changed slightly as he watched Hawlucha get slammed into the ground. "Decidueye, go help!"

"Decidueye!"

Decidueye immediately flew toward Annihilape.

Annihilape glanced at the approaching Decidueye and stepped forward.

The space rippled, and Annihilape vanished into another space.

"Decidueye!"

Decidueye stared at the spot where Annihilape had disappeared, momentarily stunned, and then quickly turned around.

Nobukō understood what kind of move this was.

Phantom Force, a Ghost-type move.

The Pokémon can slip into another space and then launch an attack.

Phantom Force is akin to another type of teleportation.

"Oh no, here it comes!"

Nobukō quickly took out his third Poké Ball.

Just as he was about to throw it, a hand, seemingly bound in black chains and emanating a chilling aura, grabbed his wrist.

Gulp.

Nobukō swallowed hard.

Annihilape appeared right in front of him.

"Annihilape, you—"

Nobukō looked nervously at Annihilape.

"Calm down, Annihilape."

Tomohira shouted at that moment, "That's enough; this battle is yours to win."

Annihilape glanced at Tomohira and released its grip.

Tomohira let out a small sigh of relief and smiled at Natsume, who was watching from the side. "I take care of all the Pokémon here."

"So they are quite respectful toward me."

Bam~

Just as Tomohira finished speaking, a heavy thud echoed.

Nobukō was instantly knocked back and fell hard to the ground.

Natsume glanced at Tomohira.

Tomohira's expression froze in place.

Annihilape pulled back its fist and tilted its head to look at Decidueye.

"Decidueye!"

Decidueye glared angrily at Annihilape.

A white light shimmered across Decidueye's wings.

Leaf Blade!

Decidueye flew toward Annihilape.

Annihilape stepped forward, and its body disappeared once again amidst spatial fluctuations.

Phantom Force!

Decidueye's Leaf Blade attack hit nothing.

"Decidueye!"

Decidueye quickly turned its head to look back.

Annihilape appeared behind it.

"Annihilape!"

Annihilape's fist was enveloped in a dark sphere of Ghost-type energy.

Rage Fist!

Bang!

With that punch, Decidueye instantly lost battle capability.

As Natsume watched the battle, his interest in this Annihilape grew even stronger.

"That was impressive, Annihilape."

Pop~Pop~Pop~

Natsume clapped his hands.

Tomohira gave a wry smile and said, "Now is not the time for that."

He quickly ran over to Nobukō.

Annihilape looked at Natsume.

It suddenly charged toward Natsume.

Rage Fist.

Annihilape inexplicably launched an attack on Natsume!

Gardevoir extended a hand beside Natsume.

Reflect.

A transparent energy protective barrier appeared in front of Natsume.

Annihilape's Rage Fist struck the Reflect.

Bang!

Amidst the energy shockwave, Annihilape's body was pushed back by the Reflect.

"Wow, that temper really is explosive."

Natsume looked at Annihilape and said, "I already know your story."

"Annihilape, you must really want to avenge your Trainer, right?"

"Annihilape!"

The fur on Annihilape’s body flailed wildly.

Its eyes were filled with anger.

"Annihilape!"

Annihilape howled furiously and charged at Natsume once more.

In an instant, Annihilape's body disappeared.

Annihilape used Phantom Force.

Gardevoir’s gaze locked onto Natsume's side.

The space rippled.

As Annihilape’s body emerged from another space, it was immediately restrained.

This was Gardevoir's Psychic!

"Are you alright, Nobukō, the gym leader?"

Tomohira supported Nobukō's body.

"Don't move, don’t move."

Nobukō gritted his teeth and said, "I think I might have broken a few ribs."

As he spoke, he noticed Natsume talking to Annihilape.

"Who is that guy?"

"Is he here to confront Annihilape?"

Tomohira looked at Natsume and introduced him, "He is Natsume, the gym leader from Morimachi."

"Natsume, the gym leader?"

Nobukō was momentarily taken aback. "The one from the farm gym?"

"Yes."

Nobukō sighed, "This is bad."

"It looks like that Annihilape is going to be captured by him."

"Indeed."

Tomohira nodded and said, "Natsume, the gym leader’s strength is truly formidable."

"But this Annihilape is still troublesome. If Natsume, the gym leader, wants to take it, it will likely require a battle."

Nobukō said helplessly, "It seems I really have no fate with Annihilape."

"Annihilape!"

Annihilape struggled against the psychic force.

It tried to break free from the Psychic's control.

However, the immense force from Gardevoir's Inner Focus prevented its body from moving at all.

This was the absolute difference in strength.

Annihilape began to rage.

It struggled even more violently.

A tremendous aura started to emanate from Annihilape.

Annihilape intended to use its signature move, Outrage.

Natsume calmly said to Annihilape, "I will help you uncover the truth."

"If your Trainer is innocent, then I will seek justice for him."

"In return, how about you help me guard my gym in the future?"

Hearing Natsume's words, Annihilape paused for a moment and then suddenly stopped struggling.

Its fierce aura dissipated in an instant.

The overwhelming force radiating from Annihilape gradually faded away.

Annihilape's crimson eyes fixed intently on Natsume.

Natsume spoke softly, "Gardevoir."

Gardevoir nodded slightly and then lowered her hand.

The Psychic that had restrained Annihilape disappeared.

Annihilape descended in front of Natsume.

"Annihilape?"

Annihilape wanted to know how Natsume planned to help its Trainer.

"It's simple."

Natsume looked at Annihilape and said, "Your Trainer found the Hard Stone treasure, right?"

Annihilape nodded.

"Since you know what the treasure is, then it’s easy."

"I just need to investigate who ended up with that treasure."

"Whoever used it, that’s who we’ll go find."

After saying this, Natsume smiled at Annihilape and added, "Don’t let my appearance fool you."

"I’m also a well-known Trainer; this won't be difficult for me."

"So, will you come with me for now?"

As Natsume spoke, he took out a Poké Ball.

Annihilape looked at the Poké Ball in Natsume's hand and then back at him.

Annihilape stepped forward.

"Annihilape!"

Annihilape wanted to witness everything firsthand, so it decided to temporarily follow Natsume.

With a shake,

Annihilape reached out and tapped the Poké Ball.

The red light instantly enveloped Annihilape's body.

Annihilape was captured.

Nearby, Nobukō, who was still lying on the ground, widened his eyes in disbelief:

"What? How is this happening?"

"Why does this even make sense?"

He had just come out of the hospital, and now, having had ribs broken again, he hadn't even caught Annihilape's attention.

And now, it had just been captured so easily?

Tomohira was also a bit dazed.

He thought Natsume would try to battle this Annihilape.

But instead, Natsume had managed to get Annihilape to willingly follow him with just a few words.

"Natsume, the gym leader, has this Annihilape really agreed to come with you?"

Tomohira approached Natsume, still somewhat in disbelief.

Natsume nodded slightly and then released Annihilape.

Annihilape stood to the side, its messy long hair covering its eyes.

Now, Annihilape looked like a silent and withdrawn child.

Tomohira couldn't help but ask, "Natsume, the gym leader, can I ask what you just said to it?"

Natsume looked at Annihilape and explained, "When I capture Pokémon, I usually don’t need to battle."

"Because, for me, a simpler method of capturing is understanding what the Pokémon truly desires."

After Natsume finished speaking, he looked at Tomohira: "I promised to help this child investigate what happened back then, so it agreed to come with me."

"You’re going to reinvestigate what happened back then?"

As a regional-level gym leader, Natsume could pull any data directly from the league archives if he needed to investigate something.

This was a privilege that came with being a regional-level gym leader.

Tomohira exclaimed in shock, "Restart the case?"

"Natsume, the gym leader, if you're going to investigate this matter, it might lead to serious repercussions for Future Technology."

"What I mean is, you will definitely offend them."

Natsume shrugged. "So what?"

"I'm only doing what I want to do."

"If I offend them, then I offend them."

Tomohira sighed with a wry smile. "Alright, then I’ll take Nobukō the gym leader out of here."

"He's injured pretty badly."

As Tomohira spoke, he glanced at Nobukō.

Annihilape wore an indifferent expression as well.

Tomohira thought, "You two really are a good match."