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Walking along the road.
The three Pokémon started chatting.
"I'd forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it. Every single one of those guys has been given the Li Xiang rub-down treatment. Tsk tsk tsk. If I could ever be that skilled, I guess I'd have mastered the craft."
Incineroar clicked its tongue. Once upon a time... no, even to this day, it often marveled at Li Xiang's technique.
Those skills were truly a perfect inheritance from Mrs. Yin.
Riolu offered no comment. It got manhandled daily and understood very well that Li Xiang's level was not something an average person could match.
The guy's talent for Pokémon massage was terrifyingly strong. While other aspects of Pokémon care required diligent study, he seemed to grasp massage techniques almost instantly.
Greninja narrowed its eyes, expressing complete agreement with Incineroar's words.
The three powerhouses arrived at the territory of the Savage Hounds.
Even before getting too close, they received a grand "welcome" from numerous canine Pokémon, advancing amidst the chorus of a hundred dogs barking.
"Kind of fun, actually?"
Incineroar looked at the small dogs that were barking fiercely at it in particular, feeling neither anger nor irritation.
It just found it amusing how these guys would take a step back for every step it took forward, their faces still carrying a hint of fear.
It couldn't help but actively move closer to these little ones.
"Stop playing around."
Riolu pulled it back helplessly, then turned to find Greninja was gone. Reaching out, it sensed the guy was right beside them. "Don't run off randomly."
"Oh."
Greninja responded softly. It had activated its Concealment and Camouflage state the moment the dogs started barking. As the sole assassin, it had to shoulder the responsibility of decapitating the enemy during a fight.
"Hahaha, and no one's coming to control these little dogs."
Incineroar laughed heartily, looking at the larger dogs watching it warily from a distance.
If it were any more malicious, these cocky little dogs wouldn't fare well.
'Be thankful that your Brother Incineroar doesn't like bullying the weak, you weaklings!'
The trio gradually moved deeper.
They weren't hindered or approached by any of the larger dogs during this time; only the small dogs kept barking something incessantly.
Riolu listened to them calling it a traitor and found it utterly laughable.
Since when was it part of their gang? Just because they were all canine Pokémon?
'Don't flatter yourselves! Dogs are different from dogs, you stupid little pups who only know how to yap!'
Riolu let out a soft snort through its nose.
To be honest, it wasn't that old either, not even five years. By Pokémon lifespan standards, it barely counted as half a puppy.
But its powerful strength was enough to ignore the age gap.
Before long, the location of Houndoom and the others was right before them.
"Not even coming to greet us, quite the airs, huh! Barking big dogs~"
Incineroar pulled back its lips, revealing pale teeth. Since these guys weren't being polite, it wouldn't be so pathetic as to offer warmth to their cold indifference.
In this world, only Li Xiang deserved that from it.
"You say that, but it wounds me, colleague."
Houndoom stood up amidst its pack, a trace of arrogance still on its face, but also a hypocritical, human-like smile.
"I had good intentions, sending an old friend to invite you, but it came back with a scowl. What was I supposed to do?"
Houndoom stepped forward but stopped over ten meters away.
Although it stood about 1.7 meters tall even on all fours, facing the over-two-meter-tall Incineroar still made it somewhat of a little brother. Getting closer would mean having to look up at it.
So it wouldn't get close.
"Hmph, just say it straight. I don't like beating around the bush."
Incineroar spoke disdainfully.
"Good! I like a straightforward cat! Then I'll be direct!"
Houndoom could tell Incineroar was the one in charge among the two Pokémon and said, "Colleague, sooner or later, all our trainers will be in the same team. We know each other, even familiar with each other.
"That means we'll be teammates for at least six years. If special circumstances arise, this friendship could last even longer."
It extended its tongue to lick its teeth, looking at the tall, imposing, intimidating Incineroar. "Help me. Help me unite the Savage Hounds, unite this territory of Mist City!"
Huh?
Incineroar frowned upon hearing this. "You said help you unite the Savage Hounds? Aren't you a cadre of the Savage Hounds? And you're saying this in front of so many members—"
"They are my dogs."
Houndoom raised its head, revealing a somewhat proud expression. "All the hundreds of Pokémon here are my subordinates. They only obey my commands. As for Zoroark?
"The day after that guy was detained, most of its underlings became my underlings!"
'Holy crap! This guy staged a coup!'
While the gang leader Zoroark and key members were confined, this guy actually pulled the rug from under their feet, seizing the chance to sideline Zoroark!
'This guy has talent for canine leadership!'
Incineroar was slightly surprised.
Seeing this, Houndoom quickly added more bargaining chips. "As long as you help me, I don't mind sharing this territory with you. If in the future Abby leaves Mist City, I could even hand over the entire Savage Hounds... no, the entire Mist City's Pokémon organizations to you!"
It believed this offer was weighty enough.
Besides, by that time, it would probably be tired of being the boss anyway, and could just honestly follow Abigale further along the trainer's path to the peak.
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Houndoom could tell at a glance that Incineroar was an ambitious cat. Surely it wouldn't refuse such an olive branch.
Sure enough...
"Really? If I'm willing to help you, you agree to share the territory with me?" Incineroar looked tempted, its expression struggling as it looked at the pack surrounding Houndoom.
It really wanted to be the boss.
Houndoom's eyes lit up slightly, responding, "Of course! Why would I lie to you? If I'm lying, just tell your trainer and have him get Abby to teach me a lesson!
"Sooner or later, we'll all be teammates! Doing it earlier means adjusting earlier, right? Arcanine! Isn't that right!"
It turned its head and yelled at the giant lion-dog.
Arcanine lazily yelled a "Yes."
"See? Come help me! With you here, all of Mist City is ours!" Houndoom persuaded skillfully. "Ordinary Pokémon can't compete with us. You understand too, what does Level 70 mean to us? Mastery of specialized skills is everything!"
It watched as Incineroar's expression grew increasingly wavering, the curve of its mouth turning further upward.
"Agree, agree~"
However, just as Houndoom thought Incineroar would agree, its previously hesitant expression instantly turned cold and hard.
"Daga, kotowaru! (But I refuse!)"
Incineroar coldly snorted, covering its broad tiger paw over its face, striking a strange pose with its back arched and knee raised.
"Nani?!"
Houndoom was slightly startled, looking completely bewildered.
"One of the things Brother Incineroar loves most is saying 'NO' to those who think they're stronger!"
After saying this, seeing Houndoom's expression like it had eaten something disgusting, Incineroar couldn't help but smile at Riolu beside it. "Holy crap! So satisfying! What Li Xiang said is true!"
Riolu, who had been observing all along, sighed, covering its face with its small paws. "They always say Greninja is chuunibyou, but you're not far behind!"
"You're messing with me!" Houndoom, seeing this scene, realized Incineroar had been toying with it from the start.
It couldn't help but fly into a rage, lowering its body and beginning to growl.
Seeing their leader angry, the surrounding underlings also started emitting terrifying howls, forming a continuous chorus, quickly drawing the attention of other groups.
Including the Iron Cats Gang.
Pyroar decisively stood up upon hearing these ghostly howls. "Something's happened! Let's go! Rescue mission!"
Luxray said nothing, immediately turning to gather the capable members. The Iron Cats Gang had stood firm for years precisely because of this unity!
If they said they'd back up Incineroar, then they'd absolutely back it up to the end!
A group of cats in a mighty procession ran towards the Savage Hounds's territory.
The other groups also had their respective reactions.
At the storm's center, Incineroar looked at the large and small dogs howling endlessly, boredly picking its ear. "Finished howling? Can we start fighting now?"
It revealed a brutal smile, the fire around its waist gradually intensifying. Looking at the furious Houndoom, it raised its thumb and pointed at itself, growling: "Today! Either you beat me to death, or I—
"Beat you to death!"
With that, its fists were gradually covered in blazing flames!
"Don't waste words with it, grab your weapons and let's go!"
Riolu's eyes were like lightning. Even more reckless than Incineroar, it sprang forward like a flash of lightning!
In the distance,
Arcanine, seeing Incineroar take the initiative to attack, its eyes lit up. Without a second thought, it charged forward, laughing heartily. "Finally! Well said! What's with all the nonsense! Just fight!"
It roared, crashing towards the rapidly approaching Riolu!
Two Pokémon with clearly extraordinary speed collided!
Thud!
Grey smoke suddenly erupted!
But immediately, two figures of different sizes shot out through the wind, engaging in high-speed combat as they raced towards a more open area farther away!
Houndoom itself didn't want to fight, just intended to threaten a bit, issue a warning. It didn't expect Incineroar to be so reckless, fighting at the drop of a hat. It had no choice but to shout loudly.
"All of you, stand down! I'll handle this myself! Get lost!"
Ganging up and one-on-one had different meanings. Ganging up could easily backfire. It still remembered this point well. So fighting was okay, but it absolutely must not trap itself!
The underlings, seeing their boss shout like this, immediately halted their intended charge and scattered in all directions.
Strict obedience was exactly this.
Incineroar, halfway through its charge, revealed an uninterested expression. It thought it had a chance today to take down hundreds of opponents.
However, beating the boss wasn't bad either!
It swung its fist, brownish-red light manifesting, smashing down towards Houndoom's skull!
[Drain Punch]!
On a nearby stone pillar, Weavile and Honchkrow, seeing the fight break out below, wanted to jump down and help without a second thought.
But just as they were about to descend, a chilling cold and scorching heat sensation indeed struck the back of their heads!
Bang! Bang!
Two clouds of smoke exploded violently!
Weavile jumped out of the smoke, landing on another stone pillar, clutching its aching arm, its gaze somewhat grave.
Honchkrow emerged a step later, on its back bearing some frosty marks.
"What was that!"
"Coward hiding in the shadows! Show yourself!"
They yelled.
A voice sounded behind them.
"I'm not a thing! And I don't have a tail, nor am I a Raticate. Don't slander me, okay!"
Instantly, several palm-sized blade-shaped ice chunks were hurled by Weavile as it leaped, followed by three or four biting wind blades!
Boom boom boom boom boom!
They struck the stone pillar, emitting violent explosive sounds.
"What the hell is it?" Weavile clung to the stone pillar with one claw, its face full of gravity.
Honchkrow distanced itself from it, warily watching its surroundings.
Just as Weavile was about to use Foresight, two voices sounded simultaneously not far behind them!
"Geez, I already said I'm not a thing! Why can't you understand frog-talk!"
Following that were two dazzling, terrifying pink energy beams!
"Hidden Power - Fairy!"
The two Dark-type Pokémon their expressions changed drastically, instantly activating Protect.
But in the same instant, the green Protect shields were shattered by the energy beams!
'What terrifying power!'
Weavile and Honchkrow were immediately blown away!
Fortunately, Protect had blocked most of the force.
These two weren't instantly killed but landed safely on the ground.
"It used Camouflage! Use Foresight to reveal it!"
Honchkrow yelled.
"No need to tell me, I know!" Weavile impatiently replied.
However, on the stone pillar where they had been standing, a pitch-black Greninja revealed itself. Under the moonlight, as if the clouds parted to reveal the sun, it stood tall and proud, its crimson tongue-scarf seeming to flutter in the wind.
Itcoldly and arrogantly looked down upon the two Pokémon, then suddenly crouched down, placing its webbed hand to its mouth, whispering: "Sorry, I'm already out. And also, Li Xiang said that in the wild, with no rules or boundaries, I am invincible. Got it?"
'Damn it, so cocky!'
Weavile and Honchkrow looked up at Greninja, veins gradually bulging on their foreheads.
But soon, the bulging veins turned into horror because another Greninja appeared beside it, its hands glowing with move energy, forming a pair of blood-red long blades.
One had used a move, the other hadn't!
Was it Substitute?
No!
They were both real! There really were two Greninja!'
Seeing the second one also produce two blood-red long blades, they became certain both were the real deal!
"Ten Forms of Ksitigarbha: Wind-Severing Slash."
The two Greninja said in unison, then disappeared into the air.
'Gone again!'
"Be careful!" Honchkrow didn't think, immediately flapped its wings fiercely, shooting straight up into the sky,acutely sensing the wind currents around it.
Below, Weavile's eyes lit up slightly, a layer of light waves rippling out around its body. It immediately saw a dark shadow charging towards Honchkrow's back!
"It's behind you!" it yelled, simultaneously turning around instantly to use Sucker Punch!
A blood-red claw and a blood-red blade collided!
Thud! Thud!
Another dull sound came from the sky; both had been attacked.
"You're really looking down on me! You punk!"
Weavile spoke through gritted teeth, facing the indistinct Greninja before it.
"Oh dear, oh dear. Looks like I need more assassination technique practice."
Greninja looked at the shattered blood blade somewhat helplessly, then revealed a fist enveloped in brownish-red energy vortex. "Then I'll just have to punch you, punch by punch, to death, right? Super weak to Fighting?"
Its tone carried a hint of contempt.
If Li Xiang heard this, his jaw would probably drop.
This chuuni frog was actually this good at showing off and being sarcastic!
"Just come at me if you dare!"
Weavile shouted indignantly, its claws glowing with icy-blue light!
[Ice Punch] vs [Power-Up Punch]!
The two Pokémon instantly collided!
Thud!
Dark smoke erupted!