Bo lu bo lu bo lu...
Excellence Level Kingler!
Looking at this Kingler, which Weedle had to exert a great deal of effort to pull out of the water, blowing bubbles one after another, Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
It's not that he was surprised by the appearance of such a Pokémon like Kingler; as a common Water-type Pokémon in the Kanto Region, appearing in these waters is quite normal.
What surprised him was the strength of this Kingler.
Observing its size, the size of its pincers, the sharpness and wear of its claws, the color depth of its shell, and the fullness of the muscles beneath its shell, it's not hard to recognize this Kingler's strength.
One must know, although Fengluo River is a river outside of Goldenrod City, and even outside the neglected slum area, it still isn't far from Goldenrod City.
The possibility of an Excellence Level Pokémon appearing is still relatively low.
The only explanation might be that Fengluo River connects many waters outside of Goldenrod City, so due to the rain, this Excellence Level Kingler appeared here.
Additionally, there was a scar on its back shell, though healed, one can still imagine the enormity of the wound to Kingler.
And Kingler is a Pokémon that can shed its shell, theoretically removing scars with each molt.
So, is this recent?
This scar... why does it look like it was struck by lightning?
"Maybe luck has come. Not to mention, Excellence Level Kingler is quite valuable."
Thinking of this, he relaxed.
Not taking advantage of this would be foolish.
To avoid becoming a Bulbasaur's egg, Natsuhiko reluctantly let Weedle capture it.
Of course, aiming to capture this Kingler won't be that simple.
Bo lu bo lu bo lu...
The Kingler stood on the ground, blowing bubbles, watching Weedle with a somewhat dazed look, as if pondering how it ended up on the shore.
It not attacking was a good opportunity for Natsuhiko.
"Power Grid!"
"Woo!"
Weedle responded, already adept at weaving webs, and becoming more skilled in harnessing Electric Attribute Energy.
The benefit of battle is that it allows Pokémon to grow faster, a universally accepted theory.
Zzzzzz...
The electric current-infused Power Grid flew towards the Kingler.
Ka!
Originally dazed, Kingler's eyes turned sharp in an instant, its pincers ejecting as the electric web struck, directly clamping onto the web.
Its eyes showed a sense of pride.
But the next second, its expression froze.
The current from the web was conducted through its pincers to its entire body.
Seeing Kingler's reaction, Natsuhiko couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
This Kingler really knows how to act.
But its cleverness backfired. Thinking it could easily overcome Weedle's Power Grid, not only did the current cause temporary paralysis, but its primary attack method, the giant clamp, also got stuck by the web.
Weedle's web isn't ordinary silk.
After Weedle ate those two Tree Fruits and shed its shell for the first time, completing its first transformation, the power of its Insect-type Techniques increased significantly, and the resilience and stickiness of its silk also improved greatly.
Thus, Kingler quickly learned a hard lesson.
Its supposedly invincible, powerfully clamped pincers couldn't break free from the web's restraint in a short time?
What might have been a bit troublesome battle became relatively simple due to Kingler's own foolishness.
This showcases the difference between wild Pokémon and those with Trainers during battles.
Wild Pokémon often fight based on their mistaken judgments or misleading notions.
"Poison Needle!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh——
Three Poison Needles shot out quickly.
In haste, Kingler turned around to face the Poison Needles from Weedle with its back.
Thud thud thud——
Instead of a crisp sound of getting deflected, it was like striking a tree trunk, producing a dull thud.
The highly corrosive Poison Needle from Weedle was firmly embedded into Kingler's back.
To be precise, lodged into that scar.
Kingler's proud shell couldn't stop the Poison Needle's infiltration.
"Kuka!!" Kingler cried out in pain, eyes filled with disbelief.
Is this Weedle's Poison Needle?
Seeing this scene, Natsuhiko squinted slightly, "Looks like it's not the 'Hard Armor' trait, probably 'Monster Strength Clamp', with a very slim chance of being 'Forcefully'. If it's the 'Forcefully' trait, then this Kingler's worth increases significantly."
The "Hard Armor" trait makes the shell of the Pokémon with it harder, along with reducing the likelihood of critical hits, making it one of Kingler's common defense traits.
While "Monster Strength Clamp" is an offensive trait, rendering Kingler's pincers sharper and stronger, quite difficult for opponent's techniques to lower its attack attributes.
As for the "Forcefully", it is a rare hidden trait that eliminates the additional effects of techniques, but boosts the power of its moves to some extent.
Among Pokémon with "Forcefully" traits, the most common are "Forcefully" Nidoking or Nidoqueen. Combined with the Pokémon Item Life Treasure Pearl, this trait enhances every move's power, considered a pretty decent Pokémon trait.
If it's a Kingler with a "Forcefully" trait, though not as valuable as a "Forcefully" Nidoking, it is certainly more valuable than an ordinary Kingler.
Kingler, after taking a Poison Needle from Weedle head-on during the brief respite, managed to free itself from Weedle's web with its relatively smaller pincer.
Then, clenching one eye due to the pain, it raised its pincers, shooting out large amounts of foam.
The foam's speed was rapid, covering a wide area of attack.
Natsuhiko's expression slightly changed, immediately shouting, "Don't take it head-on, dodge!"
Bo bo bo——
Bubbles filled with rich water vapor burst around Weedle, and the dense scattered droplets were unavoidable. Weedle maneuvered agilely, constantly dodging the main bubble attacks.
But it inevitably sustained damage from the bubbles.
Could it really be forcefully causing what came to mind... Natsuhiko inwardly grumbled.
However, the value of a Forceful Giant Claw Crab is higher!
"Power Grid!"
After the bubble attack ended, Natsuhiko commanded again.
Weedle, with perfect momentum, immediately wove an electrified web.
This time, Kingler had learned its lesson, sidestepping to evade the electric web.
But only a few steps later, Kingler staggered, almost collapsing like a soft-footed shrimp.
You can see, from the back of its shell, the poison line spreading from the previously underestimated Poison Needle.
Weedle's toxin already penetrated the shell's defense and started to manifest its toxicity.
But Kingler still evaded Weedle's Power Grid, releasing another foam attack as it nearly collapsed.
Kingler's resilience wasn't bad, but ever since it underestimated Weedle's initial Power Grid and got poison needle-struck, the battle outcome was sealed.
"Shield of Retribution."
Previously too hasty to use this move, but now prepared, facing the dense bubbles, Weedle had its method.
Watching the rotating festoon of silk shatter the dense bubbles mid-air, a bold idea flashed across Natsuhiko's mind.
In the anime, Master Ash's Pikachu could use an electric discharge to create a Shield of Retribution. Could Weedle infuse these flying silk threads with electricity too?
The effect would be stronger, right?
But now is not the time to consider these things; capturing this "Forcefully" Kingler quickly is the right move.
Though, Natsuhiko didn't notice that while he focused on Kingler, the previously calm surface of Fengluo River suddenly became turbulent.
The storm approached.
——————
Hahaha—The author (mushroom) read everyone's guesses, you guys are so cute, didn't expect in the end it was a "plain and simple" Kingler, right? Gotcha! (smirk.jpg)
Decided, must find an opportunity to catch a Kyogre! Third update!