After all, it's about selecting a Pokémon, so Natsuhiko was quite cautious.
Upon learning Furong's identity, he paid considerable attention to these Ghost-type Pokémon.
After all, they were Pokémon that would be used by a future Elite Four member, and since they were Ghost-type Pokémon from Divine Departure Mountain under the care of Grandpa and Grandma Furong, any Pokémon approved by them wouldn't be lacking.
He also just happened to need a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Whether to make up for the team's shortcomings or to enhance his own security, Ghost-type Pokémon were undoubtedly an excellent choice.
Of course.
All of this was based on the premise that these Ghost-type Pokémon were excellent enough.
Currently, Natsuhiko had the qualification and ability to select Pokémon, and if they didn't meet his standards, the chosen Pokémon might only bear the responsibility of protecting his safety.
They wouldn't become official members of the team.
But considering it was a Pokémon for his personal protection, strict screening was necessary.
Hearing Natsuhiko's words, Furong didn't object; instead, she even felt a slight fondness for him.
She nodded in agreement: "Indeed, you should interact a bit to sense more things."
Selecting a Pokémon is a very careful task. If Natsuhiko had picked one just by looking, Furong might have doubted his capability and sense of responsibility.
But Natsuhiko's cautious attitude earned a considerable amount of goodwill from Furong.
Thus, under Furong's arrangement, Natsuhiko interacted with each of these Ghost-type Pokémon one by one.
First was Gastly, the Gas Pokémon, boasting Excellence Level capability, and able to pass through any object freely.
Then Duskull, a communicator of the Spirit Realm, also at Excellence Level, carrying traces of the Spirit Realm, and of all Pokémon present, it most wished to follow Natsuhiko.
In truth, none of the Ghost-type Pokémon present were particularly reluctant to follow Natsuhiko.
Furong sensed this degree of receptiveness during the interactions and felt a mix of curiosity and surprise.
It was her first time witnessing these Ghost-type Pokémon being so accepting of someone else.
Natsuhiko too had noticed it.
After some thought, he roughly guessed the reason.
Perhaps... it was because he bore the aura of Marshadow.
Being a Phantom Beast within the Ghost-type Pokémon category, Marshadow was definitely one of the pinnacle existences among Ghost-type Pokémon.
It had a good relationship with Natsuhiko, and its lingering aura would surely influence these Ghost-type Pokémon somewhat.
Back then, Agatha's Gengar was the first to sense the Marshadow aura on Natsuhiko. Even Agatha's Haunter's great cooperation with Natsuhiko couldn't dismiss Marshadow's influence.
Besides Gastly and Duskull, Natsuhiko also interacted with Shuppet, Drifloon, and Crying Mask, all of which were around Excellence Level in capability.
As for Misdreavus, it was Furong's own Pokémon and not in the selection pool.
Finally, it was down to the most quiet one, Honedge, which didn't seem particularly eager to follow Natsuhiko either.
Natsuhiko hesitated a bit.
Honedge could absorb others' Life Energy through contact, and it also had the ability to control others' minds.
He was somewhat resistant to this.
Besides, Honedge always seemed weak and "sickly," the weakest among the Ghost-type Pokémon present.
It seemed unnecessary to continue. Natsuhiko had made up his mind.
He would choose between Gastly and Duskull.
Even though they bore some imprints from Grandpa Furong, which would be troublesome to erase completely, without a doubt, they were the most talented among the Pokémon present.
In a corner.
Seeing Natsuhiko seemingly no longer considering choosing it, Honedge secretly breathed a sigh of relief, its timid eyes slightly withdrawn, revealing a trace of relaxation and joy.
'Thank goodness.'
However.
This change in expression and demeanor of Honedge happened to fall into the sight of Natsuhiko, who turned back again.
He thought it over, realizing he couldn't treat it differently, even if he didn't choose Honedge, a bit of interaction was necessary. Otherwise, having interacted with the other Pokémon and not with it, what would Furong think?
Moreover, since Honedge already had an unconfident appearance, if he particularly refrained from interacting with it, it might strike a blow to its already limited confidence.
So.
By coincidence, Natsuhiko's gaze met that of Honedge.
A brief silence, exuding a faint awkwardness, spread between Natsuhiko and Honedge.
After a moment of surprise, Honedge quickly reacted, hurriedly blinking its eyes, returning to its timid, somewhat daft, and simple appearance.
Witnessing the whole process, Natsuhiko was also taken aback.
Then his expression turned odd.
This Honedge...
Is it pretending?
He had seen many pretending to be strong, brave, connected, or backed by others.
But pretending to be timid, withdrawn, or dopily daft, that was a first for him.
Interesting.
Noticing Natsuhiko's intrigued expression, Honedge panicked internally.
'Oh no, oh no, I'm going to be exposed...'
"It's Little Sword's turn," Furong timely added.
"Hmm."
Natsuhiko nodded, as Honedge's reaction successfully intrigued him.
He moved towards Honedge.
Watching it constantly retreat, face filled with fear and tension, its expression resembling a scene between a "bully and a distressed girl."
But the room wasn't large to begin with, and soon, Honedge was at the corner with nowhere to retreat.
Finally.
Natsuhiko tightly grasped the hilt of Honedge, its ribbon-like blue end at the hilt instinctively wrapping around Natsuhiko's arm.
'It's over, I'm really exposed.'
"Yongji."
Nearby, seeing this, Yujira's psychic ability surged instinctively.
But before it could act, Natsuhiko raised his hand to stop it.
Somewhat amazed, he looked at Honedge, still pretending to be timid and afraid.
'Life Energy not absorbed.'
Although like Chandelure, Honedge could absorb others' Life Energy for sustenance.
However, unlike Chandelure.
Honedge, and its evolved forms, could control whether it wanted to do this, contingent on if the ribbon-like end at the hilt would wrap around a person.
Yet, although this Honedge did precisely that, Natsuhiko felt no loss of Life Energy.
"Yongji?"
Having absorbed a Life Crystal, Yujira also noticed this, somewhat surprised.
Awkwardly looking at Natsuhiko, Honedge displayed an expression of pleading and solicitation.
'Bro, let me go, I only want to quietly be a sword, you know...'
"Little Sword doesn't absorb life. Although I don't know why, the seller mentioned it once, saying... it doesn't need to."
Doesn't need to?
Raising his hand gently, Natsuhiko felt the weight of Honedge.
It seemed heavier compared to an average Honedge?
Moreover...
Through interaction and observation, Natsuhiko finally sensed Honedge's true power.
With a peculiar expression, he looked at Furong and asked, "You just mentioned it trained solo, right?"
Solo training precludes any foreign imprints.
"Yes, it doesn't quite fit in," Furong nodded.
It wasn't just not fitting in...
This little fellow didn't even need to train with those Ghost-type Pokémon at all!
Not in the same tier.
Immediately, Natsuhiko made a decision.
Despite the allure of Gastly and Duskull.
But apologies.
"I choose this one."
Hearing these words, Honedge was filled with despair.
The outside world is so dangerous, I hid so well, how come I was still discovered?