An oval-shaped golden jade embedded in its forehead, with a crown, collar, and tail made of bright red wide feathers, a deep gray body, and agile limbs, its dark red eyes full of indifference, and a slightly raised corner of its mouth showing a hint of disdain.
This arrogant-looking Pokémon is Weavile!
A Dark Type and Ice Type Pokémon.
An elite predator among wild Pokémon, naturally fierce and cunning, it likes to move in packs, dealing with those Pokémon that are slower or weaker.
Rumor has it.
Weavile in the Johto Region likes to prey on Swinub and Piloswine, while those in the Alola Region prefer Frost Six-Tails and Ice Pangolin as food.
However, Natsuhiko hadn't seen much news or reports on this type of Pokémon and thought that no one knew about this evolution method.
His gaze shifted, landing on someone who had just stepped out from behind a tree, wearing a tight gray outfit, with shoulder-length silver hair, and a pair of wraparound sunglasses perched on a delicate nose.
This appearance was very similar to how Natsuhiko remembered Hunter J.
Her appearance proved that Natsuhiko's feeling was correct.
The Dark Type Weavile blocked Yujira's super sensing abilities.
"Why are you following me?" Natsuhiko asked coldly.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" The woman lightly brushed her hair off her shoulder, her mouth slightly curling up, "What are you doing here?"
Natsuhiko slowly furrowed his brows.
"What? The guild meddles in affairs like this now?"
The silver-haired woman chuckled softly, raising her hand with a Pokeball appearing in it.
She said nothing more.
But the meaning was clear: if Natsuhiko didn't explain himself today, there would inevitably be a confrontation.
He glanced at the Weavile standing next to the woman, its sharp claws slowly combing through its head fur, gleaming coldly.
It should have elite-level strength.
Though not completely certain, at worst, it's estimated to be elite level.
Natsuhiko didn't put away his Beedrill, yet the other party remained nonchalant, showing confidence in her own strength.
He took a deep breath silently, adopting a compromising stance.
From his pocket, he took out the Hunter Guild hunter identification proof, and the task proof for capturing an Abomasnow.
Seeing these items, the woman's raised arm slowly lowered.
The smile gradually faded away.
"There are more Abomasnow at the foot of the mountain."
Natsuhiko lowered his gaze, quickly processing several questions in his mind.
The first and most likely choice was to leave quietly and wait for a better opportunity to approach, but the issue was he had already used his one-time identity cover; if discovered again next time, there would be no explaining it, and a confrontation would be inevitable.
The second option was to take advantage of her having only one Weavile out while he had Beedrill, Yujira, the Togetic hidden in his large coat, and the Honedge lurking in the shadows to handle her before she summoned a second Pokémon, but the risk was high.
The third option was to have Yujira use Instant Movement to take him outside the Divine Hall of Snow Peak; the distance wasn't too far, and Yujira's psychic abilities could achieve this within line of sight transport.
But this third option had its own hassle; such abrupt action would definitely attract the Hunter Guild's attention, and when he brought Meiyu over next time, he would undoubtedly face an ambush.
As long as he dared to teleport, the other party would dare to wait.
Time wasn't on his side for decisions.
In the end, Natsuhiko leaned more towards the first option.
Even if discovered next time would be troublesome, at least until then, he still had a chance to try, though the possibility wasn't high.
Around the entrance to the Divine Hall of Snow Peak is a large open area; getting too close would undoubtedly invite attacks.
Soon.
His active mind made the most "correct" decision.
Leave!
However, he couldn't relax his guard against the silver-haired woman.
He's encountered backstabbing after lulling the enemy many times before.
Keeping a safe distance and staying vigilant, he slowly left the area.
"Wait a moment!"
But when Natsuhiko had walked halfway, the silver-haired woman spoke again.
Natsuhiko furrowed his brows, signaling Beedrill and Yujira to prepare.
He silently watched the woman to see what she wanted to do.
"You, just joined the guild?" the woman asked.
Natsuhiko nodded discreetly.
"First task?"
Natsuhiko nodded again.
Upon confirmation, the woman smiled once more, "Good, from today you're under my 'Gyarados' Joanna."
Natsuhiko: "???"
What is this maneuver?
He was suddenly left dumbfounded.
Seeing Natsuhiko was stunned, Joanna wasn't surprised, only saying:
"Don't worry, I'm a Level 8 Hunter in the guild under 'Mr. A's' command, authorized to recruit subordinates independently."
After a slight pause, she continued: "Becoming my subordinate, you can be directly promoted to Level 4 Hunter. I know you can achieve this quickly, but it saves a lot of hassle, doesn't it?"
Natsuhiko regained his senses, asking in a deep voice, "Why?"
Joanna brushed her hair, chuckling lightly, "Why? Because I think your strength is quite good, and your alertness is very high, having the qualities to become an excellent Pokémon Hunter."
Seeing Natsuhiko's still doubtful expression, Joanna shook her head.
"Alright, because I need some competent subordinates, you meet the criteria nicely."