Natsuhiko raised his chin slightly.
"In areas D3 and B5, people have encountered powerful Fire-type Pokémon."
Upon hearing this, Natsuhiko slowly stood up.
"Let's go."
This time, his goal was clear: he wanted to find a suitable Fire-type Pokémon.
If he couldn't find one in Flame Valley, then he would have to wait until he left this space and seek out Dr. Karin Shiroyama or Sakuragi, who was about to become a professor, to see if they could acquire a good Fire-type Starter Trio.
Charizard from the Kanto Region and Infernape from the Sinnoh Region are also great Pokémon.
The two followed closely behind him.
"Lord Zhenwu, there are still people on cleanup duties in both those areas," Nanmu reminded.
Natsuhiko nodded without speaking.
From his attitude, it seemed like whoever stood in his way would be eliminated. Nanmu and Ishino exchanged glances, feeling somewhat excited.
In underground forces like the Magma Team, Ocean Team, and Rocket Team, what's the most important thing?
It's having a backing!
Although, from the current situation, even if Natsuhiko sought competition, at most he would only become an Elite Captain, a level above them.
For most people, just relying on an Elite Captain is quite a luxury.
Moreover, being an Elite Captain with a Gym Leader Level Pokémon places one among the top tier of Elite Captains.
Don't underestimate the difference between Elite Level and Gym Leader Level; it's a barrier that many cannot overcome.
Many trainers spend their entire lives unable to successfully train a Gym Leader Level Pokémon.
"Lord Zhenwu, are you... going to compete for Elite Captain?" Nanmu hesitantly asked, his eyes showing a hint of hope.
Natsuhiko merely adjusted their attitude towards him slightly, not turning them into puppets, nor impairing their independent thinking or self-awareness.
"Captain?" Natsuhiko chuckled lightly.
Once he left Flame Valley, he would have no connection with the Magma Team, so what was the point of competing for captain?
Seeing his lack of response, Nanmu and Ishino dared not press further.
They simply followed Natsuhiko silently towards the target area.
"D3" Area.
Also a small valley.
Unlike before, this valley was not barren, with knee-high grass densely covering the area.
Such an environment was obviously more suitable for wild Pokémon to inhabit.
Even Fire-type Pokémon don't necessarily live only in fiery, lava-filled places.
"Have your Golbat and Mightyena search for Fire-type Pokémon and the members responsible for this area," Natsuhiko instructed.
"Yes!"
Hearing this, Nanmu and Ishino immediately took action.
Not long after.
"Found it," Nanmu's Golbat was the first to spot the trail.
"Confirmed over here as well."
Ishino also found something, but he located a member of the Magma Team, while Nanmu found the Fire-type Pokémon.
"Let's check out the Pokémon first."
They then arrived at a plain within the valley, successfully spotting the Fire-type Pokémon found by Golbat.
In the dense grass, a pride of lions with black bodies, brown limbs, and manes of thick red and yellow fur stood.
Among them, one lion had the most luxuriant mane, covering its entire head and neck. It was the pride's only male, while the others, with sparser manes, had only a tuft extending from head to neck — these were the females.
Pyroar.
Fire-type and General Type Pokémon.
Indeed a Fire-type Pokémon, and also considered quite a good one, with a Species Value of 507 points, particularly excelling in Special Attack and Speed.
But Pyroar wasn't one of the Fire-type Pokémon Natsuhiko favored.
As his strength grew and resources increased, Natsuhiko also had more choices when selecting Pokémon.
"Lord Zhenwu, it's Pyroar."
However, Nanmu and Ishino seemed more interested in Pyroar, considering both capturing or exchanging it for Contribution Value as good choices.
Their arrival also caught the Pyroar's attention, each raising its head to look at Natsuhiko and his group.
Behind them, a few little ones peeked out.
Litleos, the Pyroar's offspring.
"Ah, it's just Nanmu and Ishino, you two clowns."
At this moment, a slightly sinister voice, laced with undisguised mockery, came from behind them.
It was the three Magma Team members responsible for clearing this area.
Since Ishino's Mightyena could find them, they could naturally sense Natsuhiko's group arriving.
Turning around, they saw the three with mocking expressions, their gazes sweeping over the group, particularly lingering on Natsuhiko.
"You mind your business, we'll complete our task. No interference, but why are you trespassing in our area?" The leader demanded of Nanmu.
Evidently, Nanmu and Ishino's actions were no secret to those who knew them.
And since this was territory they managed, the Pyroar pride was naturally off-limits to outsiders.
Upon hearing his insinuating words, Nanmu bit his lip, looked at Natsuhiko, and whispered in his ear, "Lord, these three guys aren't weak. The leader is..."
Before he could finish, Natsuhiko stopped him with a gesture.