Adding in the mission experience provided by the system, only then did Volcarona finally reach level eighty-six.
Just two levels short of the final goal. Nathan did not waste any time.
After bringing Mewtwo out of this mystic realm, he immediately went straight into another one.
Two more days later—Mewtwo leveled up!
Level eighty-six! Legendary rank!
A brilliance unique to evolution wrapped around Mewtwo's entire body.
Looking at the Mewtwo in front of him that was about to ascend, Nathan couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
These days of running around endlessly had left him utterly exhausted, but seeing Mewtwo finally begin to breakthrough, he felt that all that fatigue was worth it.
Compared to Volcarona, Mewtwo's ascension process took longer, after all, it was a genetic Pokémon.
It was fundamentally different from ordinary Pokémon.
After waiting for nearly an entire hour, Mewtwo's breakthrough at last came to an end.
As the glow around its body faded, the newly evolved legendary-grade Mewtwo stood before Nathan.
Before reaching the legendary level, Mewtwo's appearance already bore strong resemblance to a human.
But now, after breakthrough (evolution), its physique looked even more human-like.
Originally, before undergoing breakthrough to legendary, Mewtwo's arms and legs had been very slender and thin.
Although its power was extremely strong, its limbs had always looked like nothing more than skin and bones.
After breakthrough, however, its arms and legs gained some visible muscle, giving Mewtwo a more balanced and well-proportioned body.
Not only that, even Mewtwo's eyes had grown softer.
The old Mewtwo had once carried a heart full of violence and tyranny, but as its level gradually rose and it came into Nathan's care, that cruel heart had slowly faded away.
Yet even so, its eyes had always retained that fierce and tyrannical look.
But now, when Nathan gazed into Mewtwo's new form, the word violent didn't even come to mind.
The originally sharp, triangular shape of its eyes had begun to change, slowly resembling human eyes instead, the lines gentler, the expression calmer.
"Finally, you've advanced to the legendary level. Tell me, how much of a difference do you think there is now between you and the Shadow Mewtwo?"
Nathan asked, unable to stop himself, as he stared at the newly evolved Mewtwo.
Mewtwo lowered its head, looked at its transformed body, and clenched both fists tightly.
This was power—power on a completely different level than before.
"I feel that right now, I can definitely go head-to-head with Shadow Mewtwo. Of course, that is assuming Shadow Mewtwo's strength hasn't changed."
Mewtwo said with absolute confidence, clearly feeling the immense energy coursing through its body.
Hearing this, Nathan's heart stirred with a trace of unease.
That's right—his Pokémon were growing stronger. But… wasn't it possible that Shadow Mewtwo was also growing stronger at the same time?
If Shadow Mewtwo's rate of growth was just as fast, then what would that mean for him?
He hadn't thought about this before, but Mewtwo's words forced him to.
According to his original plan, within this year, he would try to raise as many of his Pokémon as possible to the legendary rank.
But now, that plan had to change.
He needed all of his Pokémon to advance to legendary rank, as many as possible, not just "more."
"It's fine. No matter how strong Shadow Mewtwo becomes, don't worry. You're not alone anymore—I'm still here!"
"And it's not just me. I've got other Pokémon too. Even if one can't win a one-on-one fight, a group battle will still be enough to bring it down, right?"
Nathan said with reassurance.
Although he had always been loyal to the ideal of Pokémon dueling one-on-one…
When facing a giant boss-level opponent, one-on-one was not the truth. Group battles were the real truth.
After recalling Mewtwo into its Poké Ball, Nathan left the mystic realm.
Just as he powered his phone back on, a call came through immediately. The caller ID displayed none other than—Kelly.
"Hello? I was just thinking about calling you, but you beat me to it."
Nathan answered with a laugh.
Ever since Kelly had been assigned to him, although the man's official role was as his government liaison, in reality, he had almost become Nathan's personal caretaker.
It was rare for Kelly to call him first.
If he was calling proactively this time, it definitely meant something important.
"Nathan, this time I'm representing the higher-ups to discuss a business deal with you."
Kelly's voice came crisply through the receiver.
Business deal? Nathan couldn't imagine what kind of business he could have with the country.
Could it be that the nation wanted some kind of Pokémon resource?
If it was just that, he didn't mind at all. After all, with the system backing him, money-making wasn't really the issue.
Last time, that one hundred and fifty billion had already been a huge help to him.
"Alright. So, who's coming to discuss business with me?"
Nathan asked curiously.
Previously, whenever someone came to talk with him, it was always some major figure. Could it be another big shot this time?
"We've already locked onto your location. Stay where you are—our people will come and pick you up shortly."
Kelly replied.
After hanging up, Nathan waited patiently.
About ten minutes later, the rumbling roar of helicopter blades filled the sky as a helicopter flew toward him.
Seeing this, Nathan clicked his tongue.
So, this really was a state-level negotiation. They even sent a helicopter to pick him up.
He boarded the helicopter, which carried him to the airport, where he switched vehicles again, and from there he was flown directly to the capital.
The moment he landed and set foot on the ground, before he could even steady himself, he was ushered onto yet another helicopter…
Nathan couldn't help but feel speechless.
Seriously? How far was this place?
At last, the helicopter finally brought him to the final destination—
A military base.
A military base full of Pokémon.
Inside this base, Nathan saw at least more than fifteen champion-level Pokémon!
That sight genuinely shocked him.
To be honest, before participating in the World Tournament, Nathan had always believed that champion-level Pokémon were rare no matter where one went.
But here, in this base, there were so many, and this was just what he could see.
How many more were hidden from sight? He didn't know.
"Don't be surprised. Anyone qualified to enter this base is an elite."
The soldier escorting him noticed Nathan's constant glances at the Pokémon and explained.
Hearing that, Nathan felt somewhat relieved.
Fortunately, they were all elites. Otherwise, he might have suspected that even legendary Pokémon could be walking around this camp.
But then again—this was a nation after all. Even if he had a system to rely on, the power of a country was something that could sometimes rival even that.
"Please, go in."
The escort stopped before a certain room and gestured politely.
Nathan nodded and pushed the door open.
Inside, there was only one person—an old man.
His presence didn't seem to match the atmosphere of a military base at all.
Before seeing him, Nathan had assumed the negotiator would be a soldier, some tall, robust military officer.
But to his surprise, it was an old man, easily seventy or eighty years of age by appearance.
"So, you're Nathan, aren't you? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Anthony Greatson."
The old man spoke warmly, his eyes full of appreciation as he looked at Nathan.
"Good day, sir. I am Nathan Vesper."
Nathan replied respectfully.
"Please, have a seat."
Anthony gestured toward a chair nearby.
Then, he picked up the phone on the desk, dialed, spoke a few short sentences, and hung up.
Nathan, listening from the side, could tell that he had just instructed someone to bring something over.
"I hear you've created your own unique Pokémon moves?"
Anthony asked with a kind smile.
Hearing this, Nathan could basically confirm it—this so-called business negotiation was about his Navy Six Styles.
Otherwise, why would Zhang bring that up as soon as they met?
Nathan had always kept the Navy Six Styles hidden carefully.
Other than Evelyn, not a second person possessed them.
"Yes, but they're just some small techniques."
Nathan nodded modestly.
He wasn't lying. Compared to the original moves Pokémon came with, the Navy Six Styles really were just minor techniques.
After all, once a Pokémon reached the legendary level or higher, some of their natural moves were still far stronger than the Six Styles.
"I wonder, what are the names of these moves?"
Anthony asked with curiosity.
From the files he had read, he only knew of two names—Iron Body and Shave.
One was a defensive technique, the other a high-speed movement technique.
"They're called Iron Body, Shave, Storm Leg, Moonwalk, Finger Pistol, and Paper Arts."
Nathan said directly, without concealment.
There was no need to hide them. Once all his Pokémon mastered them, these moves would inevitably become known.
After all, Pokémon learned these moves for battle.
And in battle against other trainers' Pokémon, how could such things possibly be hidden?
Just as he finished speaking, someone from outside carried two large boxes into the room.
(End of Chapter)