Wishiwashi.
From a base stat perspective, it ranks as the weakest Pokémon in existence—bar none.
Wishiwashi possesses the lowest base stat total of all Pokémon, clocking in at a mere 175 points. This clearly demonstrates its fundamental weakness.
Compared to Eternamax Eternatus, which holds the highest base stat total of all Pokémon at 1,125, there's a difference of 950 points.
The gap between them is only slightly noticeable, really.
Despite Wishiwashi's inherent weakness, it possesses a unique signature Ability: Schooling.
In competitive battles, the Schooling Ability allows a Wishiwashi at level 20 or higher—provided its HP remains above 25%—to summon nearby Wishiwashi upon entering battle. This transforms it from Solo Form into School Form. When School Form Wishiwashi's HP drops below 25%, the school disperses and it reverts to Solo Form.
In School Form, Wishiwashi's base stat total skyrockets directly to 620, making it stronger than even typical pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
That's how the Ability functions in competitive battles. However, in reality, Wishiwashi's Schooling Ability operates somewhat differently—and far more complexly.
First, in the real world, the Schooling Ability can still gather nearby Wishiwashi to form School Form, but the size of the school and the individual Wishiwashi's strength are closely interconnected.
For example, an Elite-level Wishiwashi can only gather Wishiwashi below Elite-level, and can only summon several dozen at most. The combat power after transforming into School Form remains quite ordinary, with no significant increase in battle strength.
However, as the Wishiwashi's strength grows, it can gather and control increasingly larger schools. Likewise, its combat power after transforming into School Form becomes progressively stronger.
Take this Champion-level Wishiwashi before him, for instance. It could gather Wishiwashi below Champion-level—at minimum tens of thousands, possibly exceeding one hundred thousand individual fish. The combat power after finally transforming into School Form would be extraordinarily strong, surpassing even typical pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Dragonite and Tyranitar.
Some researchers speculate that if a Wishiwashi could be trained to Master-level, its combat power in School Form might even surpass ordinary Legendary Pokémon.
In essence, Wishiwashi is a Pokémon whose combat power increases exponentially alongside its strength.
Normal-level and Elite-level Wishiwashi cannot even properly form schools.
But at Master-level, it could possess god-slaying combat power.
Wishiwashi's entire strength lies in its School Form, and precisely because of this, training a Wishiwashi often doesn't mean training just a single individual. Instead, Trainers typically train an entire school at once.
Simultaneously, for convenience during battles, Trainers will directly carry Wishiwashi in its School Form when traveling.
Otherwise, if battling in a location where no wild Wishiwashi exist, sending out a Solo Form Wishiwashi would render its Schooling Ability completely useless. That would be a waste of a team slot, wouldn't it?
Therefore, the Wishiwashi released by Trainers in actual battles are almost always in School Form from the start.
Jacob felt immense pressure as he observed the four Champion-level Pokémon arrayed before him.
He not only had to face the threat of four Champion-level Pokémon simultaneously, but also had to protect the survivors as much as possible. A single mistake could lead to disaster.
Looking at Preist-3's scornful smile, Jacob's eyes flickered with determination. At this moment, he had already made a crucial decision.
He had always maintained a particular habit: once he decided to do something, he committed to giving it his absolute best effort.
Either don't do it at all, or do it perfectly.
Although he couldn't use Iron Valiant due to his need to conceal his identity, there was still a way to make Preist-3 think twice.
Jacob's lips curled upward slightly. He retrieved Darkrai's Dream Ball from his pocket, and then the Dynamax Band on his wrist began emitting brilliant light.
The Dynamax Band was a product of the system—also currently the only functional Dynamax Band in the entire world.
Dynamax energy surged from the band like an endless torrent, pouring directly into Darkrai's Dream Ball.
The Dream Ball began expanding rapidly, instantly becoming gigantic. Its weight increased a hundredfold. Jacob then raised the enormous Dream Ball high with both hands and threw it forward with tremendous force.
The massive Dream Ball streaked across the sky, emitting brilliant red light. With a crisp click, the giant Dream Ball opened, and scarlet light burst forth from within.
Darkrai appeared.
Simultaneously, Dynamax energy activated. Darkrai, having just materialized, rapidly expanded in size under the influence of the Dynamax energy, instantly reaching an exaggerated scale.
Black mist swirled around its form, and the white plume on its head fluttered like a battle standard. Its crimson eyes scanned the Pokémon before it. Endless power surged into its body as Dark-type energy roiled around it.
The Gigantamax Darkrai was terrifying—like a demon of the night—exuding immense pressure from the moment of its arrival.
The survivors in the water, looking up at Darkrai, had long since become numb to shock.
The experiences of this single day had been more intense for most people than their entire lives combined.
The sinking of the King cruise ship, the appearance of Regieleki, the emergence of Gigantamax Lapras, and now the Gigantamax Darkrai towering before them.
They felt as though they were trapped in a dream. Everything seemed unreal, like a game or a nightmare. They only hoped that when they closed their eyes and opened them again, they would wake up safe in their beds.
Unfortunately, everything happening before their eyes was absolutely real. The seawater swayed and surged, hitting against them, reminding them that this was no dream.
Preist-3 reacted similarly. Although his mask concealed his expression, he was equally stunned.
Even the appearance of Gigantamax Lapras hadn't shocked him this profoundly. But the moment Darkrai—massive as a deity—appeared, he lost his composure. The overwhelming pressure made Preist-3 feel as though he couldn't breathe.
Jacob stood behind Gigantamax Lapras, with Gigantamax Darkrai floating ominously behind him.
One Gigantamax Pokémon resembled a deep-sea leviathan, the other a celestial demon. Together, they brought crushing pressure upon Preist-3.
"Now then," Jacob smiled, his gaze piercing through his mask and fixing directly on Preist-3. "Do you still think I lack the ability to interfere? Would you like to test whether your four Pokémon can defeat my two?"
Despite his confident words, Jacob didn't dare act rashly at this moment.
Darkrai's actual strength was only Heavenly King-level. Although its power would increase after Gigantamaxing, it wouldn't reach the terrifying level of Gigantamax Lapras.
The moment he made an aggressive move, his bluff would be exposed.
But Preist-3 didn't know Darkrai's true strength.
Especially considering the pressure emanating from Gigantamax Darkrai far exceeded what Gigantamax Lapras produced.
The natural Pressure Ability of a Legendary Pokémon, combined with the Gigantamax boost, made Darkrai appear incredibly imposing. Despite being only Heavenly King-level in actual strength, it looked like a pseudo-Master or even Master-level Pokémon.
Jacob's primary strategy relied entirely on psychological pressure.
Preist-3's face grew grim. The sudden appearance of Gigantamax Darkrai brought far too much pressure, causing sweat to form subtly on his forehead.
Who exactly was this mysterious person? And what was the nature of these two Pokémon?
How had he never heard of such a powerful Trainer before?
Preist-3 strongly suspected that if he actually engaged in battle, his four Pokémon would absolutely die here.
Should he use his trump card?
"I can guarantee that I won't harm anyone else," Preist-3 stated, looking at Jacob with a lowered voice. "But Andrew must die." This was his final concession.
As Preist-3 spoke, he retrieved a Poké Ball and held it firmly in his hand. His tone carried a hint of warning. "This is my bottom line. If you don't agree, then I'll have no choice but to fight you here and now."
Hearing Preist-3's words, Jacob understood he couldn't push him too far. He pretended to consider the matter for a moment before responding. "I won't interfere with Andrew's situation, but you cannot harm anyone else—especially no citizens from China."
"Alright, I agree."