This complex underground tunnel actually leads to Goldenrod City!
If someone or some organization wanted to do something to Goldenrod City, anyone knowing about this tunnel could easily enter Goldenrod City unnoticed at any time.
"Could the excessive activity of wild Pokémon around Goldenrod City be related to this?"
"What?"
Ann Ci seemed to hear Natsuhiko's mumbling.
"It's nothing, why are you so battered, where are your Pokémon?" Natsuhiko snapped out of his thoughts and asked Ann Ci.
Ann Ci reluctantly took out three Pokeballs, and through the red glass, he could see three extremely lethargic Pokémon inside.
Slowbro and Quagsire.
Their dazed expressions actually appeared a bit "Buddha-like."
And there was one more that was interesting.
It turned out to be Farfetch'd!
Is this Drinking Monk keeping it around just for a final meal at a crucial moment... Natsuhiko secretly scoffed.
"To protect the Little Monk, they all suffered severe injuries."
Natsuhiko nodded slightly.
It must have been caused by the Aerodactyl's attack.
But the fact that they survived under the powerful Aerodactyl's onslaught shows that these two Pokémon must be pretty strong.
"Um... could the Little Monk trade for some healing potions?" Ann Ci asked, somewhat hesitant and embarrassed.
Natsuhiko turned his head and looked him up and down.
Ann Ci understood the look in Natsuhiko's eyes.
In his current state, he didn't look like he could offer anything in exchange.
But he still rummaged through his belongings.
He somehow pulled out a strand of dark wooden Buddha beads, full and smooth, and hesitantly said: "This strand of Buddha beads comes from the treasures of Bell Tower, made from materials blessed by the Divine Beast Phoenix King's Holy Fire..."
Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow.
He's heard that line from the Little Monk's mouth more than twice now.
Before, he thought this Little Monk was a swindler.
But just now, he saw with his own eyes the Buddha beads that Ann Ci threw blocking the Aerodactyl's flames for a brief moment, which allowed them to escape.
Clearly, this strand of Buddha beads was not as simple as it appeared.
Could they really be beads blessed by Ho-Oh's Holy Fire?
Natsuhiko felt somewhat shaken inside.
But after thinking about it, he still said: "I heard that recently in Goldenrod City, a little monk has been selling Buddha beads everywhere to get money for drinks..."
A look of embarrassment flashed in Ann Ci's bright eyes.
What Natsuhiko said, wasn't it exactly about him?
"Drinking is only for practice, those Buddha beads are not fake, but the strand in my hand now, compared to the one I threw earlier, is even more precious." Ann Ci said sincerely.
Despite his current disheveled appearance, his eyes remained bright and spirited, with a calm beneath them that seemed like a deep and endless spring.
Natsuhiko took the Buddha beads and felt a faint warmth from them, but there wasn't anything particularly special about them.
"I believe you for now, but it's just a strand of Buddha beads... It's not enough."
Looking straight at Ann Ci, he continued: "As you can see, this environment means not only do you need healing potions, but my Pokémon also needs them; we use one less each time."
"But the Little Monk... The Little Monk has nothing left..." Ann Ci uttered blankly.
Natsuhiko waved his hand.
"You don't need to give anything else, just have your Pokémon do one thing for me."
Hearing this, the Little Monk visibly relaxed but remained cautious, asking: "What is it?"
Throwing him three high-quality healing potions, Natsuhiko said casually: "It's not a difficult task, you restore them first."
"Okay." Ann Ci responded.
Without hesitation, he summoned the three injured Pokémon, sprayed them with healing potions one by one, and applied some special massage techniques.
Natsuhiko watched silently from the side, collecting information on these three Pokémon.
Burns, bruises... Definitely caused by the Aerodactyl.
These three Pokémon have been trained quite well, with their full strength at least at senior or elite level; otherwise, surviving the Aerodactyl's assault would be impossible.
Finally, his gaze fell on the Farfetch'd.
It must be said, seeing a Pokémon with its own seasoning, Natsuhiko saw it for the first time.
There was a bit of curiosity.
Nowadays, Farfetch'd has become quite rare.
Not because this Pokémon is exceptionally powerful, but because its meat is incredibly delicious.
Imagine, scald it in hot water to remove its feathers, place it on a small barbecue rack, sprinkle some oil and then honey, make a few crispy hot wraps, and slice the leek it carries for a wrap, take a bite, and the oil spills...
It's precisely due to the various cooking methods gradually becoming popular that the number of these Pokémon has dwindled significantly.
Ann Ci's Farfetch'd, even if it hasn't been trained, would fetch a ridiculously high price on the black market.
Ann Ci seemed to notice Natsuhiko's gaze and subtly positioned himself between Natsuhiko and Farfetch'd.
After some time.
The healing potions began to take effect, and Ann Ci's three Pokémon gradually awoke.
Slowbro looking dazed and even slightly adorable.
Speaking of Slowpoke's original form's tail, it also seems to be a delicacy...
Got carried away.
Then there's Quagsire, whose expression was even blanker than Slowbro's, with those two small black dots that you'd miss if not looked at closely.
These two Pokémon standing together is simply hilarious.
Farfetch'd got up, supporting itself with its leek, staggering.
The leek in its hand looked shrunken, indicating it had been stored for a long time.
Togepi's small eyes seemed intrigued by Farfetch'd's green leek; it had rarely seen green plants in this dark tunnel.
It softly called to Ann Ci, its voice still weak.
"Togepi, can you perform Healing Bell Sound? Give them one." Natsuhiko said.
"Togepi?"
Togepi looked at Natsuhiko and then at the three Pokémon opposite, pouting slightly in reluctance, but eventually, it got moving.
Togepi swayed its body, creating a clear and pleasant bell sound that worked on Ann Ci's three Pokémon.
Their burns and bruises healed slowly, and their spirits eased considerably.
Natsuhiko looked at Togepi with surprise; he was just asking, not expecting this Togepi to actually know.
Having done this, Togepi turned and looked at Natsuhiko, its tiny eyes filled with longing.
Seeing its demeanor, Natsuhiko chuckled softly, patted its head, and praised: "Well done."
"Togepi!!" Togepi's eyes crinkled in a happy smile.
Natsuhiko again glanced at Ann Ci, but noticed he was blocking Farfetch'd, with a wary look on his face.
"Relax, I'm not into that," Natsuhiko shook his head helplessly, calling over Beedrill, narrowed his eyes, "My other condition is simple: Have your Farfetch'd teach Beedrill a technique."
"What technique?" Ann Ci was taken aback.
"Sword Dance." Natsuhiko said the name of this technique clearly.
Farfetch'd, in theory, should be able to learn Sword Dance as its power increases, something Natsuhiko remembered clearly.
Relieved it wasn't going to be barbecued, Ann Ci visibly relaxed but was still hesitant, saying: "But Sword Dance isn't learned overnight..."
He had to exert considerable effort for Farfetch'd to remember Sword Dance.
"Never mind, as long as you teach it, whether it can learn it isn't your concern."
Natsuhiko looked at Beedrill, receiving a determined look that promised to give its all.
Half an hour later.
"Your Pokémon have mostly recovered; let's leave it at that."
Natsuhiko stood up, turned away from Ann Ci, waved his hand, and led Beedrill gradually disappearing into the darkness.
Togepi waddled on its short legs, following closely behind him.
Ann Ci watched Natsuhiko's receding figure without stopping him.
But he noticed a small metal box left where Natsuhiko had sat.
Opening it revealed several glistening Energy Blocks along with several slices of bread.
He offered a Buddhist gesture towards the direction Natsuhiko had disappeared.
"A good man, the Little Monk will remember."
But before he could finish thanking him, Farfetch'd behind him burst into a mad scream.
Searching the ground frantically for its leek.
"Togepi—"
In the distance, Togepi's merry laughter echoed faintly.