"Togepi!"
Togepi peeked out with delight, seeing Natsuhiko's slightly heavy face.
Noticing Togepi's reaction, Natsuhiko smiled and patted its head.
This time, Togepi did not refuse, it just looked dazed and silly as he lifted his face again.
At this moment, small as it was, Togepi didn't know how to describe the feelings in its heart.
It just quietly burrowed into Natsuhiko's arms.
So warm.
This was a warmth and peace it had never felt since birth.
At this moment, it felt a little intoxicated.
However, Natsuhiko did not feel as relaxed as he seemed to Togepi.
Originally, the Aerodactyl outside hadn't discovered Natsuhiko and the Little Monk hiding in the cave, but due to Natsuhiko and Beedrill's actions, it was hard not to be noticed now.
At this moment, Aerodactyl had already locked onto the location of the cave.
The Little Monk inside the cave looked desperate.
He didn't stop Natsuhiko, nor could he stop him.
As a result, Aerodactyl discovered them, and now they had no way out.
But clearly, Natsuhiko was not someone who acted impulsively; since he chose to act like this, he must have had his reasons.
"Togepi, can you use Secret Power one more time?" Natsuhiko spoke to Togepi, who was curled up in his arms and wouldn't let go.
"Togepi!"
Togepi nodded its little head eagerly.
If Natsuhiko hadn't mentioned it, it might have forgotten about this skill entirely.
Reluctantly, it jumped from his embrace to the ground, using its tiny hands to feel around the walls of the cave.
It was searching for the closest passage from here.
Meanwhile, Aerodactyl was already digging.
Yet, Togepi did not disappoint Natsuhiko, and soon found a suitable path.
Using its small hands, it gave the rock wall a light pat, Secret Power surged, and a brand-new passage appeared before them.
"Togepi!"
Togepi waved avidly at Natsuhiko.
"Let's go."
"Wait! My legs are numb; I can't walk," the Little Monk's voice was near tears.
Natsuhiko had no choice but to help him up.
After all, in a strict sense, it was also this Little Monk who saved his life a moment ago.
But it seemed like the Aerodactyl outside noticed something happening inside, with its teeth bared and hot flames seeping through.
Jet Flame!
Natsuhiko's expression changed drastically, "Run!"
Upon hearing his words, Togepi immediately leapt into the passage, followed closely by Natsuhiko, almost dragging the Little Monk, dashing headlong into the passage, with Beedrill right behind.
As they entered the passage, a scorching hot golden flame burst from Aerodactyl's mouth, instantly melting and evaporating the rocks it touched.
The power of such flames didn't require proximity; the sheer heat could roast a person alive.
Witnessing this, Beedrill's eyes flickered with determination.
Resolutely, it turned around.
Wanting to use its body to block the flames, to buy Natsuhiko time to escape.
But seeing through Beedrill's intentions, how could Natsuhiko let it do so.
He swiftly recalled it back into the Pokeball.
Then glared fiercely at the Little Monk.
The Little Monk's mouth trembled, quickly saying, "I understand."
Soon he watched his bitter expression as he threw the largest Buddha Bead hanging from his neck.
Amazingly, Aerodactyl's scorching flames were blocked upon contact with the bead.
An ethereal glow radiated from the bead, flickering intermittently.
It seemed as if bird songs were flowing around it.
"It won't hold for long, hurry up."
The two staggeringly ran towards the other end of the passage.
Togepi was already at the exit, anxiously calling to them.
Boom—
With a final leap, they exited the tunnel, crashing heavily to the ground.
Seeing this, Togepi patted the rock wall again, instantly changing the direction halfway through the tunnel.
The flames that broke through the Buddha bead's block were also stopped by the thick rock layer.
Yet you could see that the originally gray-black rock wall had changed color, a red glow looming, and extremely high temperature smoke rising, Togepi's small hand holding the rock wall was directly scalded, blisters appearing.
The pain made the little creature blow air tirelessly, tears welling up in its eyes, about to fall.
However.
Roar!!
An angry roar pierced through the rock layer, reaching their ears.
Natsuhiko, disregarding the pain on his body, picked up Togepi, saying without looking back, "Leave here."
He had repaid the Little Monk already.
The Little Monk had no choice but to staggeringly stand up, and followed Natsuhiko's direction, struggling to keep up.
After running for a while.
They seemed to have left Aerodactyl's range.
Natsuhiko finally slowed down, leaning against the rock wall, breathing heavily, while releasing Beedrill from the Pokeball.
"Bzzzz!"
Beedrill, just out of the Pokeball, seemed somewhat angry but, seeing that Natsuhiko was still alive, secretly sighed in relief.
"Togepi..."
Togepi looked painfully at its still-reddened hand, pouting and blowing on it incessantly.
Seeing this, a smile appeared on Natsuhiko's face.
He took out a healing spray, gently applying it to Togepi's hand.
The cool and soothing sensation made Togepi close its eyes comfortably, moaning softly.
Turning toward Beedrill, he spoke sternly, "Beedrill, don't act on your own next time. If I chose to do something, it's because I have my reasons. Don't do anything foolish."
"Bzzz..."
Beedrill turned its head, seemingly a bit unconvinced, but still nodded obediently.
It was merely doing what it believed to be right.
Afterward, Natsuhiko's tone softened considerably, slowly saying, "However, the way you stood up was rather cool...."
"Bzzz!"
Of course!
Man and Pokémon exchanged glances, both bursting into laughter.
A lot of things, no need for words.
"Wait...wait up for me,"
Right then, the Little Monk stumbled over, his frail and gaunt appearance truly worrying that he might collapse any moment.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh—
The Little Monk collapsed into a heap beside Natsuhiko, breathing heavily, yet his eyes clung onto Natsuhiko, clutching his sleeve tightly.
Even though he couldn't catch his breath, intending to say something but unable to, with his chest heaving to show his discontent.
Beside them.
"Togepi!"
Upon seeing the Little Monk clutching Natsuhiko's sleeve, Togepi leapt over, delivering a little chop to pry the Monk's hand away.
Standing between Natsuhiko and the Monk, hands on hips, glaring angrily at him.
"Togepi!"
In response, the Little Monk was at a loss for words, only able to continue catching his breath.
After a long while.
He finally regained some of his breath and spoke with difficulty, "Water! Water...."
A bottle of water appeared before him.
The Little Monk had no reservations, drinking it all down in one go.
He appeared so disheveled; it seemed like he hadn't had water for some time.
One could only imagine how long he'd been trapped in this underground space.
After drinking the water, he finally caught his breath, speaking seriously, "I am Ann Ci, a monk from the Bell Tower in Yuanzhu City, Johto Region."
Saying that, he performed a Buddhist salute.
Natsuhiko merely nodded lightly; he already knew about Ann Ci's identity.
He's a Drinking Monk.
"How did the young master know I could block Aerodactyl's attack?" Ann Ci asked his biggest question.
Natsuhiko turned his head, looking at him expressionlessly, pointing at the tattered clothes on his body.
A large part of it consisted of holes left by scorching flames, very conspicuous.
Following his gaze to look at his clothes.
Ann Ci showed an expression of realization.
"How did you end up here?" Natsuhiko asked slowly.
He was curious about how the Little Monk Ann Ci ended up here.
Logically, the entrance to the underground cave should have only been exposed after the ruins collapsed.
In response, Ann Ci's face was full of helplessness with a hint of embarrassment, quietly tugging at his clothes.
"You might not believe it, but I got lost in Goldenrod City...walking and walking, and somehow ended up here."
Natsuhiko narrowed his eyes, sitting up straight, asking in a deep voice, "You're saying, you came from Goldenrod City?"