You can't do it, you're too slow. Let me take over, I'm stronger.
Joanna's gaze gradually sharpened, scanning Natsuhiko up and down.
After a silence of two or three seconds, she uttered one word, "Fine!"
With that, she waved her hand.
The Salamence behind her, already eager to move, immediately became excited upon seeing Joanna's gesture.
It flapped its wings, stirring up a gust, and glared menacingly at Eevee.
It was already considering what methods to use to give this little one a taste of the power of a Quasi-God Pokémon.
Natsuhiko didn't hesitate, swiping his palm across his waist.
In a flash of red light, a heavy blue and white Pokémon plopped down on the ground, creating a dull thud and quite a stir.
Snorlax!
"Elite Candidate Level?!"
Joanna's pupils shrank involuntarily at the sight of Snorlax.
No wonder.
No wonder his tone was so aggressive today, turns out he'd captured an Elite Candidate Level Snorlax!
Joanna had to admit, just with this Snorlax alone, Natsuhiko indeed had the capacity and strength to challenge her.
But Joanna was not someone who would easily give up just based on the level of her opponent's Pokémon's strength.
How much power Natsuhiko could harness from Snorlax was something only a battle would reveal!
With the guise of a status cloak, Natsuhiko finally no longer had to deliberately hide these Elite Candidate Level Pokémon.
Nor did he need to worry about the watchful gaze of Hoshino Ryuzi, that old King.
Although Snorlax wasn't a Pokémon he trained himself.
But after spending so much time together, their momentum and mutual understanding were certainly much better than those newly captured Elite Candidate Level Pokémon.
Aiming to achieve the level of synergy like that with Beedrill and Alakazam was unrealistic.
However, to deal with a Gym Leader Level Salamence, Natsuhiko felt that with Snorlax's "technique pool" and some tactics tailored specifically for Snorlax, it wouldn't be a problem.
This was his first step to establishing himself in the Hunter Guild.
Defeat Joanna!
"Salamence, Dragon Dance!" Joanna's face was serious.
She initially thought Natsuhiko's biggest role might be his connections, assuming his personal strength was just so-so.
But unexpectedly, Natsuhiko summoned an Elite Candidate Level Snorlax, truly beyond her expectations.
So at this moment, she was giving Natsuhiko her full attention.
Because on paper, she seemed doomed to lose.
"Roar——!!"
Salamence vigorously flapped its wings, the blue-purple Dragon Energy rapidly surging.
It also felt a tremendous pressure from Snorlax.
This pressure forced it to rein in its previous disdain.
Natsuhiko curled his lips into a smile.
"Snorlax, Curse."
The Snorlax, as a Pokémon, could learn and master a wide variety of techniques.
Natsuhiko had many tactical reserves regarding it.
"Cursed Snorlax" was one of them, and among the strategies Natsuhiko knew, it was the most suitable for Snorlax as a Pokémon.
The main reason being that the "Curse" technique had a high compatibility with Snorlax.
The "Curse" technique would produce different effects depending on the attribute of the Pokémon using it.
If a Ghost-type Pokémon used "Curse," it would sacrifice nearly half of its strength to place a terrifying curse on the opponent, significantly weakening their strength over time.
Normally, a Pokémon hit by "Curse" couldn't withstand the effect past the fourth activation.
However, if the user was a non-Ghost type like Snorlax, the effect would become relatively simple.
It would lower its own speed to increase its physical attack ability and physical defense ability.
For a Pokémon like Snorlax, which already has extremely low speed, reducing speed makes little difference.
While enhancing its physical attack and defense abilities, it undoubtedly strengthens the abilities Snorlax already relies on.
Snorlax is a Pokémon whose special defense is much more remarkable than its physical defense. Enhancing its physical defense ability helps cover its weakness.
Moreover, Snorlax's stamina is tremendous, which is its greatest advantage.
In situations where its greatest advantage of stamina cannot be increased, how can this advantage be maximized?
Increasing defense power, of course.
This indirectly boosts the quality of its stamina.
To put it simply.
If both have a health of one hundred, one with a defense power of one and the other with a defense power of ten, will the quality of that one hundred health be the same?
The "Curse" technique for Snorlax essentially enhances the quality of its stamina.
Armor up!
With a bonus enhancement to physical attack ability.
"Gamu!"
Snorlax let out a deep growl, pounding its broad chest, a faint Ghost Energy enveloped its hand, penetrating into its body.
This brought about some wondrous changes.
"Bui!!"
The Eevee nestled in Natsuhiko's arms cheered on Snorlax.
'Beat it! How dare it be fierce to me! Beat it! Let it know, we're also vicious!'
The small, adorable Eevee and the seemingly dumb, gentle Snorlax.
How could they ever be associated with the word "vicious"?