Riding on Noivern, Natsuhiko once again left Suiyi Town, only informing Chrysa and Linghua.
In the past, if he wanted to travel from the Sinnoh Region to the Hoenn Region, he might have to take a plane.
But now, that's no longer necessary.
Taking a plane is too troublesome, and there's not always a ticket available, so there might be a wait.
With Latios's strength now raised to the Elite Level, once they leave the Sinnoh Region, he can switch to Latios above the clouds.
Latios's current linear flight speed can't be matched by ordinary Gym Leader Level Pokémon.
It's not called the "Blue Plane" for nothing.
The Hoenn Region is located southwest of the Sinnoh Region, so Natsuhiko needs to first cross the Celestial Crown Mountain Range, then fly over Zhuqing City, and leave the Sinnoh Continent from Lake Valor's direction.
There's no concern about navigating the direction.
The tool co-developed by Flint's company and Silver Company is becoming more and more advanced.
The navigator's features are still quite comprehensive.
Glancing below the clouds at the Celestial Crown Mountain Range, Natsuhiko, standing on Noivern's back, was pondering some things.
For instance, his upcoming plans and potential tasks, or perhaps what the "Meteor People" in Hoenn need his help with.
There were many things and matters to consider.
Some could be concluded immediately, while others were just for organizing his thoughts.
However.
Just as they flew over the high mountain where Zhuqing City is located, a sudden situation arose.
Generally, flying in the sky, especially above the clouds, wouldn't encounter much trouble unless entering the territory of some Flying-type Pokémon with strong territorial awareness.
But halfway through, the Noivern carrying Natsuhiko suddenly stopped.
If Natsuhiko hadn't used telekinesis to hold himself in place, this sudden stop might have thrown him out of the sky.
Standing firm, Natsuhiko didn't immediately blame Noivern.
It must have a reason for doing so.
Flapping its wings, it hovered in the high air, its head constantly turning, occasionally opening its mouth to make sounds Natsuhiko couldn't hear.
And then tilting its head with its big ears, as if collecting something.
"What's wrong, Noivern?"
Noivern's reaction puzzled Natsuhiko, he couldn't help but ask.
Only.
The response was a low growl from Noivern, followed by an emergency evasion maneuver.
Natsuhiko clung tightly to its back as he saw a purple figure shoot up swiftly from below the clouds.
If Noivern hadn't dodged just now, they might have been hit by this purple figure.
"Roar—!"
After hastily dodging the attack and stabilizing itself, Noivern roared at the incoming figure.
That's when.
Natsuhiko finally saw what that figure actually was.
With deep purple all over and two pairs of wings, one large and one small, flapping above and below, it had yellow eyes with red pupils, a taunting look in its eyes, and a mouth drawn back into a somewhat mocking smile.
"Crobat?"
Seeing this Pokémon, Natsuhiko furrowed his brow slightly.
Crobat is the evolved form of Golbat, which requires a certain level of affinity between the Golbat and the trainer to evolve, making wild Crobat quite rare.
Moreover, wild Crobat are rather gentle, rarely appearing during the day, and won't suddenly attack others unless provoked.
It's daytime now.
The fact that Crobat clearly targeted them just now indicates that this Crobat is not a wild one, but belongs to a trainer.
In the past, Crobat was rarely seen, with only some trainers occasionally and accidentally evolving their Golbat through sufficient affinity.
But with the publication of Natsuhiko and Sakuragi's paper on "affinity," and the verification that some Pokémon require affinity to evolve, Crobat have become more common.
Still, Natsuhiko probably didn't anticipate.
Sakuragi's and his paper would one day be used as a tool against him.
Clearly.
Noivern's sudden stop, along with emitting and collecting soundwaves was due to sensing Crobat's presence.
Both Pokémon can use ultrasound for sensing; even if their soundwave frequencies differ, there must be some detection.
"Sssss—"
Crobat hissed toward Noivern, seemingly disdainful of Noivern's dodge.
Yet Natsuhiko, sitting on Noivern's back, could clearly feel Noivern's body tense.
Combined with the speed Crobat had just displayed.
Elite Candidate Level!
This was definitely an Elite Candidate Level Crobat!
Natsuhiko's face darkened.
This further confirmed that this Crobat belonged to a trainer.
As for why the attack was aimed at him...
Natsuhiko leaned forward, patting Noivern's back.
Indicating to descend.
At this point in the sky, he was still on Noivern's back, making combat very disadvantageous for him.
Noivern gave a fierce glare at Crobat before turning and diving straight down through the clouds.
Running was futile.
Noivern wasn't faster than this Crobat and was carrying Natsuhiko, making escape just turn them into easy targets.
Besides, Natsuhiko wanted to see which trainer was behind this attack.
Noivern dove swiftly, bursting through the clouds and heading straight for the high mountain where Zhuqing City was located, the dense and uninhabited forest below was the closest land accessible to Noivern at the moment.