"Buduo!"
Audino shouted and then remembered how much trouble such a shout could cause.
So, not caring about losing its disguise and the deliciousness of the Energy Block, it hurriedly signaled Natsuhiko and the others to leave quickly, almost pushing him away.
"What's wrong?"
Natsuhiko was a bit surprised by Audino's reaction.
Logically, since you, as a Forest Doctor, have such influence, wouldn't it be easy to go out and send those disturbed wild Pokémon back?
However, Audino's reaction was quite unusual.
"Buduo Buduo!"
Audino looked worried and didn't bother explaining to Natsuhiko, immediately taking action.
Originally,
Natsuhiko didn't want to leave, and neither would Monferno.
As a result,
When Audino saw it couldn't move them, it puffed up its cheeks.
And astonishingly, it lifted both Natsuhiko and Monferno.
No mistake about it.
Lifted them up.
That seemingly weak body erupted with extraordinary strength.
Natsuhiko was one thing,
he was just a human, albeit a Superpower User, but his powers were adequate only against ordinary Pokémon, not really against Elite Level or higher.
But Monferno was an Elite Level Pokémon, a Fighting Type at that, and after training with Bewear, its strength, while not the strongest, was at least top-tier among Elites.
It was surprising that Audino, which typically shouldn't have much combat ability, directly lifted Monferno.
No matter how it struggled, it was to no avail.
Natsuhiko was experiencing, for the first time, what it was like to be carried by a Pokémon.
Audino carried them to the cave entrance, carefully looked around to ensure no Pokémon had arrived yet, and then breathed a slight sigh of relief.
It put Natsuhiko and Monferno down.
"Buduo, Buduo——"
Signaling them to leave quickly.
Natsuhiko and Monferno weren't hurt; although Audino was strong, it was very mindful not to injure them.
This only piqued Natsuhiko's curiosity further.
Why was its reaction so intense?
After a brief thought, Natsuhiko decided to follow Audino's suggestion.
But he didn't leave; he hid in the shadow of a tree on a slope.
When Audino saw Natsuhiko vanish, it let out a big breath.
Then quickly dragged some branches from the nearby cave entrance, scarcely hiding itself once more.
Though this disguise could only really fool itself.
Very soon,
The commotion grew louder, and many wild Pokémon gathered at the cave front.
There were Scyther and Rogue Panda Natsuhiko had seen before, and some he hadn't like Drapion, Scolipede, Pinsir, Arbok, and Seismitoad among the dozens of large and small Pokémon races.
This lineup truly lived up to Audino's name as the "Forest Doctor."
But upon observation, Natsuhiko noticed something interesting.
Rogue Panda and Scyther's races, along with some scattered Pokémon, stood at the cave's entrance.
The rest of the Pokémon were on opposite sides, eyeing the cave warily.
Seeing this scene, Natsuhiko understood why Audino reacted so intensely earlier.
In such wild settings, all Pokémon understood the significant role of a Pokémon with exceptional healing powers.
Audino indeed was a "Forest Doctor."
"But it seems, these wild Pokémon all want to capture it," Natsuhiko muttered, clicking his tongue.
Wasn't Natsuhiko, in a way, just like them?
He just didn't want to be violent unless absolutely necessary.
After all, most likely, he would need Audino's help for a long time ahead.
Wild Pokémon, though mostly less intelligent than humans,
were not without intelligence, nor were they stupid.
Just like how in Regigigas' Alternate Space, Cherrim lived in comfort under the protection of a powerful Heracross.
With a race, Cherrim was like this, let alone a solitary Audino,
Pokémon with healing abilities, whether in the human world or the wild Pokémon world, were rare and valuable "resources."
Then Natsuhiko saw, without much exchange, the two sides began to fight.
The prior training exchanges between Rogue Panda and Scyther now proved beneficial here.
However,
even if they were strong, they couldn't possibly match so many opponents.
Moreover, there were quite a few who favored using poison.
Most importantly, among the wild Pokémon eyeing the cave, there were Elite Candidate Level strengths.
Not just one.
An Elite Candidate Scolipede.
And an Elite Candidate Drapion.
But looking at the number of Pokémon they led, it was understandable.
Two large races, if entirely supportive, could rear them.
And importantly.
Poison Type Pokémon in the wild should be the easiest to grow.
Firstly, they can use poison to reduce direct combat instances, leading to less injury and hidden injuries.
Secondly, Poison-type Pokémon are among the few that can enhance themselves by eating other Pokémon.
Since other Pokémon couldn't gain much through hunting others, mainly for survival and sustenance.