At the same time, Sam discovered that Charizard's potential had risen once again, approaching the realm of a god.
Then the system sent another notification.
The Four-Tails Enhancement trial has been successfully completed.
New Ability Acquired: Tailed Beast Ball.
While Sam and the others continued moving deeper into Cerulean Cave, a man stood hidden within a dark corner of the cave.
Beside him floated none other than Mewtwo.
That man was Giovanni.
Unexpectedly, Giovanni had already obtained Mewtwo.
Giovanni walked up beside Mewtwo and said calmly:
"Thank you for helping me capture Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. Next, I'll have to rely on you to deal with Ho-Oh."
Mewtwo nodded slightly and let out a low growl in response.
Soon, the two of them headed deeper into Cerulean Cave.
Meanwhile, Sam and the others continued advancing carefully through the cave.
Thanks to Sabrina's extensive knowledge, the group was able to navigate the dangerous environment much more smoothly.
Before long, they discovered clear signs of battle everywhere around them.
"It has to be Giovanni," Sam said immediately as he quickened his pace.
Everyone hurried after him.
The farther they went, the more certain Sam became.
These traces had definitely been left behind by Mewtwo.
He had already witnessed Mewtwo's power before, and the destructive marks around them matched perfectly.
Everyone sped up even more.
Soon, a deafening roar echoed from the deepest part of the cave.
"Over there!"
Sam immediately rushed toward the source of the sound.
The group followed close behind.
As the sounds of battle grew louder and louder, they finally arrived at the battlefield.
Floating high in the air was none other than Ho-Oh.
Surrounding Ho-Oh were Giovanni, Mewtwo, and several members of the Ho-Oh Guardians.
The guardians had apparently forced Ho-Oh to reveal itself.
At that moment, Mewtwo was battling Ho-Oh directly.
[Pokémon]: Mewtwo
[Category]: Genetic Pokémon
[Attribute]: Psychic
[Ability]: Pressure
[Hidden Ability]: Unnerve
[Strength]: Unknown
Mewtwo's hidden ability, Unnerve, was actively suppressing Ho-Oh.
Under the pressure of that terrifying aura, Ho-Oh's condition seemed to be worsening.
"Stop!"
Sam shouted loudly as he arrived.
At the same time, everyone summoned their Pokémon.
[Pokémon]: Charizard
[Attribute]: Fire/Flying
[Category]: Flame Pokémon
[Fusion Rate]: 100% — Four-Tails Son Goku Fusion
[Ability]: Blaze
[Hidden Ability]: Solar Power
[Strength]: Mid Champion Level
[Pokémon]: Alakazam
[Attribute]: Psychic
[Category]: Psi Pokémon
[Ability]: Synchronize
[Hidden Ability]: Magic Guard
[Strength]: Mid Elite Level
[Pokémon]: Water Pokémon
[Attribute]: Water
[Category]: Water Pokémon
[Ability]: Gentle
[Hidden Ability]: None
[Strength]: High Gym Level
[Pokémon]: Magmar
[Category]: Spitfire Pokémon
[Attribute]: Fire
[Ability]: Flame Body
[Hidden Ability]: Vital Spirit
[Strength]: Elite Peak
[Potential]: Champion
As multiple Pokémon appeared at once, Mewtwo finally turned its attention toward them.
An overwhelming psychic pressure instantly spread through the entire cave.
The Pokémon present instinctively shrank back under the terrifying aura.
This was the terrifying pressure of Mewtwo's ability.
A true legendary Pokémon…
Sam thought inwardly.
Without hesitation, Charizard unleashed a powerful Flamethrower enhanced by the power of the Four Tails.
The massive flames rushed toward Mewtwo and Giovanni.
However, Mewtwo merely raised one hand casually.
The flames instantly dispersed.
Then Mewtwo turned away again, completely ignoring Sam and the others.
Absolute arrogance.
At that moment, Giovanni suddenly spoke.
"There's no need to attack me yet. I didn't force Mewtwo to help me. It chose to cooperate willingly."
"Willingly?" Misty asked in surprise.
Giovanni ignored her and continued calmly:
"Mewtwo and I reached an agreement."
"First, if Mewtwo helps me capture Ho-Oh, then I will never disturb it again."
"That's something you should've done from the start!" Misty snapped angrily.
Giovanni ignored her once more.
"Second, I asked Mewtwo to help me capture Ho-Oh because I need Ho-Oh's power to cure my illness."
"I'm terminally ill. Without Ho-Oh, I probably won't survive much longer."
Everyone was stunned.
Giovanni… had a terminal illness?
"Third," Giovanni continued slowly, "after I recover, I will release Ho-Oh, Entei, Suicune, and the other Pokémon without harming them in any way."
He calmly stated all three conditions.
Sam narrowed his eyes.
He could believe the first two statements.
But the third?
He didn't believe Giovanni would ever be that merciful.
Giovanni ignored everyone after speaking and turned back toward Ho-Oh.
Quietly, Sam moved closer to Blaine and whispered:
"Keep an eye on Giovanni. If he tries anything suspicious, stop him immediately."
Blaine nodded seriously.