Chapter 463: Your Potential is Limitless
Although he could temporarily disable Athena's Pokémon's ability to battle, an Elite Four-level trainer who couldn't control her own Pokémon wasn't of much use to Hikaru.
He was used to doing things his own way.
"I... you can implant a micro-bomb in my head, like how a power item controls a Pokémon, or have Mew alter my memory. If possible, I hope it's the former."
Athena's words made Hikaru re-evaluate her. She was an Elite Four-level trainer, after all, and looked to be only twenty-eight or twenty-nine. To have such strength at this age...
Would she be willing?
Hikaru said in a deep voice, "A good suggestion. You've convinced me. But just convincing me isn't enough; you also have to convince my Pokémon."
In that battle back then, they were the ones standing in front, not him.
With that, Hikaru released his Charizard, Greninja, and Gardevoir.
After hearing Hikaru's explanation, Greninja and Charizard indicated they had no objections; the two big guys felt that whatever Hikaru said was right.
But Gardevoir and Latias clearly had reservations.
"Gardevoir..." (Is this really okay?)
Especially Latias. Having stayed in Kyoto for so long, she clearly understood a bit more. "No, she's not a good woman. Sakura told me, the prettier the woman on the outside, the worse she is. Besides, she hit us back then..."
"..."
Hikaru could no longer tell if that was a compliment or an insult.
But it was clear that neither of the two Pokémon wanted Athena to become a so-called subordinate.
But Athena's rebuttal was quick. "Your trainer is excellent, the most outstanding trainer I have ever seen. He will definitely become a leader among trainers in the future. But then, he can't possibly do everything himself. So, if necessary, he can cultivate his own subordinates."
After speaking, Athena looked at them with some nervousness.
It had to be said, this piece of persuasion hit the nail on the head for both Pokémon.
If it was for Hikaru's sake, they thought it was a good idea.
Hikaru looked at Athena with surprise, not expecting her to actually render his two Pokémon speechless.
He said bluntly, "Implanting a micro-bomb or whatever, I don't have the technology, and I can't be bothered. As for altering your memory, I don't know if you have any countermeasures."
The only way left was to start with the skills system.
Could he refresh a skill that would make someone submit?
Hikaru didn't know, but he still subconsciously made a wish.
"Eat something. After you're done, I have some things to ask you."
Hikaru casually took out some compressed biscuits and bottled water and threw them to Athena below.
"Mmm..."
The latter took them, not daring to have any clever ideas.
She understood that the current Hikaru was also conflicted about what she had said; he just lacked a way to control her. If he couldn't find this method, he would probably hand her over to the League without hesitation in exchange for resources.
At the same time, if she showed any signs of resistance or strange intentions right now, she would also be sent to the League.
"By the way, these are your Poké Balls. Take a look."
Several Poké Balls were tossed out and thrown in front of Athena.
Athena was stunned, not knowing if Hikaru was testing her or if he genuinely wanted her to check on her Pokémon.
After thinking for a moment, she still picked up the Poké Balls, wanting to check the condition of the Pokémon inside, but also afraid that Hikaru was testing her.
But in the end, she gritted her teeth and asked, "Can I check the status of my Pokémon? I will check them one by one."
"Of course, you can."
Hikaru shrugged.
A group of Pokémon whose internal energy was controlled, even at the Elite Four level, couldn't cause much trouble. He might as well see how Athena handled it.
Receiving permission, she hurriedly opened one of the Poké Balls first.
A red light flashed, and an Arbok appeared. As soon as it appeared, Arbok fixed its scarlet gaze on Hikaru, then sensed Athena beside it, and the great weight that had been hanging in its heart finally lifted.
These past few days, its biggest worry was what might happen to Athena in Hikaru's hands.
Then its eyes shifted and saw the Poké Balls in Athena's hands.
Does this mean my trainer escaped from this human?
Athena looked at Arbok with a complicated expression, carefully checking its condition. Apart from being a little mentally distressed, it had not suffered any injuries.
"Arbok!"
Arbok bared its fangs at Hikaru but was stopped by Athena. "Arbok, he is our boss now. I was just worried about your condition. Come back for now."
Some things were not easy to explain to her Pokémon at the moment, so Athena could only say this. Although the latter was astonished, it obediently returned to its Poké Ball.
Next, Athena checked her other Pokémon one by one.
Although there was some friction during the process, under Athena's control and Latias's protection, no incidents occurred.
Hikaru was a bit surprised. "I thought your Pokémon would be the standard ones from Team Rocket. I didn't expect them to be so obedient to you."
"Although some of them were given by Team Rocket, I raised them step by step..." Athena laughed self-deprecatingly.
Starting from the age of thirteen, in an era when there weren't many secret realms, her parents had passed away early. Wanting to catch a Pokémon and become a trainer was incredibly difficult.
With no other choice, she could only join Team Rocket. Starting as an external member and obtaining her first Pokémon, an Ekans, she completed missions assigned by Team Rocket step by step.
Growing up with her Pokémon to this day, she eventually became one of the current Elite Four.
The hardships involved, and the contributions made to Team Rocket, were definitely the greatest among the Elite Four...
But she never expected...
To be cast aside like a pawn for a single Plate.
The higher one's position, or the more bonds one has, the more one fears losing everything.
She knew very well that once she was handed over to the League, not just herself, but her Pokémon would also be held accountable.
After all, many of the things Team Rocket had done in the past couldn't see the light of day.
"Now that the Pokémon are in your hands, aren't you going to try battling?"
Looking at the Golbat still flying beside Athena, Hikaru asked casually.
Athena shook her head. "There's no chance. Besides, I've already lost faith in Team Rocket..."
Hikaru became interested. "Interesting. So you're saying, if you had the chance, you would try to deal with me?"
Athena said sincerely, "You don't need to test me. Once I'm sent to the League, besides myself, some of my Pokémon will be held accountable. I don't want anything to happen to them, and I can't expect to ever get out of the League again. But you are different."
"You are the youngest Elite Four-level trainer, and what's more, your future potential is limitless...."
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