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Originally, it would have been very difficult for Kirlia to get involved in such a high-level elite brawl.

She's still too inexperienced; most of her skills only last a very short time when used on elite adult Pokémon.

If an attack doesn't hit an elemental advantage, it's even harder to deal significant damage.

The grass-type giant vine is neither weak to psychic nor fairy-type abilities, seemingly having no chance.

But Chen Mu never gave up thinking about it!

After all, just over a minute ago, he had said some cool lines to Kirlia, telling her to trust him more in the future.

If he gets slapped in the face so quickly, how will he ever have the face to let the little ones trust him again?

He has to live up to that trust!

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he actually came up with an idea!

"Kirullian, why were you able to conjure the 'black mist' you wanted with just a flick of your finger before?"

"Naruru, lu~"

Kirullian tilted her head, implying that she didn't know either. At the time, she was only thinking about breaking the black mist and didn't think about anything else, so she just shook her finger and it actually came out right away.

That's so unscientific!

But it doesn't matter!

So what if it's my own kid?

Chen Mu encouraged him enthusiastically, "Then let's try again! This time, I'll use my psionic energy to assist you. Clear your mind, trust me completely, and focus on the move I'm suggesting. Let's teach that big guy a lesson!"

During the breakout, apart from a flippant conversation with Kirlia at the very beginning, the man in black did not spare Chen Mu, Eevee, or Kirlia even a glance throughout the entire battle.

Perhaps in the eyes of elite trainers like the Men in Black, who possess exceptional skills, an innocent tourist caught up in the conflict is nothing more than an insignificant nobody.

The fact that he managed to expose himself prematurely is already a remarkable achievement that this minor character can boast about for a lifetime.

So after that, he ignored Chen Mu completely.

But now, Chen Mu is going to teach him a lesson!

Pokémon battles, with over a thousand Pokémon and over eight hundred moves, offering endless possibilities!

Even the slightest oversight could have devastating consequences!

Even minor characters can sometimes cause you unbearable pain!

"Now, Kirlia, wag your finger! Focus on the move I'm suggesting!"

"chatter!"

Kirullian vigorously shook her fingers.

I'm daydreaming again!

But this time, the fantasy came true!

Kirlia shook her head—with a black gaze!

Normal-type move: Black Gaze, which restricts the affected Pokémon to a certain area, preventing it from escaping.

And most importantly: Pokémon that have been hit by "Black Gaze" cannot return to their Poké Balls even if they are hit by the Retrieval Beam before the effect is removed!

At that moment, the man in black, who had been leaning back in mid-air with a confident smile, could no longer maintain his composure and his composed demeanor crumbled instantly.

"Well done, Mr. Chen! Excellent job! This is crucial!" Shinkawa Akira immediately shouted excitedly.

The man in black was able to confidently let the giant vine cover the rear because of the Poké Ball in his hand.

As long as the Vermilion City Gym Leader can't KO his Vine in one hit, he can always find an opportunity to recall it with a Poké Ball after escaping.

This is also the biggest strategic advantage of the trainer profession in real-world battles!

The Poké Ball's help to Pokémon in actual battles is immeasurable!

But at this moment, Chen Mu's Kirlia used only one skill to temporarily seal this greatest invention of mankind in thousands of years!

Lock it in, no return ball allowed!

Even if the difference in strength between the two sides means that the skill effect cannot last long, in the current decisive moment where every second counts, it is enough to become the last straw that breaks the camel's back!

In an instant, a flood of skills surged toward the giant vine.

"Giant Vine, use Protect!"

The man in black quickly ordered the giant vines to expand the energy shield of the "Guard" skill.

The eggshell-shaped energy shield withstood a massive amount of flames, lightning, and extreme cold beams before finally shattering, giving the giant vine a second's life.

However, the "Defend" skill cannot be used consecutively.

At this point, the effect of the "black gaze" had not yet dissipated!

Akira Shinkawa urgently gave the orders: "Electrode, pounce and use Thunder Wave to hold back the giant vines! Thunder Beast, use Roar! Magneton, use Charge!"

Magneto is recharging itself!

It is ready to deliver the final blow!

The giant vine used all its strength to shift its body slightly and cast a hopeful glance at the man in black behind it, its master.

The clever giant vine had already sensed its fate and desperately hoped that its owner would come back to save it.

Save me! Take me with you! Please! Don't abandon me, please!

The giant vine's eyes clearly conveyed this plea.

Unfortunately, the man in black in the downpour hesitated for less than a fraction of a second before making the drastic decision to cut his own arm.

"I'm sorry, giant vines, luring me back is their open scheme, I can't fall into such a crude trap."

He pressed the button on the Poké Ball in his hand, shrinking the Poké Ball from the size of an orange to the size of a walnut.

Then, as he ran backwards across the deck in the pouring rain, he raised his hand and made a final cross towards the giant vine.

"May Czechrom bless you, my partner!"

After doing all this, he turned around without hesitation, sped up, broke through the rain curtain, reached the railing on the side of the ship, and jumped into the surging waves.

In order to escape, the man in black resolutely abandoned his ace Pokémon!

Shortly afterward, just a second or two later, the black gaze effect on the giant vine disappeared.

The difference in strength meant that Kirlia's "Black Gaze" effect on the Giant Vine couldn't last long.

Not to mention that Kirullian had absolutely no skill with this move; she just flicked it with her finger.

Unfortunately, even if the effect disappears by now, the giant vine will never see its own beam of red light again.

After subduing the giant vines, Akira Shinkawa and the others rushed onto the deck despite the torrential rain.

"Damn it! He got away again! In the end, we didn't get any clues at all!"

They angrily wiped the water off their faces repeatedly in the rain.

Chen Mu also chased to the end of the corridor, but he didn't rush into the heavy rain outside as frantically.

At this point, however, his focus differed from that of the ship's escort trainers.

The last few words the man in black said before jumping into the sea were too loud for anyone to hear due to the distance and the intense noise from the surrounding storm and waves.

However, Chen Mu, whose five senses are exceptionally keen, was still able to read a few words through lip reading.

"That person...is he praying to the black dragon Zekrom?"

This information undoubtedly clashed greatly with the intelligence Chen Mu had heard in the cabin earlier: the infiltrators were mostly remnants of the Hoenn League's Marine Team!

There is absolutely no way the Hoenn League's Team Aqua would pray to Zekrom!

Because Zekrom, the black dragon, corresponds to Reshiram, the white dragon, both being legendary Pokémon from the Unova region across the ocean!

Chen Mu keenly observed the contradiction.

However, he currently lacks sufficient intelligence to deduce further information based on this contradiction.

The thick fog surrounding the entire incident, like the gloomy sky outside at this moment, still makes it difficult to see clearly.

It wasn't until Akira Shinkawa, standing in the rain, realized that his walkie-talkie had rung again.

As he returned to the corridor, he answered the phone: "The Commander-in-Chief requests all trainers to meet in the observation room on the 22nd floor? Okay, got it."

As he put down the walkie-talkie, he returned to Chen Mu's side and said casually, "Mr. Chen, could you please come with us to the twenty-second deck? We desperately need your advice right now, we really need your help!"