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In just one or two minutes, under the effects of Sato's powerful healing medicine and Roserade's Grassy Terrain, Altaria's injuries rapidly faded away, and the vitality in her body gradually returned to normal.
However, the situation on Altaria's side was quickly noticed by the members of the three major poaching groups who were still fighting amongst themselves over the Pokémon Egg nearby.
Although they had been locked in internal conflict, these people were all seasoned Pokémon hunters. Since Sato—a formidable enemy—had yet to make a move, they had never truly felt at ease. From the start, they had been keeping part of their attention fixed on him.
Now, seeing Sato personally step in to heal Altaria—and with such obvious results—their hearts immediately sank.
The main reason they dared to raid the Dragon's Den at this moment was because Altaria had just laid her egg, causing her strength to plummet dramatically.
If Sato succeeded in restoring Altaria to her peak condition, then their good days would truly be over.
By then, not only would they fail to obtain the Pokémon Egg, but they might very well lose their lives here as well.
"We can't let that brat continue healing Altaria. If we keep stalling like this and she recovers, none of us will be able to escape."
The sickly old man was the first to realize the danger. While directing his Pokémon against the other two gang leaders, he shouted loudly at them.
Despite relying on his vast combat experience to hold his own against the whip-wielding woman and the burly man, his age was catching up to him. After a prolonged fight, he was already panting heavily and struggling to keep up.
Now, seeing Sato healing Altaria, he seized the chance to redirect their attention.
"He's right. Let's deal with these troublemakers first, then settle things between ourselves."
The whip-wielding woman knew what mattered most. Although she was confident that continuing the fight would eventually defeat the sickly old man, after hearing his words she stopped, glanced toward Sato, and upon realizing the seriousness of the situation, spoke coldly.
"Old bastard, you'd better withdraw while you still can. Otherwise, I won't hold back later. Boys, go kill that kid and the Pokémon beside him."
The burly man wanted nothing more than to take advantage of the old man's frailty and finish him off, but he was unwilling to fall out with the whip-wielding woman at this moment. After issuing a threat, he ordered his men to stand down.
In an instant, the poachers who had been fighting fiercely calmed down, then—almost simultaneously—joined forces again to attack Sato and his Pokémon.
As for the Pokémon Egg that had been flung into a corner, it was temporarily ignored.
Seeing the three poaching groups unite once more, Sato's expression darkened.
At present, the two strongest wild Pokémon—Onix and Sableye—had gone off to pursue Shadow. Only Cradily and Druddigon, both peak pseudo Elite-Four level wild Pokémon, remained to assist him.
Thanks to Roserade, none of Sato's Pokémon had fallen, and all were still in peak condition.
Even so, the three poaching groups still had thirteen people left: four from the Black Cloud Poaching Group, three from the Crag Poaching Group, and six from the Malevolent Ghost Poaching Group. United, they were still a formidable force.
Facing so many opponents alone would be extremely difficult—especially now that they were united by the threat of Altaria, making them far more dangerous than when they were busy scheming against each other.
"Kid, you're really sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Aren't you here to get rich too? Why help these wild Pokémon against us?"
"Little brother, as long as you stop healing that Altaria, we can forget everything that's happened between us. How about it?"
"Brat, you're playing with fire. Do you really think Altaria will thank you once she recovers? This is her Dragon's Den—when she wakes up, she'll wipe you out as an intruder as well!"
Knowing that Sato was no weakling and that a direct fight would cost them dearly, the three gang leaders tried to avoid battle altogether, attempting to persuade him while sowing discord between him and Altaria.
"Hmph, childish. You think a few words will scare me off? Do you take me for a three-year-old?"
"If you trust me, Cradily and Druddigon, then lend me your strength. You'll hold the left line."
"Cradily, use Ingrain. Druddigon, use Hone Claws."
"Nidoking, use Earth Power. Aggron, use Stone Edge. You're responsible for the right line."
"Roserade, continue healing Altaria at full strength. Ignore everything else for now."
Sato replied with utter disdain. Immediately afterward, he issued commands to all nearby Pokémon through telepathy.
Cradily and Druddigon had witnessed Sato's righteous actions in saving Altaria. Coupled with persuasion from Roserade and Aggron, the two intelligent wild Pokémon understood that Sato was not allied with the sickly old man.
Now that Sato continued to help them, they chose to place their trust in him.
The next moment, Cradily and Druddigon moved to the left flank, activating Ingrain and Hone Claws respectively.
On the other side, Nidoking and Aggron unleashed Earth Power and Stone Edge, launching wide-area attacks against the Pokémon of the three poaching groups.
Both Cradily and Druddigon were high-level Pokémon. Cradily, a Rock–Grass type with tremendous endurance, used Ingrain to continuously recover her injuries, successfully stalling five poachers on her own.
As for Druddigon—despite being mocked as the "shame of the dragon clan"—he was still a dragon. With strength approaching Elite-Four level, his physical toughness far surpassed that of ordinary Pokémon.
Under his fierce assault, Pokémon of similar level could hardly withstand him. It took five poachers working together just to restrain him.
With Cradily and Druddigon tying down nearly half of the enemy's combat power, Sato and his Pokémon clashed head-on with the three gang leaders and their remaining subordinates.
"Stubborn fool! Since you're courting death, we'll grant your wish. Mienshao—use Aura Sphere on Aggron!"
Furious at Sato's refusal, the burly man immediately ordered Mienshao to attack.
Mienshao released a sphere of terrifying energy that curved sharply midair and slammed straight into Aggron's back.
Aura Sphere was a Fighting-type special move. Against a Rock–Steel Pokémon like Aggron—boasting extreme physical defense but relatively weak special defense—it was one of the deadliest attacks imaginable.
In an instant, Aggron's nearly indestructible steel armor cracked open with a horrifying fissure. After letting out a scream of agony, he collapsed unwillingly to the ground.
"Hmph. Just paying a price, that's all. Gengar—use Curse on Nidoking."
Seeing Aggron taken down, the sickly old man decided to stop holding back. He ordered his Gengar—whose combat power had temporarily declined—to use Curse on Nidoking.
Gengar, who had been hiding within the old man's shadow, immediately separated from it. His crimson eyes locked onto Nidoking, who was still battling other Pokémon.
The next second, an indescribably eerie aura spread from Gengar's body. He suddenly withered, like a plant struck by frost.
At the same time, a grotesque ghostly face appeared on Nidoking's body.