American comics: Praising the sun, starting from Gotham!

Chapter 375 The Hunter Who Dares to Shout Before the Gods

His heart, which had felt empty because of being forgotten, was now completely filled.

He flashed a bright smile at the screen.

"Clark, thanks, bro."

"I'm leaving things at home in your care."

"Please also say hello to the others and tell them not to worry about us. It's safe and fun here. When we get back, we'll definitely bring everyone some unique local specialties."

"Haha, no problem!"

Clark laughed heartily and then gave them a thumbs up.

"You guys can go and have fun without worry!"

The communication was interrupted in that warm atmosphere.

The black projection screen turned into specks of blue light and dissipated into the air.

Xiu En looked at Ivy.

Her eyes seemed to shimmer with moisture, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

Xiu En smiled.

Our friends are the most reliable in the entire multiverse.

"Just a bunch of troublemakers."

Ivy was still being sarcastic, but she took the initiative to reach out and hold Xiu En's hand, her tone filled with reassurance and pride.

With their worries resolved, both of them completely relaxed.

Their gaze returned to the walking grass that was still happily rubbing its head against Ivy's leg.

"Okay, okay."

Shuen smiled and pulled a red and white Poké Ball from his pocket, handing it to Ivy: "Now that the knight has been chosen, shouldn't we hold the formal investiture ceremony?"

Ivy looked at the small ball in Xiu En's hand.

In her perception, the sphere seemed to contain a wondrous spatial law that could store life forms in a gentle and harmless way.

"What should I do?"

She asked somewhat awkwardly.

"Just like those trainers we've seen before."

"Aim at it, press it, and then throw it."

Ivy took the Poké Ball, which she found very novel.

She mimicked the way she remembered the trainers, raising the arm holding the Poké Ball.

She looked at the walking grass in front of her, its head tilted back, its eyes fixed on her.

From today onwards, this little guy will be her companion.

However, Ivy's arm had not yet been swung.

The walking grass looked at the small red and white ball in Ivy's hand.

It seemed to understand something.

It raised its round body and gently bumped into the Poké Ball in Ivy's hand.

"walk!"

The instant its body touched the button in the center of the Poké Ball.

"Bang!"

A beam of red light shot out from the Poké Ball, enveloping Oddish's entire body.

The next second, the red light, along with the Oddish's figure, was sucked back into the Poké Ball.

The Poké Ball fell to the ground with a thud.

It gently swayed from side to side twice on the ground.

Then there was a crisp click.

The central button changed from white to red and remained still.

Successfully subdued.

"So...it's a success?"

"yes!"

Xiu En smiled and stepped forward, gently wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Congratulations, Ivy, you are now a true Pokémon Trainer."

Ivy felt the warmth coming from behind her, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She pressed the button in the center of the Poké Ball.

"Come forth, my knight."

A flash of red light appeared.

The Oddish reappeared before them.

It looked no different from before, but Xiu En could clearly feel that a bond full of joy and trust had been established between it and Ivy.

and----

"Speaking of which..."

Xiu En carefully examined the walking grass.

"Don't you think its color seems a little different from the ones we've seen before?"

The normal Oddish has a dark blue body, but this one has a slightly greenish body.

"So what if the colors are different?"

Ivy lovingly stroked the leaves of the walking grass.

"Even though it's black, it's still the one and only knight I've chosen."

Her words were full of favoritism and protectiveness.

Xiu En smiled.

He thought everything in this world was unbelievably lovely.

Whether it's his little flower or his little flower's knight.

With his incredibly reliable family and friends taking care of things at home, and his little flower master gaining his first loyal and adorable knight, Xiu En felt that the start of this honeymoon trip was perfect.

He looked at Ivy with a smile.

"Alright, my dear Ivy."

"Now that the investiture ceremony is complete, shouldn't we set off to find the next surprise in this world?"

'

"You're smart to know what's good for you. Let's go then, let me see what interesting things you can find in your lousy encyclopedia."

Xiu En smiled and took her hand, and the two of them walked together into the deeper part of the Evergreen Forest.

The coordinates of the unusual energy fluctuations guided their steps, making them lighter and more precise.

The deeper you go into the forest, the more pristine and tranquil the surrounding scenery becomes.

The towering ancient trees blocked most of the sunlight.

"The environment here is really nice."

Ivy took a deep breath, a look of enjoyment on her face.

Xiu En said proudly, "Of course, this is a five-star, pure natural forest oxygen bar resort."

Just as he was about to continue boasting about his brilliant decision, a discordant clicking sound came from the bushes not far away.

The sound was like the noise of some kind of metal trap being triggered.

Ivy's brows furrowed instantly.

Xiu En gestured for her to calm down, and he pulled Ivy closer to the source of the sound.

Pushing aside the bushes, they saw an infuriating sight.

Several people dressed in identical black camouflage uniforms and wearing gas masks that obscured their faces were gathered around a huge metal animal trap.

A Nidoking was caught in the trap, howling in pain. Its skin was even pierced by the sharp teeth, and dark red blood was flowing out.

One of the hunter-like men was holding a strange device that appeared to be scanning the head of the Nidoking.

"Boss, this one is in good condition! Its individual value is very high! It could fetch at least this much on the black market!"

"Good job! Quickly inject it with the anesthetic! Hurry! This is the outer edge of the sacred mountain; don't alert that thing!"

The man referred to as "the boss" lowered his voice and said.

Xiu En and Ivy's eyes turned cold at the same time.

Just as Ivy was about to take action and use the vines to strangle all the blasphemous scum, Xiu En held her hand down.

He pointed to the canopy of a large tree not far behind the hunters.

Ivy looked in the direction he pointed.

There, standing there, was an elegant and sacred figure.

It was a Pokémon with sky-blue fur. On its head was a huge, light blue hexagonal crown, like a crown sculpted from ice crystal.

Its long, purple, cloud-like mane stretched from its back to the ground, flowing in the wind. Two white, ribbon-like tails...

It danced gracefully behind her.

It stood there, like the embodiment of the wind, blending into the entire forest.

If Shuen hadn't pointed it out, Ivy wouldn't have even noticed its existence.

"Suiki————"

Xiu En softly uttered the name in the mental connection.

Is this the source of that unusual energy fluctuation in the Pokédex? A legendary Pokémon?

The pure power of water and wind emanating from it is far beyond what ordinary Pokémon can match.

Xiu En's eyes lit up.

Its elegant form, its sacred aura, its powerful strength—it is simply the most perfect mount!

He had even begun to imagine himself riding Suicune across the seven seas, with Ivy sitting in front of him, holding Oddish in her arms – a romantic scene.

However, Xiu En's fantasy was shattered the next second.

He sensed a powerful bond with Suicune.

The other end of that link pointed far into the distance to the horizon.

At the heart of the connection is a dazzling entity, burning with seven-colored flames, as radiant as the sun.

Phoenix King.

It turned out to be the case.

Xiu En understood.

This Suicune is not wild.

It is one of the three sacred beasts under the throne of Phoenix King, and its existence itself bears the mission of purifying water sources and protecting nature.

Its pursuit of the hunters was clearly also on Ho-Oh's orders.

This is a civil servant with a formal position.

Xiu En has always held such powerful beings, who already have a place in their hearts and are burdened with a mission, in high esteem.

Since they can't be used as mounts, then carrying out justice together seems like a good option.

He smiled at Ivy, and then the two exchanged a look that was meant for me.

Shuen concealed all his divine aura and walked out of the forest like a traveler passing by.

"Excuse me?"

His voice was gentle and polite, tinged with confusion.

"What are you doing here? I think I heard a Pokémon's mournful cry."

The Pokémon hunters who were busy surrounding Nidoking were startled by the sudden sound.

They turned around and saw a dark-haired young man and a woman walking out of the woods.

The man called the leader's eyes flashed with wariness. He waved for his men to stop, then impatiently sized up the two uninvited guests before him.

He saw that the man had nothing on him and didn't look like a trainer.

And behind that woman was a tiny walking grass hiding?

The hunter leader frowned.

That's it?

Not a single Pokémon was brought along, and the only one was an Oddish that was difficult to even leave the starting village?

Do these two newbies really dare to meddle in other people's business?

"Who do we have here? Just two lost tourists!"

"This isn't a place for spoiled young masters and ladies like you. If you know what's good for you, get out of here and stop interfering with our work!"

As he spoke, the walking grass behind Ivy revealed its body.

Then his eyes suddenly lit up!

Ok?

This color—green?

It's not your average dark blue?!

Shiny Pokémon?!

A powerful Nidoking is certainly valuable on the black market. But a healthy, shiny Pokémon is a top-tier rare item, priceless and unavailable! Enough to drive any collector crazy!

His gaze towards Xiu En and Ivy changed instantly.

It's the look in one's eyes when looking at two walking coins and a rare collectible that is about to be acquired.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

He let out a wild laugh.

"What incredible luck! To run into a shiny Pokémon even in a place like this!"

His two henchmen also let out greedy laughter.

"Feed the brat!"

The hunter leader gestured with his chin toward the walking grass behind Ivy, his attitude extremely arrogant.

"I've got my eye on your girlfriend's 'walking grass' (a type of herb). Name your price."

He grinned maliciously and drew a dagger crackling with electricity from his waist.

"Alternatively, you two can simply leave your Pokémon here and disappear. Considering the generous gift you've given me, I might consider sparing your lives."

"Hahaha, you dare to wander into the depths of the forest without even bringing a normal Pokémon. I don't know whether to call you naive or stupid."

"But it's okay!"

"You beautiful walking grass plants are mine from this day forward! Hahahaha!"

Xiu En's smile vanished.

He looked at the group of people laughing hysterically at their good fortune with the same disdain one would give a pile of trash on the roadside.

"Ivy? It seems we've been taken for a fool."

"They're more than just easy targets! They actually dared to lay a finger on my knights."

The walking grass hiding behind her sensed the hostile intent and trembled with fear.

But it still mustered its courage and stood in front of Ivy, trying to protect her with its small body.

"Walking! Road!"

It let out a warning cry at the hunters.

"Oh? You've got some backbone!"

The hunter leader laughed dismissively.

"Too bad it's useless!"

He waved his hand, signaling his men to take action.

"Catch that Shiny Oddish!"

He didn't finish his sentence.

Because Xiu En finally spoke up.

Even in such a beautiful utopian world, there will always be hopeless scum like you.

He shook his head, a sigh in his voice.

"What a disappointment."

Just as the hunters were puzzled by Shuen's inexplicable words.

A sudden change has occurred!

Without warning, the soft soil and fallen leaves beneath their feet began to writhe violently!

The next second, dozens of vines burst out of the ground with a bang, like tentacles reaching out from hell!

"Whoa, what is this?!"

The hunters were terrified and before they could react, they were instantly bound tightly by the vines that moved so fast they left afterimages!

A hunter tried to cut the vines with his dagger, but the dagger didn't even leave a white mark when it struck the vines; instead...

It was instantly shredded into pieces by the tiny thorns that grew from the vines!

Another hunter tried to press the electromagnetic mesh transmitter on his waist, but as soon as he raised his arm, it was locked by two vines and pulled backward!

"Ahhhhhh!"

Bones shattered, accompanied by a piercing scream that echoed through the forest.

The hunter leader who was shouting the loudest received the highest level of VIP treatment.

A vine, resembling a giant python, suspended him in mid-air. At the tip of the vine grew a gaping maw, like that of a Venus flytrap, hovering in front of him and emitting a nauseating fragrance.

Ivy stood there, staring at the group of rampant ants with the same look she had for dead people.