When Bryony and Mable saw Yuga, their expressions almost faltered. They really didn't expect Yuga to find them.
They knew that one of the bounty hunters they had hired had been captured, but they didn't take it to heart, as that bounty hunter was just a minor figure in their group. Besides knowing about the plan to hijack the generator, he was completely unaware of any subsequent actions.
In any case, since their whereabouts had been discovered, it must be related to the captured person.
Thinking of this, Bryony shot a fierce glare at a scar-faced man beside her. The man seemed to have realized something as well, his expression equally grim.
This scar-faced man was actually the leader of the bounty hunter group hired by Bryony and Mable, named Busan Ming.
Speaking of which, Busan Ming had a past connection with Yuga.
Years ago, Busan Ming's uncle, Busan Xiong, was caught smuggling Pokémon with the boss of Cute Day Care, and at that time, Busan Ming was also part of his uncle's evil gang.
When Busan Xiong was arrested, Busan Ming just happened to be absent, narrowly escaping disaster. After leaving Verdanturf Town, he inherited all of his uncle's assets, and over the past few years, he had actually been doing quite well.
Busan Xiong was an advance-level trainer. Although he had been wanted by the League for many years, he still had some connections in the underworld.
In addition to his connections, Busan Xiong left behind a considerable amount of funds and resources, which Busan Ming, as his only relative, naturally inherited.
With the resources left by his uncle, Busan Ming quickly established his own bounty hunter group. Over the years, he had thrived in the underworld, which was also why Bryony and Mable sought them out.
Even though Busan Xiong was captured by Yuga himself, if you were to ask Busan Ming if he had plans for revenge for his uncle, the answer would be no; he had no such intentions.
Years ago, he witnessed Yuga effortlessly capture his uncle, and he was very clear about Yuga's strength. Furthermore, years had passed, and Busan Ming couldn't gauge just how powerful Yuga had become.
Despite the considerable benefits he received from his uncle, Busan Ming didn't feel grateful to Busan Xiong at all. He knew that his uncle had always treated him well and had taken great care of him when he was part of the gang, but he understood that it was all out of guilt.
Busan Ming's parents and grandparents were all killed because Busan Xiong had offended someone outside. Although Busan Xiong was a bad person, he genuinely cared for his family; however, his sincerity did not earn him his nephew's forgiveness.
Busan Ming often wondered what kind of life he would be living now if his parents and grandparents hadn't died.
Perhaps he would have been an ordinary working-class person, or maybe a trainer setting off on a journey with a common Pokémon… But in any case, his family would certainly have been a normal and happy one.
But all of that was ruined because of Busan Xiong.
Even though he now had a certain reputation in the underworld, if given a choice, Busan Ming would have preferred never to have embarked on this irretrievable path that everyone denounces, following his uncle.
Furthermore, Busan Ming hadn't had a good time in the evil gang either. Although his uncle was the leader, he was quite inconspicuous in the gang and often received special treatment from his uncle, which made many members dislike him.
What kind of people were in the evil gang? They were all ruthless fugitives; if they disliked someone, they wouldn't let that person have it easy. Therefore, not only was Busan Ming secretly ostracized in the gang, but he also often faced sabotage. Busan Xiong was usually very busy and couldn't possibly take care of Busan Ming in every aspect.
Later, when those people were captured by Yuga, to be honest, Busan Ming felt quite pleased.
So Busan Ming had never thought of seeking revenge on Yuga for his uncle, Busan Xiong.
When Bryony and Mable first approached him, he firmly refused; he really didn't want to confront Yuga. However, as Bryony and Mable were core scientists of Team Flare, they were wealthy. Despite Busan Ming's repeated rejections, their offers were simply too generous.
Additionally, Bryony and Mable promised that Busan Ming's men wouldn't need to participate in the end; after preparing everything, he could withdraw with his men, and he wouldn't be involved in the remaining matters at all.
Busan Ming thought that since he wouldn't have to confront Yuga directly, he could earn the money.
However, neither he nor Bryony and Mable anticipated that all their actions in Verdanturf Town would escape Yuga's investigation.
At this moment, when Busan Ming saw Yuga suddenly appear, he was utterly terrified and instinctively wanted to leave. The only thing he felt relieved about was that Yuga didn't seem to recognize him.
Indeed, the events from years ago had passed, and Yuga had long forgotten, even less likely to remember someone like Busan Ming.
However, while Busan Ming wanted to retreat, Bryony and Mable had no such intentions. Now that things had come to this point, they could only fight Yuga to the bitter end.
"Shimizu Yuga, you accepted Mr. Lysandre's benefits and are now betraying him. You are a traitor!" Bryony glared at Yuga fiercely while releasing a Liepard and a Biesharp.
The fact that Lysandre had brought Yuga in and given him benefits was no secret in Team Flare, and Bryony and Mable were certainly aware of it. They despised Yuga's behavior of taking benefits and then turning against them.
Since the plan to blow up Verdanturf Town had fallen through, and there was no way to escape, they decided to fight Yuga.
Yuga awkwardly rubbed his nose at their words, realizing that he indeed seemed quite unreasonable. But there was nothing to be done; their values were different!
"Lysandre is engaged in illegal activities, and as a member of the League, I have the responsibility and obligation to expose him!" Yuga declared solemnly.
"You shameless person, I'll fight you!"
Mable was furious at Yuga's audacity and immediately commanded her Houndoom and Weavile to attack him.
Seeing that their boss had taken action, Bryony and Mable's subordinates hurriedly released their Pokémon and launched an assault on the police surrounding them.
In an instant, the narrow sewer echoed with shouts!
In fact, there were hardly any members left from Bryony and Mable's Team Flare; many present were Busan Ming's people. However, Busan Ming was not interested in fighting; he was not only standing idly by but also discreetly signaling his subordinates to retreat amidst the chaos.
Bryony's Liepard and Biesharp, along with Mable's Houndoom and Weavile, flanked Yuga from both sides. The only thought in their minds was that no matter what, they had to eliminate Shimizu Yuga today!
At that moment, a Vivillon and a Breloom appeared next to Yuga.
The Vivillon emitted beams of yellow-green light, rapidly flashing and forcing back the right-side Houndoom and Weavile; the Breloom threw a flurry of punches at the Liepard and Biesharp, hitting them with incredible speed, making the two Pokémon retreat frequently under the onslaught.
Bryony and Mable didn't expect that even with a four-to-two advantage, they wouldn't gain the slightest edge, and after exchanging glances, they resolved to continue their attack.
However, Yuga's Vivillon was faster. With its wings flapping rapidly, it appeared next to the Houndoom in an instant. Before the Houndoom could react, it was engulfed by Signal Beam.
Since learning flying techniques from a Ledyba, Vivillon's speed had increased significantly.
Mable's Houndoom was fragile; it had been hit multiple times by Vivillon's Signal Beam and fell to the ground, unable to get up.
After dealing with the Houndoom, Vivillon encountered a sneak attack from Weavile. However, its speed was incredible; it shot up into the sky and easily dodged Weavile's Ice Punch.
On the other side, Biesharp and Liepard were also being heavily suppressed by Breloom.
Fighting-type Pokémon have an advantage over Dark-type Pokémon, and Breloom was at a higher level than Biesharp and Liepard. Even though the two of them coordinated well, they could do nothing to stop Breloom's relentless fists.
Among the melee Pokémon, Biesharp was at a disadvantage; its attacks weren't as fast as Breloom's. When Breloom's attacks landed on it, the impact echoed against its steel body, leaving dents in several places.
Fortunately, as a Steel-type Pokémon, it had decent physical defense; otherwise, it would have already fallen.
At this moment, Masato Shirai was actively leading his team to surround the remaining Team Flare members and bounty hunters, while he also noticed Busan Ming's suspicious movements.
Busan Ming had a very distinctive appearance, especially the scar on his face, which made it impossible not to notice him. Despite his attempts to be discreet and blend in, Masato Shirai, with years of experience as a police officer, was still able to see through him.
If Busan Ming wanted to escape amidst the chaos, Masato Shirai immediately commanded his Arcanine to block his path.
Masato Shirai's Arcanine was very tall, and with the narrowness of the sewer, Busan Ming's escape route was suddenly blocked.
Just as he was about to get away, being thwarted like this made Busan Ming incredibly frustrated!
"Are you from Jenny family?"
Busan Ming squinted at Masato Shirai in the distance and asked. His expression tensed the scar on his face, giving Masato Shirai the feeling of an imposing aura.
Although Busan Ming really didn't want to confront Yuga, as the leader of a bounty hunter group, he was not someone who could be bullied easily.
"That's right; you might as well surrender quietly!" Masato Shirai wasn't intimidated by Busan Ming's demeanor at all; instead, he directed his Arcanine to activate its Intimidate ability.
"I'm in a hurry; be smart and step aside!" Busan Ming didn't want to waste time talking to Masato Shirai; he feared attracting Yuga's attention and only wanted to leave quickly.
Masato Shirai didn't bother to waste any more words with him. The Arcanine opened its mouth wide, and flames erupted wildly from its mouth, charging fiercely toward Busan Ming.
Seeing this, Busan Ming snorted coldly. His Drapion used Cross Poison to counter Arcanine's Fire Fang.
In terms of raw power, Drapion was already at a disadvantage against Arcanine, and with the Intimidate ability weakening its physical attacks, it was forced back as Arcanine bit down on its pincers. The sharp claws scraped along the concrete floor of the sewer, making an ear-piercing sound.
As Drapion struggled against Arcanine, Busan Ming suddenly shouted, "Drapion, use Poison Jab!"
Drapion wasn't limited to just its pincers; it raised its scorpion-like tail, glowing with purple energy, and then lunged toward Arcanine's back.
Even though Arcanine had seized Drapion's pincers, it was simultaneously restrained by them. It watched helplessly as the scorpion tail stabbed toward it, unable to dodge.
"Arcanine!!!"
Arcanine was not only struck by Drapion's Poison Jab but also unfortunately fell into a poisoned state. It let out a painful howl, released its grip on Drapion, and was then flung away by Drapion's pincers.
"Arcanine!"
Seeing Arcanine in agony on the ground, Masato Shirai rushed to its side, calling out worriedly.
"Hmph! You're overestimating yourselves! Drapion, give them the finishing blow!" Busan Ming said coldly.
Drapion complied, lifting its tail once more to strike at Masato Shirai and Arcanine.
Just at this critical moment, a Salazzle suddenly appeared, using Disable move to immobilize Drapion's Poison Jab just in time, followed by a Mud Bomb that splattered over Drapion's face.
"Uncle, are you alright?"
It turned out that Saskia had arrived at a crucial moment, and Salazzle was her Pokémon.
"It's fine; luckily, you arrived just in time, but Arcanine is poisoned!"
Hearing this, Saskia stepped in front of Masato Shirai and said, "Leave this to me, Uncle; you focus on treating Arcanine's injuries."
Masato Shirai nodded and didn't refuse.
Saskia was an elite trained by the Jenny family. Although she might not be very seasoned in handling matters, her strength was genuine. Masato Shirai was aware that he was not a match for his niece.
"Drapion! Drapion!"
Drapion, who had been splattered with the Mud Bomb, was now in great distress. It was flailing around, trying to wipe off the mud from its face with its pincers while shaking its head and letting out pained wails.
Its face was being corroded by venom!
Saskia's Salazzle had Corrosion ability, which granted its owner's attacks unparalleled toxicity, capable of eroding even Poison-type and Steel-type Pokémon.
Among all the known Pokémon discovered so far, only Salazzle and its pre-evolution form, Salandit, possessed this ability.
Salazzle was an extremely prideful Pokémon. In its species, there was usually only one female, while the males served as both its harem and its lackeys.
Thus, it gazed at Drapion with an air of arrogance.
Ha! All men (males) are my playthings!
Salazzle launched another attack on the flustered Drapion. Countless flames, mixed with poisonous gas, spewed from its mouth. Soon, Drapion's hardened shell was charred black.
Seeing Saskia and Salazzle suddenly appear, Busan Ming's expression turned very grim. Watching Drapion roll on the ground, he had no choice but to recall it and then released a Scolipede.
It wasn't that he didn't want to send out more Pokémon; the sewer space was too small, and both Scolipede and Drapion were large Pokémon, making it impossible to maneuver effectively!
Scolipede was incredibly fast. Under Busan Ming's command, it directly used the Bug-type move Megahorn against Salazzle. Its horns were sharp and sturdy, and if Salazzle were to be struck by them, it would surely be impaled.
However, while Scolipede was fast, Salazzle was no slouch either. It elegantly twisted its slender waist, easily dodging Scolipede's attack, and then released a stream of purplish-red mist.
This mist was Salazzle's move Sweet Scent, but unlike the floral or grassy scents of Grass-type Pokémon, Salazzle's scent was a "body fragrance."
Of course, "body fragrance" is a metaphor; the sweet scent produced by Salazzle was a special hormone that not only disoriented enemies but also had an aphrodisiac effect, especially potent on male Pokémon. (Note: Salazzle is exclusively female.)
The moment Scolipede caught a whiff of the sweet fragrance, its movements slowed, and its gaze toward Salazzle became dazed, as if it were looking at an unparalleled beauty.
When it came to seducing males (male Pokémon), Salazzle was a professional!
In the Pokémon world, if you mention the terms "sexy" or "alluring," Liepard would be one, and Salazzle would be a close second, even more powerful than Liepard.
Liepard may appear attractive but doesn't actively engage in seducing other Pokémon; it mostly lies and deceives due to its nature. But Salazzle was different; it instinctively lured in desired males, and it never missed.
Only Salazzle could use Sweet Scent effectively for its seductive effect. Salazzle was also quite skilled at the seduction move, but seduction never felt as impactful as exuding hormones! Thus, when Salazzle selected its moves, it habitually prioritized using Sweet Scent.
Seeing his Scolipede enchanted and dizzy from Salazzle's allure, Busan Ming regretted for the first time that all the Pokémon he had caught were male.