Casually picked up a Pokeball from the bag behind and threw it out.
A somewhat dazed Lillipup appeared in the path of Monferno's fist.
"Oss!"
Latios swiftly overtook, passing by Monferno and the Lillipup that was used as a shield.
Then, its psychic powers shimmered.
Latios and Monferno switched positions without any hindrance, and Latios smoothly caught the Lillipup.
Boom!!
A violent explosion sounded.
Monferno's punch didn't hit the two, as its target was the machine all along.
Though the machine seemed a great tool for Hunters, it was only a prototype, and its instability often incited Wild Pokémon to riot.
Moreover, with the machine there, Natsuhiko couldn't ensure his Pokémon wouldn't be affected.
Two Plasma Team members rolled aside, watching the smoking-fisted Monferno emerge from the smoke with grim expressions.
"Who?!"
"Do you dare to disrupt Plasma Team's matters, are you ready for its revenge?"
Both shouted in succession.
But they only had time for shouting.
"Awooo~~"
Vulpix's "Frozen Wind" blew, the bone-chilling cold swept their waists, freezing their Pokeballs along with the hands reaching for them.
This result finally filled them with terror.
Thud.
Natsuhiko's foot slowly landed.
In their eyes, Natsuhiko's figure appeared utterly distorted, just a blur with no distinct features or outline.
This trick.
Natsuhiko learned it from Nancy during their last meeting.
Nancy could use psychic powers to distort light, making even herself invisible. Natsuhiko couldn't do it to her extent but could at least blur his appearance.
"Vulpix, Hypnosis."
"Awoo!"
Little Six-tailed, with a fierce, adorable demeanor taught by Togekiss, quickly put the two humans without Pokémon defenses into a hypnotic state.
"What are you doing?" Natsuhiko asked casually.
"...Dr. Akroma asked us to capture some test subjects for him."
After a brief silence, one stiffly said word by word.
After confirming some credibility in their answers, Natsuhiko proceeded to ask some key questions.
"What does Plasma Team intend for the Hunter Guild?"
The silence dragged on longer this time.
Just as Natsuhiko grew impatient, the other answered stiffly:
"I don't know, but once overheard a talk between Dr. Akroma and Master Ghetsis, vaguely hearing... the Hunter Guild, is the organization most compatible with Plasma Team, they... won't last long."
Natsuhiko slowly furrowed his brows.
If Plasma Team officially advocated for peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokémon, hoping Trainers voluntarily released Pokémon, but secretly exploited Hunter Guild to hunt extensively, boosting their power.
Then perhaps in another five or six years, the Unova Region's power dynamics might change unpredictably.
Plasma Team wasn't merely weakening the wide range of Trainers but also continuously elevating themselves.
However, this was for the United Alliance to worry about; Natsuhiko couldn't stretch so far.
Continuing, he asked: "Is Hunter S's death or disappearance related to Plasma Team?"
Their foreheads dripped with sweat.
"Aegislash."
Natsuhiko tired of their struggle.
From the shadows, Aegislash drew out two ribbons, binding them both.
"Hypnosis" coupled with Aegislash's control left them utterly helpless.
"I... just accidentally overheard Dr. Akroma's secret call with a stranger; the Doctor said the test was successful, but because Dr. Seg, Seg, Seg... interfered, the test subject got out of control, the Hunter Guild fell."
Dr. Seg?
Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow, "Dr. Seg?"
"Yes! Dr. Seg!"
Dr. Seg, the primary Rocket Team head in the Unova Region.
Involved with Rocket Team too?
Natsuhiko asked his last question.
"What about Hunter S's body?"
"D-don't know..."
These two weren't strong, but lucky enough to get close to Akroma, and though the info they provided was sporadic and uncertain, it gave him some leads.
"Since the body wasn't found, and Plasma Team isn't continuing the search, it indicates they might not know what S had, and the significance of continuing the search." Natsuhiko murmured to himself.
With a beckon.
The Pokémon gathered around him, continuing eastward.
And their pace hastened greatly.
The small Pokémon with them glanced back at the two Plasma Team members, eyes filled with disdain.
After Natsuhiko and his group left, the Plasma Team members gradually regained consciousness.
Survived?
They both sighed in relief.
Click, click, click—
But.
Before they could consider revenge on Natsuhiko, the sound of opening Pokeballs was heard.
One by one, furiously angry Pokémon emerged from the Pokeballs.
Notably, among them were already naturally aggressive Pokémon.