When the super evolution energy dissipated like unveiling silk, Alakazam's appearance changed once more.
Vaguely, a faint flame "V" mark could be seen on Natsuhiko's forehead and Super Hypno's head.
Boundless power surged madly.
Today, this little one who has been lonely for a thousand years must see the ocean at least once.
No one can stop him, he said it!
"Alakazam!"
With the emergence of Super Hypno, Natsuhiko's pace quickened once again.
The strength of this barrier truly far exceeded Natsuhiko's expectations.
No wonder with the power of Victini, this Phantom Beast, it couldn't leave the barrier even half a step over a thousand years.
But.
It's close!
As the orange-yellow light gradually appeared in view.
Crash——
The crisp sound of waves was as if right beside the ears.
It's so close!
The Pokémon held their breath one by one, none willing to drop the ball on this critical last moment.
Natsuhiko's desire, the little one's wish, are the reasons for them all.
One step.
The final step taken, from lifting to landing, took nearly a minute for Natsuhiko.
But this step was indeed worthwhile.
Even though it didn't step out of the forest.
Through the gaps in the woods, the nearby bay could already be seen.
The waves constantly hitting the shore.
The sea surface reflecting orange-red under the sunset glow.
The far end, stretching beyond sight.
"Nimi....."
Looking at the sea beyond the bay, Victini was mesmerized.
This is... the ocean?
Indeed, it's vast.
Victini's eyes glistened.
Staring in the direction of the bay for quite a while, only when Victini felt the sweat dripping did it react.
Natsuhiko was flushed and sweating, gritting his teeth in persistence, yet he didn't speak a word.
"Nimi! Nimi!"
'Let's go back, I want to return!'
"Alright." Natsuhiko responded solemnly, simultaneously sighing inwardly with relief.
Alakazam's psychic powers wrapped around them, and with one "Instant Movement," they returned inside the barrier.
Back through the barrier, each one collapsed exhausted onto the ground.
"Nimi!"
Victini flew out from Natsuhiko's arms, hurriedly wiping his sweat with its little hands.
"I'm okay." Natsuhiko said with a strained smile, waving his hand slightly.
Let's not speak of anything else.
Jade Liya's talk of infusing psychic power truly does enhance psychic capability, it turned out to be true.
However, it wasn't quite as Natsuhiko imagined.
Also, the infusion of psychic power into Alakazam by Oranguru and Hatterene wasn't a direct transfer of their power, rather, it stimulated its psychic capabilities.
One could clearly feel that both Natsuhiko's psychic abilities and those of Alakazam received a certain degree of enhancement.
Though this boost wasn't significant for Alakazam, for Natsuhiko, the changes were quite substantial.
His psychic abilities, which hadn't seen much progress for a long while, improved considerably through this effort.
The struggle against the barrier's power, the infusion within, and the test of will all granted him some advancement.
Of course.
The most important thing was fulfilling Victini's wish, even if it wasn't fully achieved by reaching the shoreline, at least it was fulfilled.
He earned Victini's favor.
If Natsuhiko were a transmigrator with abilities, surely his mind would echo "Ding! Victini favor +100!".....Natsuhiko couldn't help but smile to himself, somewhat self-deprecatingly.
But truth be told, Victini's strength was indeed remarkable, without its help, Natsuhiko and Alakazam might not have reached that far.
"Whew——"
Exhaling deeply, he felt noticeably better.
Turning his gaze towards the levitating Super Hypno, "Did you feel it?"
"Alakazam."
Super Hypno nodded, gazing towards the "Earth Sword" standing proudly at the summit.
Natsuhiko brushed the dust off himself.
"Then it's correct, the barrier's core is indeed there, if destroyed, Little V can leave this place and go anywhere."
Glancing at the setting sun.
"It's about time the celebration comes to a close."
...
...
"Natsuhiko, you're a bit late."
Leaning against the plaza's edge, Lance saw Natsuhiko approaching leisurely, and couldn't help but comment.
Sheba had long arrived, munching on his pile of "Angry Steamed Buns."
Natsuhiko wondered how it seemed as plentiful now in the evening as it had been in the morning.
"How many did you gather?"
"Not much."
Lance said "Not much," but then grabbed a big handful, easily fifty or sixty pieces of jewelry.
Natsuhiko's eye twitched.
Seeing the massive collection Sheba had, he understood why Lance said not much.
He couldn't help but give them a thumbs up.
Surely you've mastered the essence of the "fish pond scenario," gathering all varieties in one sweep?
Spare a silent moment for those young trainers who were meant to enjoy a joyful battle.
Poor children.
"And you?" Lance asked.
"Let's not talk about that, how many are left now? How many must be collected to rank in the top three?" Natsuhiko grabbed Lance's shoulder and asked.
He initially thought the twenty or so he had wasn't bad.
But seeing Lance and Sheba's count made him question himself.
"No matter how many are left, let's have a match, Natsuhiko, I challenge you!" Sheba clapped his hands.
In the blink of an eye, the "Angry Steamed Buns" in his arms were all gone.