Roy suddenly exerted force with his wrist, his muscles instantly tensing, the bend of the fishing rod making one's heart pound with fear.
"What immense strength!" A gleam flashed in his eyes.
This was absolutely not comparable to those small fry from before!
The struggle underwater was exceptionally fierce, charging left and right, pulling the fishing line with a "whooshing" sound through the air.
All the Anglers around held their breath, their eyes wide open.
Misty nervously grabbed Delia's arm, and Delia also instinctively leaned forward.
"Come up!" Roy shouted lowly, exerting force from his core, his arm drawing a perfect arc.
Amidst splashing water, a figure was pulled out of the sea surface.
Sunlight shone on that figure, reflecting not the usual blue color.
But a dazzling, flowing silver-like brilliant radiance!
"This is...?"
Everyone was stunned.
Even Misty, the Water-type expert, instantly widened her beautiful eyes, her small mouth forming a cute O shape.
It was a Horsea.
But its entire body was not the common deep blue, but a bright silver like moonlight condensed and mercury flowing!
Under the sunlight, every tiny scale shimmered with a noble and cold luster, its curled tail posture elegant and powerful.
Shinny Horsea!
And an extremely rare silver Shinny variant!
"My heavens..." An angler's cigarette dropped to the ground, completely unaware.
"Sh-Shinny... I've been fishing here for five years... haven't even seen a hair of a Shinny Pokémon..." Another middle-aged uncle's voice trembled, his eyes turning red.
Roy felt a surge of wild joy in his heart.
The high-potential Horsea hinted by the system turned out to be such a premium Shinny individual.
However, before he could take the next action.
That silver Horsea's crimson pupils suddenly contracted.
Its small mouth instantly opened.
A Water Gun far thicker than an ordinary Horsea's shot out without warning!
Aimed directly at Roy's face!
Steady, accurate, and ruthless!
The decisiveness and sharpness of this attack were completely unlike what a wild Novice Level Pokémon should possess!
"Be careful!" Misty and Delia exclaimed simultaneously.
But Roy was already prepared.
Or rather, the little yellow bodyguard by his side reacted even faster!
"Pika—chu!"
Pikachu, who had been squatting leisurely by Roy's feet, pricked up its small ears.
Its figure transformed into a yellow electric light, instantly leaping up!
It didn't even use Thunder Shock.
Just seemingly casually flicking its lightning-shaped tail.
Smack!
The tough tail struck like a steel whip, accurately hitting the middle section of the Water Gun.
The condensed water column instantly scattered, turning into a shower of water droplets, wetting a small section of the Pier, but not even touching the hem of Roy's clothes.
"Pika!" Pikachu landed lightly, electric sparks crackling from its cheek pouches, raising its small head, looking at the silver Horsea with a somewhat "Is that all?" proud expression.
Roy smiled.
Judging by the attack posture, this wildness, this reaction speed... no mistake.
The potential is definitely not low!
"However, no matter how high the potential, the current level is still too low." Roy shook his head, tone relaxed: "Pikachu, shock it."
Pikachu obeyed, electric light instantly surging from its cheeks.
A golden electric snake, clearly restrained in power but still incredibly swift, hissed as it darted toward the Horsea still in mid-air, not yet fallen back into the water.
The Horsea's crimson pupils contracted, trying to twist its body to dodge.
But it had no leverage in the air, and the level gap was simply too large.
The slender electric light accurately struck its silver body.
"Woo..." A short, mournful cry.
The Horsea's body stiffened, the light in its eyes quickly dimmed, and its struggling force disappeared.
Roy smoothly pulled it back onto the Pier, simultaneously flipping his wrist, an empty poké ball already in hand.
Gently tapping the Horsea's body.
Red light sucked it in.
The poké ball landed on the wooden bridge surface, not even wobbling.
A light "ding" sound, capture successful!
The entire process, smooth as flowing water, took no more than ten seconds.
Only then did the people around seem to snap out of a dream.
"I-Is it over?"
"Shinny Horsea... captured just like that?"
"That Pikachu... so strong! The control over Thunder Shock is too precise, right?"
Envy, jealousy, shock, disbelief... various complex gazes, as if tangible, projected onto Roy.
But Roy seemed oblivious.
He bent down to pick up that poké ball carrying the silver miracle, feeling pleased.
With a thought, the system panel unfolded before his eyes.
[Pokémon: Horsea (Shinny Variant - Silver)]
[Attribute: Water]
[Level: lv10 (Novice Level)]
[Potential: elite four level]
[Ability: Sniper — When hitting a critical hit, move power increases to 2.25 times the original.]
[Moves: Glare, Water Gun, Twister, Dragon Dance!]
[Held Item: None]
[Special Enhancement: None]
Roy's gaze quickly swept over the panel, his joy growing even more.
Indeed!
elite four level potential!
Among the Horsea species where reaching Gym-level potential is considered excellent, this is undoubtedly a top-tier individual at the pinnacle of the pyramid!
The ability is the extremely excellent "Sniper."
This ability combined with moves or tactics that can increase critical hit rate will make its output capability extremely terrifying. A 225% damage boost is practically synonymous with violent output.
Perfectly fitting an offensive positioning.
And when he saw the moves section, a trace of genuine surprise finally flashed in his eyes.
"Dragon Dance? And Twister?"
At such a low level, this Horsea actually mastered two Dragon-type moves?
Especially Dragon Dance!
This is a top-tier status move that can simultaneously boost attack and speed, one of the enhancement god moves!
Typically, the Horsea family might only have a certain probability of learning it after evolving into Kingdra, or at very high levels.
This Shinny Horsea, only level 10, already knows it?
"It seems this Shinny Horsea's mutation isn't just reflected in color..." Roy pondered thoughtfully, "Its Shinny special feature probably lies in having extraordinary affinity and talent for Dragon-type energy."
Horsea will eventually evolve into Kingdra using a Dragon Scale.
Kingdra, that's a Water + Dragon dual-type, a genuine Dragon-type Pokémon!
This Horsea mastering Dragon-type moves so early, even grasping Dragon Dance, once it evolves... its combat power will absolutely undergo a qualitative leap!
By then, it will become a trump card in his hands, combining elegance, rarity, and powerful strength!
"Sweet, so sweet." Roy felt delighted in his heart.
A certain Elite who specializes in using "Flying-type" Dragon-type moves would probably be very interested in this Shinny Horsea.
After all, this is a genuine Dragon-type seedling!
After some teasing, Roy pressed the button.
"Come out, Horsea."
Red light flashed, the silver little figure appeared again.
It shook its still somewhat dizzy head, crimson eyes looking at Roy, still carrying vigilance and a trace of unwillingness, but compared to the pure wildness earlier, it now had some other color — recognition of the strong?
Roy crouched down, extended his hand, not directly touching it, but released gentle Aura Power.
This was a form of soothing, also a form of communication.
"Follow me, you will become stronger." Roy's voice was calm and certain, "Did you see that Pikachu just now? In the future, you will also possess that kind of power, even stronger."
The Horsea's crimson eyes flickered, sensing a warm and powerful special wave emanating from the human before it.
It could also sense the confidence in his words.
It glanced again at the yellow electric mouse that had easily defeated it.
After a moment of hesitation, it lowered its head slightly and gently touched Roy's finger with the small horn on its forehead.
Cold, but no longer filled with hostility.
"Success!" Misty cheered, unable to contain herself any longer. She pounced like a cheerful Seel, wrapping her arms around Roy's neck from behind, her soft body pressing tightly against his back.
"Roy! You're amazing! A Shinny Horsea! And it's silver! I've never seen such a beautiful Horsea!" Her excited voice rang in Roy's ear, her warm breath brushing against his earlobe.
Roy could clearly feel the softness against his back, gently rubbing due to its owner's excitement.
His heart warmed, and he patted Misty's arm wrapped around his chest with his hand, laughing, "Ease up, you're choking me."
"I'm just happy!" Misty loosened her grip a bit but still clung to Roy's back, peeking her head out from the side, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the silver Horsea on the ground.
She suddenly pulled out a poké ball as well.
A blue light flashed, and her deep blue Horsea appeared on the Pier.
Two Horsea, one silver and one blue, faced each other.
Misty's Horsea looked curiously at this strangely colored fellow.
The silver Horsea slightly raised its head, its crimson eyes carrying a hint of innate pride.
"Now we both have Horsea!" Misty slid off Roy's back, crouched next to her Horsea, and said proudly to Roy, "From now on, we can exchange tips on raising Horsea! I can teach you a lot about Water-type Pokémon~"
As she spoke, she playfully winked at Roy: "Don't forget, I'm the future Water-type Pokémon Master! You're always welcome to 'consult' me~"
She emphasized the word "consult" slightly, her pink tongue unintentionally licking the corner of her mouth, her gaze carrying an intimacy and allure only the two of them understood.
As a girlfriend who had already been deeply guided by Roy and knew him inside out, seeing her boyfriend capture such an excellent and beautiful Water-type Pokémon made her even happier than if she had captured it herself.
It felt like... a strange sense of achievement, pulling her beloved boyfriend into the great path of Water-type Pokémon.
Delia also walked over, her gentle gaze falling on the silver Horsea, sincerely admiring, "It's really beautiful, like it's made of moonlight. Roy, congratulations."
Her voice was soft, and in her eyes looking at Roy, besides admiration, there seemed to be something deeper hidden.
The three of them gathered together, rejoicing over this unexpected gain.
However, their laughter and joy.
For the surrounding fishermen who had witnessed the entire process.
Was nothing less than ten thousand points of critical damage!
"Shin... Shinny..."
A white-haired old fisherman, trembling, reached for the cigarette pack in his pocket, fumbling several times before pulling it out.
He lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, then gazed at the blue sea, his eyes empty.
"I've fished in this sea... for twelve years... my best record... was a Seaking with 'decent' potential..."
"He... he's been here less than an hour..."
"Click."
Beside him, a young bespectacled fisherman silently packed up his expensive fishing rod.
He looked at his empty high-end bucket.
Then at the boy surrounded by two beautiful girls, who had just captured a Shinny Horsea.
Silently, he took off his glasses and wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand.
Why did these unworthy tears just start flowing?
"Wuwu... why..."
"The newbie protection period can't be this ridiculous..."
"Damn... so envious... so jealous... my heart aches..."
The air was filled with a strong sourness and a faint sadness.
However, Roy had no time to care about these shattered "middle-aged (and young) fishing dreams."
The high-potential Horsea was already in hand.
Goal achieved!
He deftly recalled the silver Horsea into its ball and stored it properly.
"Let's go." He naturally wrapped one arm around Misty's slender, soft waist, while gesturing politely with the other hand for Delia to leave together.
"Huh? Leaving already?" Misty was still a bit reluctant.
"We've had enough vacation fun; we need to keep challenging Gyms!" Roy's gaze turned to the distance, as if already seeing that city filled with Psychic energy.
Saffron City, Saffron City Gym.
That Psychic Queen—Sabrina—was still waiting... After the Horsea joined the team, Roy immediately checked his Carry Slot situation.
Because Charmander—oh no, it should be Charmeleon now.
Although he hadn't been grinding levels these past few days due to some tasks, Charmander had been undergoing Legendary Trials daily, steadily rising in level.
It was now level 17 and had evolved into Charmeleon.
Roy found that Charmeleon could stay on the Legendary Trials continuously, so he could now exploit a bug to carry seven commonly used Pokémon.
Thus, with the Shinny Horsea joining the team, there was no need to rotate anyone back.
This greatly increased the team's flexibility.
The newly joined Shinny Horsea naturally didn't need to rotate back to the Research Institute with any "senior."
It could be kept by his side at all times for observation and bonding.
He clipped the poké ball containing the silver Horsea to the most convenient spot on his waist... The subsequent sea journey was calm and uneventful.
Roy spent most of his time in the cabin or on the deck, seemingly relaxed, but his mind was racing at high speed.
The goal was clear: Saffron City, Sabrina, Saffron City Gym.
He was well aware of how tricky that Psychic Queen was.
In the original storyline, they barely passed by relying on those three mischievous Ghost-type brothers from Lavender Town, who made Sabrina laugh with their comedic performance.
"Making her laugh... is indeed a method."
"Sabrina's emotional knot lies in loneliness and overly powerful Psychic abilities, which have caused her to lose ordinary emotions and smiles."
"Forcing her to laugh through external means, even if just briefly, can break part of her emotional defenses and gain her recognition."
Replicating this plan was theoretically feasible.
But Roy thought further.
"Ghost-type... powerful Ghost-type..."
A corner of his memory was illuminated.
Maiden Gorge!
That place where, during the annual summer festival, a Gastly said to be a thousand years old and able to speak appears!
That's a true ancient relic, with strength absolutely not to be underestimated.
If he could handle it... he didn't need to capture it; even just establishing a connection, getting it willing to help, would give him a highly significant card when dealing with Sabrina.
A thousand-year-old Gastly's mischief and hypnotic abilities would offer a much greater chance of making Sabrina laugh than the three brothers in the original story.
Perhaps even deeper cooperation could be possible... Just as his thoughts were swirling.
"Wow~ it's so lively over there, Roy look, look..."
Misty's clear, cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.