Chapter 471:

While it’s generally unlikely for a Fire-type Pokémon to hide underwater, given that it’s a Legendary Pokémon, having abilities beyond the ordinary seems reasonable.

However, the Pokémon that emerged left both of them momentarily stunned.

The Ice Beam was originally a probing move. Under a swift surge of water, it shattered into countless ice fragments scattering through the air, emitting a rainbow-like glow under the sunlight.

The figure that shattered the Ice Beam landed gracefully on the water’s surface.

Elegant long whiskers, a blue-and-white body, long and thick mane flowing from the back of its head, agile limbs, and the poise of its light touch upon the water...

This wasn’t Entei at all...

It was Suicune?

Kaede was stunned.

Rosaline was stunned.

The Suicune before them was roughly the same size as the described Entei, clearly belonging to the same tier of existence.

[Pokémon: Suicune]

[Gender: Genderless]

[Type: Water]

[Ability: Pressure]

[Potential: Divine]

[IVs: HP (31) Attack (31) Sp. Atk (31) Defense (31) Sp. Def (31) Speed (31)]

[Level: 99]

[Moves: Gust, Leer, Mist, Water Gun, Sheer Cold, Water Pulse, Extreme Speed, Ice Fang, Mirror Coat, Calm Mind, Bite...]

Suicune lightly touched the water’s surface. Around the lake, mist had begun to form at some point, growing thicker and thicker, as if threatening to envelop the entire forest.

"Suicune?!"

Rosaline was equally astonished.

The information they had received was clearly about Entei...

At this moment, Kaede also reacted.

If the earlier Entei could be explained by Mew accidentally taking its sleeping stone, prompting it to come looking.

This Suicune, however, clearly had no prior connection to him.

The only possible link was the Rainbow Feather obtained from Mew.

The legendary medium through which Ho-Oh selects the Rainbow Hero.

So, Entei wasn’t concerned about its stone at all. It was assessing him... for his suitability to become the Rainbow Hero.

"...."

"Why?" Rosaline remained puzzled.

Although Entei and Suicune were both Legendary Pokémon in the eyes of most Trainers, some Trainers might not have even heard of them.

Having traveled to many places, she was naturally aware of them.

She had even encountered a Suicune before while traveling and competing in the Galar region’s Champion Cup.

Although that Suicune’s strength was average.

But still, these were two Legendary Pokémon.

Why would they appear together?

"Suicune..."

The figure floating lightly on the water slowly paced, its gaze falling upon Kaede, then shifting to the two Pokémon by his side.

Serperior and Gardevoir stood ready.

Around the lake, grass had begun to grow quietly, almost as if growing according to will. Such affinity with natural energy... was unlike an ordinary Pokémon.

The other one, Suicune, was even more surprised.

The Psychic power emanating from the other Pokémon, when revealed, felt almost as potent as its own...

Was this the candidate for this generation’s Rainbow Hero...?

With this level of strength, what if they actually defeated Lord Ho-Oh?

But judging from the Pokémon before it, this human’s character had clearly already passed its test.

"Phew..."

Having understood the reason, Kaede let out a sigh of relief.

If it was about the selection of the Rainbow Hero, then it was simpler.

Suicune, Entei, and Raikou were probably just observing him from the sidelines. The only one that might require actual attention would be if it was Marshadow.

"Shall we engage?"

The readiness of the two Pokémon made Rosaline’s heart skip a beat. During the Pokémon League Conference, she could still gauge Serperior’s strength.

But now, it gave her a feeling of boundless, inexhaustible vitality. Had it changed so much in such a short time?

But handling the current situation was important, so she first focused her attention on Suicune.

"No, no, no..." Kaede quickly shook his head, not hiding the reason. "It’s probably here for me....."

"Huh?"

Rosaline was dumbfounded.

"If I’m not mistaken, that should be the case."

Kaede nodded helplessly. Watching Suicune swaying lightly in the water, he thought for a moment and decided to step forward to explain properly to Suicune that he had no intention of becoming the Rainbow Hero.

The so-called Rainbow Trial, in his view, involved passing countless challenges, which might include mischief from Marshadow... Afterwards, it would attract the Pokémon and the "Rainbow Hero" to a certain place, finally receiving Ho-Oh’s blessing, which would raise the Pokémon’s strength and potential.

But...

Whether it’s boosting potential or increasing strength... he didn’t find those particularly difficult to achieve.

So, why bother competing for it.

But the moment he took a step forward, Suicune lightly tapped the water’s surface a few times, its figure flickering, and soon vanished from the lake.

Then, the heavy mist that had just risen began to slowly dissipate at this moment.

"???"

"It left?"

"Yes, it’s gone."

"Serperior..."

"Gardevoir?"

The sudden appearance and equally sudden disappearance left the Pokémon present momentarily stunned.

Kaede’s face, however, showed more resignation, because Suicune leaving like this likely meant it had approved of him.

That was troublesome.

"Mhm..."

"So, what just happened?" Rosaline asked.

The mist gradually cleared. It wasn’t Entei that came, but Suicune. Combined with what Kaede had said earlier and what they had just witnessed, Suicune’s gaze was indeed fixed on Kaede.

Although she didn’t know the specifics, she was well aware of the legends surrounding Suicune, Entei, and Raikou.

These three Pokémon were said to have been revived by Ho-Oh and given a second life.

Now, Entei and Suicune had both appeared. Next, Raikou might appear as well.

"This..."

Now it was Kaede’s turn to have a headache.

He explained, "Suicune, Raikou, and Entei—they are Ho-Oh’s messengers, you know that, right?"

Rosaline nodded.

"As Ho-Oh’s messengers, they select humans as Rainbow..." Kaede briefly explained the matter of the Rainbow Hero.

"So, Ho-Oh has chosen you, and wants you to undergo the Rainbow Hero’s... trial?"

"And after succeeding, it would greatly help your Pokémon?"

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"Yes, that’s basically it..."

"But you don’t seem very pleased about it?"

"Because I don’t want to go..."