382 CH15 (379), Aggressive Negotiations

The tension seemed to increase with each passing moment and it became so tense that it felt as if the air would solidify in a few more moments. I did not particularly mind if a fight broke out between us since I was absolutely confident in our side winning any potential confrontation, especially since everyone had rejoined me at this point.

The other side seemed to have come to a similar conclusion since I could see and feel the worry of the two bosses. Still, I could also feel the anxiety as well as fear of the little ones.

I felt a bit bad since I saw them shake in fright and being able to feel their fear through my aura senses in this case was not an advantage since it negatively impacted my mood for a moment before I regained my calm.

Nonetheless, I decided to try the diplomatic approach first for the sake of the little guys. The fact that it might worsen my target's opinion of me if I hurt his family also played a small role. Still, if the other side declined my offer and decided to attack, then there was nothing I could do since the situation would be out of my hands.

Especially since I did not for a moment doubt that most or at least many of the little guys would try to help their group, which meant that they had a high probability of getting caught up in the fights if the negotiations broke down and a fight broke out. Regardless, I decided to try it first and see if that could be avoided.

"Alright, I'll be frank with you," my voice suddenly rang out, catching everyone by surprise and breaking the tension that had built up a bit.

Everyone's eyes were drawn to me due to my action and I could feel them internally screaming can't you read the mood, but I ignored that and continued presenting my offer.

"I came to this place because I have been trying to track down Tentacruel over there for the last two weeks," I admitted while easily pointing at the Tentacruel variant(?).

The vigilance of everyone on the other side peaked when I admitted that and I blasted my calming aura at full power to keep them from acting before I finished my piece. It worked since they did not directly make a move but chose to see what I was trying to do.

Still, I could feel the anxiety and slowly growing resolution of Tentacruel, and Vileplume's spiking anxiety as well as worry for said Tentacruel tinted by affection. If that was not a confirmation that the two were related or a pair then I did not know what was.

"Let me make this absolutely clear before I go on, I do not for a single moment doubt that my side would win any battle between us if it comes down to it," I asserted radiating pure confidence and honesty, before pausing for a moment to display my seriousness on the matter.

"The best you might be able to do is narrowly run away, but I doubt you are willing to leave your family behind like that," I directly looked at Tentacruel when I said that since there was a chance it might stand a chance at pulling it off simply because it was strong enough to do so if it only focused on escaping.

I could feel the indignation as well as anger in Tentacruel when I insinuated that he could try running away and leave the others behind. Vileplume felt much the same, and the others felt angry as well. My words seemed to have made them quite angry, and before I could say more, Tentacruel lost his patience.

"Get to the point human," he lashed out in Pokespeech, causing me to shrug placatingly.

"No need to get angry like that. I did not say that you were going to run away, just that you won't be able to do more than that against us," I returned which might come across as aggressive, but was still the truth.

Still, even while I said that I was reeling a bit in surprise. The reason for that was the Tentacruel across me, or rather the Tentacruel lookalike. When it barked at me just now, it did not use the words/parts of the species name Tentacruel, but something else.

I was not entirely sure what it used since it used parts of the name, but if I combined the parts it used something along the line of Todscruel, Toadscruel, or Toedscruel came out.

Well, at least there was "cruel" in it, so that along with the resemblance meant that it had some form of relation with Tentacruel, but no matter what kind of relationship that was, it did not change the fact that I had stumbled across a brand new Pokemon species. One I did not know of at that.

That meant that the Tentacool lookalike was most like not a variant, but a new Pokemon as well, which meant I had come across a jackpot. I had been surprised when I had seen it and noticed the lack of pincers as well as the existence of a trunk in their stead, but I had thought it was part of the variation. Well, it seems that it was because it was a different species.

Thank Mew that I decided to get to the bottom of the rumor I hear at the lab. Still, I had to focus on the matter at hand, I could celebrate my heaven-defying luck some other time.

"You, my man, have started to attract attention. Rumors about you have started to spread, which is also what had me search for you, so even if I were to suddenly decided to leave you alone, others are going to start tracking you down sometime soon, and I doubt any of them can provide you the resources and benefits that I can," I announced full of confidence.

That seemed to make him waver a bit. Oh, he was still a bit angry, but he was also seeming to understand that I was right, at least as far as others coming to find him was concerned. Vileplume also seemed worried for Todscruel(?) and the prospect of being hunted down by other/more humans.

"Why should I trust what you say? You might be exaggerating just to intimidate me. Besides, how can you be so sure that I can't take care of your lot? Aside from having higher numbers, none of you seem to be as strong as me," Toedscruel refuted and I was surprised by his logical argument even if the last bit was a bit weak since I could feel his worry at the numbers on my side.

Also, his argumentation helped me conclude that his species was called Toedscruel and not Todscruel or Toadscruel.

"You can fight against the two you would have to face in case a battle broke out if you want, just to demonstrate why I am so confident, and since it's only for a demonstration you can stop after determining whether I am bluffing or not," I replied full of confidence, before giving him a shrug.

"As for proving my claim of resources, that's much easier to prove," I declared before I put my hands inside my waist bag of holding and began pulling out Leaf Stones from Utopia.

I felt the excitement of the others in Toedscruel's group when I pulled out the first three Leaf Stones, but that turned into disbelief and elation when I kept pulling out one stone after the other until I had pulled out more than 20 of them. Even Toedscruel and Vileplume were surprised even if they tried not to show it.

"I have much more than that but I think that's enough to prove that I am not lying," I said with a smile before I levitated the stones from the ground and moved them back into the bag. This time for real since I thought there was no harm to keep some outside of Utopia.

"I also happen to have the best kind of food at hand," I said before I pulled out a small bag containing some of the food I had prepared for Hashirama/Venusaur a few years ago.

They were obviously still perfectly fresh thanks to Utopia's storage function, so I threw the bag towards Toedscruel, who caught it with one of his feet/tentacles(?).

He ripped the bag open and took some to taste them himself, probably to ensure they were not dangerous before he allowed the others to take them. I could feel the happiness of all of them when they put the food inside their mouths, and I was not the only one who noticed it. Toedscruel did as well, and I could feel his conflicted feelings.

"Alright, you've proven that you have a lot in store, but I'm still not convinced that I can't beat you or that more humans will come after me," he said in a much less aggressive tone.

"As I said, you can spar against Mothra and Horus here," I told him, while the two stepped forward when I mentioned them, their (high) gold stage aura on full display.

"I swear by Lady Mew's name that I won't try to keep pressing you after you've determined that I am saying the truth, and I'll even have Gwen here heal any injuries you receive during the demonstration," I said while pointing at Gwen/Gardevoir with my thumb.

Coincidentally, she was releasing her (low) gold stage aura at that moment.

"Also, if you are not convinced even after that, I can still call out Stan, who is a (high) gold Gyarados," I added with a bright smile.

"Alright, let's do it," Toedscruel said before moving to the front of his group while they retreated a bit.

Mothra/Butterfree and Horus/Xatu did the same on our side, and we also retreated a bit to give them enough room for their battle, even if it only went on for a minute or so before Toedscruel called for a stop.

"I'll concede that these two can keep up with me if they fight together," he said a bit reluctantly. I did not contradict him, even if I thought that each one of them could have held him back on their own.

"You mentioned a Gyarados," he added and I simply called out the Slytherin Six.

Toedscruel looked solemn, seeing not one but six Gyarados appear beside me. I felt his resignation, which swiftly gave way to determination, and I knew at that moment that I had him.

"Alright, I can join you, but you'll have to take in my whole family as well, and you have to provide for them using the resources you mentioned," he declared and I gave him a nod to show was okay with that, but he was not done yet.

"Moreover, you can't use any of them aside from Plume in battles unless it is for protection," he added and I gave him another nod.

"That's not a problem," I told him and he turned around to call his group over.

"In that case, you can start capturing the others in those balls you humans use," he declared once his family came. "I'll go last to make sure that everyone is accounted for. There are still a few that are missing," he proclaimed before he used his trunk to release a loud cry, probably to call back the missing ones he mentioned.

"That's fine," I replied before I began to pull out Pokeballs and proceeded to capture the Oddish by walking up to each one to press the ball against them.

After I captured all 29 Oddish, I walked to the lone Toedscool(?) and did the same to him as well. However, I made use of the moment I pressed the Pokeball on him to check his status.

'Species: Toedscool

Gender: Male

Type: Ground, Grass

Potential: Deep Yellow

Stage: Bronze Stage (low)

Genetic variation: None

Abilities: Mycelium Might

Talents: None

Affinities: Ground, Grass'

Seeing his typing I gave a mental nod. A wholly different typing and one that is the complete opposite of the typing that the Tenta-line usually has, along with them seemingly living in the forest instead of the sea/water would explain how they became a separate species instead of simply being a type-variant.

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