Chapter 187: Jing He vs. Siba! Skillful Blacksmith: All Mine!
Chapter 187: Jing He vs. Siba! Skillful Blacksmith: All Mine!
"Combat, with direct physical strikes."
The speaker was none other than the famous Fighting-type Elite Four member, Siba.
"Excuse me, Siba of the Elite Four, are you referring to a Pokemon battle, or a battle between trainers?" Yasha asked softly from the side.
Siba smiled, "Either one."
Jing He: "."
He glared at Yasha.
You little troublemaker, don't you love stirring up trouble?
A battle between trainers?
Siba isn't just a simple Elite Four member; he's a physical powerhouse capable of taking on a massive Golem in hand-to-hand combat.
The only ones who could probably withstand him would be someone like Red, or someone with abilities like Psychic, Aura, or Hyper Force.
In other words, the Pokemon world is indeed a high-martial world.
Of course, it is.
Physical combat with Siba is just for fun.
If you really want to see something, watch Ash, the super rookie from Pallet Town.
Jing He pressed his lips together and said to Siba, "Siba of the Elite Four, let's just forget it."
After all, the gap in strength between him and Siba was too great.
But then Siba clapped a hand on Jing He's shoulder and laughed heartily, "Little brother Jing He, don't you want to see how your Skillful Blacksmith can practice precise force control?"
Crack—
Feeling the sound from inside his body and the tingling, burning sensation in his shoulder, Jing He's face turned slightly red.
Precise force control?
Do you even know how much strength you put into that slap?
"Besides, your physical condition is quite good, and you have a lot of potential to develop."
Develop myself?
Jing He instinctively rejected the idea.
He didn't like the idea of his body turning into a mass of muscles.
However, Siba's words did make him think.
The Skillful Blacksmith's strength was indeed great, and it had received guidance from Lucario on weapon usage.
But its control and use of force, especially in precise control, were lacking.
Jing He himself had no experience in this area.
He had planned to look up some materials and seek advice after the festival, perhaps from the old headmaster.
It was clear that the old headmaster of the Kanaz Pokemon Academy was once a formidable martial artist, and his Pokemon were all Fighting-type.
But if he could get guidance from Siba, the muscular and powerful Fighting-type expert, it would be even better.
"Skillful Blacksmith," Jing He called out.
"Chirp?"
The Skillful Blacksmith, which was examining the bench, looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Do you want to try a battle with this uncle?"
Jing He pointed at Siba.
Uncle?
Siba's expression froze, and he subconsciously rubbed his chin.
After a long journey and training, he realized he hadn't shaved in a while.
"Chirp?"
The Skillful Blacksmith tilted its head and blinked at Siba.
Then it nodded vigorously.
"Chirp!"
A battle, something the Skillful Blacksmith loved the most!
Among Jing He's four companions, the Gengar and the Skillful Blacksmith were the most battle-hungry.
Swish, swish, swish—
The hammer was wielded with great vigor, and excitement shone in its eyes.
"Very good fighting spirit!" Siba couldn't help but praise.
"Then please, Siba of the Elite Four," Jing He said with a sigh.
After a brief moment of thought, Siba took out a Poke Ball.
"Then, this one should be the most suitable opponent for you."
In a battle with Jing He, Siba naturally wouldn't send out his main Pokemon.
It couldn't be a shiny Snorlax, right?
A hint of surprise flashed in Jing He's eyes.
Hearing about the battle, the crowd quickly gathered around, and many immediately recognized Siba.
"It's Siba of the Elite Four!"
"Who is this person? They can battle Siba of the Elite Four?"
"It's... Teacher Jing He? It really is Teacher Jing He!"
"Teacher Jing He can battle one of the Elite Four?"
"..."
Jing He was somewhat well-known online, but he couldn't compare to Siba, one of the Elite Four.
"Go, Machoke!"
A red light flashed, and a Machoke with a humanoid form, pale green skin, a golden belt, and dark green shorts appeared in front of Siba.
It's a shiny Machoke!
For some reason, Jing He felt a bit disappointed.
"Awesome!"
Hawlucha let out a low call, spreading its arms wide and assuming a fighting stance, its eyes sharp and determined.
"Chirp!"
Machop glanced at the serious Hawlucha, juggling the hammer in its hand. This green guy was clearly incredibly strong, and its fighting skills were likely even more impressive.
But.
To win against me, you’ll have to ask my hammer if it agrees!
A faint pink thread began to emanate from Machop's hammer. It took a deep breath.
In the next moment.
"Chirp!"
Machop slowly removed the "Power Bracelet" from its wrist and tossed it aside.
Bang!!
The small bracelet hit the ground with the force of a few dozen pounds!
Sigh—
Seeing this, the crowd surrounding them all gasped in surprise. That cute little pink thing with its tiny arms and legs was actually wearing such a heavy weight?
"Looks like Teacher Jing He's Machop is getting serious," Daigo remarked.
If Jing He was the one who understood Machop the best, then Daigo was probably the second most knowledgeable. After all, he often sought Machop's help in repairing the metal shells of his Steel-type Pokemon, giving him a good understanding of Machop's terrifying strength.
Shiba's lips curled into a smile.
That's more like it.
His gaze focused, and he clenched his fist.
"Bullet Punch!"
Hawlucha's body erupted in white light as it took a step forward, moving at an incredible speed toward Machop. It displayed a strong sense of aggression right from the start.
Jing He's eyes displayed Hawlucha's Pokedex, providing information about its moves and abilities.
Sss—
As Hawlucha ran, flames began to rise from its body.
It had entered a "Burn" status on its own!
However, instead of weakening, Hawlucha's momentum grew even more intense and powerful.
This was due to its ability, "Guts."
[Guts: Pokemon with this ability have their Attack stat significantly increased when in an abnormal status, and they can ignore the reduction in physical move power caused by "Burn."]
The burning pain only makes me stronger!
This is my martial path!
The reason Hawlucha was in a "Burn" status was because it was carrying a special item—the Flame Orb.
[Flame Orb: A Pokemon carrying this item will be in a "Burn" status.]
In this battle, Machop's "Swords Dance" to boost its strength would be useless.
Otherwise, before the "Swords Dance" could even fully form, the aggressive Hawlucha would likely take Machop down with a combination of powerful fighting techniques and moves.
So.
Only a direct attack!
"Machop, Ice Hammer!"
Crack, crack, crack—
Facing Hawlucha's incoming punch, Machop's hammer quickly covered in frost and swung out to meet the punch.
On the other side, Shiba suddenly shouted:
"Brick Break!"
Hawlucha instantly changed its punch to a palm strike, twisting its body into a precise angle to avoid Machop's hammer and strike with its palm.
At the same time, Shiba made a movement almost identical to Hawlucha's.
"Machop!" Jing He suddenly called out.
The hammer, which had been swinging, suddenly pulled back, aiming at Hawlucha's changed move!
A feint!
"Did Teacher Jing He see through Champion Shiba and Hawlucha's intentions?" Dujuan asked in surprise.
That's one of the Elite Four!
Teacher Jing He can read the Elite Four's moves?
Bang!
The blade-like palm collided with the massive metal hammer.
Instantly, it turned into a pure contest of strength.
No, there was also technique.
Shiba's eyes flashed with sharpness, and his body movements changed, almost in sync with Hawlucha's.
The palm, after touching the hammer, slid down the handle and slapped Machop's chest.
Bang—
Machop was sent flying, its face showing a mix of surprise.
What just happened—
Hawlucha's eyes also showed shock.
That little guy's strength... it's not right!
It's way off!
It even felt a bit of soreness in its wrist.
"Great opportunity!"
Shiba shouted excitedly.
To any top-tier fighter, an opponent flying through the air was the best target for an attack.
Hawlucha had to suppress its surprise, pushing off with its feet and chasing after Machop.
"Ice Hammer, throw the hammer!"
"Chirp!"
Without hesitation, the Beldum hurled the hammer from its hands.
"Grab the hammer and use it for leverage!"
The approaching Machoke dodged the hammer's head and precisely caught the handle. Dark red Fighting-type energy surged through its body, and—
Whoosh!
Machoke lost its balance and was dragged away by the hammer!
Zibar & Machoke: "?"
What kind of hammer... is this heavy?!
Is this even possible?
Jing He smiled slightly.
Now it was their turn to attack.
"Go!"
The Beldum landed and kicked off with its legs, moving much faster than before. In a flash, it was in front of Machoke, grabbing the hammer's handle.
Frost instantly condensed.
"Chirp!!"
The small arms erupted with terrifying strength.
Swinging in a circle!
"Perfect!"
Zibar temporarily put aside the issue of the hammer's ridiculous weight and urged with enthusiasm:
"Machoke, close combat!"
Bang, Bang Bang—
After a clash of fists and the hammer, both sides separated.
Machoke and Beldum were both breathing heavily.
But there was no doubt that in the last exchange, Beldum was at a disadvantage.
However, Machoke's "Burn" status also significantly drained its stamina.
And this was exactly what Jing He wanted to see.
"Ability Swap!" Jing He commanded.
A faint glow enveloped Beldum, and under the influence of a special power, it gained Machoke's ability—Guts.
The audience looked puzzled.
Machoke's ability required a special item, and Beldum—
"Kurii?!"
Machoke seemed to realize something, feeling around its waist and finding the item missing!
"Chirp?"
Are you looking for this?
Beldum grinned and lifted its hand.
A fiery red Orb lay quietly in its palm.
What?!
A quick snatch!
"Good one," Yasha exclaimed. "Your ability is mine, your item is mine, everything is mine, right?"
Beldum bared its teeth, and a burning light enveloped its body.
The Guts ability activated!
'If Beldum knew "Play Rough," this battle would have been much simpler.'
Jing He thought to himself but continued to command.
"Go, Ice Hammer again!"
Zibar and Machoke's momentum didn't wane.
"Machoke, let's go again, close combat!"
Boom!
The terrifying collision shook the ground, and cracks spread outward with the dispersing shockwaves.
The audience had to shield their eyes with their arms to continue watching the battle.
After a long moment.
Silence.
All that remained was a battered street.
On the field, a bruised and battered Beldum was barely standing, leaning on the hammer. Next to it, Machoke's eyes had spiraled into a dizzy state.
While "Close Combat" was powerful, it also lowered the user's defenses, which was a significant reason for Machoke's defeat.
"Chirp"
Beldum, dragging its exhausted body, found its "Power Wristband" in the debris and silently put it back on.
"Chirp! (▼⊿▼)"
In an instant.
The crowd erupted.
The observant Jing He noticed the "Flame Orb" hidden under the wristband!
"Teacher Jing He actually beat one of the Elite Four?!"
"Even though it wasn't Zibar's main Pokemon, who cares! Spread the word, Teacher Jing He beat the Elite Four without their main Pokemon!"
"Spread the word, Teacher Jing He beat the Elite Four!"
"Spread the word, Teacher Jing He thrashed the Elite Four!"
"..."
Listening to the increasingly exaggerated rumors, Jing He's eyes twitched.
He quickly stepped forward and embraced the swaying Beldum.
Zibar also approached.
Looking at Jing He and Beldum, he said solemnly, "I see in you the will to never give up, the will of a hero!"
Hero?
That's a bit much!
But Beldum's will did indeed make Jing He very pleased.
After being embraced, Beldum fell into a deep sleep.
(End of Chapter)
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