https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-231-You-Weren-t-Like-This-Before-/12830861/
Chapter 230: Hey! This Tree Was Planted by Me!
Chapter 230: Hey! This Tree Was Planted by Me!
"Little He, don't underestimate them."
Mastude seemed to have read Jing He's thoughts and offered a warning.
Jing He, upon hearing this, immediately became more alert.
He was right.
After all, these were the Pokemon of Mastude, the strongest champion of the Galar region in the past!
"Then—"
Mastude's wife, Mira, with a smile, suggested, "How about an open-battle format? Each side sends out two Pokemon, okay?"
"No problem."
Mastude, with his hands in his pockets, nodded with a smile.
"It's been a while since I've had a good workout. Today is a perfect day to stretch my muscles."
Jing He's expression turned somewhat complicated.
An open-battle format?
This was different from an unlimited battle.
In an unlimited battle, trainers summon their Pokemon at a battle center. While they have to withstand the side effects and impacts of their Pokemon's moves, the Pokemon cannot directly attack the trainers themselves.
However, in an open-battle format, it's almost like a wild fight.
Not only can trainers fight each other, but Pokemon can also directly attack the trainers!
The battle can end either when a trainer loses the ability to continue fighting or when both Pokemon lose their fighting capabilities.
Although the open-battle format and unlimited battles are not popular in the Galar region, it's not surprising that Mastude, who has traveled the world, has experience with it.
Moreover, Mastude is not just a former champion but also the leader of the Fighting Gym and the grandmaster of the Fighting-type Pokemon, Machamp!
So, this was the key to the upcoming battle!
Would he survive this battle?
The only thing that gave Jing He a slight sense of relief was the two seemingly weak Pokemon that Mastude had summoned.
However, from another perspective, this might be the best way for Mastude to evaluate both Jing He's Pokemon and Jing He himself, offering valuable insights and training directions.
With that in mind, Jing He's eyes narrowed.
"Ooh, you're in great shape, Little He!"
Mastude couldn't help but praise, his expression becoming more serious.
At the same time, Jing He called out:
"Steelix, use Ice Hammer!"
Steelix, standing beside him, clenched its hammer and swung it without hesitation, sending a chill of frost into the air.
The target was Mastude.
Mastude, seeing this, remained calm and commented:
"Truly remarkable power. If this explosive strength is utilized properly—"
However, his commands were not affected by his observations.
Mastude calmly ordered, "Spearow, Brave Bird!"
Brave Bird?
Jing He inwardly winced.
Spearow, a common bird in the Galar region and in its basic form, is rarely taught Brave Bird.
"Chirp!!"
But Spearow flapped its wings vigorously, and a layer of light blue flame-like energy enveloped its body. After a few quick flaps, it charged at Steelix.
"Rhyperior, Rock Slide!" Mastude called out again.
This time, the target was Jing He himself.
Given the precedent of Spearow learning Brave Bird, Jing He was not surprised that Rhyperior could use Rock Slide.
"Roar!!"
With a high-pitched cry, Rhyperior lifted its front paws and slammed them down.
Boom!!
The ground shook slightly, and one after another, sharp rock spikes shot towards Jing He, their tips glinting menacingly.
At this moment, Jing He revealed his second Pokemon.
"Gengar!"
Jing He called out, "Shadow Ball!"
"Gengar! (○｀)○☆"
Gengar emerged from Jing He's shadow.
This showcased the importance of a Pokemon like Gengar in wild fights and open-battle formats.
Its speed was incredible, and a dark Shadow Ball quickly formed, smashing into the incoming rock spikes.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Jing He, who had a clear view of the entire battlefield, was taken aback.
"Is this—"
The Spearow, which had not tried to dodge, was followed by increasingly larger and more powerful rock spikes.
"One-shot and combo strategies," he muttered.
On the other side, Mastude looked at Jing He with a hint of surprise.
"You figured it out so quickly?"
Bang!!
Steelix's hammer sent Spearow flying.
However, Steelix also felt an unusual force from the impact.
Despite being so small, even with Brave Bird, it shouldn't have been this powerful.
But at this moment, it didn't dwell on it.
After sending Spearow flying, it charged towards Mastude.
"Rhyperior, continuous Sand Attack."
"Roar!"
Rhyperior immediately abandoned its Rock Slide and began sweeping up sand from the ground, throwing it at Steelix.
"Gengar, Hypnosis!"
Jing He quickly changed his strategy.
Gengar appeared near Mastude, grinning and waving its hands.
However, Mastude simply closed his eyes and rolled forward, running towards Jing He.
"Gengar!"
Gengar called out in frustration.
If only Jing He allowed them to use the "Old Jing's Hypnosis" in regular battles, Mastude wouldn't have been able to avoid it by closing his eyes.
At the same time, Spearow, which had been sent flying by Steelix, let out a long cry, rewrapped itself in the energy of Brave Bird, and charged at Jing He from above.
Faced with the situation, Jing He remained calm. He quickly retreated while issuing commands:
"Haunter, another Shadow Ball! Steelix, Ice Hammer, Rock Throw!"
"Haunt!"
Haunter floated up with a sinister grin, raising its hands to form two dark spheres in its palms.
One was thrown at Marshtomp, the other at Lileep.
Steelix's hammer was once again covered in frost. It swung the hammer, smashing it towards Marshtomp, then leaped into the air, slamming its fist into the ground.
Boom!!
Rock spikes emerged from the ground, intercepting between Pidgey and Jing He.
The Shadow Balls struck behind Marshtomp.
But Marshtomp suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He crouched, lowered his body, and rolled to the side, dodging the attack.
Pang!!
The Shadow Balls missed!
Sigh—
Jing He sucked in a breath.
This was the reaction speed and ability of a top-class martial artist?
Haunter puffed out its cheeks.
Haunter was angry!
At the same time, Steelix's hammer followed closely behind.
Marshtomp narrowed his eyes, aiming at the hammer's handle, and reached out to grab it, trying to affect its trajectory.
Then—
Swish—
Under Jing He's watchful eyes, Marshtomp, who had grabbed the hammer, was lifted off the ground and flung to the side.
Boom! Boom!
Haunter's next Shadow Balls took out Pidgey and Lileep.
As for Marshtomp—
"Cough, cough... This hammer... is a bit heavy."
Lying on the ground, Marshtomp was pinned by the hammer, unable to move it.
The battle was over!
"Steelix," Jing He called out.
"Chu~"
Steelix walked over to Marshtomp, preparing to retrieve its hammer.
However—
Before it could, a pale hand grabbed the hammer. To the shock of Steelix and Jing He, it was lifted with some effort.
"Sure is a heavy hammer," Mifuyu said with a smile.
Jing He: "..."
This was the first human he had seen successfully lift Steelix's hammer—Mifuyu!
There were rumors that Mifuyu, due to her daily care of powerful Pokemon, possessed incredible strength.
But he hadn't expected it to be this impressive.
Not only that, but Mifuyu, who wasn't originally a trainer, had her dormant talents awakened after marrying Marshtomp. Some apprentices claimed her strength might now match Marshtomp's.
"Chu~"
Steelix tilted its head, took back its hammer, and thanked Mifuyu.
The hammer still wasn't heavy enough?
It needed more metal.
"Ugh, that was a great battle."
Marshtomp dusted off his clothes and stood up, smiling. "Little He, how does it feel to win the former champion?"
Win?
Jing He inwardly grumbled. If the opponent hadn't been Marshtomp, and if Marshtomp hadn't used Pidgey and Lileep, the battle would have ended much sooner.
In an open-class battle, a trainer's fighting ability had a significant impact on the outcome.
In a corner, a girl with a pink puffy hairstyle and purple eyeshadow hid by the door, sucking on a lollipop. Her eyes were wide with shock and admiration as she watched the entire process.
Who was this person? To actually win against Master Marshtomp...
Marshtomp recalled Pidgey and Lileep, then said again:
"Little He, you've passed the test."
Test?
How could this be?
"Crafty" Master Marshtomp!
He had used the open-class mode to prevent Jing He from intentionally losing, or else he might have been beaten to a pulp.
But after pursing his lips, Jing He persisted:
"Master Marshtomp, I believe in the concept of fate when it comes to capturing Pokemon. If there's no connection, even the most outstanding Pokemon won't—"
"I won't let you down."
"Then I'll go prepare lunch." Mifuyu waved and smiled.
Jing He followed Marshtomp with a peculiar expression.
He had already made up his mind.
This time, the Pokemon had to be—
Seems a bit difficult.
But the most important point had to be—
Easy to take care of!
Otherwise, no deal!
His wallet couldn't bear the burden any longer.
Under Marshtomp's lead, they arrived at a dense forest.
Where were the Pokemon?
Jing He looked around.
"There."
Marshtomp pointed to a patch of grass.
A Pokemon was lying there, seemingly asleep.
The commotion from the battle wasn't small, yet it was still sleeping?
Jing He took out his Pokedex.
For Pokemon that hadn't shown their moves, the Pokedex was more useful than the [Dex].
[Ding! Bidoof, a martial arts Pokemon. Although it is a Fighting-type legendary Pokemon, the former champion of the Galar region, Marshtomp, seems to have raised a large group of them. The legendary status is questionable...]
[Bidoof is a serious Pokemon with a just and determined heart...]
It really was a Bidoof!
A just and determined heart...
"Little one, wake up." Marshtomp approached and woke the sleeping Bidoof.
"Bu?"
Bidoof rubbed its sleepy eyes, saw Jing He and the Haunter and Steelix beside him, and instantly stood up. It tightened the fur on the back of its head, resembling a headband, and assumed a fighting stance.
Its eyes were firm and serious, and it raised its fists, locking onto Steelix carrying the hammer.
Look at those eyes, so full of justice, Jing He thought.
"Bu!"
Huh? This tree is mine!
What did that mean?
Jing He looked at Marshtomp.
The old man remained unperturbed and said matter-of-factly, "The little one is telling you not to damage the trees."
(End of Chapter)
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