"What are you all whispering about? Why so serious all of a sudden?"
The voice came from behind them, light but familiar. Turning around, the group saw Eliza, fresh from her announcement at the arena, approaching alongside her Garchomp. Her tone was casual, but her curious gaze flicked between Ryo and the others.
"Nothing much," Ryo replied calmly, not even turning his head. "Just discussing the match."
With a small smile, Eliza didn't press the matter further. She simply took her spot next to them and shifted her gaze to the battlefield. And she wasn't the only one focused on the match—the entire venue had gone quiet with anticipation. Whether it was the crowd, the contestants, or the figures watching from the second-floor balcony, like Konan and Tsunade, everyone had their eyes locked on the two fighters about to clash.
In the center of the arena stood Imu and Chuxing. Despite Chuxing's earlier arrogance, both now wore serious expressions. There was no room for bravado in the face of real battle.
"Begin!" the referee shouted, slicing through the tense silence.
With that signal, Chuxing was the first to act. "Let's show them the difference between us. Scizor, move in and show them your strength!"
Shhhp!
Scizor let out a cry of acknowledgement and dashed forward with surprising speed. Yet, Imu stood motionless, making no command, showing no fear.
"What? You're not even going to try to dodge?" Chuxing sneered. "Did they really let you through the qualifiers?"
Scizor didn't question his trainer's confidence. It closed the distance and lifted one of its massive pincers, ready to strike.
Thud!
"Whoa! That Scizor's no joke."
"Why isn't Imu reacting? Is this going to be a quick loss?"
Voices murmured from the audience, concern growing for the unmoving skunk-like Pokémon on the field.
Then—
Whoosh!
Just as the attack came down, Skuntank slid smoothly to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike with practiced ease.
Boom!
Scizor's claw smashed into the ground, sending dust and chips of stone flying.
"No way!" Chuxing exclaimed. "You dodged that? And without a single command?!"
Imu finally spoke, his tone cool and unimpressed. "If you've never faced death, you wouldn't understand what real strength looks like."
"You—!"
Chuxing clenched his jaw. "Don't get cocky just because you dodged one hit. Scizor, Quick Attack!"
Zzt!
Scizor blurred forward, moving like a streak of lightning. It wasn't just speed—it was vengeance. That last dodge had embarrassed it.
"Takedown!" Imu called out calmly.
With a snarl, Skuntank launched itself forward, intercepting Scizor's charge head-on.
Bam!
Scraaa!
Scizor was struck hard, flung backward, screeching in pain.
"This can't be happening!" Chuxing yelled. "Quick Attack should have landed first!"
"Quick Attack is a priority move, yes," Imu said evenly. "But Takedown activates instantly if the opponent uses an offensive move. My Skuntank was just faster this time."
The crowd murmured in realization.
"That's why…"
"I didn't know Takedown worked like that."
Chuxing looked stunned. "You're just using tricks. That was nothing but a cheap shot!"
Imu didn't bother responding. He simply shook his head in disappointment. To him, this wasn't a battle worth bragging about. If Chuxing didn't understand the fundamentals of his own team, there was no honor in beating him.
Frustrated, Chuxing barked another command. "Scizor, Flash Cannon!"
Still burning with embarrassment, Scizor snapped up its claws and began charging energy. A ball of radiant metal light condensed between its pincers.
Boom!
The beam shot across the field toward Skuntank.
"Evade!" Imu called out swiftly.
Skuntank was already in motion, diving to the side just before the beam struck the ground where it had stood.
Kaboom!
The explosion left a charred crater in the arena. Dust rose into the air, making some in the audience gasp.
"That was insane... What move was that?" one spectator asked.
"Flash Cannon, I think? Scizor normally doesn't learn that one."
"Probably bought it," another replied. "Chuxing's got money to burn. Wouldn't be surprising."
Imu heard the chatter and glanced toward the smoldering patch of dirt with narrowed eyes. "So that's what it was."
"Scizor, again!" Chuxing yelled.
"Flash Cannon! I want to see how long he can keep dodging!"
Zzt!
Once again, Scizor began charging its attack, energy gathering between its claws.
But this time, Skuntank didn't wait for orders. Having grown used to combat, it anticipated the timing and dodged before the beam even fired, slipping away with practiced ease.
Boom!
Another crater.
"Scizor, keep firing!" Chuxing shouted in desperation.
Imu said nothing, but his face was a mixture of focus and boredom. It was clear to him, and likely to many others watching now, that Chuxing didn't have the discipline or depth to win this fight.
And perhaps even more disappointing—he didn't seem to know it.
>>>>><<<<<>>>>><<<<<
[If you like this story, please don't shy away from adding to the collection, giving a power stone, and leaving a review. You can even follow my patreon.com/Yueru1 for 50+ advanced chapters]