Chapter 1041: Absolute Zero

The ski resort.

Nemona ran over excitedly and said, "You got here fast!"

From leaving Orange Academy to resolving the three Titan Pokémon, it had only been three days in total.

In fact, today was the third day.

Seeing Mabosstiff's health improve every day, it was no wonder Arven was becoming more spirited, his entire demeanor gradually softening.

All Baimu asked, "Have you completed your training?"

"Of course! Look at the Pokémon I've trained for the research!"

Nemona pulled out a ball and released it.

Bang!

A duck-like Pokémon appeared with a bright blue crest resembling a pompadour, white downy feathers on its legs, and a serious expression like a Latin dancer; it proudly lifted its chin.

"Quack!"

Quaxwell, the evolution of the Paldean starter Quaxly.

Nemona giggled, "Isn't it spirited? It even has its Hidden Ability!"

Hidden Ability? What was its Hidden Ability again?

Moxie!

"Not bad, not bad, very spirited indeed."

All Baimu watched Quaxwell confidently dancing on the spot and felt that the Hidden Ability suited it perfectly.

Looking at his own Pokémon, which was supposed to have Levitate, why was it so active?

He grabbed Hydreigon, which was spinning around him crazily, while the latter was trying to dodge the pursuit of a Cetoddle.

As the saying goes, newborn calves are not afraid of tigers.

This specially selected Cetoddle truly didn't take Hydreigon seriously; even roaring to intimidate it was useless. It just kept happily sticking to it, making Hydreigon's scalp tingle.

It felt quite like a big dog meeting a puppy.

Could it beat it up?

Of course not! This was a rented Pokémon!

Hydreigon didn't want to cause trouble for his trainer, so he just had to endure it and dodge.

Unexpectedly, while it was playing tag with the Cetoddle, it was grabbed by an annoyed All Baimu, resulting in its tail being bitten by the gleeful Cetoddle.

"Saa-saa..."

Although it didn't hurt, it was too embarrassing.

It was such a powerful dragon, being bullied by a kid!

Having already had reservations about the trainer riding a Cetoddle to ski, and now being "bullied," Hydreigon was full of resentment, showing no self-awareness of his own similar immaturity.

He resolved to ignore the Cetoddle.

But after biting a couple of times and seeing Hydreigon didn't even frown and refused to engage, the Cetoddle suddenly found it boring and turned to bite All Baimu's hand.

Now Hydreigon couldn't take it anymore and roared angrily in intimidation, "Saa-saa!"

That's mine!

"Gaa~"

The Cetoddle's eyes sparkled as it playfully stuck out its tongue, its cry sharp like a puppy's.

It deliberately kept its eyes on Hydreigon while tentatively stretching its head to bite All Baimu's hand again.

"..."

Hydreigon nearly exploded on the spot.

He fully experienced the helplessness and indignation of being tormented by a brat during the New Year, the pain of seeing a beloved figure being targeted; for some reason, he remembered his childhood, when he had also been pestered by a Corsola...

Huh?

Hydreigon's clever brain had a flash of inspiration, and he turned to poke All Baimu's waist precisely!

Bang!

"Hmm?"

All Baimu was chatting with Nemona, and when he looked down, he saw a Galar Corsola released in a daze, then stuffed into the Cetoddle's mouth by Hydreigon in a daze.

"Gaa? Gaa!"

The Cetoddle panicked and tried to spit it out, but its movements were a beat too slow.

Waking up from its slumber, the Corsola subconsciously extended its smoke-like tentacles, causing the Cetoddle to be unable to move.

In its big eyes was big helplessness.

Alas, it couldn't even make a sound.

"Saa-saa~"

Hydreigon was happy to the point of madness.

One thing subdues another!

Nemona covered her mouth and laughed, "Your Hydreigon is still so interesting, both strong and lively!"

After many Pokémon reach a high level, their usual personality becomes peaceful, no longer as competitive as in the past.

Their true nature only reveals itself during battle.

But Hydreigon was different; he loved to make trouble and fight, and Nemona, who also loved to fight, particularly liked him.

All Baimu helped the Cetoddle remove the Corsola and glanced at the gloating Hydreigon, saying, "He was throwing a tantrum yesterday, too."

Before he could tell the story of the ace battle, Hydreigon pounced on his face first, not letting him speak.

Too embarrassing! How could you say everything!

He was like an elementary school student whose embarrassing story was being shared by a parent.

"You know it's embarrassing?"

All Baimu glared at him and then stroked the Cetoddle, who was still full of lingering fear, as if comforting it.

Can't even handle a kid, and you want to be an ace?

It seems that rather than improving Hydreigon's combat power, it's more important to get some walnut milk to boost his brain.

Nemona smiled brightly, not rushing to challenge All Baimu, but saying, "I'll go rent a Cetoddle too! Let's ski together!"

She had considered it over the past two days.

If she wanted to battle All Baimu for a long time, she still had to maintain their friendship.

Rivals are friends, too!

She took Quaxwell and ran toward the ski resort management office.

All Baimu placed the Corsola on his shoulder and said, "Since you're already out, breathe in some fresh air."

"Saa..."

The Corsola was speechless.

The cold air was about to freeze its shell; where was it fresh?

Meanwhile, the Cetoddle carefully avoided the side where the Corsola was, breathing a sigh of relief.

That state of being unable to control itself just now had truly caused some damage to its young heart.

Hydreigon saw it and felt great.

Immature as he was, he could still derive pleasure from bullying a kid.

But soon the Cetoddle started provoking him again, looking like it had forgotten the pain once the wound had healed.

Hydreigon: "..."

You're tough, I'm out.

With the trainer likely to take sides, he really couldn't think of a good way to retaliate, so he completely surrendered.

Hydreigon poked his head into All Baimu's waist and turned into red light, flying inside.

"Gaa..."

The Cetoddle looked very disappointed.

Undoubtedly, it actually just wanted to play with Hydreigon, but the latter completely ignored its invitation signals, leading the mischievous Cetoddle to make all sorts of trouble to get his attention.

However.

When Nemona came out with its familiar friends.

The Cetoddle soon threw those unpleasant emotions to the back of its mind, happily carrying people and galloping on the snow.

"Gaa—"

"Woo-hoo—"

All Baimu played happily; Paldea's Pokémon riding culture was too rich.

Since coming to Paldea, he had basically never relied on his own legs to walk.

They skied all the way to the forest.

Just as All Baimu was preparing to return, he suddenly saw someone wearing a thick scarf, with ice-blue hair and eyes exposed, so delicate that it was hard to distinguish their gender.

Beside the person stood a Cetoddle, tilting its head in confusion as it looked at them, full of curiosity and doubt.

Nemona said excitedly, "Grusha!"

"... You must be All Baimu?"

Grusha nodded at her first, then looked at All Baimu and said, "I've heard so much about you; I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

The voice was unexpectedly deep, making it easy for people to distinguish his gender.

"Hello."

All Baimu had a certain understanding of him.

According to the internet, he had also started training Pokémon halfway through his life; before that, he was a professional snowboarder.

He retired due to injury, and his personality seemed to have become cold as well.

Yet, he became even more popular because of it.

Iono often invited him to do shows together, attracting quite a few fans.

"Instead of doing your Terastal training, you chose to play around leisurely first?"

Grusha glanced at the Cetoddle beside him and said flatly, "Underestimating others like this, be careful of getting cold."

Without waiting for a response, he left with his Cetoddle.

It was just that the Cetoddle seemed very curious about All Baimu, frequently turning its head to look back and occasionally letting out a light cry.

After Grusha urged it, it finally followed from afar.

All Baimu raised an eyebrow, but Nemona beside him was exceptionally excited, lowering her voice:

"He couldn't wait to provoke you! Even I don't get that treatment! Grusha really takes your battle seriously!"

"... Provocation?"

"Of course! Ever since people knew you were participating in the Terastal training, many have been watching who would be responsible for your application test. As soon as Grusha knew it was him, he started preparing immediately!"

Nemona was more excited than when she took her own application test, "He said this is also a challenge for him!"

All Baimu was speechless, realizing that although the Terastal training was a small battle with no pressure for him.

For Grusha, it would be a very arduous battle.

He was very clear about the gap between the two, so he was fully prepared, and after knowing that he had reached the top of Glaseado Mountain, he had run over specifically.

Really...

All Baimu shook his head and said, "Forget him, I've already done the preparations I should do; when it's time to play, I should play properly!"

Collecting information before the match, watching match records, etc., he did it every night.

If he were to fail here.

He might as well stop aiming for the World Champion title.

Nemona smiled, "Alright! If you're confident, then I'm relieved!"

The two continued to ride the Cetoddle, galloping through the open snowy mountains.

——

Evening.

The battle site.

On a high platform specially built for the occasion.

The side was crowded with spectators; it was clear that many people were looking forward to this battle.

The sky was gradually darkening, but it didn't affect everyone's enthusiasm.

"Go! Grusha!"

"Grusha! You are the pride of our Glaseado Mountain! You absolutely cannot lose to someone from outside!"

"Let the Regional Champion know he's nothing special!"

Most of the supporters stood on Grusha's side.

It was clear that this androgynous youth was very popular.

And All Baimu had just learned from the boss of the ski resort management office about the reason for Grusha's injury—

During a certain competition, he encountered a Cetoddle that had wandered onto the track, resulting in a torn Achilles tendon.

When he came out of the hospital, facing the Cetoddle that was timidly watching him from behind a tree, he not only generously chose to forgive it but also caught it as his own Pokémon.

His subsequent rise, overcoming obstacles to become a Gym Leader, was another story.

Online reviews mentioned that this Gym Leader was strict and result-oriented.

No matter how outstanding your performance in the battle was, if you didn't win, he would absolutely not give you a badge.

Therefore, he was also known as—"Absolute Zero Cool Technique," highlighting his personality.

"Cold on the outside, warm on the inside, strict requirements; this is a standard teacher template. It's a pity he's a bit young."

All Baimu shook his head.

Generally, these elements fit better on a young man in his twenties.

He stood opposite Grusha, and the two looked at each other.

The cold wind blew.

The spectators' hearts were all hanging.

Suddenly, the Cetoddle cried out and jumped into the middle, jumping cutely in the arena, as if wanting to join the battle.

The atmosphere instantly collapsed.

Grusha stepped forward helplessly and pulled it out, "Didn't I tell you not to run around..."

"Gaa-woo~"

The scolded Cetoddle stood obediently by his side.

All Baimu smiled kindly and said, "Can we start now? Gym Leader Grusha."

"Hmm, no need to rush, I will let you experience what is called snow-like coldness."

Grusha said in a monotone, reciting chuunibyou lines.

It was clear that the passionate gene from before hadn't faded yet, still leaving some sequelae.

He threw the ball forward.

Bang!

Thud!

A white giant beast landed in the arena.

"Roar!!"

Cetitan roared angrily, and when it saw All Baimu opposite, it was stunned.

All Baimu also noticed something unusual, and after observing carefully, he said, "It's you? You're actually his Pokémon?"

Appearing opposite was none other than the Cetitan that had launched a surprise attack on Hydreigon when they arrived!

How could there be such a coincidence in the world?

... No wonder Grusha's Cetoddle kept looking at him just now; it turned out to be an "acquaintance" they had met by chance.

Grusha frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"I met your Pokémon when I was climbing the mountain; we almost fought. Your Cetitan is a bit fierce."

All Baimu tutted.

As a Gym Leader's Pokémon, it was rare for it to take the initiative to attack passersby.

Of course, the situation was special at that time, so it was understandable.

Grusha looked at the Cetitan silently, "... Did that happen?"

"Roar..."

The Cetitan felt guilty.

Hydreigon's deterrent power was too strong, and plus it was always staring at the Cetoddle, so it had rushed out unconsciously.

But at the time, it only wanted to drive Hydreigon and All Baimu away, absolutely not intending to hurt them... Saying this now, it seemed it couldn't be proven, right?

Once mud falls into your pants, it's shit even if it isn't.

The onlookers didn't understand the content of their exchange and were full of curiosity.

Grusha took a deep breath, bent down to apologize, "Sorry, my Pokémon has caused you trouble."

"It's fine, let's continue; we can talk after the match."

He patted his shoulder, and the Corsola rolled into the arena reluctantly.

The giant object over three meters tall, facing the small stone the size of a human head, the exaggerated size difference made the audience gasp in amazement.

The Cetitan looked down at this little thing, then looked up at All Baimu, humming in a muffled voice, "Roar..."

Is this revenge?

Making it battle a Pokémon so small.

"Saa~"

The Corsola rolled its eyes; do you think it wants to fight? It's just doing its duty as a loyal servant!

Grusha was knowledgeable and recognized that this thing came from Galar, and was the unique regional form of Corsola.

He said, "Although there have been changes along the way, the cold wind is still biting! Go! Ice Shard!"

"Roar!"

The Cetitan suddenly took a breath, its giant mouth opened, and it sprayed several ice blocks the size of a human head, flying toward the Corsola at extreme speed!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The sound of breaking wind was constant!

All Baimu didn't speak, just snapped his fingers.

The Corsola spun around with resentment, water gushing out from its holes, instantly turning into a huge whirlpool of water that crushed the ice blocks and roared toward the Cetitan!

【Whirlpool】!

"Meet it head-on! Ice Spinner!" Grusha raised his hand.

The Cetitan roared, its wing-like fins spinning, turning into a giant ice-blue spinning top, colliding with the Whirlpool!

Crack, crack, crack—

In the continuous cold air, the Whirlpool actually had a tendency to be frozen!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1042 =====