Chapter 577: The Pink Devil (LOL)

"An overwhelming display of power~"

Miss Liuqi sighed, then noticed the prep room had fallen utterly silent.

She turned her head in puzzlement and saw the surrounding competitors wearing all sorts of expressions, apparently stunned by the terrifying strength of the giant Lickitung on TV.

Even Ash and Brock wore looks of surprise, and the little penguin Piplup stood rooted to the spot as if turned to stone.

"Pip-Pip..."

Is it really that strange?

A Trainer aiming for the regional championship should have this much power, right?

Didn't Baimu tell them?

Miss Liuqi tilted her head, then suddenly remembered her own match was next. She hurriedly waved goodbye to the others. "Everyone, I'm off!"

"Ah!"

The two snapped out of it, and Ash even chased after her to cheer her on.

A short while later.

Baimu returned with Lickitung and Chansey, and naturally drew the stares of the other competitors. Those gazes, tinged with hostility and competitive fire, made Lickitung very uncomfortable—

mainly because it couldn't punch anyone.

"Licki~"

It waved at Piplup, then ordered Baimu to send it back into its Poké Ball.

"Pip-Pip? Pip-Pip?"

Piplup stepped forward, trying to hold it back, but Lickitung's mind was made up. It could only watch helplessly as Lickitung returned to its Poké Ball to rest.

The little penguin's face fell.

Chansey beside them tenderly gathered the poor child into its arms.

"Happy~"

It certainly didn't understand what love was, but it could sense the bitterness in Piplup's heart, and habitually brought out its gentle side to soothe the little one.

"Pip-Pip~"

Feeling that warmth, Piplup's emotions instantly crumbled, and a fountain of tears sprang from its eyes.

Being a simp is no easy thing.

The object of its crush is too strong—simping for her is so hard~

Ash crouched beside it at a loss, whispering, "Piplup~ are you okay?"

"Loving someone you can't have—I know that feeling!"

Brock said with a face full of empathy.

Baimu asked, "Professor Elm?"

"H-how did you know?"

Brock whipped his head around in shock. It was obvious he was straining to widen his eyes to show his emotions, but unfortunately they still looked no different from thin threads.

Baimu repeated, slightly surprised, "So it really is Professor Elm!"

"D-don't ask anymore..."

Tears like noodles hung from Brock's eyes as he curled up on the ground hugging his knees, looking like he'd lost his soul.

Ash looked at Baimu curiously. "Who's Professor Elm?"

"Gyaa!"

Brock shuddered as if struck by an arrow, repeating over and over, "Don't ask anymore... don't ask anymore..."

Baimu said, "Professor Elm is an expert in the Orange Islands who researches regional form differences in Pokémon. I figure Brock must have had a crush on Professor Elm, but got friend-zoned by her, right?"

His peripheral vision kept tabs on Brock the whole time—every time he uttered the four words "Professor Elm," the other's gloom deepened another shade.

One could see just how unforgettable an experience Professor Elm had given Brock.

A first love?

Hmm...

Getting friend-zoned probably doesn't count as a first love.

In any case, bullying anime characters really is too much fun.

"Hahahaha... sorry, sorry! How about you punch me?"

Baimu laughed heartily as he pulled Brock to his feet. The latter gazed at him with deep resentment, knowing full well the guy had brought it up on purpose.

But who on earth told him about Professor Elm?

Brock racked his brains and still couldn't figure it out.

Everyone turned their attention back to the TV, just in time to see Miss Liuqi's battle come to an end.

She likewise hadn't fought for a full five minutes—the combination of her Altaria and Galarian Rapidash had completely drained her opponent's score in just two and a half minutes.

"Ash! Piplup! It's your turn!"

He said this to Piplup, whose face he couldn't see, and to Ash, who had no idea how to comfort it.

Piplup froze.

It quickly pulled itself out of Chansey's warm embrace, spread its little wings and shook its head like flicking off water, then looked up at Ash beside it.

"Pip-Pip!"

"Piplup~"

Ash saw that Piplup's eyes were filled with determination and fighting spirit, and for a moment didn't know whether to feel relieved or worried.

Baimu, however, could be certain that this little penguin kept "romance" and "career" very separate.

Just like his own Pokémon, it couldn't bear the thought of its Trainer losing in a major festival—an extremely important occasion—because of it.

"Bojia~"

Bojieman called out once more.

"Since you have no problem, then I have no problem either!"

Xiaoguang no longer hesitated, and the one person and one penguin set off.

Sure enough.

Bojieman, just as he had thought, was unaffected in its battle state by that little episode earlier, and had even regained its confidence from this battle's victory.

"Bojia!"

It came back full of spirit and swagger.

Baimu couldn't help but want to give it a big thumbs-up.

It was now afternoon.

The first round of the gorgeous battle concluded perfectly.

Those who successfully advanced were all within Baimu's expectations, including Ulala, Coach Ge Man, Mira, and two unfamiliar coordination trainers who had scored above 90 in the first examination.

No dark-horse contestants had appeared.

Among acquaintances, Ling Juan had lost to Ulala and failed to advance.

While feeling quite relieved, he felt a strange, small hint of regret in his heart.

Regret about what?

That no legendary-beast guy had shown up to beat the crap out of him?

He really was sick in the head.

Baimu shook his head, understanding that after scoring a perfect mark in the gorgeous performance and winning the morning battle too smoothly, his mindset was gradually getting a bit carried away.

He was no longer even taking Miss Liuqi and Xiaoguang seriously.

That was not a good sign.

What had kept him winning all along was not only the Pokémon's hard work, but also his own emphasis on the tactical aspect.

Whether fighting strong against weak or weak against strong, he would always work out a strategy.

Street battles were no exception.

Arrogance would only make him forget this point, and if things continued to develop this way, 【Walking with the Pokémon to Become the World's Strongest】 would become nothing but an empty slogan.

Baimu tried hard to recall the days when he had served as a temporary Gym Leader.

He found that when he discovered others' shortcomings, his own enlightenment toward Pokémon battles would also deepen by another layer; moreover, the heavy burden of being the Liuli Gym Leader had taught him how to remain humble and keep his heart at peace.

"Ah! Ulala!"

Xiaoguang's startled cry interrupted his thoughts.

He clearly saw on the big screen that Xiaoguang's second-round opponent was Ulala.

Powerful rivals who had once met at the Sinnoh Gorgeous Grand Festival had once again stepped onto the same stage — one truly had to say it was a fateful entanglement.

Baimu glanced at his own.

"Oh ho?"

He smiled and said to Coach Ge Man, who stood not far away with his mouth agape, staring blankly up at the screen: "What a coincidence. I hope we can have a battle that leaves a deep impression on us."

"Uh heh heh heh heh…"

Coach Ge Man gave two awkward laughs.

In the original script, Miss Liuqi was the strongest opponent of this Gorgeous Grand Festival, and they would surely be recorded in the history of gorgeous contests through their legendary battle.

As for Baimu, he was merely someone who had once luckily won once.

This time he would surely become a defeated foe under his hand.

But why…

Had the script turned out like this!

Coach Ge Man swore that ever since he had been inexplicably startled by Baimu's smile, whenever he locked eyes with this guy his body would unconsciously tense up tightly, like a stress response.

Perhaps compared to Miss Liuqi, this guy was the first hurdle he should overcome.

He avoided meeting Baimu's gaze, growing more certain in his heart.

——

The next day.

Second round, first match.

Coach Ge Man, who had spent the entire night doing mental preparation for himself, stepped onto the battle stage.

The cheering was especially noisy.

After all, the support was almost entirely one-sided — for his opponent.

"Hoo…"

Coach Ge Man took a deep breath with effort, and only after several seconds did he look far off toward Baimu, who had taken his position.

When he noticed his body was no longer tense, his heart eased considerably as well. Last night's "good" rest had been very effective — one had to know that a trainer in poor condition would deal a devastating blow to a battle.

Coach Ge Man did not want to "die in body" before the campaign had even begun.

He took out two Poké Balls and said with great solemnity: "I'm counting on you, Haoko! Kabuto!"

The Poké Balls gently wobbled in response.

The opposite seat.

Baimu had also decided on his chosen Pokémon.

As he understood it, Coach Ge Man was a trainer specializing in the Fighting type, but his tactical style was not as straightforward as the Fighting type suggested, leaning more toward all kinds of unexpected variations.

Of course.

No matter how many tricks it has, as long as a punch lands on Lickitung, it'll probably only take one or two hits to finish it.

Unfortunately, this kind of steamroll strategy works for one match — it gives the audience a little Oray shock — but doing it every match could damage Lickitung's and its public reputation.

Coach Ge Man spent real money on marketing; it wouldn't look good for me to hold him back.

Coordination training is fundamentally about looking good when fighting — pleasing the eye is the most basic and most important goal — Adam's month of teaching wasn't for nothing!

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Friends in the audience!"

Vivian at the edge of the field swept her gaze over the two, confirmed both sides were in good condition, and smiled: "Well then, no time to waste — the second round of the Gorgeous Battle, first match — begin!"

Both sides threw their Poké Balls.

Pop pop!

Amid a skyful of multicolored stars, Machoke and Tropius leapt out — the former stretched its thick arm to the side, while Tropius's tail coiled around its forearm, spinning around in two full circles.

The two differed greatly in size; Tropius was probably only a little over a meter tall, while Machoke already stood over 1.9 meters.

At first glance, they looked like a muscular beefcake and a baby kangaroo.

As everyone knows.

Exceptionally well-raised Pokémon often exceed the average in height and weight, but this isn't absolute — there are also special individuals born small and unable to grow much.

Coach Ge Man's Tropius was undoubtedly one of these.

All Baimu observed in silence, countless pink and blue bubbles floating and colliding before him.

Pop pop pop—

Amid a string of bursting sounds, a shiny Milotic and a Chansey appeared from within.

"Milo~"

"Happy!"

The pinnacle of beauty and the warmth of cuteness.

Although Machoke and Tropius had a great entrance, the shiny Milotic and Chansey had the advantage in appearance, and thanks to Adam's top-tier raising, the latter two were radiant.

Coach Ge Man's score began to be deducted.

Without a doubt.

Gorgeous Battle scoring has always started from the moment of entrance.

"He gave up the type advantage!"

Coach Ge Man paid little attention to the screen, staring in astonishment at the two Pokémon opposite him.

Fighting- and Grass-type Pokémon versus Normal- and Water-type Pokémon — which side has the advantage is clear at a glance. If it wasn't carelessness or underestimating the enemy, then there must be some trick up his sleeve.

He hoped it was the former, but unfortunately All Baimu was more likely the latter.

"Leech Seed! Bullet Punch!"

Let's test the waters!

"Nasa!"

Tropius leapt up sharply, the four fruit-shaped bulbs at the tip of its long tail rustling and glowing green, as several pale-green seeds condensed into form.

"Hu!"

Machoke stepped forward, throwing punches like a raging storm!

Swish swish swish!

The silver-gleaming fists became afterimages; every strike that whipped up wind precisely hit those pale-green seeds, sending them at near-teleport speed into the ground around the shiny Milotic and Chansey.

Pop pop pop pop—

After landing, the seeds split open, countless slender vines rapidly growing and snatching at the two Pokémon like living things with bared fangs and claws!

"A brilliant assist combo! Using Leech Seed as bullets and firing them with punches! This kind of Leech Seed is truly impossible to guard against!"

Vivian's excited voice rang out.

All Baimu's score began to be deducted slightly, but soon stopped.

Because Leech Seed at this speed wasn't enough to catch the shiny Milotic and Chansey off guard.

"Milo~"

Accompanied by a low cry, a massive, clear water ring rose up, swirling endlessly around the shiny Milotic and Chansey, then rolling forward to sweep up the reaching vines within it.

And ripping them out by the roots!

Pop pop pop!

The crisp bursting sounds were like needles popping balloons — in fact, they were the fine roots of the vines tearing free from the soil.

All Baimu gazed at the distant Machoke and Tropius and said: "Psychic, Water Ring — expand."

"Milo!"

The shiny Milotic raised its head.

The massive water ring suddenly expanded in all directions, while Chansey, its eyes glowing blue, rode its psychic power atop the water ring, rapidly closing in on Machoke and Tropius.

Coach Ge Man, seeing this, was delighted rather than alarmed, and shouted: "Come on! Double Mach Punch! Don't give it a chance to use a move!"

No matter what trick Chansey has, just don't give it the chance to use it!

"Hu!"

"Nasa!"

Machoke and Tropius exchanged a glance; brown-red energy ignited between fist and claw, and together they threw a punch at the Chansey riding the massive water ring!

Rumble rumble!

The air let out a muffled moan — enough to prove how heavy those two punches were.

Yet the instant they threw their punches, Chansey had already slid down from atop the water ring to behind it, causing both of their fists to plunge entirely into the water ring with its powerful twisting force!

Boom! Boom!

Two sprays of water burst open.

Machoke and Hitmonlee's expressions turned solemn; both could clearly feel that before their fists punched through the Water Ring, a shifting force inside had already dissipated seventy to eighty percent of their power.

The remaining force scattered entirely into the collapsing Water Ring…

Collapsing?

No—!

An even fiercer force came surging in from every direction!

Boom!

Shwaaa—

At the sound, the two Pokémon were sent flying on the spot by the Water Ring!

"Machoke! Hitmonlee!"

Coach Ge Man's face changed at the cry; he had never imagined that a mere Water Ring would not only block two Mach Punches, but also send both his Pokémon flying!

Fortunately—

Hitmonlee's tail hooked Machoke's arm at the critical moment; the two didn't separate but flew down to the ground and rolled another two turns, landing just at the edge of the field.

Coach Ge Man's score suffered a massive deduction.

But he had no time to look at how many points he'd lost—the Chansey that had lifted off the ground with Telekinesis had, at some unknown point, caught up to the two Pokémon and was raising both little hands high.

"Happy~"

"Ally Switch!"

All Baimu spoke the name of this move that was, for Coach Ge Man, nothing short of a nightmare.

Back then, at the Autumn Leaf Tournament—

The perfect pairing of Lei Mu and Meditite had fallen to exactly this catch-them-off-guard move.

And now, Chansey had used it once again!

When the shiny Milotic, ice-light gleaming in its mouth, suddenly replaced Chansey less than two meters from Hitmonlee and Machoke, his face was filled with despair.