Chapter 532: A Battle Against the Former Champion?

"Ah~~"

All Baimu yawned.

To be honest, he hadn't slept well last night — the Dancer's Sword Dance memory had been far too restless.

Even tossing the wok in the Chef's memory hadn't left him this drained…

Mental fatigue?

Still, this memory did have at least some reference value — even without taming other "bladed-weapon" Pokémon, it could still be incorporated into Mawile's battle rhythm and gorgeous performance.

More or less, anyway.

"Would you care for something refreshing?"

The old butler's voice sounded beside his ear.

All Baimu's wandering thoughts quickly snapped back; he turned his head and said softly, "Please bring me a cup."

At the same time.

"Staying up late isn't a good habit — it does terrible things to your skin, you know."

A voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar rang out.

"Uh, noted."

All Baimu glanced at Mi Ke Li sitting directly across from him, holding a teacup and savoring his tea.

The man wore a sky-blue open-collared sleeping robe, exposing snow-white collarbones and chest, legs crossed, expression faintly languid — utterly unlike his teacher Adam, who was always impeccably dressed.

After Mi Ke Li finished his cup.

As the Gym's current Leader, he naturally moved back into the Gym, which in turn drew an enormous crowd of adoring fans. Thanks to Officer Jenny and the police helping to disperse them, the area around the Gym remained peaceful.

Speaking of which.

Back then Mi Ke Li had actually planned to go out in his sleeping robe to greet the fans and help Officer Jenny and the others shoo them away — All Baimu had spotted it just in time and hurriedly stopped him.

—Going out looking like that would only make things worse, wouldn't it?

Of course he hadn't put it that bluntly — he wasn't all that close with Mi Ke Li yet.

Fortunately, the latter had a fairly clear sense of just how much charm he actually possessed, and after being talked out of it, he gave up on the idea of giving his fans a visual treat.

A pleasant breakfast came to an end.

Since taking up temporary residence at the Ecruteak Gym, All Baimu had left the meals for himself and his Pokémon entirely in the old butler's hands, which made things considerably easier for him.

Even with Chansey's help, preparing three meals a day for over a dozen Pokémon was, when he was honest with himself, still a little tiring.

But without the personal touch of making food and feeding them by hand, he couldn't help feeling a touch lonely.

You can't have everything…

All Baimu strolled toward where his Pokémon were, but was stopped halfway by Mi Ke Li.

"Baimu-kun, when are you planning to challenge me?"

He asked with a smile: "Or do you need more time to prepare? But given that you're a Trainer Champion Dawu admires, and also my teacher's temporary student… ah yes, and the new winner of the Mi Ke Li Cup, it's really hard for me to face you at an ordinary level in a Gym battle.

"So I won't abide by the Gym Challenge's power restrictions, and I won't hold back even a fraction — no matter how well you perform, if you don't win, you don't get the Badge. What do you say?"

Not a trace of malice could be seen on Mi Ke Li's face as he said this.

But All Baimu was genuinely a little creeped out.

Wow.

What grudge, what grievance.

It sounded exactly like he was being threatened.

And to openly declare that he wouldn't follow the Gym Challenge's power-restriction rules — if those words were recorded and sent to the League or posted online, even as a former Champion and current Gym Leader, he'd most likely be punished by the League.

At the very least, his vacation would be gone.

All Baimu twitched the corner of his mouth, met Mi Ke Li's slightly expectant gaze, and nodded in reply: "If it's all right with you, let's set the time for this afternoon."

"Ah! What a refreshing answer! Truly worthy of the Mi Ke Li Cup champion! How elegant~"

Mi Ke Li inexplicably tipped his head back and sighed, then walked off looking thoroughly pleased.

Is being strict a good thing?

For All Baimu—

Yes.

Because his ultimate goal wasn't merely to enter the Ever Grande Conference, but to win it and then return to Hoenn to compete for the Regional Champion title.

A Gym Challenge with raised intensity, battling the serious former Champion Mi Ke Li, was effectively real-world tempering for him and his Pokémon.

If he couldn't even beat a Gym Leader like Mi Ke Li, how could he become a Regional Champion?

Let alone facing the even more monstrous, even more unreasonable Champion Dan Di at the World Championships in the future.

Besides, All Baimu was going to be staying at the Ecruteak Gym for a long time to come to receive Adam's instruction anyway — even if he lost to Mi Ke Li, he'd have plenty of time to challenge him again.

Mi Ke Li's approach could truly be called utterly thoughtful.

The big one is coming!

"Guys! Great news!"

All Baimu hurried over to his Pokémon in high spirits and told them about the afternoon Gym battle; a group of eager Pokémon responded in turn.

—

A leisurely afternoon.

The Ecruteak Gym's Water Field.

Adam sat in the stands with arms crossed, and Miss Liuqi beside him with an expectant look; the old butler Sebastian held a flag aloft, serving as referee for this battle.

Mi Ke Li stood on the high platform and said with a faint smile:

"Well, even though I did give you a little provocation this morning, it's a relief that you didn't get nervous over it."

Goddamn, that's thrilling.

And he has the nerve to say that.

Exactly the same tone as Adam — should I say only master and disciple could be alike?

Baimu on the opposite side was somewhat speechless, and was working to calm himself down. What came next might well be the strongest battle he had experienced so far, and he had no desire for his own poor condition to affect his Pokémon.

Even in battle, Pokémon constantly watched over their own trainer, and their fighting strength would be affected by the trainer's state.

The old butler Sebastian announced in a loud voice:

"The Liuli Gym battle now begins. Five Pokémon may be used, divided into two rounds. The first round requires selecting two Pokémon for a Double Battle…"

The rules of the Liuli Gym battle were rather complicated.

Simply put, two Pokémon were chosen for a Double Battle; when one of them fell, another could be sent out as a replacement, and switching was not allowed during this time.

But once both of either side's chosen Pokémon had fallen, the first round ended.

Following that, the Pokémon that had not lost their ability to fight in the first round could be used in the second round, which was a Single Battle and only allowed the challenger to switch Pokémon.

"As a trainer aiming to challenge the Sanyou Conference, no matter what rules you face, you must possess the ability to adapt flexibly, like water."

Adam had no idea who he was explaining things to — his gaze never left the field below.

But just as he said, the Sanyou Conference was a special tournament mixing Double and Single Battles, so the Liuli Gym's rules could be considered a preview for the challenger.

On the field.

Mi Ke Li smiled lightly as he tossed out two Poké Balls, saying: "Then let me see just how much strength you can bring out."

Bang bang!

White light flickered.

A Tentacruel with countless tentacles sank into the water blowing bubbles, and a Ludicolo that looked like a cross between a pineapple and a duck stood on a float and danced.

"Gupupupu…"

"Longpapapā~"

"They were both specially raised after I became Gym Leader, and they're also the Pokémon I use most often. Please don't underestimate them — you'll pay for it."

At the same moment Mi Ke Li was speaking.

Baimu also sent out the Pokémon he had decided on.

"Pali!"

"…Sang."

Porygon2 and Galarian Corsola were distributed on the field like miniature replicas of the opponents — one on a float, the other bobbing on the water's surface with the waves.

The Download Ability triggered, and Porygon2's stats rose rapidly—

It was Special Attack!

Baimu confirmed the boosted stat from the signal Porygon2's tail gave, and no longer waited.

First strike was crucial!

"Conversion·Paddle! Reflect!"

"Hm? Seizing the initiative? Quite decisive."

Hearing the command, Mi Ke Li followed up in turn: "Rain Dance! Toxic Spikes!"

At that moment.

Porygon2's oval legs were wrapped in white light, and as it dove into the water they transformed into two propellers, allowing it to move smoothly across the surface.

It carried Galarian Corsola on its back as it approached Tentacruel and Ludicolo, a translucent square pane of glass appearing before it, reflecting a multicolored halo under the lights.

However, before it could get close, purple light shot upward into the sky along with Tentacruel's tentacles.

Swish swish swish—

"Longpapapā! Longpapapā!"

Ludicolo danced a strange dance on its float, dark clouds rapidly gathering beneath the ceiling, and the purple Toxic Spikes that had flown into the air fell like flowers scattered by a heavenly maiden.

"Pali!"

Porygon2 nimbly dodged the Toxic Spikes.

Toxic Spikes in the anime weren't like in the game, only triggering when a Pokémon switched in — if hit while the opponent was setting them up, one would still be poisoned.

Suddenly.

A patter of rain poured down.

Ludicolo's movements became visibly swifter — clearly the result of its Swift Swim Ability triggering.

Mi Ke Li smiled: "Brick Break."

"Longpa!"

A light cry.

Porygon2 only felt its vision blur, and the greatly accelerated Ludicolo had already leapt right in front of it, its right palm wreathed in a brownish-red aura slashing down fiercely!

Swift Swim had evidently boosted not only its movement speed, but also its attack speed!

"Corsola!"

"Sang…"

Galarian Corsola suddenly flew up, actively charging toward the right palm.

Thud!

The heavy blow sent it smashed back onto Porygon2's back, but the brownish-red aura scattered like a puff of smoke rather than piercing directly into its body.

Without a doubt, this was thanks to the Ghost type being immune to Fighting-type attacks.

"Hmph~~~ A wonderful pairing of Normal and Ghost types — elegant!"

Mi Ke Li smiled: "But casually getting this close isn't a good habit— Sludge Wave!"

"Hold it! Trick Room!"

Baimu's command followed right after.

Porygon2 and Sun Coral are mid- and slow-speed Pokémon; when level and accumulated ability can't simply crush the opponent, being a step slower than the opponent is a fact that must be accepted.

However, slow moves can be compensated for by moves with high priority.

"Pshh!

A large mass of purple venom spewed from the mouth hidden beneath Tentacruel's pincer-teeth, instantly dyeing the once-clear pool water the color of poison.

Fortunately, the portion that sprayed straight over was blocked by the spherical honeycomb Light Screen Sun Coral released, which also gave Porygon2 the chance to set up Trick Room.

A translucent blue grid space rose up from the edges of the field at once.

"Hahahaha! Trick Room speed swap!"

Miss Liuqi excitedly clenched her fist, her stance completely on the side of the cheap "student" Baimu, "Uncle's rain has actually been turned against him!"

Adam shook his head, however: "He's quite skilled with status moves, but it's not that simple."

His words had just fallen.

"Let the Surf mix with the toxic water and launch an assault!"

Mi Ke Li's voice suddenly rang out clear and bright.

"Long pa pa!"

Ludicolo thrust both hands into the pool water, then suddenly heaved upward with force!

Boom!

A massive wave surged up, purple and blue churning ceaselessly within it; compared to it, Porygon2's "little boat" was nothing but a lone leaf, liable to be swallowed by the poisonous wave at any moment.

However.

The instant Trick Room succeeded.

The fastest speed on the entire field had already shifted from Ludicolo to Galarian Sun Coral!

"Whirlpool! Magnet Rise!"

After Baimu's shout, a huge vortex began to spin beneath Porygon2, and the incoming massive wave was actually being gradually torn apart by this twisting force.

But conversely, Porygon2 itself nearly got pulled underwater by the vortex.

Fortunately at the critical moment, it used Magnet Rise; having replaced Tentacruel's speed, it wasn't much slower than Sun Coral.

By comparison.

Although Tentacruel used some of its tentacles to grip a spot at the edge of the field, and others to grip the floatboard Ludicolo was on, preventing itself from being drawn in by the Whirlpool.

But Ludicolo's dancing had turned into slow motion, as if it had lost all its vigor, and the speed of its tentacle-waving was no longer as fast as before either.

【Stable-running novel app for years, comparable to the old version of the source-switching app used by all veteran readers, huanyuanapp.】

"Wrap!"

Several black tentacles burst through the bottom of the water following Mi Ke Li's command.

"Let it grab you! Thunder!" Baimu shouted loudly; Porygon2, which had been about to dodge, immediately stopped, allowing itself to be tightly bound by the tentacles.

A blinding flash of electricity lit up along with it.

Sun Coral very nimbly detached from its back, avoiding being caught in the friendly fire.

"Dark Pulse—huh!?"

Baimu had just given Sun Coral the order when he saw this fellow's body suddenly shudder; it should have been hovering in the air, yet for some reason it dropped into the water.

"Sever the tentacles!"

On the other side, Mi Ke Li promptly had Tentacruel "cut off its arm to save the body," and it really didn't take much damage; "Ludicolo, throw Leech Seed at Sun Coral!"

"Long pa pa!"

Ludicolo's whole body shuddered, and several mung-bean-like seeds shot out from the top of its head, falling toward Sun Coral.

The latter puffed purple bubbles from its mouth; facing the incoming pale-green seeds, it dodged with all its might, yet still let one slip through; the instant it touched it, the seed sprouted into a living vine, which stretched into its Kong Dong to strengthen the binding force.

"It's poisoned… couldn't fully dodge the toxic wave?"

Baimu's brow furrowed; the troublesome thing about status conditions is that, no matter how small the dose touched, there's always a chance of being hit.

It is completely different from what normal people think of as "toxicity" measured by dosage.

Porygon2, bound up like a zongzi by tentacles in the sky, saw its companion in a bad spot and tried to break free to rush back to support it.

"Don't panic! You won't break free like that! Use Tri Attack again!"

Baimu shouted upward, then said to the Sun Coral in the pool: "Curse—Tentacruel!"

In the void.

A dark-purple nail was driven into Sun Coral's skull; the intense grudge, driven by Ghost-type energy, transformed into an illusory ghost-shadow that flew toward Tentacruel.

Mi Ke Li had assumed he would pick Ludicolo, whose range of movement was narrower and whose speed had become even slower, and had already prepared to have it dodge; he hadn't expected it to be Tentacruel.

"Dodge—"

The command came too late.

The ghost-shadow sank into Tentacruel's body, making it twitch convulsively all over.

But on the other side, poison plus Leech Seed plus Curse—the multiple drains on stamina had also left Sun Coral nearly "on its last breath."

Porygon2, which had transformed into a quadrilateral long rod in midair, finally broke free of the remaining tentacles; judging from the unusually flushed-red portion of its surface, this fellow seemed to be angry.