[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham":3,"chapter-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-85":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Pokemon: The Reemployment of a Paldea Former Champion",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2324102,4546,"Chapter 85: Kukui: Something Dirty","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-85",85,"\u003Cp>“Power Whip!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick, vibrant green vines composed of energy sprouted from the sides of the rooted Bulbasaur, accompanied by continuous explosive cracks in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it resists Grass-type moves, Gengar knew it absolutely could not be hit by this attack—Bulbasaur’s power was far too overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gengar’s movements danced like a fluid, exhilarating waltz, evading Bulbasaur’s wide, sweeping strikes with minimal motion, then seizing its opening—Shadow Blade!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blazing greatsword sliced cleanly through the green vines, but the Power Whip vines were made of Grass-type energy; if they had been part of Bulbasaur’s own body, Gengar could have drained its stamina.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gengar did not miss this chance—using its years of honed sword speed, it severed the Power Whip vines into countless fragments in the blink of an eye. The next instant, a crescent-shaped psychic blade tore through the air, hurtling toward Bulbasaur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must not be hit by this move—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought flooded Kukui’s mind. He waved his hand sharply: “Petal Dance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive flower on Bulbasaur’s back erupted with a torrent of petals, filling the sky. Each petal brimmed with dense Grass-type energy, and together they formed an unyielding barrier that blocked the psychic blade. For a moment, both Kukui and Luo Mu were drawn to the fierce exchange of offense and defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu wore an expression of “Kukui fell for it again,” and gave a command that startled him: “Shadow Sneak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kukui snapped his gaze back—Gengar’s figure had vanished from its original spot. His heart sank. “Grass Contract! Keep Gengar away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late. This was an opportunity Luo Mu and Gengar had long planned for. Kukui was just a fraction too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shadow Sneak was merely a mobility platform—the real killing move had already been prepared during the movement!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gengar’s cursed armor ignited with endless blue-purple flames, engulfing it completely. Then, behind Bulbasaur, the ground beneath Gengar shattered. With unstoppable momentum, Gengar slammed straight into Bulbasaur!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames coalesced into a colossal fire tornado. Trapped in its rooted state, Bulbasaur could not escape. It watched helplessly as its stamina was violently drained, then its vision darkened, and its massive body crashed to the ground with a thunderous crash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of silence, Ash declared: “Bulbasaur is unable to battle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the end... it’s just you left.” Kukui gripped a Poké Ball with chipped paint—his original partner, who had accompanied him since childhood and brought him to this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kukui fixed his determined gaze on Luo Mu. He resolved to convey, with the purest Royal Battle spirit, his full strength and that of Charizard, directly and honorably, to Luo Mu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu, puzzled by Kukui’s burning stare, tilted his head and, after recalling Gengar, muttered: “Try that one, sometimes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Luo Mu and Kukui simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Charizard!” “Pikachu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A towering, black-and-red upright tiger radiating regal might, and a small, seemingly harmless doll appeared on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charizard vs. Pikachu—Generation VII internal battle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Luo Mu could issue a command, Kukui suddenly let out a sharp cry, staring in disbelief at Luo Mu’s Pokémon: “Pikachu!? You have Pikachu on your team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu froze, then suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he hadn’t introduced Pikachu to Kukui these past few days—and Pikachu’s very nature meant that, unless directly confronted or pointed out by Luo Mu, anyone would instinctively overlook its presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Kukui was stunned by Pikachu’s appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sidelines, Ash clapped his hands: “Oh my, it’s Pikachu! Long time no see~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pikachu was delighted that both Ash and Kukui could perceive its existence. Its true form beneath the doll emitted happy bubbles, and its Shadow Claw emerged from the plush, waving cheerfully at the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, after the fierce battles of Swampert and Gengar, the effect of Stealth Rock finally faded. Pikachu appeared unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kukui rubbed his throbbing head, no longer caring about how Luo Mu had a Pikachu as a main Pokémon—or what kind of Pokémon that Firebird was—and shouted: “Roar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Arooo!” (#`O′)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charizard unleashed a roar worthy of the Forest King. Thick Dark-type energy surged outward, carried by the sound, amplified by its Intimidate ability, sweeping toward Pikachu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing the incoming attack, Pikachu remained calm, choosing to stand still and wait for Luo Mu’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was just a harmless, adorable Ghost-type Pokémon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu spoke at that moment: “Take it... then... Hex!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hex?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kukui frowned. To be honest, he understood many moves—he’d even considered studying them further to earn a Doctorate—but he had rarely seen this Hex move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most Trainers avoided it altogether—because the side effects were too severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, eerie Ghost-type energy rose behind Pikachu, terrifying to behold. It crossed space and instantly settled upon Charizard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pikachu’s energy plummeted instantly—from full health to nearly half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, at such a cost, Charizard looked perfectly fine, merely stretching its body with a strange expression. When it realized nothing had happened, it smirked mockingly at Pikachu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked utterly deserving of a punch—exactly like a Dark-type Pokémon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Roar struck Pikachu’s body a moment too late. The doll-like form, once upright like Pikachu’s, slumped limply to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Ash stroked his chin, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kukui felt a fog clouding his mind—he was so close to understanding Luo Mu’s plan, but couldn’t grasp it. Helpless, he shouted: “Flamethrower!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charizard cackled. A massive pillar of flame erupted from its flame belt, aimed straight at Pikachu’s tiny form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu spoke calmly: “Dodge. Share Pain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pikachu moved with exceptional agility. Its true form beneath the doll swung its Shadow Claw downward, launching itself high into the air. Just barely avoiding Flamethrower, another strange energy began to ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charizard instinctively sensed something was wrong. Without hesitation, it began to move, trying to escape the unsettling sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the eerie ripple arrived as promised. Charizard’s pupils shrank. Its HP plummeted rapidly—and the lost HP transformed into green sparkles, flowing into Pikachu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charizard nearly cursed aloud—but before it could, a chilling sensation flooded its body. The eerie Ghost-type energy returned, like an unwelcome intruder, surging wildly through its veins!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did Charizard and Kukui realize the sheer “dirty” nature of Luo Mu’s strategy—making them, and their Pokémon, look like fools for wanting a straightforward, honorable battle.\u003C\u002Fp>",1043,"2026-06-20T17:11:47.132Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1577ca0fa865b7c6e46dd1ac5ac0795c27b6e73ed4ebe2f06d78c862c776cfea","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-86","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-84",695,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-cover.jpg"]