Chapter 73

Ultimate Invincible Waveguide Bomb!

Ribbit!

Facing the astonished gazes of the crowd below, the super huge Waveguide Bomb shot straight into the smoke, striking the locked-on Garchomp.

Boom!

Like the nuclear explosion scene after dropping a nuclear bomb, a light mushroom cloud rose on the spot, and scorching energy frenetically swept across everything on the battlefield.

The rocky battlefield, devoured frenziedly by massive high-heat energy, melted and evaporated,

The battlefield's shield, capable of withstanding a single strike from a Champion-level Pokemon, kept shaking under the frenzied energy sweep, even producing huge cracks.

Latias, Psychic!

Ash timely released Dragonite to use Psychic to reinforce the shield, thus preventing the violent energy from spreading outward.

Rumble!

After the explosion ended, when everyone could clearly see the situation on the field, they all involuntarily sucked in a breath of cold air,

The entire battlefield's height directly sank four or five meters, everywhere was molten metal juice mixed with soil forming a new terrain, the shock-absorbing device became utterly ruined, directly exposed.

At this moment, the Croakhead Frog was standing on a patch of sand,

The incapacitated Garchomp was forced to merge with the soil, only half of its body exposed.

Until this very moment, the battle ended, but the shock on Chakelo's face had not faded: 'That move just now... what exactly was it?'

Recovering from the shock, Serena noticed the other's doubt, and involuntarily curled the corner of her mouth,

Ash is, in the present World, the only one capable of commanding Waveguide Power, a Waveguide Warrior! Right, Ash?!

Saying it's unique, it probably is unique, but it's just a probabilistic occurrence—don't be so absolute about it!

Ash shook his head,

He certainly doesn't want Serena to be embarrassed; of course, looking at the descendants of Waveguide users, none have mastered Waveguide Power.

Ash himself might indeed be the only human currently in the World who has mastered Waveguide Power.

Opposite him,

Chakelo stared in shock, lost in thought: 'Waveguide... Warrior!'

Looking at the almost completely dazed Chakelo, Ash showed an apologetic expression.

Sorry, Mr. Chakelo, I accidentally destroyed your battlefield; I'll cover the repair costs.

Accidentally...

An accident that can crack a shield capable of withstanding a Champion-level attack—your accident is just too careless.

With this analysis, Ash's Waveguide Power strength must be at least Champion-level, right?

While Ash shocked everyone in mind, being practically a human-shaped Pokemon, Chakelo shook his head repeatedly,

This won't do, Ash... uh, Lord Duke, these are all normal losses from battle; we can claim reimbursement from the League.

Seeing Chakelo's discomfort with the title, Ash smiled and waved his hand: 'No need to worry about the title; just call me Ash.'

Meanwhile, Serena wore a look of thought and curiosity: 'By the way, what is Mr. Chakelo's title?'

Title? I'm a Marquis!

Huh? Just below a Duke? That's also impressive!" Serena exclaimed sincerely.

These words indeed made Chakelo feel utterly vexed,

His Marquis title, earned over years of accumulation, how could it compare to Ash achieving a Duke in a single day?

With both hands, he presented Ash with the badge of the Fragrant Path Gym.

Facing Nana's hesitant gaze, Chakelo gave her a reassuring look, walked to the control panel, and tapped his fingers several times.

Click click click...

A sound of mechanical gears turning came, and in everyone's eyes, the battlefield continued to descend.

Instead,

A battlefield almost identical to the previous rocky one appeared.

Having done all that, Chakelo smiled and gestured an invitation to Nana, pointing to the challenger's platform opposite.

Miss Nana, please!

Huh? Clemont is once again greatly shocked—can the battlefield really be designed with interchangeable modules?

Speaking of this, Clemont felt a sense of familiarity, as if he had made something similar before,

Right, it's the League! Turns out the League originally had me help design the rotating device for use on the battlefield?

Clemont felt a setback, being a designer yet not even knowing its purpose.

After silently listening to Clemont's muttering, Ash and his group all laughed,

You invent something and don't even know its use—typical of you, Clemont!

Meanwhile,

Nana's Gym battle was not going smoothly,

Relying solely on Meowth's own strength to sweep three opponents for victory was truly difficult; the entire battle process depended entirely on Nana, as a Trainer, using psychic support to barely win.

After this battle, Nana's shortage was directly exposed: she had too few handheld Pokemon, just a single Meowth; it's time to catch a new handheld Pokemon.

Leaving the Fragrant Path Gym,

The next destination, Ash intends to go to the Salon Gym where Roller Skating Sister Keerni is.

Miss Nana did not leave; it seems she intends to go all the way along the route,

During that time, Ash and his group encountered one of Serena's rivals in a small town, a girl with purple short hair named Mijufi,

Under the other's provocation, Serena participated in the Bubble Flower Grand Prix, achieved a top-three ranking, and in the process blasted Team Rocket.

Originally, when they parted, seeing that Serena and Ash had made no Progress, the admirer Mijufi of Serena would still lend a hand.

Now Ash and Serena are close, but they don't have deep interactions, just a simple rival relationship.

The next day, the group encountered a flower‑bud named Huabei that had lost its Fairy Flower and fallen into listlessness; Ash and Yurie helped Huabei find a new Fairy Flower and thereby defeated Team Rocket.

Later they met the overworked Kalunai and witnessed Kalunai crush a challenger, and once again defeated Team Rocket.

……

Meanwhile,

Not far beneath where Ash's party is, a kingdom of Pokemon deep underground has encountered a great crisis.

The Diamond Mine Kingdom lies deep underground, a peaceful and beautiful realm where Gem Pokemon Little Crystals dwell.

In this nation there is a massive diamond called the Holy Diamond. The Holy Diamond has long served as the vital energy source that sustains the Mine Kingdom's operation.

Only the Mine Kingdom's princess, Diancie, can create the Holy Diamond, but the current Princess Diancie has not yet been able to wield that power.

(Image shows Super Diancie)

Super Diancie

Now… the time limit has arrived. The Holy Diamond's lifespan is about to end.

The underground world's veins are gradually losing energy, heading toward depletion; at this rate the Mine Kingdom will perish!

Diamond Minister: "Princess Diancie, we can't delay any longer; you must go see Him!"

"Him?"

"Zherniyas, the legendary God of Life! His fairy aura can help you!"

"Then where is He?"

"When I was young I traveled far and wide; in a place called Aoluansi Forest, I was rescued by Him during a great forest devastation—perhaps He can be found there!"

"But can obtaining the fairy aura really help me forge the Holy Diamond and save the Mine Kingdom?"

A flicker of doubt crossed Diancie's face.

"Your Highness, I have absolute faith in the fairy aura!"

"But…"

At the thought of leaving the underground, Diancie's face showed a trace of fear and reluctance,

but when His gaze fell upon the bustling citizens, the reluctance quickly subsided, she pretended cheerfulness and rallied her spirit.

"I understand, Minister. I will find Zherniyas and obtain the fairy aura! 'Anyway, I've long wanted to leave.'"

"Exactly. You will surely succeed, Princess."