Chapter 641: Teacher Yu, you are invincible; a sandstorm team can be this classy (7k)

On the battle field, Qingyu issued the start command and was the first to throw out a Poké Ball.

"My lead Pokémon is Hippowdon; don't underestimate this child, okay~"

As Qingyu's words fell, a red light soon shot out from the Poké Ball.

A large Hippowdon, earthy brown all over with blackish back, feet, and nose area, appeared. After opening its blood-red mouth with an exaggerated diameter, it also revealed the few teeth inside.

(Hippowdon)

"Hippowdon, the evolved form of Hippopotas, possesses the same Sand Stream ability as Tyranitar and is a common weather-setter for sandstorm teams."

While waiting for the opponent to throw their Poké Ball and officially start the battle, Qingyu didn't forget to introduce it.

Isolated by the dust-proof goggles, Qingyu's voice became very muffled at this moment, but one could also tell the lightness in his tone.

"As weather-setters, their functions are actually a bit different. As for where exactly that manifests..."

"Once this battle starts, you will know."

While Qingyu spoke with a smile, Hippowdon's entrance immediately stirred up the surrounding airflow.

Soon, sand and dust were slightly kicked up all around, with a trend of intensifying until it formed a small-scale sandstorm.

Seeing this big guy, who looked fierce on the surface but was inexplicably a bit ugly-cute, the newcomer challenger not only didn't feel afraid but instead subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

Great, it's not Tyranitar!

If Teacher Yu really used a powerful Pokémon like Tyranitar for the assessment, under the double torture of stats and mechanics, the difficulty of clearing the stage would probably be much higher than before...

However, this time I came prepared!

"I understand!"

The challenger, who wasn't very tall and looked young, nodded and took a Luxury Ball out of their pocket.

"I choose you, Tauros!!!"

After the Poké Ball hit the ground and made a crisp sound, a fierce bull Pokémon with sharp horns on its head and an angry expression appeared on the field.

It had three tails, and from the moment it appeared, its eyes were full of fighting spirit, and it was impatiently rubbing the ground with its front hooves, looking like it might charge forward at any moment.

(Paldean Tauros)

【This is Tauros? In my memory, isn't it earthy yellow? Could it be tanned again?】

【Paldean Tauros has several special forms. Judging by the shape of the horns... this should be the Aqua Breed, right?】

【Tsk tsk, such an obvious counter! Are the students nowadays all this competitive?】

【Brother, haven't you joined Team Star yet? Feel free to visit our society when you have time. The students here speak very nicely and discuss tactics together; I love it here~】

【... Asking because I don't know, why does it feel to me, someone from another region, that your "Team Star" doesn't seem very serious?】

"Tauros?"

Qingyu raised an eyebrow, and a look of obvious appreciation appeared in his eyes as he looked at his opponent.

In Paldea, the Tauros that had already appeared in the first generation debuted in a brand-new way, not only becoming pitch-black but also having a qualitative leap in strength.

However...

These students, if nothing else, have really taken "listening to advice" to heart.

Even with the structure of Tauros's dual horns on its head, which made it impossible to carry goggles that could cover the entire head, this short challenger thoughtfully arranged "tactical goggles" that only covered its eyes.

Although it's unknown whether this "blinded by a leaf" operation can actually prevent sandstorm erosion in real combat, at least it provides some psychological comfort, right?

Qingyu complained in his heart while silently observing his opponent.

According to different groups, the local Tauros are divided by Paldean scholars into three different forms: Combat Breed, Blaze Breed, and Aqua Breed.

They correspond to Fighting, Fire, and Water types respectively.

And the one currently facing off against Hippowdon is the Water+Fighting type Aqua Breed Tauros.

Just in terms of typing, it indeed perfectly counters the sandstorm team, which is core-based on Rock, Ground, and Steel types, and it is very targeted in terms of combat power, speed, and ability.

Judging by Hippowdon's subconscious trembling after it appeared, it should be confirmed to be the Intimidate ability.

Sandstorm team attackers are basically physical-attack oriented, and the Intimidate ability can effectively reduce their combat power, thereby indirectly improving their own team's survival ability.

And even when facing Tyranitar, if the strength gap isn't large, a single Close Combat from this Tauros can basically easily slay the powerful sandstorm king.

So just from the choice of this one Pokémon, one can see that the opponent has definitely done their homework.

Of course... it might also be attributed to the Team Star that is silently contributing behind the scenes.

Ever since Penny created this "star-chasing group" at Naranja Academy, the overall quality of the students coming to challenge has had a qualitative leap.

This time should be no exception.

Penny, you did well!

Qingyu thought to himself.

Of course, he really thinks Team Star's transformation is quite good, at least much better than the delinquent group that the protagonist needed to solve in the original plot.

The level of the challengers has come up, so he can also fight more casually and doesn't need to deliberately maintain a one-sided instructional battle.

Which means... he can let himself go~

"Tauros, use Raging Bull!!!"

While Qingyu's thoughts were drifting, the opponent chose to launch a surprise attack and was the first to give a command.

Qingyu immediately came back to his senses and looked at Tauros, which had already taken a step.

It is said that Pokémon like Tauros spend their whole lives running, so their speed is quite fast.

At least at Hippowdon's level, it definitely wouldn't have time to dodge.

And Raging Bull, Tauros's signature move, changes its type subtly depending on its breed during the attack.

For example, the one in front of him now sprays water from the tips of its horns when using Raging Bull, changing its attack method to Water type.

This move even has an effect similar to Brick Break, capable of breaking through the barriers set up on the opponent's field by relying on brute force.

For Hippowdon, it has strong suppression power.

However...

"Hippowdon, Yawn!"

Facing the aggressive Tauros, Qingyu didn't command it to use Protect to gain a chance to dodge, but instead used Yawn as an opener.

【??? So that's what Teacher Yu meant by "different usage." Being able to learn such a classy move, no wonder Hippowdon was chosen as the assessment Pokémon...】

【Then the question arises, can Hippowdon withstand a hit from Tauros?】

【Seeing Teacher Yu so confident, there shouldn't be much of a problem, right? But even if Yawn makes Copperajah sleepy, I feel like it could still hold on and take out Hippowdon in a second before falling asleep...】

Due to Qingyu's command, facing the Tauros rushing towards it, Hippowdon didn't choose to retreat but tensed its body, preparing to take the move head-on.

At the same time, some energy quietly accumulated in its open mouth.

The distance between the two Pokémon quickly closed, and the fierce offensive of Tauros served as the starting point for the clash.

Even with Hippowdon's size, after being hit by Tauros's full-force charge, it was still clearly in pain, and its body retreated under the force of that terrifying brute strength.

The field covered with sand and gravel was dragged into an obvious trace, and the wrestling between the two sides was on the verge of breaking out.

However, even as the side on passive defense, Hippowdon's solid build clearly occupied quite an advantage in this collision of brute force.

The impact force brought by Tauros's speed was quickly exhausted, and just as it was about to disengage due to lack of follow-through, it was startled by the blood-red mouth opened by Hippowdon.

Although it didn't directly cause physical trauma, after a mouthful of breath of unknown flavor was exhaled, Tauros's expression clearly couldn't handle it. A painful look appeared on its already pitch-black face, and soon its eyelids became heavy.

After the two sides pulled away, Hippowdon opened its big mouth again, fished out a hidden Sitrus Berry from somewhere in its mouth, and swallowed it in one gulp, quickly recovering a lot of stamina.

"Tsk..."

Seeing that this attack didn't achieve a very good effect, Tauros's trainer couldn't help but click their tongue.

Although logically, with Tauros's combat power, this move should have been able to directly flip Hippowdon, judging by the final result, the effect didn't seem ideal.

It did indeed force out the item of Teacher Yu's Hippowdon, but it seems it didn't have any effect on him...

So, should they do it again and gamble on attacking before Yawn takes effect to directly take out Hippowdon?

They couldn't help but calculate this in their heart, while also quietly turning their gaze to Teacher Yu on the opposite side, who still had a smile on his face.

Looking so confident, he must be sure that they couldn't easily solve Hippowdon on their side...

But Teacher Yu once said that psychological warfare is also an important part of Pokémon battles; through small actions in expressions and behavior, one can sometimes play a role in deceiving the opponent. ===== CHAPTER 643 =====