Chapter 91: The Boxing Badge, Secured!

“Challenger, will you be switching your Pokémon?” the referee inquired before the match.

When challenging a gym, trainers have the freedom to change their Pokémon as they please.

“Yes,” Hu Yang nodded, recalling Yaya, who had evolved into a Bisharp, back into its Poké Ball. He then took out the Poké Ball containing Slowking.

“Very well, my second Pokémon will be this one!” Fujiki said with a smile, tossing out a Poké Ball. “Go, Makushita Rikishi!”

Without a word, Hu Yang promptly threw out Slowking’s Poké Ball.

A flash of white light, and a Slowking with half-lidded eyes appeared opposite Makushita Rikishi.

“It’s rare to see a trainer using Slowking,” Fujiki thought to himself.

Because Slowpoke and its evolutions are naturally quite sluggish, even after capture, commanding them in battle is often difficult.

Slowking’s evolution requirements are also demanding, making it hard to encounter in the wild. Usually, only one Slowking appears in a group of a dozen or so Slowpoke.

Therefore, most trainers prefer using Slowbro, another evolution of Slowpoke.

Fujiki studied Slowking carefully and silently judged, “It still looks rather silly.”

Seizing the moment, Hu Yang issued the command, “Slowking, use Electric Wave to greet it!”

Makushita Rikishi had just prepared for battle when a faint electric current surged through its body. Its limbs stiffened, paralyzed, unable to move as expected.

But within seconds, it forced itself back onto its feet.

A glint flashed in Fujiki’s eyes.

No use. His Makushita Rikishi had undergone special training to resist paralysis; it was already familiar with that sensation and could turn it to its advantage.

Its ability: Guts—when afflicted by a status condition, its attack power rises.

“Makushita Rikishi, close in and use Palm Strike Ambush!”

At the command, Makushita Rikishi sprang into action.

A white glow shone from its fists as it lunged forward at incredible speed.

“Psychic,” Hu Yang said calmly.

Suddenly, a blue light flickered in Slowking’s eyes.

Makushita Rikishi came to a halt just an inch from Slowking.

A shimmering blue aura traced the outline of its body.

In the next moment, as if controlled like a toy, Makushita Rikishi was forced to step back.

Slowking half-closed its eyes and said to Hu Yang, “Although I want to finish it off right now, you probably want to see what happens next.”

No sooner had the words left its mouth than Slowking sprayed a stream of purple venom.

The deadly poison entered Makushita Rikishi’s body, followed by a blast of scalding water that flung it backward.

The hot water inflicted a burn, and combined with the poison’s damage, Makushita Rikishi’s complexion shifted from purple to red, then back to purple.

Hu Yang was speechless.

At this moment, Fujiki was left stunned, unable to utter a word, staring at Slowking in disbelief.

Hu Yang wanted to cover his face.

Damn it, was his intention that obvious?

Even Slowking could see that he had altered its moves for a purpose.

No, it must be that Slowking was just too clever! Roserade hadn’t noticed.

Psychic-type moves naturally counter Fighting types, and by using Telekinesis to lift Makushita Rikishi and push it back, Slowking displayed an almost unbeatable strategy straight out of the anime.

From here on, the battle was predictable.

Though Fujiki was momentarily distracted by Slowking’s words, as the gym leader, he hadn’t forgotten his duty and continued directing Makushita Rikishi in battle.

But with poison and burn statuses draining its vitality, Makushita Rikishi could not break through Slowking’s psychic defenses.

Facing such an unyielding, countered battle for the first time, Fujiki’s mindset subtly shifted.

Hu Yang couldn’t stand it any longer. Seeing the strategy’s effectiveness, he immediately ordered Slowking to end the fight with a Trick followed by Scald.

Makushita Rikishi collapsed, unable to rise, and the referee raised his flag to announce: “Makushita Rikishi is unable to continue. Challenger Hu Yang wins!”

Fujiki knew the outcome the moment Makushita Rikishi was lifted and controlled by Psychic.

Type advantages don’t guarantee victory, but they certainly make battles several times more challenging.

For example, Normal-type physical attackers facing Ghost-type Gengar, or Dragon-type Pokémon against Fairy types.

Knowing the result was one thing, but being so thoroughly defeated by a rookie trainer left Fujiki feeling somewhat bitter.

Hu Yang recalled Slowking back into its Poké Ball.

The two men met in the center of the battlefield and shook hands.

“Congratulations on your victory. This is the Fighting Gym’s Boxing Badge—it’s yours now,” Fujiki said with a smile.

Though frustrated by the loss, as a gym leader, Fujiki had long learned how to accept wins and losses with grace.

What puzzled him, however, was this—

“That Slowking can speak human language?” Fujiki asked.

“Slowking is very intelligent,” Hu Yang replied.

Fujiki thought back to the Pokédex description and realized it was indeed possible. The world was vast and full of wonders.

Humans and Pokémon could even marry and have children. If that was true, why not Pokémon speaking human language?

He patted Hu Yang’s shoulder earnestly.

“I will remember you, Hu Yang. I hope to see you at the upcoming Silhouette Tournament, and I look forward to battling you again.”

Hu Yang remained silent.

Why did he have to pat his shoulder so hard?

Fujiki stood by the gym, watching Hu Yang depart. He then approached the receptionist who recorded challengers’ information and saw the badges Hu Yang had collected.

“Celadon Gym, Kanaz Gym,” Fujiki said, his interest piqued. He was about to inquire with Dujuan and Qianli about this trainer.

Traveling trainers were common, but ones with such talent and ideas were rare.

This kind of trainer was certainly worth knowing.

...

Hu Yang was unaware of what had transpired inside the Fighting Gym.

At that moment, he had already arrived at the Pokémon Center in Fighting Town.

“Thank you for waiting. This Bisharp has fully recovered!” Nurse Joy returned the Poké Ball to him.

After paying, Hu Yang took Bisharp to an open area in the backyard and released it from its Poké Ball.

“Ndah ndah!” Bisharp let out a deep, slightly hoarse cry, its red eyes clear and bright.

Hu Yang observed the changes it had undergone.

Compared to when it was Yaya, its body had grown significantly.

Its arms and tail had lengthened and grown strong with its development.

Its most distinctive feature was the two large horizontal fangs, longer than before.

Hu Yang ran his hand over Bisharp’s body, noting how its skin had become exceptionally tough.