Chapter 487 - Ideas for Skorupi’s Combination Attacks

After arranging breakfast for the Pokémon and letting Honchkrow finish its morning exercises, they also had a carefully prepared breakfast.

The day of formal training began.

Aoki arranged today's training tasks for the Pokémon.

The main focus was practicing the previously developed combination techniques.

Although Honchkrow's Wing Attack could be used effectively in battle, its power had not yet reached the desired level.

As for Sneasel's Ice Claw, its Metal Claw contributed more to the attack than the Ice-type energy, making it necessary to strengthen the Ice-type element. However, among the Pokémon, Sneasel had a relatively solid grasp of combination techniques.

In reality, many Pokémon could learn techniques from one another, and with specialized trainers to teach them, mastering these skills became much faster.

For example, not long ago, Sneasel had taught Slowking Ice Punch. Though Slowking's execution of the move was mediocre, it still provided an advantage against Grass-type Pokémon.

Grass-types naturally countered Slowking's Water-type attributes, but with an Ice-type move, Slowking could handle them more effectively.

Skorupi had improved significantly through training, learning several fundamental techniques.

This learning process was instinctual, embedded in Skorupi's lineage. As long as it had sufficient potential and reached the appropriate level, it could naturally acquire these moves.

However, learning a move did not equate to mastering it.

Skorupi primarily learned two Poison-type moves this time, which required dedicated training for full mastery: Venoshock and Toxic Spikes.

Each move had its own strengths.

Venoshock could deal double damage to a poisoned opponent, making it even deadlier when combined with Skorupi's developed toxin abilities.

Toxic Spikes was also highly effective in synergy with Venoshock.

By scattering the poisonous spikes on the battlefield, any Pokémon stepping on them would be poisoned. Once the poison built up, it could escalate into a badly poisoned state.

This strategy made it an excellent battlefield control move.

Following up with a Venoshock attack could deal a devastating blow to the opponent.

Skorupi also learned Hone Claws.

Sneasel was proficient with this move, making it an ideal training partner for Skorupi.

Hone Claws was particularly useful for a Pokémon with the Sniper ability.

It increased the accuracy of its attacks and the likelihood of landing critical hits, making it a perfect match for Sniper's traits.

Currently, Skorupi needed to practice and refine these three moves.

Aoki also had plans for a combination technique for Skorupi.

Pairing Poison Fang with Venoshock was a strong tactic. Once Poison Fang inflicted the poison status, the damage would stack with Venoshock's doubled effect.

With the Sniper ability, any Poison-weak Pokémon could be taken out instantly.

Additionally, after absorbing the poisonous energy from the shattered Toxic Orb, Skorupi's Poison-type abilities had surpassed even Haunter's.

With the Black Sludge, Skorupi's endurance in battle also improved significantly.

Both its prolonged combat potential and its burst damage were excellent. At this stage, Skorupi was already an exceptional frontline battler.

If not for type disadvantages, its burst potential might even rival that of Honchkrow when Overconfidence was fully stacked.

Once Skorupi evolved into Drapion, Aoki's team strength would increase dramatically.

But Skorupi wasn't the only one preparing for evolution.

Sneasel's Razor Claw was ready. Aoki needed just one night to make the necessary preparations for Sneasel's evolution.

Haunter's evolution was also on the agenda, but Aoki was uncertain of the exact method. He would need to ask someone for advice.

Once these Pokémon evolved, Aoki estimated his standing among elite trainers would reach the top tier.

After setting up the Pokémon's training, Aoki contacted his mentor, Matsuda.

After a brief exchange, Aoki stated his request:

He wanted the League to establish a Pokémon Center in Verdanturf Town.

A town with a gym but no Pokémon Center was incomplete and severely disadvantaged.

This also made it less appealing to trainers.

Matsuda understood the request. After all, it was his apprentice asking. Even though it was a bit of a hassle, he had only one apprentice, so he agreed.

It wasn't a difficult task. For a town without a gym, applying for a Pokémon Center would be challenging. But in a town that already had a gym, a Pokémon Center was an essential facility. The only issue was transferring a Nurse Joy, which was outside of Matsuda's authority.

As key figures in the League, the Jenny family and the Joy family had their own decision-making processes.

Even the League's upper management had limited influence over Nurse Joy assignments.

For Aoki, however, just having a Pokémon Center was enough. The specific Nurse Joy stationed there was a minor detail.

He simply needed the facility in place.

After finishing the call with Matsuda, Aoki dialed another familiar number.

After about ten seconds, the call connected.

"Hello! Aoki?" a male voice came through, sounding both surprised and happy.

"It's me, Steven," Aoki responded with a smile.

The person on the line was none other than Steven Stone.

An old friend he hadn't spoken to in a while.

"Why are you calling me all of a sudden?" Steven asked curiously.

Aoki was taken aback for a moment, not expecting that response.

"Have you been out in the field for a long time without returning?" Aoki asked.

"That's right. After you came to catch Aron last time, I went out searching for rare stones. People told me there were unusual stones in this area, so I came here. But the wild Pokémon are incredibly strong. I've been delayed here for days and haven't found anything worthwhile," Steven said.

No wonder.

That explained why Steven was surprised by Aoki's call.

It also explained why he hadn't reached out to congratulate Aoki after his recent rise in prominence within the League.

Aoki chuckled. "Then you probably haven't watched the news for a while? Are you alone this time?"

"It's been a long time since I've had such a long break, so I didn't want any distractions. On the first day out, I told everyone not to bother me unless it was an emergency. Why? Did something big happen?"

"Nothing too serious. When will you be back?" Aoki asked, not elaborating further.