Chapter 908 - Jumpluff

Blaziken, which was originally kneeling on the ground, leapt up immediately upon hearing Aoki's command, soaring high into the air.

"Venusaur, use Vine Whip!" Uncle Fu maintained his calm smile as he directed his Pokémon.

Blaziken's jump successfully avoided the Grass Knot attempt, but now airborne, it had no way to evade. Two massive vines lashed out from Venusaur's body, striking directly at Blaziken mid-air.

At that moment, flames engulfed Blaziken's legs, and its fists ignited as well. Instead of dodging, it seized the incoming vines with its burning hands.

Snap! Snap!

Though the Vine Whip stung, Blaziken held on tightly, using the vines to pull itself downward, accelerating its descent. The flames around its legs intensified, nearly encasing its entire body, transforming it into a blazing meteor.

With a powerful kick, Blaziken slammed into Venusaur, the impact cracking the battlefield beneath them. Venusaur collapsed, scorch marks blackening its hide where Blaziken's foot had struck.

"Now, Fire Punch!" Aoki commanded.

The flames on Blaziken's fist roared to life as it drove its burning knuckles into Venusaur's prone form. The ground shattered further, and Venusaur finally fainted, unable to continue.

Blaziken backflipped gracefully, landing before Aoki, its chest heaving slightly from exertion.

This is power, Aoki thought. No wonder Swampert relishes overwhelming opponents in a single strike.

Uncle Fu's eyebrows rose in surprise. In just two moves, his Venusaur had been defeated. The shattered arena spoke volumes about Blaziken's strength.

Retrieving his fainted Pokémon, Fu nodded approvingly. "An impressive Blaziken. Your training has borne fruit, Aoki."

His next Poké Ball burst open, releasing a floating mass of cotton-like fluff—Jumpluff.

Pokémon: Jumpluff (Light Cyan)

Gender: Male

Level: 39

Type: Grass/Flying

Ability: Chlorophyll

Held Item: None

Egg Moves: Aromatherapy, Worry Seed, Cotton Guard, Grassy Terrain

Basic Moves: Absorb, Synthesis, Tail Whip, Tackle, Fairy Wind, Poison Powder, Stun Spore, Sleep Powder, Bullet Seed, Leech Seed, Mega Drain, Acrobatics, Rage Powder

Learnt Moves: Seed Bomb, Giga Drain, Snore

TM Moves: Protect, Solar Beam, U-turn, Energy Ball, Grass Knot, Quick Attack

Another pre-Elite level Pokémon. Fu's choices revealed his experience—he had accurately gauged Blaziken's strength from the outset.

"Blaziken, run! Use High Jump Kick—watch for Grass Knot!" Aoki ordered.

Blaziken sprinted across the field, flames flickering around its ankles to deter any Grass Knot attempts.

"Jumpluff, Cotton Guard!" Fu countered.

Unlike Venusaur, Jumpluff's mobility made it a tricky target. As it floated, puffy cotton enveloped its body, bolstering its defenses drastically.

Cotton Guard wasn't a minor boost—it was a massive increase, turning Jumpluff into a near-impenetrable cushion.

Aoki's jaw tightened. If Jumpluff stacked Cotton Guard further, even Blaziken's strikes would be useless.

"Blaziken, Flame Charge—now!"

Blaziken's body ignited as it rocketed forward, a fiery comet aimed at Jumpluff.

Fu remained unfazed. "Cotton Guard again."

Jumpluff continued reinforcing its fluff barrier, seemingly ignoring the incoming attack.

Boom!

The Flame Charge connected, but the damage was minimal—only a few tufts of cotton singed.

"Fire Punch!" Aoki pressed.

Blaziken lunged again, fist aflame, but the punch sank into Jumpluff's cottony bulk, the force dissipating harmlessly.

For the first time, frustration flickered across Blaziken's face.

Hitting cotton is worse than hitting steel.