Chapter 85 — The Advantage of Haki

When Bea brought out her ace Machamp.

Not just the commentators, but many professional trainers watching the screen furrowed their brows.

Because even a novice like Ash who usually has 50-50 odds against anyone could see.

Right now Bea still had two Pokémon in perfect condition.

But Larina only had one Blastoise left.

In this situation, she should have kept her ace for last and sent out the other one to wear down its strength first.

The moment Machamp jumped out of its Poké Ball, Bea's wristband suddenly emitted an intense deep purple light.

Larina's expression changed slightly across the field.

In the next second, Bea recalled the just-released Machamp back into its Poké Ball.

Under the deep purple light, the Poké Ball expanded to the size of a basketball within two seconds.

Bea immediately threw the Poké Ball with force.

Machamp reappeared in a gigantic new form over thirty meters tall.

It appeared!

Dynamax!

No!

This is Gigantamax!

Regular Pokémon Dynamax only brings an increase in size.

There aren't any special changes in appearance.

But with Gigantamax, the Pokémon's appearance changes as well.

These Pokémon capable of Gigantamax are rare specimens, just like shiny or variant Pokémon.

Bea's Machamp and Leon's Charizard are both special "680" forms capable of Gigantamax.

"She actually used Dynamax."

Larina's expression became extremely gloomy.

Since training in Fishman Karate under Sun Wuming, she had basically given up on Dynamax.

The reason was simple - after Dynamaxing, all of a Pokémon's moves would turn into Max Moves.

This meant Fishman Karate couldn't be used anymore.

However Bea...

"G-Max Chi Strike!"

Bea swung her hand like a knife and shouted fiercely.

The four arms of the Gigantamaxed Machamp shook violently.

Its muscular arms covered in lava-like orange patterns developed a reflective black skin on the surface.

"This is too unfair!"

Larina couldn't help but cry out.

But it was understandable.

After all, she had given up Dynamax to use Fishman Karate.

Yet Bea could still use Haki even after Gigantamaxing.

Naturally this made Larina feel it was unfair.

"Can't be helped, Fishman Karate is a move after all, but Haki is ultimately just a buff."

Sun Wuming calmly explained as he watched.

After Dynamaxing, all of a Pokémon's moves turn into Max Moves.

And since the Dynamax Band's stored energy only lasts for one use per day.

In comparison, Larina chose to give up Dynamax in favor of Fishman Karate.

"I should have Dynamaxed Milotic earlier."

Larina thought with a headache.

Because she really hadn't expected Bea to use Dynamax.

At this moment, the Gigantamax Machamp's massive fist, like a falling meteor, came crashing down toward Blastoise below.

"All or nothing!"

Larina gritted her teeth and shouted fiercely:

"Go! Blastoise!"

"Fishman Karate: Seven Thousand Tile Roundhouse Kick!!!"

The agile blue fighter raised its left foot to face the falling iron fist.

Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, it launched into a spinning kick with its left leg.

The heaven-sent fist and the turtle's roundhouse kick collided, and for a moment it seemed like an invisible shockwave of energy burst through the air.

Gusts of wind and air waves kept spreading outward, but were blocked by the transparent barrier created by the defensive Pokémon's protective moves that the organizers had set up in advance.

"That Blastoise can actually block it!?"

Misty exclaimed on TV.

As a Water-type Gym Leader herself, she had never seen such a powerfully built Water-type Pokémon.

"No," 

Brock said with a grave expression.

"The opponent has the upper hand."

Though his strength as a trainer might not be top-tier, when it came to judgment and observation.

Among all the companions Ash had met traveling through so many regions, probably no one could match Brock.

The next second proved exactly what Brock had said.

The Gigantamax Machamp's iron fist overpowered Blastoise and slammed down hard.

The entire Palace Arena shook violently, and the ground at the center of the venue cracked rapidly.

"Bea, don't forget this is a Water Battle Field!"

Larina suddenly called out loudly:

"Go Blastoise! Fishman Jujutsu: Tidal Shoulder Throw!"

A turtle head suddenly emerged from the cracked ground.

Blastoise quickly reached out and grabbed Gigantamax Machamp's right index finger.

"Blast!!!"

Blastoise roared with all its might.

The massive ocean current rose up as if alive, acting as Blastoise's support to envelop Gigantamax Machamp's body.

And threw it along with the current!

"My goodness, it's just like that time..."

Raihan's expression turned extremely unpleasant.

He recalled months ago when Sun Wuming's newly evolved Pangoro kicked his Dynamax Flygon around like a ball.

"Using the power of water to throw a Gigantamax Pokémon that weighs nearly a hundred times more than itself, that move was truly brilliant."

Leon sighed in admiration, but then shook his head, "Too bad it doesn't seem to have done much damage."

Sun Wuming, waiting in another rest room, had the same thought.

Though he felt that compared to Mega Evolution, Dynamax's aesthetics left much to be desired.

But you had to admit, its enhancement to Pokémon surpassed Mega Evolution.

Apart from defense and agility.

Attack power and durability increased by several levels directly.

Though it was unfriendly to Larina, but with Blastoise's current strength, it couldn't hurt the Gigantamax Machamp.

Sure enough, within two seconds of being thrown, the Gigantamax Machamp got back up.

"This water is such a nuisance, in that case..."

Bea observed the water field, then shouted sternly:

"Max Hailstorm!"

"Roar!!!"

The Gigantamax Machamp let out a skyward roar.

Three meteor-sized ice balls crashed down onto the field.

But the target wasn't Blastoise - it was to freeze the water field covering the arena into an ice surface!

This way, Blastoise would lose its terrain advantage.

"This is the end!"

Bea threw a straight punch, "Armament: G-Max Chi Strike!"

Four pure black heaven-sent fists fell again.

This was the final move in Gigantamax state.

This time Bea was determined to decide the match with this move.

"Betting everything on this one move!"

Larina first closed her eyes, then suddenly opened them, her sapphire-like eyes showing a resolute look.

"Fishman Karate Ultimate Technique: Waveform Impact!"

Blastoise concentrated a huge wave motion sphere in its right palm, facing off against the Gigantamax Machamp.

Just like Naruto Uzumaki's giant Rasengan!

This move was the one Sun Wuming first demonstrated to her when teaching Fishman Karate.

This move could penetrate the target's body, sending wave motion inside the enemy, and the larger the opponent's size, the better the effect...

It couldn't be more perfect against Dynamax Pokémon!

"Which side will win?!"

The commentator shouted with all his might.

The spectators in the stands couldn't help but stand up from their seats.

Boom!!!

A muffled explosion rang out.

After being deadlocked for about five seconds, the Gigantamax Machamp finally gained the upper hand.

The wave motion sphere in Blastoise's right palm shattered, and its painful cry echoed throughout the venue.

Finally, with an unwilling expression, it fainted and fell backward onto the cracked ice.

"It's down! In this thrilling close combat battle! Machamp is the victor!"

The commentator's excited voice echoed through the broadcast to the audience both at the venue and watching on TV.

The Gigantamax Machamp, having used three moves, returned to its normal form.

The entire venue fell silent.

Seconds later, thunderous applause broke out.

Even the previous battle between Sun Wuming and Cynthia hadn't received such enthusiastic applause.

Well... of course, that was mainly because Cynthia's Garchomp had been beaten half to death, leaving the audience too shocked to remember to applaud.

But this match was truly spectacular.

While battles pursuing elegance and grace like those of Wallace or Fantina were certainly impressive.

But in the end, most people were ordinary folk.

They didn't want to watch that refined stuff - they preferred these raw, physical battles.

"Advancing to the semifinals is Stow-on-Side Gym Leader Bea."

The commentator announced excitedly:

"After defeating Marnie, ranked third in the Galar League, and her fellow student Larina, her next opponent will be the second-ranked 'Dragon Tamer' Raihan of the Galar League!"

...

...

When Larina returned to the rest room, Marnie and Sonia tactfully left quietly.

Leaving the space for Sun Wuming and Larina.

"Can I... lean on your shoulder?"

Larina suddenly spoke.

Sun Wuming said nothing, just extended his hand to let Larina rest her head gently on his shoulder.

Compared to last year when she finished dead last.

This year, Larina could be said to have performed beyond expectations.

But Sun Wuming wasn't stupid enough to say that out loud.

He wasn't Ash after all...

...

...

The next day, in the final battle for a chance to face Leon.

Gigantamax Machamp and Gigantamax Duraludon stood facing each other.

Both were breathing heavily, clearly at their limits.

Looking up at the big screen above the spectator stands.

Both Bea and Raihan's portrait icons had five darkened Poké Ball symbols beside them.

Only Machamp and Duraludon remained.

"I... I never expected to be pushed this far."

Raihan panted heavily, looking at Bea across the field while Sun Wuming's image appeared in his mind, standing behind Bea like a shadow.

Raihan gritted his teeth and thought:

"In just one short year, he trained an Elite Four candidate to be on par with me. What kind of training methods did that guy use on these girls?!"

As Raihan was muttering under his breath, Bea shouted fiercely:

"G-Max Chi Strike!"

Raihan had no choice but to settle it with this move!

"G-Max Depletion!"

Possibly the world's only Gigantamax Duraludon launched its counter-attack.

— — —

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