"SubProtectToxic refers to the three moves: Substitute, Protect, and Toxic. It's a tactic that almost entirely abandons offense, focusing on winning through defensive attrition."
After giving a brief explanation, Aiden shifted his tone—
"At this point, someone must be asking."
"Oh, Teacher Azure, I understand the theory, but how do you win the game relying only on defense?"
"The answer to this question will become clear after watching my performance."
"Sometimes, the outcome of battles doesn't have to result in a fight to the death. Once you broaden your thinking, there are definitely multiple ways to secure victory."
After saying that, Aiden couldn't help but slightly raise the corner of his mouth.
After dragging Gliscor, the representative Pokémon for SubProtectToxic, into the team editor, the chat quickly caught up with his rhythm.
[What? Predicting chat again?]
[Azure's ability is probably Contrary, interesting...]
[I get the theory, but how do you win the game relying only on defense?]
Interacting casually with the chat, Aiden soon configured a team, clicked on matchmaking, and began his climb for the day.
After a few minutes of an incredibly entertaining "Minccino Sweeper" mini-game segment, the entire live stream was filled with joyous vibes.
[Too entertaining! I directly chugged three big bowls of rice; even my anorexia is cured!]
[The streamer calculates so well during battles, but can't even figure out 1+1?]
[Teacher Azure, if you were sent to the battlefield, I think you wouldn't last more than three episodes...]
Before Aiden could get flustered, the match interface popped up just in time.
"Hey, the match has been found, so this round doesn't count as my loss!"
Aiden swiftly closed the mini-game window and dove into Pokémon Champions, observing his opponent for this match.
Dark-skinned athletic type, wearing an orange scarf, revealing a brilliant smile with snow-white teeth.
Just looking at him gives off a sense of confidence.
Trainer ID: Dragon Storm!
Upon seeing the opponent's virtual image, Aiden couldn't help but twitch his lips.
A famous influencer from the Galar region, the leader of the Hammerlocke Gym, a man gifted with the title "Dragon Storm" for his expertise in using Dragon-type Pokémon.
At the same time, possibly the only person in the world who uses an Gigantamax Duraludon—
Raihan!
[This opponent ain't a noob, Azure. If it's a gimmick lineup, we might lose...]
[Apart from Champion Leon in the Galar region, the strongest man has actually been matched with the streamer, how absurd!]
[If you can beat Lance, you can beat Raihan. I believe in Teacher Azure's strength! ($15 Donation)]
For this man who exudes freedom from head to toe, Aiden naturally knew him very well and was aware of his strength.
One of the eight masters kicked by Ash.
Galar's strongest gym leader, the weather master closest in strength to Champion Leon!
In the Galar region's League mode, the traditional Elite Four was abandoned, and the focus was entirely on the eight top-tier gym leaders with Dynamax Stadiums.
Therefore, calling him "one step below the champion" is not an exaggeration.
Overall, Raihan's strength should not be inferior to that of an Elite Four member, only slightly behind the champion.
However...
"Don't be afraid, Teacher Azure fights elite opponents!"
A mere Weather Master, you might be untouchable in reality, but in the game…
You have six Pokémon, and you stuffed in three different weather setters.
I'm going to feast on you!
...
Galar region, Hammerlocke Gym.
"No doubt about it! Another crushing victory!"
"The pride of Hammerlocke City, the Dragon-type master Mr. Raihan, continues his undefeated season with a 6-0 sweep!"
"With the powerful Gigantamax Duraludon leading the way, who can stop him now?"
On the giant screen of the central billboard, Raihan, wearing an orange headband, flashed a confident smile and gave a double "V" sign symbolizing victory to the camera.
Hammerlocke Gym was bustling with excitement, cheers drowning out the passionate shouts of the commentators.
"Phew— another easy victory. As expected, the strength gap between second-tier gyms and first-tier gyms is still too large."
After entering the player corridor, Raihan wiped away some sweat from his forehead, walking towards his room while muttering softly.
"The commentators are overreacting. From the start, these gym leaders were never in my eyes. Isn't victory a given?"
"From beginning to end, my goal has always been one thing—"
"Wait and see, Leon!"
Since their childhood encounter, Raihan has had an inseparable bond with his lifelong rival Leon.
Unfortunately, on the path to becoming champion, he seems to be a step ahead of me.
But it's okay. Precisely because Leon is a strong enough rival, I continuously enjoy challenging him.
Wait and see, Leon!
In this year's Champion Cup final, the one qualified to face you will definitely be me!
After returning to his private room at the Hammerlocke Gym, Raihan quickly turned on his computer and immediately launched Pokémon Champions.
Although today's opponent wasn't particularly strong, they provided him with an idea regarding weather teams.
Using Chlorophyll to accelerate under sunny weather, spreading Sleep Powder with Venusaur or other Grass-type Pokémon for control.
He was unexpectedly caught off guard by this move.
If it weren't for his bond with Duraludon, forcibly waking it up at a critical moment and completing the Gigantamax, he might have been in for a tough battle.
So, it's worth a try.
No matter how strong one is, one must always maintain a humble learning attitude, absorbing the brilliant ideas of other trainers.
This is the secret to continuously growing as a trainer.
With this thought, Raihan opened Pokémon Champions, made slight modifications to his team, and began his ranked matches.
As a popular gym leader in Galar and a well-known online influencer both locally and globally, aside from participating in ranking battles, most of his time was spent promoting the league.
Even when he occasionally had free time, it was mostly spent training his Pokémon.
Thus, his rank wasn't particularly high, hovering around the edge of the Master Ball tier.
But he didn't care.
After all, except for those few champions, he wouldn't lose to anyone he matched with.
The matchmaking screen started spinning.
After a few minutes, when Raihan was already yawning repeatedly out of boredom, his opponent's information page finally appeared.
"Finally here!"
Raihan instantly perked up and soon noticed that his matched opponent also had League certification.
"A gym leader from the Paldea region, eh? Not a bad opponent."
The opponent's lineup didn't seem to have any issues, though it seemed that none of the Pokémon had abilities that could synergize.
He didn't think much of it.
After all, although they were both gym leaders, the disparity in strength between them was obvious.
Sometimes, the gap between gym leaders can be even more exaggerated than that between a champion and an Elite Four, and that's no joke.
A disorganized team obviously posed no threat to him.
"Well then, let's go with my strongest tactic."
While observing his opponent's information, Raihan quickly decided on his starter.
"It's decided, you're up, Gigalith!"
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