After this blow, Magmar's already pained-looking face became even more contorted.
However, although it had caused damage, Wartortle was also unfortunately burned by the flames and had no choice but to poke its head out of its shell.
"An opening!" Blaine's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Magmar, use Fire Punch!"
Flaming fists rained down on Wartortle's body. And as if to avenge the slap to the face from before, Magmar's Fire Punches this time were especially forceful!
"Wartortle! Bubble Beam!"
A stream of bubbles suddenly shot out from Wartortle's mouth, constantly expanding and colliding with the Fire Punches.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
Both sides took varying degrees of damage. As they each retreated to another stone pillar, they were both panting.
But because it was constantly suffering from the burn, Wartortle's expression became even more pained!
"Magmar, use Fire Blast!"
Magmar fired a ball of flame, which in an instant, grew larger and larger, finally forming a giant character for "big" (大) as it flew towards Wartortle.
With no way to dodge, Natsui had no choice but to meet the fire head-on. However, since Wartortle had not yet learned any higher-power Water-type moves, it could only spit another Water Gun to clash with the Fire Blast!
Sssss...
Water and fire mixed, and a burst of steam erupted instantly!
Although it had the type advantage, the power of the Water Gun was not enough to extinguish the Fire Blast. Instead, it was swallowed by the flames, which continued to sweep towards Wartortle!
And when the flames passed, Wartortle could no longer hold on and collapsed on the stone pillar.
Seeing he had finally won a round, Blaine also let out a long sigh of relief, "It seems I've turned the tables."
Natsui praised, "This Magmar of yours is raised quite well. My Wartortle is indeed no match for it."
Although he had lost a round, Natsui was not discouraged in the slightest.
After all, having taken several attacks, Magmar's stamina had been depleted by at least half.
But next, which Pokémon should I send out?
His gaze swept around the inside of the volcano crater. This kind of field had very little room for movement and was not suitable for conventional combat, nor was it suitable for a large Pokémon like Gyarados.
After thinking for a moment, he threw the first Poké Ball on his waist.
"It's up to you next, Kirlia!"
A flash of blue light, and Kirlia appeared in the field.
Once both sides were ready, the battle began.
But what happened next was beyond everyone's expectations!
The field, which should have restricted the opponent, instead put Magmar at a disadvantage against Kirlia's Teleport.
In the end, with the completely unpredictable movement trajectory of Teleport, Kirlia blinked between the various stone pillars in the face of Magmar's fire attacks, giving Magmar no opportunities. It defeated it very simply and quickly with Confusion.
"Amazing!" Blaine helplessly recalled Magmar and walked over to Natsui, sighing, "Especially this last battle. I thought it would be a close, evenly matched fight, but I didn't expect my Magmar would only be able to take a passive beating!"
To be honest, Natsui hadn't expected to win so easily in the end either.
"Mr. Blaine, you can't blame me for this. My Kirlia is a Psychic-type, after all. On this kind of terrain, it's very difficult to land a hit on it."
Shaking his head, Blaine took out a flame-shaped badge from his robes and tossed it to Natsui.
"I'm getting old, really not as good as I used to be. Take it, this is the proof of your victory over me!"
As Natsui steadily caught the badge, contrary to his own joy, Ash, at the side, looked at the badge with an extremely dejected expression.
His hand involuntarily gripped the Poké Ball containing Charizard.
"If only my Charizard were this obedient..."
...
Unconsciously, the sky had already turned to dusk.
At Blaine's invitation, Natsui and the others continued to stay at the inn as guests. But during dinner, Ash was gloomy and silent, leaving the room early without a word.
"Eh?" Watching his back, Blaine asked curiously, "Where is he going?"
"Don't mind him. He's probably off to do some special training again," Misty waved her hand, not surprised at all. "After all, every time he loses a match, he'll be down for a while, but he'll bounce back quickly."
"That's right," Natsui also chimed in and kindly reminded, "I bet he'll challenge you again first thing tomorrow morning, Mr. Blaine. But by then, his condition will be completely different from today's."
"Oh? Is that so?" Blaine drank a cup of sake with great interest. "Then I'll be looking forward to it!"
After speaking, he turned to Natsui again, "Ah, right. My hot spring is very helpful for burns. I think you don't need to go to any Pokémon Center later. Just take your Wartortle directly for a soak in the hot spring."
...
After the meal, Natsui followed the advice and took Wartortle to the hot spring pool again.
But this time, he was the only one there.
Brock had gone out to look for Ash, worried about him, and Misty had run off somewhere since a while ago.
"Such a rare opportunity. Everyone, come on out for a soak in the hot spring too."
Natsui opened his Poké Balls and released all his Pokémon except for the two dumb birds.
Instantly, the hot spring pool was packed to the brim. Especially after Gyarados settled into the water, the water level rose, leaving only a small gap next to him.
However, the Pokémon clearly had different attitudes towards the hot spring.
Kirlia was like it was enjoying a health spa, soaking most of its body in the water, with only its head exposed.
Dratini curled up in a corner of the hot spring, floating on its back like a dead fish, with its soft belly facing outwards.
Ivysaur was paddling its four limbs in the water, swimming leisurely.
Gyarados was completely unable to move.
And Jolteon, seemingly afraid of getting its fur wet, didn't dare to enter the water at all!
As for Charmeleon, who was naturally afraid of water, it hugged its tail and kept its distance from the hot spring, only daring to dip its toes cautiously into the water.
It seemed that only Haunter was playfully splashing water on everyone, having the time of its life.
Scooping up a full ladle of hot spring water, Natsui carefully poured it over Wartortle's back.
"You really worked hard in that battle just now..."
At that moment, the sound of soft footsteps came from outside the hot spring pool. Natsui turned his head and saw that it was Misty, wrapped in a bath towel, slowly walking over.
Because Togepi had triggered the mechanism during the day, breaking the wooden barrier in the middle of the hot spring, it had not yet been repaired, turning the separated bath into a mixed one.
And with Natsui's Pokémon taking up most of the space, Misty's face turned slightly red upon seeing this, but she nonchalantly entered the water and sat down beside Natsui.
But as fate would have it, as Misty sat down, Natsui's hand accidentally touched her fair thigh!
Delicate, soft, and smooth...
"This..."
For a moment, Natsui froze on the spot, and the atmosphere suddenly became subtle.
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