Chapter 173: I Am the Tactic
"Allow me to briefly introduce the tournament rules!" the referee announced. "This competition follows a ring battle and team match format. The Singles Matches are conducted under a 6v2 format, with no restrictions on move count… The ban list includes: Self-Destruct, Explosion, Z-Moves, and Mega Evolution…"
Despite the format, Teacher Lu had only brought two Pokémon. Besides, things like Key Stones and Z-Crystals… he couldn't afford them anyway.
Lu Ye shook his head, taking a deep breath as he sat on the sidelines. His slot was second, a decision made by Coach Zhai so he could analyze the opponent first.
"The first battle has begun!" the commentator's voice boomed.
Torkoal vs. Hippowdon!
"They sent their captain out first?" one of the VIPs mused. "Getting a little desperate, aren't we?"
His rival remained calm. "If we can sweep Singles, there's no need for a Team Battle."
The battle started. Hippowdon opened its massive mouth, unleashing a howling sandstorm. Torkoal stood its ground, but the sky remained overcast with sand.
"Wait, isn't Torkoal slower than Hippowdon? Why didn't Drought activate?"
"This is a bad start," Master Trainer Tu Yong frowned.
Imperial City's Dragon-type Gym Leader, Ji Shiyin, nodded. "If the Sandstorm continues, it'll be nearly impossible to stop their momentum."
In the battle, the opponent's Hippowdon was holding a Lagging Tail, a clever trick ensuring its Sand Stream ability activated last, overwriting Torkoal's Drought and keeping the sandstorm in play.
A few rounds later, Torkoal, on the brink of exhaustion, launched a final counterattack, but a Rock Slide crashed down, burying it completely—KO.
"The contestant must send out their second Pokémon!"
Gu Zhong clenched his jaw and withdrew Torkoal. The opponent retrieved Hippowdon and sent out his second Pokémon… Excadrill. The unstoppable sweeper of a Sandstorm Team. Its blades gleamed coldly, empowered by Sand Force.
Excadrill began its Swords Dance, steadily building momentum. Only now did Modu realize Imperial University's strategy: they weren't planning to play a Team Battle. Their goal was to end the tournament in Singles.
Coach Zhai's expression tensed. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Nobody had expected such a bold approach. And worst of all… their strategy was already halfway complete.
"Damn… they might actually win their fourth straight championship."
"This is a complete tactical defeat."
The Imperial supporters roared, while the Modu crowd fell silent. Gu Zhong, realizing he had no counter, forfeited immediately.
"Kids these days are getting bolder," one of the headmasters sighed. His rival smirked. "Told you. Team Battle isn't necessary."
Then, suddenly—all eyes turned to the Modu University bench. A handsome young man stood up and walked to the front.
"Teacher Lu is up next?!"
"Not that it matters… His team is just babies!"
Doubt and cheers echoed through the stadium. Coach Zhai furrowed his brows. "This is my fault… I miscalculated…" He turned to Lu Ye. "Winning isn't important. Just don't get hurt."
The entire Modu team hung their heads, morale at an all-time low. If Teacher Lu lost… the match would be over.
Then—Clap.
Everyone lifted their heads. Lu Ye had just clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough sulking," he smiled calmly. "It's just a coin flip gone wrong. Happens all the time."
"But…" Han Xiaoxiao's eyes reddened. "If the strategy is against us—"
Lu Ye cut her off. The camera zoomed in on him. "Strategy?" he smirked, his gaze razor-sharp. "I am the tactic."
"Modu's second contestant is entering the field!" the commentator shouted. "Can Lu Ye turn the tides? Let's find out!"
Lu Ye glanced at Squirtle, still wrapped in bandages, and chuckled. "Alright. Crush them. I'll buy you 10 bottles of Max Potion afterward."
A flash of determination flickered in Squirtle's eyes. Without hesitation, it ripped off its bandages and hopped onto the battlefield. The final showdown began.
The opposing trainer, Left Yu, narrowed his eyes, uneasy. "This pressure… It's no different from facing a seasoned pro…"
"Excadrill, Iron Head!" he commanded.
Excadrill's armored head gleamed white, cutting through the sandstorm as it charged at Squirtle. But as it pierced through the sand—Squirtle was gone.
Left Yu's heart skipped a beat. "Where—?!"
Then, Lu Ye looked up and smirked. "Rookie opponents really are predictable. Squirtle, Rain Dance."
BOOM!! A deafening thunderclap shook the arena.
"Wait… was that thunder?! No… I think that was Rain Dance!"
"Rain Dance is supposed to be that dramatic?!"
Dark clouds rapidly gathered, and the heavens burst open. A torrential downpour crashed onto the arena, washing away the sand in an instant.
"Rain Dance… was successful!!" the commentator shouted.
From the VIP section, Ji Shiyin's eyes widened. "Squirtle executed Rain Dance… while underground?"
Master Trainer Tu Yong nodded. "Must be a unique talent. But… the investment in its training must have been insane."
A Downpour of Chaos
The rain intensified, yet Squirtle was nowhere to be seen.
Left Yu gritted his teeth. "Excadrill, High Horsepower!"
Excadrill roared, stomping the ground—a devastating shockwave cracked the battlefield. But then—Squirtle burst out of the ground. A brutal Headbutt smashed Excadrill backward. BOOM!! Excadrill reeled, dazed. It swung a Metal Claw wildly, but a surging blast of water sent it tumbling away.
The audience gasped. "How the hell is he predicting every move?!"
Under the downpour, Squirtle's attacks raged like a storm.
"Use High Horsepower!" Left Yu commanded. Excadrill covered itself in crimson energy and charged—a massive quake erupted!
Lu Ye narrowed his eyes. "Still trying to power through? Squirtle, Withdraw."
BOOM!! Squirtle was launched into the air. For the first time, a faint sensation of pain flickered across its nerves. A sharp glint flashed in its eyes. Torrent—Activated.
In the thick storm clouds, lightning crackled. The rain intensified, completely overpowering the memory of sand.
"Wait… Who's the real Weather Setter here?!"
"Holy sh*t, is Modu University actually a Rain Team in disguise?!"
From high above, Squirtle poked its head out of its shell. It puffed up its cheeks. "Squirtle, Water Gun."
BOOM!!
At this point, nobody even bothered questioning why he still called it "Water Gun." The violent torrent tore through the battlefield. Excadrill was blasted into the air, helpless. For a brief moment—the stadium fell silent.
The referee hesitated before stammering—"Excadrill… is unable to battle!"
Everyone looked like they had just seen a ghost.
"Wasn't Excadrill supposed to sweep the whole team?!"
"It had all that build-up… and got one-shotted?!"
Left Yu's jaw clenched. He threw out his next Poké Ball. "Go, Hippowdon!"
A fresh Sandstorm erupted, but it was completely overpowered by the rain. Before Hippowdon could react—a second Water Gun shot forward. It howled in pain. BOOM!!
The stadium took a collective sharp breath. "One-shot?! Again?!" Even Imperial University's Captain—didn't last a single turn?!
The audience was dead silent. Above them, the dark clouds slowly parted. Sunlight shone down on the drenched battlefield. Lu Ye stood in the cleansed arena, his gaze steady, his smile calm. He gestured lightly with his hand. "Next."
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