"He broke free!"
"This Ursaring is terrifying!"
"With so many roots wrapping around him, and he still doesn't stop!"
When they saw Ursaring emerging from the flames with his eyes completely red, all the spectators' faces filled with astonishment.
Although Cacnea was very strong in battle, its power had been developed progressively: that terrifying root field had been formed little by little before everyone's eyes.
But this Ursaring... its power was so sudden that it seemed not to belong to the same level as the other Pokémon.
Even the most inexperienced spectators realized that at just a glance!
"Despicable, truly despicable!"
The members of the Pokémon Nightstar Club gnashed their teeth as they watched what was happening on the field. That behavior that clearly exploited a loophole in the rules was too infuriating!
"Despicable? What's so despicable about it?"
"If we analyze calmly, we, as Club members, also help train Pokémon for other trainers."
"From that point of view, all this shows is that young master Ryan is a first-class breeder. A trainer worthy of the title of best trainer!"
The members of the Pokémon Island Adventure Club wasted no time and countered the criticism of the Pokémon Nightstar Club.
During the previous battles, their club had been completely crushed by a single Cacnea, but now they could finally raise their heads!
And as for whether they were breaking the rules?
As long as they won, who cared!
"That's pure nonsense!"
"That Ursaring clearly belongs to Ryan Grant. How shameless of you to try to justify it!"
The members of the Pokémon Nightstar Club glared at them angrily: "Don't think we don't know what's going on. That Brent Holloway is clearly Ryan Grant's subordinate. That Ursaring is only registered under his name, but its true owner is Ryan Grant!"
Immediately, both groups began shouting at each other, refusing to be outdone.
"Enough, both of you! Has the battle ended already?"
"How can you be so sure that Cacnea is going to lose?!"
Hailey Blake's irritated voice interrupted the argument between both sides.
"That much is obvious..."
BOOM!
Just as one of the Pokémon Island Adventure Club members was about to mock them further, the entire field began to shake violently.
They quickly looked toward the center and saw Ursaring, completely furious, pounding the ground with its fists, leaving huge craters in the sand.
But... where was Cacnea?
"What's going on?"
"Where did Cacnea go?"
"Did it use Dig?"
The members were stunned, not knowing exactly what had happened or where Cacnea had gone.
"I see! Creating this sandy field from the start was so that Cacnea could hide in it."
"And also, being a Pokémon that naturally inhabits the desert, hiding in the sand while waiting for its prey... it's an excellent tactic!"
Seeing Cacnea disappearing beneath the sand, Rachel Blake's eyes lit up with admiration. She couldn't help but praise it.
"GRRRAAAAH!"
Meanwhile, the red-eyed Ursaring was already on the brink of madness. To break free of the roots earlier, it had used the move Thrash.
And now, not seeing any trace of Cacnea, it was even more frustrated, starting to destroy everything around it in an attempt to force its appearance.
"Ursaring, years have passed and you're still useless."
Ethan Black narrowed his eyes as he looked at the berserk Ursaring, letting out a remark filled with contempt.
The moment his words fell, Ursaring's body froze abruptly. Slowly it lifted its head and stared straight at him.
"GRRRRRAAAAH!"
In its mind, it relived the scene of being defeated by Sandslash, and roared in fury.
Immediately, its body lunged forward in a straight line toward Ethan Black, its steps making the ground tremble with each stomp.
"W-what...?"
"This is bad, Ursaring, stop!"
Seeing Ursaring's reaction, Brent Holloway's face instantly changed.
Clearly, because of Ethan Black's provocation, Ursaring had completely lost its reason and was now attacking the rival trainer!
However, completely in a state of confusion, Ursaring ignored Brent Holloway's words and kept charging rapidly.
"Don't you dare!"
Just as Ursaring was about to reach Ethan Black, Ryan Grant's figure appeared out of nowhere.
By merely standing there, holding a Pokéball without even activating it, Ursaring's body froze, trembling, and its attack impulse vanished instantly.
"Useless piece of trash!"
Ryan Grant growled. And Brent Holloway, flustered, quickly pulled out his Pokéball and recalled Ursaring at once.
At this point in the battle, by trying to attack a trainer directly, Ursaring had already lost its eligibility to compete.
After all, openly attacking a trainer during a battle is a most serious violation, with severe consequences!
"You...!"
After Brent Holloway recalled Ursaring into the Pokéball, Ryan Grant slowly turned and stared coldly at Ethan Black.
"I only told the truth. Who could've imagined that Ursaring still retained its wild instinct... That's what's dangerous." Ethan Black narrowed his eyes, withdrawing his hand from the Pokéball on his belt.
"That's none of your business!" Ryan Grant growled coldly.
"Yes, but someone else will take care of it." Ethan Black shrugged and turned his gaze toward the gym entrance, where two Pokémon Hunters in official uniform were already approaching.
"Your Ursaring represents a potential threat. Please come with us."
The two hunters stood before Brent Holloway, showed their identification, and under Ryan Grant's dark glare, took him out of the gym.
Clearly, Ursaring's attempt to attack a trainer had crossed the Pokémon League's red line.
Pokémon with such a level of dangerousness are not recognized by the League!
(End of chapter)