For the next week, Jiang Han almost treated the Fighting Dojo as his own home.
The air in Dewford Town was forever filled with a salty, humid sea breeze, mixed with the unique, scorching scent of sweat and conviction found within the Gym.
The underground battlefield was Fujiki's exclusive domain.
"Heh!"
Fujiki's Hariyama let out a fierce shout, its thick palms carrying a gust of wind as it slammed violently into a half-man-high boulder.
*Crack!*
The rock split upon impact, shattering into several pieces.
Sandile watched intently from the side. Mimicking Hariyama's form, it raised its still-slender front claws and slashed down hard against another, smaller rock.
*Ka.*
A soft sound rang out, leaving only a shallow white mark on the rock. Sandile shook its somewhat numb claws, its eyes showing a stubborn streak of refusal to lose.
Jiang Han watched from the side without making a sound.
He knew that for the move Brick Break, the Technical Machine only instilled knowledge and techniques into the brain; to truly transform it into bodily instinct required thousands of refinements.
Muscle memory and power transmission—these things didn't happen overnight.
"Don't rush, Sandile." Fujiki walked over and patted Sandile's solid back. "The key to generating power isn't the arms, it's the waist! Look, like this..."
Fujiki personally demonstrated, sinking his body and suddenly exerting force from his waist. The power traveled up his spine to his shoulders, then through his arms, and finally exploded from his palms. The entire movement was fluid and filled with the beauty of explosive power.
"Wu-ga!" Sandile nodded as if it partially understood and assumed its stance once more.
Jiang Han's gaze shifted between Fujiki and Sandile.
He knew clearly in his heart that Fujiki was imparting his experience without reservation.
This sincerity stemmed from Jiang Han's "genius-like" performance on Surfing Day, and also from the keen insight into the battle situation he had shown during their sparring practices over the past few days.
Fujiki had already come to treat him as a true friend, a fellow traveler who shared the same love for battling and challenges.
"Again!" Jiang Han ordered Sandile.
Sandile took a deep breath, recalling Fujiki's movements. Its waist twisted suddenly, and the power of its entire body seemed to be mobilized, converging on its front claws.
*Crack!*
This time, a clear fissure split open on the rock!
Although it hadn't completely split it apart, the progress was obvious. Sandile gave an excited low growl and looked back at Jiang Han as if seeking praise.
"Not bad, keep going." The corners of Jiang Han's mouth curled up slightly, but he was calculating in his mind.
Sandile's potential was far more than this. For it, the move Brick Break wasn't just an extra type of coverage; it was a way to temper its close-quarters combat abilities.
Over the next few days, the sound of slashing was constant in the underground training ground.
From small stones to wooden stakes, and then to the specially made training bricks and tiles provided by Fujiki.
Sandile's claws were honed again and again, and its gaze became increasingly sharp.
Besides Brick Break, training for Dig was not neglected either.
There was a specially cleared sandy area in the Gym's backyard, right next to the beach.
"The key to Dig is the element of surprise!" Fujiki pointed at the sand. "You have to make it completely impossible for your opponent to predict where you'll appear."
Sandile dived headfirst into the sand, vanishing instantly.
Fujiki sent out his Machop. Machop stood tensely in the center of the sandy area, its eyes alertly scanning the surroundings.
"Sandile, don't move recklessly." Jiang Han's voice rang out calmly. "Feel the vibrations of the ground, listen to Machop's footsteps, and predict its next move."
Underground, Sandile stopped and lay in wait quietly.
Machop paced a couple of steps on the surface, seemingly becoming a bit impatient.
Now!
Jiang Han thought to himself.
*Poof!*
The sand beneath Machop's feet suddenly exploded. Sandile lunged out and bit down hard on Machop's ankle.
"Ma-chop!" Machop cried out in pain, stumbling to the ground.
"Beautifully done!" Fujiki couldn't help but cheer.
Jiang Han opened his eyes and looked at the smug-faced Sandile, feeling satisfied.
Under this high-intensity training and sufficient nutrition, Sandile's level had quietly reached Level 12.
It wasn't just the level; its combat instincts and techniques had also undergone a qualitative leap.
In the evening, training ended.
Fujiki's younger sister, Teng Zhai, clung to Jiang Han like a little shadow.
"Brother Jiang Han, Brother Jiang Han! Are you still going surfing with us tomorrow?" The little one looked up, eyes sparkling.
"Not tomorrow, it's time for me to set off." Jiang Han patted her head.
"Ah? Why?" Teng Zhai's face immediately fell. "If you leave, who's going to Surf with my brother? Who's going to teach Sandile how to fight?"
Jiang Han smiled but didn't answer. He looked at Fujiki, who was tidying up the training equipment nearby; the latter had also heard their conversation, and his movements paused for a moment.
Dinner was once again a sumptuous seafood feast.
At the table, Fujiki spoke less than usual.
"You've really decided to leave tomorrow?" Fujiki took a gulp of juice.
"Yeah," Jiang Han nodded, "the journey must continue."
"Fair enough." Fujiki sighed. "You're the most talented rookie I've ever seen, whether in surfing or pokémon battles. It seems the future of the League really will depend on guys like you."
He paused, then as if remembering something, he burst into laughter: "Wait, that's not right! I'm still pretty young too, aren't I? I haven't reached the age to be sentimental about the future yet!"
The atmosphere became lively once again.
Looking at Fujiki's hearty smile, Jiang Han felt a bit touched.
This period of time had been the most comfortable and purest he had experienced since his transmigration. No schemes, no life-or-death struggles—only training, battles, and the waves.
But he knew that comfort was only temporary. His goal was that higher and further place.
Early the next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten.
Jiang Han had already packed his bags, and Sandile stood by his feet, full of energy.
He didn't go to wake Fujiki, simply leaving a note on the table before preparing to depart quietly.
Just as he pulled open the Gym's main door, a figure was leaning against the doorframe, blocking his path.
It was Fujiki, wearing a loose tank top and shorts, his hair a bit messy, clearly having just woken up.
"Leaving just like that? Without even saying goodbye?" Fujiki crossed his arms, looking at him sideways.
"I didn't want to disturb your sleep," Jiang Han said.
"Tch, what kind of person do you take me for?" Fujiki curled his lip and handed over a small parcel from behind his back. "Take this, eat it on the road."
Jiang Han took it; inside were several grilled rice balls, still warm.
"Thanks."
"And," Fujiki pointed at Jiang Han's Sandile, "the next time we meet, I won't use Machop to fight you. My Hariyama really wants to meet it."
"Anytime." A spark of battle intent also ignited in Jiang Han's eyes.
The two looked at each other and smiled; everything was understood without words.
"By the way," Fujiki said, lowering his voice with a look of relief as if remembering something, "it's a good thing that little guy Teng Zhai is still asleep. If he were awake, he'd probably be hugging your leg and refusing to let you go."
Jiang Han could imagine that scene and couldn't help but smile too.
"I'm off." He turned and waved his hand.
"Make sure to come back to Dewford Town to Surf when you have time!" Fujiki shouted behind him.
Jiang Han didn't look back; he just waved again with his back turned, stepping firmly toward the pier.
The morning sun spilled across the sea, shimmering with light.
Fujiki stood at the Gym entrance, watching the black-clad figure grow distant until it disappeared around the corner of the pier.
The smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a complex sense of admiration.
This youth named Jiang Han possessed a temperament he couldn't quite describe.
At times he was as calm as a battle-hardened veteran; he was powerful, mysterious, and had clear goals.
"Truly a remarkable rookie Trainer..." Fujiki sighed softly.
He suddenly felt that he should work harder too. He couldn't let himself be outdone by a rookie!
Thinking of this, Fujiki turned and strode toward the underground training ground.
"Hariyama! Get up and train!"
The silent Gym was once again ignited by hot-blooded shouts.
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