Hoenn Champion Johan VS Paldea's First Elite Four Hassel!
As soon as this livestream title appeared, it immediately attracted a massive influx of viewers into the stream.
Recently, audiences following the "Pokémon World Championships" were truly having a blast.
They could constantly watch spectacular battles—Masters VS Masters, Elite Four VS Elite Four.
No wonder the "Pokémon World Championships" had such high attention and popularity, being called one of the most authoritative tournaments in the entire Pokémon world.
As audiences continued flooding into the livestream, the battle between Johan and Hassel had already begun.
"Flapple, Clangorous Soul!" Hassel commanded seriously, waving his hand to give the first order.
Thump thump! Thump thump! Thump thump—
Inspiring drum sounds emanated from Flapple's apple-like body, making everyone who heard it feel as if their hearts were beating along, blood flow accelerating, emotions becoming excited.
[Clangorous Soul: Raises the critical hit ratio of all allies except the user by 1 stage. When an ally has the Dragon type, critical hit ratio is raised by 2 stages!]
Flapple needed Applin to learn "Clangorous Soul" and then call other Applin together to complete its evolution.
This was a move very suitable for gregarious Dragon-type Pokémon, as it could greatly enhance all Dragon-type Pokémon's ability to hit opponents' vital spots and boost morale.
It was said that in ancient Dragon-type Pokémon communities, this move was the inspiring sound during Dragon Pokémon rituals.
For some Dragon-type Pokémon, this move might not be particularly important, but for Garchomp...
Garchomp: Who said Clangorous Soul isn't a dance!
However, although Clangorous Soul was a group buff, it didn't actually strengthen the user.
So many people were puzzled by Hassel having Flapple use "Clangorous Soul" first.
Could it be... Elite Four Hassel's Flapple's Clangorous Soul could strengthen Dragon-type Pokémon still in their Poké Balls?
But soon, the audience understood and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
As the inspiring drums continued beating, from Flapple's apple-like body, besides the largest original "worm" head, four smaller "worm" heads emerged in rhythm with the drums, flicking their tongues.
Additionally, behind Flapple, two tails also swayed gently to the beat of Clangorous Soul.
Although Flapple's "Clangorous Soul" didn't boost other Dragon-type Pokémon, Flapple itself had 7 "worms."
One provided the boost, while the other 6 "worms" received Clangorous Soul's enhancement.
This made the audience truly impressed.
Even Johan was somewhat stunned.
This was possible too?
But surprise aside, Johan wasn't going to do nothing. When Hassel commanded Flapple to use Clangorous Soul, Johan also gave his command.
"Snivy, Leaf Storm!"
Snivy with the "Contrary" ability couldn't use stat-boosting moves—those would only lower Snivy's stats.
For a "Contrary" Snivy, the best way to boost was... attack!
"Sni!"
A large number of emerald leaves spiraled around its tail, gathering into a leaf tornado that roared toward Flapple.
As a Grass/Dragon-type Pokémon, Flapple resisted Grass-type moves with 4× resistance. Plus Snivy was indeed lacking in strength, so while focused on Clangorous Soul, Flapple didn't dodge.
The roaring emerald leaves immediately swept over Flapple. The usually razor-sharp leaves could only scratch shallow marks on Flapple's waxy apple shell.
Although Snivy's Special Attack had greatly increased through the combination of "Contrary" and Leaf Storm, seeing such results still made the little one frown seriously.
The opponent was strong and heavily countered it!
"Flapple, Grav Apple!"
Grav Apple was essentially Flapple's signature move. When using this move, there was a chance its power would double directly!
Although this probability wasn't high, depending on the activity of the "worms" inside Flapple's body.
But obviously Hassel didn't want the move's power and effect to depend on randomness.
The "worms" might not be willing to come out?
Then use Clangorous Soul to make them excited!
This way, Grav Apple's power-doubling probability was greatly enhanced!
Additionally, Clangorous Soul made Dragon-type Pokémon excited, increasing their critical hit ability by 2 stages—equivalent to doubling.
Under these circumstances, Grav Apple's base power was 80, which became a terrifying 160 after doubling!
If it also hit a critical spot... it would be equivalent to taking a direct hit from a 320-power move!
Snivy might be instantly defeated!
"Hiss—"
Following Hassel's command, Flapple's "worms" immediately spat out five blue-purple energy beams in their excitement.
The power had doubled!
The audience immediately became excited.
Flapple had 4× resistance to Grass-type moves, but Snivy had no resistance to Dragon-type moves!
Were they about to witness Teacher Johan's Pokémon get one-shot for the first time?
Just thinking about it was thrilling...
Compared to the audience's excitement, Johan appeared much calmer. He waved his hand lightly and said gravely:
"Snivy, Protect!"
A translucent green barrier appeared from nowhere. Five spiraling energy beams struck the barrier, blue-purple light intertwining with green light, producing crisp sounds.
Crack!!
The Protect barrier shattered.
"Dodge." Johan frowned slightly.
"Sni!"
The moment the Protect barrier shattered, Snivy's vine whipped the ground, its body nimbly flying backward. Just as Grav Apple broke through the protective barrier but before it could attack, Snivy perfectly avoided the remaining impact.
This move's power was much greater than imagined.
After shattering the Protect barrier, it still had enough force left to attack Snivy. If Johan and Snivy hadn't been focused enough, they would have taken a hit regardless.
"Light Screen!" Johan quickly commanded again.
Mid-flight, Snivy waved its vines, and an invisible transparent wall appeared before it, capable of greatly reducing special attack moves from opponents.
But just this wouldn't be enough...
Hassel half-closed his eyes. "Flapple, once more—Grav Apple!"
Without Protect, just Light Screen couldn't stop the extremely powerful Grav Apple.
"Hiss—!!"
The five snake heads hissed again, blue-purple energy beams shot from their mouths, intertwining into a thick beam that rushed toward Snivy again.
"Create distance, Snivy—Sunny Day!"
Sunny Day?
All the audience present and watching the livestream were stunned.
Although everyone was clamoring about one-shotting Teacher Johan, they were actually thinking about what they would do if they were in Teacher Johan's position.
But no matter how they thought, they never expected Teacher Johan to have Snivy use Sunny Day!
Was he giving up?
Others might question Johan's choice, but Snivy wouldn't.
It immediately used its vines and agile body to keep retreating while using Sunny Day.
Hum—
The originally setting sunlight suddenly became bright and scorching.
But simultaneously, Flapple's Grav Apple broke through Light Screen as expected, about to reach Snivy.
Although Light Screen had reduced most of Grav Apple's power, even so, being hit would still be devastating for Snivy.
But just then, a red beam shot from behind Snivy.
Boom!!
Grav Apple hit the ground, immediately blasting a charred crater.
Switch!
At the crucial moment, Johan had recalled Snivy with its Poké Ball!
"Actually switching Pokémon? This is just the first one... doesn't match Teacher Johan's style!"
"So... the best way to handle this was switching Pokémon?"
"Elite Four Hassel truly lives up to his reputation—forcing Teacher Johan to switch Pokémon right from the start..."
It could only be said that Johan had left some deeply rooted impressions on people at certain times.
4× resistance to Grass-type, and Snivy was a pure Grass-type Pokémon, not to mention slightly inferior in strength—what kind of person wouldn't switch Pokémon in this situation?
Did they really think everyone was a type-disadvantage master?
Or that everyone could get fired up and defeat 4× resistant opponents through sheer determination?
Even getting fired up might not defeat 4× resistant opponents.
While the audience discussed the Pokémon switch, Hassel on the opposite side indicated he "understood."
"Teaching according to individual needs? Not looking down on any student for any reason, but also not blindly making them do extremely difficult or impossible things, then damaging their confidence afterward."
Snivy against Flapple had too obvious a type disadvantage.
So this kind of "teaching according to individual needs"...
Hassel had another "realization."
"You did very well, Snivy." After saying this gently to the Poké Ball, he put it back at his waist and took out another one.
Pokémon battles were a team effort. Each Pokémon doing their job well was already excellent enough.
Whoosh—
Johan threw his second Poké Ball.
"Go, Ceruledge!"
Clang—
The sword rang sharply, fire danced around its face. Bathed in ghostly blue flames, Ceruledge appeared on the field.
The strong sunlight in the air made the flames on Ceruledge burn even more vigorously.
So Snivy's Sunny Day was prepared for Ceruledge?
The audience suddenly understood.
"Let the right person do the right job..." Hassel muttered, then focused intently on the battle again. "Flapple, do you hear that inspiring music? Grav Apple!"
Dazzling light burst forth again.
The cost of switching Pokémon was often losing the initiative.
"Ceruledge!" Johan called out.
Hum—
Ceruledge's flame-wreathed blade cut through the space before it, disappearing into the shadows under black mist. Grav Apple was slightly blocked by the Light Screen Snivy had left behind, missing Ceruledge and hitting nothing.
Boom!!
So Snivy's Light Screen was also prepared for this move by Ceruledge?
"Watch your surroundings!" Hassel commanded gravely.
Ceruledge could appear on any side of the body at any time.
"Withdraw!"
"Hish hish—"
Flapple's "worms" quickly retreated into the apple shell, covered with thick wax layers that ordinary attacks could hardly break.
Especially after the "worms" withdrew, they would spit out acid liquid that could further strengthen the apple shell's defense.
Using slow against fast, like turtle versus snake—fighting for a counterattack opportunity.
Flapple's defensive ability wasn't weak to begin with.
Hum—
Space fluctuated on Flapple's left side.
"It's coming! Left side!"
It had to be said that Hassel was highly focused in this battle, immediately noticing the spatial anomaly.
But Johan was going for surprise.
Clang!!
When Flapple and Hassel focused their attention on the left side, a blade wreathed in deep purple flames struck from Flapple's right side.
On the right!
Wrong judgment.
But it didn't matter.
Flapple's defense plus Withdraw was still excellent.
Moreover, although Flapple was a Grass-type Pokémon, it didn't fear Fire-type moves.
Bang!!
The sharp blade struck the apple shell like hitting extremely solid metal. The waxy special structure on its surface made the apple shell extremely sturdy.
This was Flapple's counterattack moment!
"Grav Apple!"
Five "worm" heads quickly emerged again, blue-purple light flickering.
Johan's eyes glowed slightly blue as he waved his hand, his cape fluttering behind him.
"Bitter Blade!"
Crack!!
Flapple's apple shell suddenly made a crisp sound.
Hassel's eyes widened.
He could accept Ceruledge's attack not being blocked, but breaking through Flapple's apple shell so quickly?
It had even spat acid liquid beforehand and used Withdraw...
Suddenly, Hassel saw those shallow but dense scratches on Flapple's apple shell!
These scratches... seemed chaotic but several connected into lines that circled the apple shell!
Normally these scratches would heal quickly, but now the opportunity was seized... they became "grooves" for Ceruledge's blade to strike!
Hassel was shocked.
So... from when Snivy appeared and used Leaf Storm, Teacher Johan had been preparing and laying groundwork for this moment?
Snivy seemed no match for Flapple and had to be switched, but whether it was Leaf Storm, Light Screen, or Sunny Day, everything was preparing for Ceruledge's sword...
It had done everything it could and should do!
Was this Teacher Johan's "way of teaching"?
Each person, or rather each Pokémon, just needed to do what they could do well—that was enough...
Whoosh—
Deep purple flames like an arc, cutting in a circle, completely destroying Flapple's defense!
The heavy blow and unexpected sword forced Flapple's Grav Apple to be interrupted.
"Goka!"
Twin swords crossed.
"Flare Blitz!"
Clang!
Twin blade flash!
At such close distance, plus the broken defense and Sunny Day's boost...
Boom!!
Ceruledge bathed in deep purple fire, its form becoming a streak of light that flashed by.
Flapple's body immediately burst into roaring flames!
"Flapple is unable to battle!"
Whoosh!!
The entire venue erupted.
So fast?
The Flapple that had completely dominated Snivy was... two-shotted by Ceruledge?
The audience was shocked by Ceruledge's strength.
Only a few people like Hassel noticed how much Snivy had contributed to Ceruledge's clean victory.
It could only be said...
"Teacher Johan is really detailed!" Flint in the audience, like Hassel, was also a late realizer and couldn't help but exclaim.
Although that statement...
Cynthia, eating ice cream, couldn't help but glance at him.
But she had to admit that Johan had indeed been very detailed this time. She only guessed Johan would switch to Ceruledge after seeing Snivy use Sunny Day.
Otherwise, pure Sunny Day, while useful for Snivy, would equally benefit the opposing Flapple and couldn't play a decisive role.
Hiss—
Gengar opened a soda can, happily gulped some happy water, then let out a satisfied burp.
Burp~~
"Eh? Gengar, why are you here? Aren't you preparing to battle?" Flint couldn't help asking.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar waved its hand, then counted on its fingers.
It's not my turn!
It counted: Ninetales, Tinkaton, Dragonite, Ceruledge, Tyranitar, Snivy...
Everyone wanted to battle and all had better reasons than it did. There was no way it would get a turn.
"True..." Flint nodded.
On the field, Hassel recalled the defeated Flapple, looking at the battle-ready Ceruledge. After brief consideration, he took out another Poké Ball.
As soon as he took it out, the Poké Ball trembled slightly in his hand.
"Full of fighting spirit..." Hassel smiled slightly. "Then no one is more suitable than it!"
He threw the Poké Ball.
"Go, Haxorus!"
"Roar—!!!"
In the red light, a Haxorus wearing heavy armor with crimson fangs like giant axes, full of momentum and overflowing with battle desire, appeared on the field.
Those crimson eyes stared intently at Ceruledge, claws slowly grinding against its axe fangs, producing sharp, teeth-grinding sounds.
Hone Claws!
Pure Dragon-type Haxorus also had 2× resistance to Fire-type moves. How would Teacher Johan respond?
Johan's response...
"Ceruledge, Will-O-Wisp!"
Of course, let the momentum-riding Ceruledge continue fighting!
"Goka!"
Swinging its blade, several ghostly blue flames flew toward Haxorus.
"Haxorus, Outrage!"
"Roar!!"
Haxorus immediately spun and swung its tail, wrapped in blue-purple energy. Its thick tail "pop pop pop" scattered all the flames into sparks.
Seeing this, Johan couldn't help but want to complain.
In games, against some physical attack Pokémon, Will-O-Wisp could be called a "divine technique," along with similar moves like Thunder Wave.
But in the real world, when encountering anyone with decent strength, they could always use seemingly unreasonable but apparently reasonable methods to destroy these moves' effects.
This was the difference between the Pokémon world and games.
But fortunately, Johan hadn't planned on Will-O-Wisp breaking through Haxorus anyway.
Pop pop pop—
As ghostly blue sparks scattered like starlight, Ceruledge's form followed like a shadow right behind Will-O-Wisp, arriving before Haxorus.
Swinging its blade to strike upward.
"Haxorus!"
But Hassel seemed prepared for this too. As Ceruledge's blade struck along the scattered sparks toward Haxorus, Haxorus twisted its body at an exaggerated angle, meeting it with crimson axe fangs.
Clang!!
Axe fang and blade collided, immediately producing sharp metallic sounds, blade and axe grinding with teeth-grinding friction.
Hiss—
The blade suddenly burst with ghostly blue flames.
Haxorus wasn't to be outdone, its crimson axe fangs showing black malevolent light.
Bang!!
Blade and axe fang collided again.
Bang bang bang—
In an instant, sword and axe clashed dozens of times rapidly.
Both showed excellent mastery.
"Goka!"
"Roar!"
The two Pokémon contested in strength while their four eyes met with mutual respect.
Sword and axe fang trembled continuously.
But... Haxorus had an advantage over Ceruledge—its twin axes were teeth, so even while struggling, Haxorus's arms and claws could still move.
"Dragon Claw!"
Hassel made a dragon claw gesture with his hand, commanding gravely.
"Roar!!"
Haxorus in the struggle let out a low roar, its claws covered in rich Dragon-type energy, swiping out.
Thump—
Haxorus was very fast. Hassel's voice had just sounded when it had almost already struck, plus at such close distance...
Ceruledge was sent flying, its armor cracking, crashing to the ground with a "boom" and raising large clouds of dust.
"Haxorus, good opportunity—Assurance!"
"Roar!!"
Haxorus spread its arms and roared, then its entire body covered in black light, charging like a bulldozer toward where Ceruledge had crashed at extreme speed.
In the swirling dust, ghostly blue flames surged and danced.
When Haxorus charged into the smoke, thick smoke immediately spread.
Smokescreen!
Hiss—
The rolling, scorching black smoke made Haxorus feel burning sensations. The heat from Smokescreen quickly made Haxorus feel the scorching temperature.
Smokescreen sometimes caused opponents to become burned. The longer one stayed in the smoke, the higher the chance of becoming burned!
But in this situation, retreating clearly wasn't an option.
As long as Haxorus's Assurance hit Ceruledge, even if it couldn't one-shot it, it would leave it with minimal HP.
This was Hassel and Haxorus's choice.
"Press forward, Haxorus!"
Though reckless, this fighting style indeed suited a fierce Pokémon like Haxorus.
"Roar—"
In Haxorus's roar, it still gritted its teeth and charged forward.
Clang!!
Raised twin swords bore the direct impact of Haxorus's Assurance.
Ceruledge was sent flying again, its armor cracking once more, looking somewhat battered.
Johan's expression was grave but showed no panic or worry.
It was pushing the limit, but this hadn't exceeded his estimated range.
As for whether Ceruledge could withstand it...
Heh... was Bitter Blade learned for nothing?
Sizzle—
Burn marks appeared on Haxorus.
Staying too long had inevitably caused it to become burned!
But in Hassel's view, with Ceruledge's current stamina, even if Haxorus was burned, one touch could make the opponent unable to battle.
So...
"Haxorus, continue the assault—Dragon Claw!"
Haxorus, enduring the pain with a fierce expression, charged forward again.
But this time...
"It's our turn." Johan murmured quietly, then shouted: "Ceruledge!"
Whooom!!!
Vigorous flames continuously overflowed from Ceruledge's body and armor gaps. Strands of golden flames intertwined with ghostly blue flames, presenting a gorgeous purple-gold color.
"Whoa! Here it comes—Teacher Johan's unreasonable external 'Blaze' ability!" Flint smacked his lips.
Eyes burning with flames glanced at the charging Haxorus.
Whoosh—
Ceruledge suddenly disappeared from Hassel and Haxorus's sight!
So fast!
Seeing this, both Hassel and Haxorus were startled.
Swish! Swish!
Fire suddenly burst from behind Haxorus, followed by blade arcs.
Cross-striking blades covered Haxorus's back in flames, its stamina draining at a terrifying rate.
Bitter Blade!
With Bitter Blade plus Blaze, Ceruledge didn't need to worry about stamina at all.
This traded for the "Weak Armor" ability's speed boost, plus figuring out Haxorus's fighting style and habits, and causing it to become burned...
Enough!
Next, there was no turn for Haxorus!
"Haxorus, Outrage!" Unable to find Ceruledge, it would use area attacks for self-protection.
Haxorus's thick tail struck around itself, waiting for Ceruledge's charge.
But it only had one tail—there would always be gaps.
And seizing this gap... wasn't difficult for Ceruledge with doubled speed!
Swish swish—
Sword light appeared again, flames erupting on Haxorus once more.
"Roar—"
Haxorus cried out in pain.
Hassel knew that continuing like this, Haxorus would definitely fall, so he gritted his teeth and shouted: "Haxorus, Outrage!"
Berserk aura suddenly surged.
But Johan waved his cape.
His tone was calm: "End it, Ceruledge—Bitter Blade!"
As his words fell...
Swish—
The berserk aura surging from Haxorus suddenly stopped. Covered in wounds, it widened its eyes and fell straight backward.
"Goka..."
Ceruledge appeared before Haxorus, slowly sheathing its sword.
Sheathed.
It nodded slightly toward Haxorus.
Indeed a worthy opponent to respect.
After the battle, Ceruledge had recovered most of its stamina...
Not a drop of its HP bar belonged to itself!
Boom!!!
The entire venue erupted in enthusiastic cheers, sweeping over like a tsunami.
What kind of match was most exciting?
Critical HP comeback!
Perhaps in Johan's eyes, he knew Ceruledge wouldn't lose its fighting ability thanks to Bitter Blade, but in the audience's eyes, this was an extreme critical HP comeback.
"Holy crap! Teacher Johan is amazing!"
"I'd only heard Teacher Johan was powerful before—now I have a clear understanding."
"This counts as type disadvantage too, right? Type disadvantage and extreme critical HP comeback! My grandma asked why I was watching TV on my knees..."
"Teacher Johan: 4× disadvantage is too much, but 2× disadvantage? Easy peasy~"
If Haxorus hadn't had 2× resistance to Fire-type moves, the battle might have ended much earlier.
Hassel, realizing belatedly, said: "Understanding each student well enough, knowing where their limits and extremes are, then focusing on developing and cultivating them..."
As he reviewed the battle, he realized Johan had remained very calm throughout, commanding decisively with crisp counterattacks—clearly maintaining firm control of rhythm and limits.
No wonder everyone called him "Teacher Johan."
Teacher Johan was truly... unfathomable.
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