"There's still room for improvement."
Paul offered his concise assessment as his Samurott returned to his side.
"Chaaah~."
Samurott nodded humbly.
In this battle, it had planned to test its newly developed dual-wielding sword technique.
Unfortunately, the opponent was a fellow Samurott, someone from the same evolutionary line who could easily read its skill level, it simply couldn't win in two strikes.
So midway through, it had to revert to the surging Ceaseless Edge combo, finally claiming victory with a decisive Night Slash.
"Return, Samurott. You did great."
Rei recalled his Pokémon into its Poké Ball.
"Want to go another round?"
Paul asked calmly.
"Of course!"
Rei responded without hesitation.
That Samurott may have been strong, but he didn't believe it was invincible.
Without pause, he tossed out his second Poké Ball.
"Let's go—Hisuian Decidueye!"
With a flash of light, a large avian Pokémon touched down. Its plumage was deep red and earthy brown, its sturdy legs built for solid ground. The feathered tips of its wings formed hands capable of wielding a bow, while its rice-hat-like crest gave it a distinct martial air.
While the regular Decidueye might resemble a skyborne dancer or nimble athlete, the Hisuian form was a grounded warrior—a true fighter.
Notably, the three Hisuian starter evolutions have perhaps the most tightly interwoven type matchups: Samurott's Water/Dark typing is weak to Decidueye's Grass/Fighting, while Decidueye itself is weak to Typhlosion's Fire/Ghost.
In theory, the one at a type disadvantage would have a harder time winning.
But—
"Interesting. Try out what you've been working on lately."
Paul's eyes glimmered with intrigue.
"Chaaah~."
Samurott silently tightened its grip on the blades formed from its armored legs. Holding its breath, it began to focus.
"This time," Paul offered, "you can make the first move."
(He didn't say the rest aloud: "If Samurott attacks first, you might not even get the chance.")
Already trailing, Rei seized the initiative.
"Decidueye, go! Use Leaf Blade!"
But the technique didn't look like the Leaf Blade Paul remembered.
Hisuian Decidueye brought its hands together, instantly summoning a vibrant green blade. With a fluid motion, it hurled the blade forward like a flying dagger, slicing the air on route to Samurott.
"Chaaaah!"
Samurott sidestepped nimbly, dodging the first strike, only to see Decidueye's hands become a blur, launching blade after blade like a torrential downpour of knives.
It was a storm of slashing wind and shimmering green.
Samurott gave up trying to block it directly. Having charged its power already, it instantly vanished from where it stood.
A flash of blue light tore across the ground in a sharp Z-formation. In a blink, Samurott reappeared in front of Decidueye, its Aqua Cutter surging with a force that seemed fused with the power of a raging torrent.
Decidueye was decently fast, but even it hadn't anticipated this level of speed. It barely managed to raise its leafy blade as a shield—
But at the moment of contact, a powerful burst of water pressure shot from Samurott's blade, changing its trajectory mid-strike.
The edge slipped past the block and slashed across Decidueye's body.
Type advantage meant it wasn't a devastating blow—
But it was a critical hit.
Decidueye winced visibly, pain flashing in its eyes—but it didn't falter.
It lashed out with a kick, knocking Samurott back. Then, with an agile backflip, it opened the distance. In one fluid motion, it drew its special feathered arrows, pulled taut the bow, and let loose—
Triple Arrows!
Three arrows soared from different angles, converging on Samurott's position.
But—
By the time they struck, Samurott was no longer there.
Decidueye had no time to wonder.
A dark, slicing pressure surged from behind.
Dual Blade Style – Night Slash!
The ominous energy passed in a flash, but left a fresh gash on Decidueye's back.
Another critical hit.
Samurott landed cleanly and slid its leg blades back into position.
Thud!
Behind it, Decidueye collapsed.
"Chaaah~."
Samurott let out a cool scoff in Rei's direction.
Type advantage? Who cares? Two slashes are all it takes.
"..."
Silence.
Rei stood stunned, staring at his fainted Decidueye as if questioning reality itself.
What the hell just happened…? Decidueye, you went down that fast?
You were much tougher when you fought before! What happened to you today—can't even take two hits?! Are you messing with me?!
All these thoughts raced through his head—
But in the end, he exhaled.
"Hahahaha!"
Just as Paul was about to ask "Do you want to continue?", Rei burst into laughter. He recalled his Decidueye with a grin.
"Haha! As expected of a fellow villager's friend, your strength is impressive. Alright, you pass my test."
Rei beamed as if he hadn't just suffered a crushing loss, as though he'd intended to let Paul win.
It wasn't that he had some grand generosity—
He had simply realized something:
The strongest person in the village wasn't around right now.
Which meant he, Rei, was among the village's top fighters.
And even he couldn't beat Paul.
So how would anyone else stand a chance?
Then he flipped the logic.
Paul was friends with Akari.
Akari was his junior.
Therefore, Paul was his junior, too.
And as a senior, why bicker with a junior over wins and losses?
If the junior is strong, then that reflects well on the senior.
If the junior is amazing, the senior must be, too.
Yes… yes, that's how I'll see it!
With this mental flip, Rei suddenly felt great.
"Mind showing me around the village shops, maybe give me a few recommendations?"
Paul didn't even try to understand Rei's bizarre logic, he just asked directly.
"Shops? No problem! I'll be your tour guide."
Rei happily released a Staraptor to stand guard at the gate, then led Paul deeper into the village.
As they walked, Paul picked up bits of information from Rei about the current state of the Hisui region.
Piece by piece, he began to piece together the plot.
Finally, Paul asked the question he'd been waiting for:
"Where's Akari now?"
Rei scratched his head, looking a bit awkward.
"Ah… Akari? She got expelled from the Galaxy Team and Jubilife Village a few days ago over some… situation. I haven't seen her since. But if I had to guess, she's probably going through the Lake Trio trials right now."
Given the primitive state of communication in ancient Hisui, Rei wasn't entirely sure but he relayed what little he knew.
"So… it's almost time."
Paul hadn't played Pokémon Legends: Arceus before he was sent to this world—
But he had seen a full video of the first playthrough's ending.
Based on that storyline…
After passing the Lake trials, Akari would return briefly to Jubilife Village—
Then head to the Temple of Sinnoh with a group of companions…
And ultimately face the gods of time and space atop Mt. Sinnoh.
(To be continued…)
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