Chapter 230: Wartortle—Hadoken!
Thursday, November 8th.
With Wartortle's training retreat finally over, Lu Ye officially added "traveling to Celadon University for work" to his agenda. Currently, PTCG sales were booming, making his new job's salary seem insignificant. However, since he had promised Erika, and his travel expenses could be reimbursed, Lu Ye—despite his black-hearted nature—was a man of his word.
"Hmm... Kanto isn't far from Sinnoh. Maybe I can meet up with Cynthia for some offline battles," he mused. And most importantly, he had to avoid Red, the walking disaster zone.
The Kanto Alliance visa process was personally handled by Principal Du Yuanshan. But while handling the "Trainer Visa," he made an unexpected discovery. "This brat... still isn't a registered trainer?" His expression was priceless. Lu Ye—winner of the East China Regional Championship—was still officially just a hobbyist?
"Unbelievable..." Muttering to himself, Du Yuanshan brought up the issue with Lu Ye.
Lu Ye's expression turned strange. A Trainer License meant discounts at Poké Marts? Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?! Just the cost of healing items for Wartortle alone could have saved him a fortune! Feeling like he had missed out on a jackpot, Lu Ye regretted deeply. "Is it too late to register now?"
"That's exactly why I'm calling you," Principal Du explained. "Your visa requires a registered Trainer License. Any rank will do, as long as you pass the exam." According to him, the Donghuang Trainer License was divided into six ranks: Junior, Elite, Advanced, Professional, Gym Leader, and Master. Since Lu Ye needed the visa as soon as possible, he had to complete the exam at the Trainer Association.
At Modu's Pokémon Association, the fastest processing time was three days. After thinking it over, Lu Ye reached out to Chairman Song. "Chairman Song, can I take the test today?"
"Of course. Tang Hui is free this afternoon, so he'll be your examiner. What level are you taking?"
Given Lu Ye's shocking performance, Song Pengcheng had already assumed he was at least Professional-level.
"Junior," Lu Ye replied.
"Okay, no probl—" Song Pengcheng froze. "Wait... what did you just say?"
"Junior," Lu Ye repeated. "Is that not allowed?" He only needed the license for the visa.
Song Pengcheng's expression turned odd. The East China Champion... was taking the Junior-level exam? Then, he recalled Lu Ye's victory at the junior cup. Right... acting completely unhinged is just normal for this guy. "...Fine. Come over this afternoon," he sighed. "You're not planning to use Gengar for the Junior exam, are you?"
"Of course not," Lu Ye replied indignantly. "Am I that unreasonable?" For a Junior match, sending out Togepi should be fine, right?
That afternoon, Lu Ye arrived at the Modu Association. The test was simple 1v1 battles. Upon seeing him, those who recognized him looked as if they'd seen a ghost. "The East China Champion? What the hell is he doing here?!"
The absurdity left the spectators wide-eyed. But those familiar with him nodded knowingly. "Yep… classic Teacher Lu."
Lu Ye's opponent was a freshman named Fan Song, who was a big fan. Seeing that Lu Ye had sent out Togepi, he was touched. "Thank you for going easy on me!" he said earnestly.
"I won't hold back," Lu Ye replied seriously.
Fan Song was stunned but quickly commanded, "Doduo, Fury Attack!" The two-headed Doduo lunged. But before it could charge, Togepi had already begun wagging its tiny fingers. Flash! Out of all the possible moves from Metronome, it had to be a disruption skill. A blinding light erupted. Doduo froze, then screeched in pain. A scorched mark had appeared on its torso.
"You used Flash to cover up the execution of Dazzling Gleam and mess with my judgment..." Fan Song murmured. "As expected of Teacher Lu!"
Lu Ye's expression grew stranger. That was all Togepi's doing! While Doduo was dazed, a thin mist of purple gas drifted from Togepi's little horns. Toxic! In an instant, Doduo was afflicted!
On the sidelines, spectators exchanged glances. Wasn't this the signature Substitute-Protect-Toxic strategy of Teacher Lu? Even an adorable Pokémon like Togepi had been trained to play dirty?! A few turns later, Doduo collapsed. Togepi happily bounced. "Chakki-prii~~ (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)!"
Lu Ye looked up at the ceiling. Why did this strategy feel so… familiar? So underhanded… It had to be Gengar's doing! "There were a few small mistakes," he whispered to Togepi. "You failed a double Protect earlier. You have to Protect, fail, then Protect again. That's the right sequence…" Listening to his patient guidance, Togepi's eyes sparkled.
While Lu Ye was battling, Gengar—bored—wandered over to the Professional-tier testing area. There, proctor Tang Hui spotted it. "Just watching isn't any fun," he smirked. "Why don't you battle too?" He explained that a candidate's opponent had forfeited. Gengar's eyes lit up. A great opportunity for practice! Surely Master wouldn't miss it!
Dragged by Gengar, Lu Ye jogged to the Professional-tier area. All eyes turned toward him. Good grief. Were they seriously trying to sneak me into the Professional-tier exam?!
Tang Hui stepped forward. "This is the runner-up from the South China Tournament, Miao Hao. His opponent forfeited… but since you're here, I thought you could step in."
Miao Hao smiled warmly. "Teacher Lu, I'm looking forward to our match!"
Lu Ye frowned. He had already obtained his Junior-tier license. But Tang Hui added, "By the way, Professional Trainers receive an annual subsidy of 500,000. Not much, but hey, it's better than nothing."
Lu Ye froze. His gaze slowly shifted. With utmost sincerity, he declared, "Money doesn't matter. What's important is that I am always willing to help others!"
"Oh, thank you so much!" Miao Hao grinned brightly. Once I win, I'll make sure the media broadcasts it far and wide!
The two trainers stepped onto the battlefield. "Go, Crawdaunt!" A Crawdaunt with blood-red armor appeared, its massive pincers clashing. In the South China Tournament, this very Crawdaunt had used Guillotine to KO multiple opponents. For this 2v2, Miao Hao had sent out his trump card right from the start!
"Hmm… doesn't look that strong," Lu Ye muttered. "But I should show some respect. Go, Wartortle!"
The moment a sunglasses-wearing Wartortle appeared, the audience fell into stunned silence. "Wait… oh sh*t! I just remembered—this turtle is insane!"
Miao Hao sneered, "Crawdaunt, use Crabhammer!" With its Hyper Cutter ability, Crawdaunt's claw surged with tremendous force. Wartortle stood firm, calmly waiting.
Lu Ye's lips twitched. "A lobster using Crabhammer? Alright then… Wartortle, Ice Punch!" It doesn't matter if it's not super effective. Against an opponent of this level, just punch it into the ground!
"Wartortle!" Its eyes flashed with determination as frost gathered around its fist. Charging straight into the attack, it met the giant claw head-on. Miao Hao smirked. Using that pathetic Attack stat to trade blows? Ridiculous—
BOOM! A gust of wind exploded. Crawdaunt was sent flying, tumbling across the ground. Miao Hao stood there, dumbfounded. What… just happened? My Hyper Cutter Crawdaunt… launched by a Wartortle?!
"Wait… don't tell me this Wartortle is actually a Machamp in disguise?!"
Wartortle furrowed its brow and casually shook its fist. Hmph… weak. But at least strong enough for me to take seriously! A surge of powerful Aura gathered, forming a glowing blue sphere in its palms. Not just the audience—even Gym Leader Tang Hui let out an audible "Holy sh*t!" This Wartortle… can use Aura Sphere?!
"Wartortle!" Bringing its hands together, it launched a textbook Hadoken. The blast struck with pinpoint precision. BOOM! Crawdaunt was sent flying again, slamming into the barrier before collapsing. Silence fell. The sheer power had left everyone speechless.
Miao Hao's smile had frozen. A Wartortle… that knows Aura Sphere?! No doubt about it—this is Lu Ye's trump card! Keeping it unevolved to lull opponents into a false sense of security… is this how the East China Champion fights?! Such a deep and sinister mind!
Lu Ye, however, looked a bit troubled. Crawdaunt is double-weak to Fighting. Hopefully, it hasn't just been blasted into a million pieces… "Uh… do you still want to continue?" he asked.
Miao Hao swallowed hard. I-It's fine… I still have a chance! He threw out his second Poké Ball. "Go, Poliwrath!" A muscular Poliwrath emerged, its bulging arms flexing.
"A Water Absorb Poliwrath, huh?" Lu Ye muttered. For a normal Wartortle, dealing damage would be difficult. However… even Lu Ye himself didn't know the full extent of his Wartortle's move pool. "Wartortle, use Rocket Headbutt!"
This was a move that had appeared on its list after its training retreat. By all standards, it was already strong enough to evolve into Blastoise, but the overly cautious turtle still refused to take off its Everstone.
"Wartortle!" It leaped high, tucking its head into its shell. Then, like a projectile, it rocketed toward Poliwrath. This wasn't Rocket Headbutt—this was a damn rocket launch!
Miao Hao's face paled. "Poliwrath, catch it!" he shouted desperately.
Poliwrath's expression twisted. Catch it?! You want me to catch a freaking rocket?!
BOOM! A bone-rattling thud echoed through the arena. The entire facility trembled. Tang Hui looked up, watching bits of debris crumble from the walls. Silently, he wiped cold sweat from his forehead. Lu Ye's Pokémon… every single one is an absolute menace.
Miao Hao stared at his Poliwrath, which was clutching its stomach, face twisted in pain. His lips trembled. Was this guy even human? Instantly knocking out both my Pokémon…
"The South China runner-up… is this weak?" "No, it's just that Teacher Lu is way too strong!" "And the fact that he's still willing to guide his opponent shows what a true mentor he is!" Hearing the murmurs, Miao Hao's face alternated between red and white.
Lu Ye stepped forward and shook his hand. "Good match," he said. Miao Hao forced an awkward laugh.
Wartortle rubbed its head thoughtfully. If my shell gets injured, a Max Potion can fix it… then what about my head? Shouldn't I be even more careful with it?
Seeing it deep in thought, Lu Ye's expression grew strange. This opponent was so weak—he really shouldn't have sent Wartortle. Even Growlithe could've won with proper commands.
"Congratulations, Lu Ye." Tang Hui smiled as he handed over a badge and a certificate. "This is the symbol of a Professional Trainer. It also represents Donghuang Trainers in other leagues." Lu Ye nodded. With this, his visa issue was officially resolved. Taking the badge, he casually pinned it onto Gengar. "Huh, that actually looks pretty good!" he remarked.
"Gengarrr!" Gengar grinned. Continuing to train everyone… That's what Master wants from me, right? Alright! I, Gengar, will keep working hard!
"And one more thing… As a Professional Trainer, you can apply for advanced TMs from the association." Tang Hui chuckled. "Since I happen to be free, I'll take you there later!"
Surrounded by envious gazes, Lu Ye's expression changed slightly. Old Tang… you never mentioned this before! Now that I've already signed up for the visa, you're still finding ways to mess with me?!
Lu Ye sighed. "You really live up to your reputation, Gym Leader Tang."
Tang Hui laughed heartily. "No need to be polite. You earned it!"
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