"Evade with [BOUNCE]!"
Since arriving at the Cinnabar Training Facility, Satoshi hadn't rested for a single moment—he poured every ounce of energy into battling.
First, it was the corporate office workers; then immediately afterward, construction workers, businessmen, karate masters.
Right now, Combusken was battling against a Rapidash. Not far off stood a delinquent-looking girl, her hair dyed with bright red highlights.
In short, she was an extremely formidable opponent. Everyone here was powerful, far stronger than ordinary students; these were trainers hardened by real battles, tested both at school and out in society.
The intensity and difficulty far surpassed the Afro Buffalo Cup, giving even Satoshi a headache. The scorching temperatures here amplified Fire-type moves to another level entirely, quickening the rhythm of battles to an unfamiliar degree. He'd have to adapt quickly.
At this fiery, passionate Cinnabar Training Facility, anyone who reached the top 32 rankings would qualify to compete. And in just one week, the grand Cinnabar Tournament would begin—a perfect stage to showcase one's strength in a swift and decisive competition.
Even Blaine, the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Gym, would be there to bestow the Volcano Badge upon the champion.
[Mission: Win the Cinnabar Tournament. Reward: TM—Fire Pledge, Water Pledge, Grass Pledge.]
You're unusually generous this time, huh? Three pledge moves… Do you want me to use combination attacks or something?
Hearing Furiko's words, Satoshi felt considerably happier.
Combination Moves: In Double or Triple Battles, when two Pokémon use compatible moves simultaneously, they fuse into a combined attack. Individually, these moves have 80 base power, but combined, they increase to 150, with additional special effects.
Although perhaps useless in the singles-dominated scene, it'd definitely come in handy against Team Rocket.
[Hehe~ Furiko-san occasionally treats her beloved Satocchi kindly. If you really want, I'll marry you anytime.]
"No thanks. Seriously, you don't need to." Satoshi rejected without hesitation.
[Uwaaah~ Why, why? Hubby, don't be like thiiis~~]
Ignoring Furiko's nonsense, Satoshi returned his full attention to the battle at hand.
A Fire-type showdown meant avoiding Fire moves was crucial. Both sides resisted the element, and the opponent might even have Flash Fire, so fire attacks were pointless.
Besides, almost all trainers here—those with Centiskorch, Coalossal, Emboar—commonly carried Scald.
Combusken's current moves were Flame Charge, Double Kick, Bounce, and Detect.
Simply put, it lacked a high-power move like Flare Blitz.
Even if Satoshi won the tournament, he'd only obtain the special-based Fire Blast. Right now, what he urgently needed was a powerful physical attack.
"Rapidash, [POISON JAB] like usual." The girl swung her arm forward, and Rapidash responded, charging forward with a horn glowing purple-black.
"Ropu!"
Rapidash's Speed stat was 105, remarkably quick, making it tough to dodge under normal circumstances. Unfortunately for her, Satoshi had that move.
"Combusken, [DETECT]! Follow up with [DOUBLE KICK]!"
"Yamo~!" Combusken's eyes flashed sharply, concentration heightened. It swiftly dodged Rapidash's poisoned horn, then immediately launched two powerful kicks into its abdomen, sending Rapidash flying backward.
Using Detect to pinpoint Rapidash's openings, then exploiting them to attack—it was the perfect combo.
And with that combo, Combusken's Speed Boost activated yet again.
In competitive battles, Blaziken typically started by using Protect or Detect to trigger Speed Boost immediately. Here, Satoshi took this a step further, ensuring Combusken avoided damage altogether, leveraging speed to secure flawless victories.
In simpler terms…
Combusken's Speed had reached over 130 points!
Come at me again—I dare you!
"Rapidash, use [AGILITY] and close the distance!"
Oh, she had Agility…well, never mind then.
The girl's stubbornly aggressive strategy with Rapidash left Satoshi struggling a bit.
But overcoming this challenge would propel him to new heights.
"Use [BOUNCE] to leap onto Rapidash's back!"
"Yamo!" Combusken sprang high, landing neatly atop Rapidash's back and gripping its sturdy neck firmly. Rapidash's flames blazed intensely, its heat stifling, but Combusken grit its teeth and endured.
Fire against Fire had minimal effect anyway—this much was nothing.
"What?!"
"Now, [DOUBLE KICK]!"
"Yamoo—!"
Combusken tensed its strong, muscular legs, then released two swift, powerful kicks.
"Ropuu…!" Rapidash let out a suppressed whinny before staggering and collapsing, unable to battle further.
"Great job, Combusken!"
"Yamo~!"
Seeing this, Satoshi ran straight over and hugged Combusken.
"So strong… but I won't accept this defeat. I've got to get stronger." On the other side, the girl walked off without lingering.
At Cinnabar Training Facility, a simple greeting before battle was all the interaction needed.
With limited time, trainers aimed only for self-improvement—this was nothing like the leisurely pace at school.
But of course, moderation was necessary, and that was the most important thing.
After that battle, it was already nearing 6 PM. For his first day's experience, Satoshi felt it had gone rather well. The opponents were definitely strong, but he wasn't unbeatable.
Glancing around, he saw Taki's Quilava struggling fiercely against an opponent's Salazzle, and elsewhere, Karen's Cinderace continuously overwhelmed her opponent by using Smack Down—Rock-type moves being effective against Fire.
Cinderace's Libero Ability was undoubtedly troublesome at a Fire-focused tournament.
[Libero]:Changes the Pokémon's type to match the move it's using.
"Feels like Karen will be my biggest competition in the finals," Satoshi murmured after carefully observing.
As for Yukina Yūki…apparently she wasn't participating in this tournament, which left Satoshi somewhat disappointed. Still, there would be plenty more chances to battle her in the future.
"Quilava?!"
Just then, right before his eyes, Taki's Quilava fell defeated to her opponent's Salazzle. Taki clenched her fists, visibly frustrated.
Losing was definitely hard…
Luckily, Satoshi had won all his matches so far!
But he wasn't so tactless as to say that out loud.
"We should get going," Satoshi didn't offer useless platitudes, instead gently approaching Taki, his tone as reassuring as possible.
"I lost again…" Taki stood rooted, brows furrowed tightly, her fists still clenched.
Since arriving, she'd fought six battles without a single victory. Already burdened by self-doubt, Taki was drowning under pressure.
Is it really me who's the problem here?
"It's fine. We have plenty of time left. You'll definitely start winning—it's only our first day."
Satoshi spoke comfortingly, trying to ease her worries.
"Mm…" Taki nodded slightly, but the inferiority still lingered.
I'm just…not talented like you and Sakiko.
Watching Satoshi's amazing battles filled Taki with admiration, yet simultaneously, the deep sense of inadequacy grew heavier within her heart.
---
T/N:; taki takitakitakitakita
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