Zane's mouth twitched violently as he cursed inwardly.
What the hell kind of move is this?!
This kid is way too damn weird!
Can anyone even have a proper Pokémon battle anymore?!
...
Aaron's lips curved into a faint smirk as he called out to Snorlax.
"Snorlax… finish it."
"Use Armament Gum-Gum Jet Pistol!!"
"Sssssssssssssssss—"
White steam instantly erupted from Snorlax's body, billowing outward as its entire form flushed a deep crimson.
This was the Nika Fruit's Gear Second state.
"Snorlax…"
Snorlax let out a low growl. Its right fist, coated in Armament Haki, shot forward in rapid extension and retraction, blasting toward Venusaur.
The speed was like a bullet leaving the barrel.
No one could have imagined that such a bulky Snorlax could move this fast.
Zane's heart skipped as he urgently shouted, "Venusaur—use Razor Leaf!!"
"Venuu—"
Venusaur panted heavily as it roared, several Razor Leaf blades shooting forward and colliding head-on with Snorlax's Gum-Gum Jet Pistol.
Bang—bang—bang!
But Snorlax's Armament-coated rubber fist smashed through them like a cannonball, knocking the leaves aside with crisp, metallic clashes.
In the next instant, Snorlax's punch slammed straight into Venusaur's head.
Thud—…
A dull impact echoed across the field as Venusaur's massive body was sent flying several meters backward.
Its eyes spun as it collapsed, knocked out cold.
Venusaur defeated!!
"Return, Venusaur!"
Zane's expression grew heavy as he recalled it. He stared fixedly at Aaron, then pulled out another Poké Ball and hurled it forward.
"Come out… Ursaring!!"
The light faded, revealing a bear Pokémon covered in brown fur, with a yellow ring emblazoned across its belly.
The shorter fur on its shoulders made its identity clear.
A male Ursaring!!
[Name: Ursaring]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Bold]
[Type: Normal]
[Ability: Guts]
[Base Stats Total: 500]
[Level: Advanced (Late Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential:Champion-Class level]
[Known Moves: Scratch (Proficient), Hammer Arm (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Feint Attack (Proficient), Double-Edge (Proficient), Lick (Basic), Covet (Basic), Fury Swipes (Basic)…]
[Description: Ursaring, the Hibernator Pokémon. The evolved form of Teddiursa. A tree-climbing bear—anger it, and you'll have nowhere to run…]
...
As expected, a male Ursaring—and at Advanced Late-stage, no less.
Seeing it, Aaron couldn't help recalling the Pokédex entries from his textbooks.
According to official records, Ursaring had no known further evolution and was listed as a final form.
Yet its rumored evolution, Ursaluna, possessed a terrifying base stat total of 550.
No wonder this Ursaring's potential had reached Champion-Class level.
Of course, the evolution conditions were extremely strict—requiring a Peat Block under a full moon.
It was understandable that such an evolution had yet to be discovered.
Once he reached university, this would be another stepping stone toward becoming a Pokémon scholar.
"Shocking!! A freshman discovers that Ursaring can still evolve!!"
...
Meanwhile, the battle between Snorlax and Ursaring officially began.
"Snorlax—we move first!"
"Maintain Gear Second! Use Armament Haki Gum-Gum Jet Pistol!!"
Aaron seized the initiative without hesitation.
"Ursaring, dodge, then use Feint Attack!"
Zane's command followed immediately.
Snorlax's fists, coated in Haki, fired forward like twin bullets.
Ursaring's eyes burned with ferocity. Its speed was no joke—it narrowly dodged the attack.
After all, it was two levels higher than Snorlax, with superior speed, strength, and defense.
In the blink of an eye, Ursaring vanished from Snorlax's front and reappeared at its side, launching Feint Attack.
No wonder the move was described as a guaranteed hit.
A true sneak attack!!
"Snorlax—Armament Haki!"
Aaron's calm voice rang out.
If you can't dodge, then block.
A layer of jet-black, iron-hard energy instantly coated Snorlax's body, wrapping tightly around its belly.
Thud! Thud! Thud…
Ursaring's strikes slammed into it, producing metallic impacts.
Armament Haki boosted Snorlax's defense by two stages.
Feint Attack was only a 60-power Dark-type move, and it wasn't even a same-type move.
The damage was minimal.
Snorlax merely swayed slightly, barely affected.
"That black energy again!!"
Zane cursed inwardly.
He had already noticed it—this Snorlax was using some kind of unknown energy to boost both offense and defense.
What the hell was that!?
Some new ability this kid came up with!?
Questions flooded his mind, but Pokémon battles changed in an instant.
There was no time to think.
Aaron's voice rang out again.
"Snorlax—just like this!"
"Use Body Slam on Ursaring!!"
"Snorlax—!"
Snorlax roared, its massive body crashing downward toward the Ursaring beside it.
Not good!!
Zane's eyes sharpened. At this distance, Ursaring couldn't dodge in time—it had to take it head-on.
"Ursaring—use Hammer Arm!!"
"Hit it!!"
Zane reacted instantly, choosing the best counter.
Hammer Arm had 100 base power and was Fighting-type—a move with super effectiveness against Snorlax.
This could turn the tables.
We can win!!
Zane thought grimly.
...