Bang!
The two Pokémon collided once more. But with its Attack already reduced, Toucannon's Aerial Ace no longer posed a real threat to Dolliv. As the strike landed, Strength Sap activated again—restoring Dolliv's stamina while lowering Toucannon's Attack by yet another stage.
Seeing Dolliv still standing, Kahili's expression finally darkened.
"It actually held on…? How is that even possible?!"
"This is insane! How can a low-level Grass-type tank Flying-type moves head-on like this?!"
"Is that Toucannon sick or something? My backyard chicken hits harder than that!"
"…"
After successfully baiting out a second move, Peter smiled faintly, a hint of smug satisfaction in his eyes.
"Confused, aren't you?" he said calmly. "A low-level Grass-type Pokémon, yet it managed to survive Beak Blast."
He didn't issue another command. Instead, he began explaining—openly breaking down the mechanics, his tone dripping with provocation.
"It's simple. Sweet Scent doesn't just lower evasion. Fragrance distracts the senses. When focus slips, even a move like Beak Blast loses some of its power. As long as Dolliv avoids vital points, survival becomes possible."
He shrugged lightly, shaking his head as if mocking her.
"And that was a long-range attack. Aerial Ace, used up close? Its power drops even further."
"…"
Kahili narrowed her eyes, fists clenched tightly—she genuinely felt the urge to punch him.
"So what if it's Sweet Scent?!" she snapped.
"Touckey! Use Flame Charge!"
Her response was quick. Flames would isolate scent—Sweet Scent wouldn't work anymore.
But as Toucannon charged forward, its entire body engulfed in roaring fire, Peter merely lowered the brim of his cap. A confident smile curved his lips.
"Then… congratulations," he said softly.
"The game's over. Strength Sap—again."
Flame Charge wasn't Toucannon's own type. Its base power was only 50—and after repeated Attack drops, it felt utterly toothless.
Under continuous pressure and frustration, Kahili had lost her composure. Once again, she wasted a valuable move slot.
From that moment on, the battle's outcome was all but decided.
With its Attack repeatedly crippled, Toucannon could no longer deal meaningful damage to Dolliv. Meanwhile, under the triple recovery of Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed, and Strength Sap, Dolliv stood firm—immovable as a mountain.
Eventually, Kahili realized the truth.
Using her final move slot, she chose Swords Dance, attempting a last-ditch gamble—powering up for a decisive Beak Blast.
But it was too late.
In the prolonged tug-of-war, Leech Seed had drained Toucannon dry. With one final, unwilling cry, it crashed down at the center of the battlefield.
"WE HAVE A WINNER!!" the commentator roared.
"PETER CLAIMS AN UNBELIEVABLE VICTORY AND SUCCESSFULLY ADVANCES TO BRONZE TIER!"
"WHAT THE HELL—THIS ACTUALLY WORKED?! He literally drained it to death with Leech Seed?!"
"Before watching: 'Who's this idiot?' After watching: 'HOLY—TAKE MY KNEES!'"
"Ten-year fan reporting in! Our Peter is a rising tactical genius! Haters stay away!"
"Yeah right. One win and you're praising him to the skies? That girl just sucked."
"…"
"Li-no~!"
Covered in wounds, Dolliv leapt straight into Peter's arms. Its large eyes glanced sideways at the audience as it smiled brightly—almost as if saying:
Hmph! My Trainer would never give useless commands!
"That hurt, didn't it?" Peter murmured gently, pulling out a healing spray and carefully treating its injuries.
"Li-no~ (I'm fine~ Are you happy, Master?)"
Dolliv tilted its head, smiling sweetly.
The contrast between its smile and its injuries was striking.
It didn't seem to care how much pain it was in—only whether Peter had achieved what he wanted.
A warmth rose quietly in Peter's chest.
"…I am," he whispered.
His voice was calm, but the hand holding the spray trembled slightly.
What kind of creatures are Pokémon…
How can they pierce straight into a person's heart like this?
"This time, you just got lucky. I underestimated you," Kahili said as she approached, chin raised stubbornly.
Peter paused mid-motion.
"No matter how many times we fought, the result would be the same," he replied evenly.
"In that situation, anyone would've lowered their guard."
"So what?! You still won unfairly!"
Peter frowned.
He might not care about insults aimed at himself—but this hard-earned victory was something Dolliv had fought for with everything it had. It deserved no stain.
Cradling Dolliv, Peter walked toward the referee.
"Excuse me," he said politely. "May I borrow a microphone?"
"You…?" The referee hesitated. "That's a bit sudden."
"Don't worry," Peter smiled. "I'll just explain the battle mechanics. It'll boost engagement and viewership."
"…Let him."
Just as the referee was about to refuse, the arena manager's voice came through the earpiece. He removed his headset and handed it to Peter.
"Thank you."
Peter turned back toward Kahili, a wild, unrestrained look on his face.
"Sorry, everyone. I'll take just a few more minutes of your time."
"First of all," he said clearly, "that battle may have involved luck—but it was far more the result of teamwork between me and my partner. That is not up for debate."
His gaze shifted to Kahili.
"And at the very least—someone who lost has no right to question it."
"You—!!" Kahili bristled, brows drawn tight.
Peter ignored her and continued.
"Key point one: despite being massively out-leveled and type-disadvantaged, I opened by setting Grassy Terrain, openly telling my opponent I was Grass-type."
He paused.
"Now ask yourselves—if it were you, what move would you choose?"
The livestream chat instantly exploded.
"Bro that's like flashing in front of someone and missing your ult—OF COURSE YOU DIVE HIM!"
"Got it! That wasn't terrain setup—that was psychological taunt!"
"Taunt++ (MAX LEVEL) "
"…"
"Exactly," Peter nodded.
"Almost everyone would choose their strongest Flying-type move—something with high power, aiming for a one-hit KO."
"And that means," he smiled,
"Toucannon would almost certainly choose its signature move—Beak Blast."
"Everyone knows this move requires charging. And the charge time is longer than most moves."
His eyes gleamed.
"Which means—during that window, Dolliv could safely use two mastered techniques."
Peter was absolutely certain.
In battle mechanics, Beak Blast always acted last on the second turn.
Kahili's back was soaked in cold sweat.
Because every word he spoke—had perfectly predicted her mindset.
"Terrifying… is this what real psychological warfare looks like?"
"Oh my god… Peter has Master-tier potential!"
"…"
"Then why didn't you attack?" Kahili blurted out despite herself.
"Against a high-level Flying-type," Peter replied calmly,
"forcing offense only exposes weaknesses."
He shook his head.
"So instead, I chose Leech Seed combined with Grassy Terrain—a dual-recovery strategy."
"As long as Dolliv could endure the frontal assault," he concluded,
"we were unbeatable."
"And the rest," he said softly,
"you all witnessed yourselves."
"Sweet Scent—one of Dolliv's favorite moves, with high proficiency—was used to disrupt focus and reduce damage. Strength Sap weakened the opponent while rapidly restoring stamina…"
The arena fell silent.
A battle decided long before the final blow—
not by power,
but by the mind.
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