From the very beginning of the tournament, it was obvious that the family factions and the civilian factions belonged to completely different social classes.
Trainers from the family factions looked down on civilian Trainers, while civilian Trainers had no access to secret training manuals.
For civilian Trainers who wanted to climb higher, their only option was to exchange knowledge with other strong civilian Trainers.
Whether it was daily Pokémon feeding methods or ideas for training Moves, as long as both sides agreed, they could exchange information and learn from each other.
This was also why almost every civilian Trainer carried a notebook full of cultivation experience.
At exchange gatherings, these notes were valuable resources. Only someone like Icarus, who possessed several true cultivation manuals, would casually sell the low-level training experiences he had collected before.
Of course, this was also because the quality of those experiences was relatively low. If it were notes left behind by a superior Trainer like a Bug Catcher, he would absolutely study them carefully.
After all, among civilians, anyone who could rise above the masses definitely possessed some outstanding specialty. Whether useful or not, learning from successful people was never a bad thing.
"No! I still believe in Fujii Ichiro! That Butterfree was only his previous ace. Once Scyther enters the field, Brother Ichiro will definitely win!"
Compared to the two adults beside him, Saburo was just a child and didn't think that deeply. In his heart, his older brother was always invincible.
"Fujii Ichiro! Show your true strength! Go for it!"
Unable to tolerate the pessimism of the adults around him, Saburo shook his head stubbornly and shouted toward the battlefield.
"Contestant Taji, would you like to switch your Pokémon?"
At the same time, after the first battle ended, the referee immediately turned toward Icarus.
"No, I won't switch."
Icarus shook his head.
The Smog field Houndoom had created was still active, and the previous battle hadn't consumed too much stamina. There was no reason to replace it.
"Then contestant Fujii Ichiro, please send out your second Pokémon!"
After receiving Icarus's answer, the referee waved toward the left side.
"As expected… he won't switch."
Although Fujii Ichiro had already guessed this outcome, he still felt disappointed.
"In that case… go! My strongest warrior!"
Throwing out his Poké Ball, he revealed his trump card.
"Shaa-teh!"
A green figure burst onto the battlefield. The moment it landed, it raised its twin scythes and released a sharp battle cry.
"It's Scyther!"
"Brother Ichiro's Scyther!"
"Awesome!"
Saburo immediately exploded with excitement.
Scyther was known as the natural-born warrior of Bug-type Pokémon. It was also his favorite Pokémon.
Fujii Ichiro had once promised him that when he turned fifteen, he would prepare a Scyther as his starter Pokémon.
"This Scyther is incredibly well-trained!"
"Look at those eyes. That's a true warrior!"
"I heard Fujii Ichiro spent everything he had on it… but it was worth it!"
"Go, Fujii Ichiro!"
"Scyther! Show them your strength!"
The entire audience erupted in cheers.
Most of them were Bug Catchers, and for Bug Catchers, Scyther was practically a dream Pokémon.
Although Pinsir and Heracross were both strong, neither had Scyther's sheer coolness.
In the Kanto region, Scyther was unquestionably the most popular Bug-type Pokémon.
Naturally, its price was also terrifying.
An ordinary mid-tier aptitude Scyther officially sold for 200,000 at the Pokémon House.
Compared to Houndour's 65,000 or Ekans's 50,000, the difference was absurd. Even Pinsir and Heracross were far cheaper.
From a pure value perspective, Pinsir and Heracross were actually more cost-effective.
But Scyther had one advantage they couldn't compete with:
It could evolve.
The discovery of Scizor had pushed Scyther's value through the roof.
Of course, appearance and hype also played a role—just like luxury brands in Icarus's previous life.
Some people might ask:
If Bug Catchers know Bug-type Pokémon so well, why not catch one themselves?
The answer was simple.
Absolute strength crushed all tricks.
Viridian Forest did contain Scyther tribes.
But could an ordinary mid-level Trainer really challenge them?
Inside those tribes were definitely Elite-level Scyther, and more than one.
Even if you understood Bug-type Pokémon better than anyone else, you still needed to survive.
Wild Pokémon weren't restrained by contracts.
To the Scyther tribe, anyone entering their territory to steal their young received only one response:
Kill.
Of course, there was always a tiny possibility of encountering a wandering Scyther near the outskirts.
But could you guarantee its aptitude?
High-aptitude young were naturally protected deep within the tribe.
So even if someone managed to capture one, it was usually ordinary aptitude.
That was why Bug Catchers still bought Scyther from official channels despite the insane price.
Fujii Ichiro's Scyther, with good mid-tier aptitude, had cost him a staggering 1.6 million.
This was nearly equal to the price of a high-tier aptitude Houndour.
And unlike Houndoom, Scyther possessed no inherited Moves.
So when people said Fujii Ichiro had gone all out, they truly meant it.
Among Bug Catchers, his Scyther was like a Rolls-Royce parked among ordinary vehicles.
"The second battle begins! The right side attacks first!"
After staring at Scyther for an extra moment, even the referee finally announced the battle.
"Houndoom, keep moving and use Growl!"
Although several minutes had passed, the Smog on the battlefield was still thick. Icarus immediately ordered Houndoom to continue taking advantage of the terrain.
"Tap tap tap—Awooo!"
Hidden within the purple fog, Houndoom ran rapidly while releasing a powerful roar.
The movement prevented its location from being exposed.
"Scyther, Focus Energy!"
Fujii Ichiro calmly gave his command only after Houndoom's Growl faded.
The first-move advantage belonged to Icarus. He had no intention of breaking the rules.
"Sha-teh!"
Scyther nodded. White energy gradually emerged around its body as its aura steadily rose.
If the enemy didn't move, then he wouldn't move either.
That was Fujii Ichiro's strategy.
Scyther didn't possess a canine nose. Charging blindly into thick fog would only make it a target.
"Houndoom, Ember barrage!"
Naturally, Icarus wasn't willing to let Scyther strengthen itself peacefully.
"Woof! Whoosh whoosh!"
Several enlarged Embers suddenly burst out from within the fog and shot toward Scyther.
"Scyther, ignore them. Finish Focus Energy first!"
Facing the incoming flames, Fujii Ichiro remained calm.
"Sha!"
Scyther didn't even flinch.
It continued concentrating.
In the stands, Saburo became frantic.
"Dodge! Hurry and dodge!"
"Why isn't Brother Ichiro giving commands?!"
"Even if Focus Energy succeeds, getting hit still hurts!"
"Hahaha! Relax, Saburo."
The uncle beside him laughed loudly.
"Your brother recently mastered a secret technique. Those flames won't hurt Scyther."
"Huh? What technique? Protect?"
Saburo asked curiously.
"No, no. Keep watching."
The uncle proudly adjusted his straw hat.
"Never forget—we Bug Catchers are experts at developing Bug-type Moves."
At the same time, on the battlefield, Icarus narrowed his eyes.
He didn't believe the Bug Catcher opposite him would ignore such an obvious type disadvantage without confidence.
That meant only one thing:
He had a trump card.
Suddenly, a memory flashed through Icarus's mind.
An anime battle from his previous life.
Ash's Fire-type attacks had once been blocked by a spinning Scyther.
"Swords Dance!"
Right at that moment, Fujii Ichiro's command confirmed his suspicion.
"Swish swish swish!"
Scyther instantly spun at high speed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every Ember was deflected by the rotating blades.
At the same time, Scyther's aura continued climbing.
"So that's it…"
Icarus sighed inwardly.
As expected of a Bug Catcher.
This wasn't simply Move training anymore—it was specialized combat development.
"But this battlefield is flat…"
Icarus frowned.
In the anime, Cyndaquil had countered from above.
But Houndoom couldn't do that here.
Scyther also clearly knew Quick Attack and Agility.
Even if Houndoom jumped, Scyther would dodge instantly.
"Houndoom, Nasty Plot!"
Since he had no better option, Icarus chose to strengthen Houndoom as well.
After all, Scyther was mainly a melee fighter.
As long as it closed the distance, Thunder Fang still had a chance.
If Houndoom had already mastered Fire Fang, things would've been much easier.
Scyther's speed relied heavily on its wings.
Fire-type damage would cripple them much more effectively than electricity.
Unfortunately, Houndoom hadn't learned that Move yet.
"Scyther, High Flash state! Charge in with Fury Cutter!"
Fujii Ichiro clearly had no intention of allowing Houndoom to finish setting up.
"Sha-teh!"
Scyther spread its wings.
White light instantly covered its body.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Scyther's figure began flashing across the battlefield.
Agility combined with Quick Attack created terrifying speed.
One blink—
It was on the left.
Another blink—
It was already on the right.
Although the state couldn't last long, it was more than enough for a battlefield this size.
Scyther rapidly located Houndoom within the fog.
Then it attacked.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
"Woof!"
Houndoom hadn't even completed Nasty Plot before it was struck repeatedly, crying out in pain.
"Houndoom! Go all out—Thunder Fang!"
At that moment, Icarus understood.
There was no retreat now.
"Woof! Awooo!"
Electricity exploded around Houndoom's jaws as it bit directly toward the incoming scythes.
Bang!
Thunder Fang collided head-on with Fury Cutter.
"Woof—!"
Houndoom was instantly overpowered.
Its body flew backward from the final slash before crashing heavily onto the battlefield.
The referee immediately raised the flag.
"Houndoom has lost its ability to battle!"
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