"Since you two are friends, do you want to join us for muscle training?" The man gave them another hearty laugh. Then he said, "Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Iwashimizu. I am the founder and person in charge of this training ground. I am also the mightiest trainer on this island. If you want to become as superior as me and reach the peak of Pokémon battles, then training your muscles constantly is the most essential thing!"
It was simple to observe from Iwashimizu's words that he was very confident in his power. It was no surprise he could gather so many people here.
However...
Was he truly just the mightiest trainer on this tiny island?
The town on this island was only about the size of a small village. There were not many residents, and even fewer trainers...
Besides the local residents, other people probably rarely stayed here.
Natsui wondered where this man named Iwashimizu got his sense of pride. He was only the superior trainer in such a remote, quiet town. He even used that kind of tone to boast about such a title!
If it were Natsui, he would not even mention a title like that. Even if he were actually the mightiest trainer on the island, it had no value for showing off at all.
This was not because Natsui had become arrogant after winning two regional conferences. It was not that he looked down on ordinary trainers. It was simply because there were too many islands and small towns like this in the world. If a "mightiest trainer" appeared in every single place to boast, then the word "mightiest" would not be important.
Specifically, Iwashimizu even dared to tell people to try and be as superior as him. It really felt like he did not know his own limits.
Even Natsui would not dare say something like that.
"Sorry..." Natsui shook his head and refused him directly. "I travel every day. Hiking and climbing are exhausting enough already. I really do not want to waste extra physical power and energy in a place like this. Also, I believe that compared to muscle training, tactical planning and developing a Pokémon's actual power are the only ways to reach the highest peak of Pokémon battles."
It could be said that Natsui's view was the exact opposite of Iwashimizu's!
Based on his usual style, Natsui was actually a very polite person. Normally, he would never say something like this to someone's face.
However, right now, he felt this man named Iwashimizu was somehow misleading people. Without knowing Bea's true power, he was making her do meaningless basic exercises. He was wasting her time. He also had such stubborn ideas. Even though he laughed loudly, Natsui really did not like him.
Certainly, after hearing Natsui's words, Iwashimizu grimaced.
"Oh?" He observed Natsui up and down again. He said with dissatisfaction, "Your way of thinking is completely wrong. Having an excellent body is extremely vital in Pokémon battles. You could even say it is one of the keys to victory!"
Natsui shrugged carelessly. He said, "There is no point in arguing with me. I know I cannot change your mind, but you cannot convince me either."
Before walking up to these two outsiders, Iwashimizu probably never expected to meet a man with such a different worldview. He saw that this man was very stubborn. He simply said, "You dare to say such things after coming to Ganko Island? It seems you do not understand our traditions at all. Fine, since you think your method is better and we are both trainers, let's have a match the trainer way. Let's see whose method is the most correct and effective!"
Have a match?
"Well..."
Natsui hesitated when Iwashimizu challenged him to a battle.
Iwashimizu thought he was afraid!
"Don't tell me you're intimidated?" he laughed triumphantly. "Are you all talk? In reality, are you just a guy who is afraid of hard work and getting tired?"
"Normally, forget one match, I wouldn't mind having ten," Natsui sighed helplessly. "It's just that my Pokémon are in a special situation right now. They aren't suitable for battle."
Natsui was not making an excuse. He had just finished a massive battle with Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. He had not had time to adjust his team yet. Therefore, the Pokémon he had with him were an unconventional lineup!
Take those seven legendary Pokémon, for example: Deoxys, Black Rayquaza, Zapdos, Articuno, Moltres, Suicune, and Raikou. Not a single one of them was easy to manage. Was he supposed to use Pokémon like that to fight Iwashimizu?
It was not that he did not have others in his bag. Besides those legendary Pokémon, he only had Gardevoir, Gengar, Dragonite, and the Giant Red Gyarados and Crystal Onix that he kept as reserves.
These were all twelve Pokémon he was currently carrying.
Which one should he use to fight him?
No matter which one he chose, it felt like he was bullying the man.
Of course, if he had to choose, the weakest one among them was undoubtedly Dragonite.
But even with Dragonite, Natsui was afraid he would give Iwashimizu a psychological scar.
At this time, other people who were exercising nearby had heard their conversation. They gathered around.
Iwashimizu explained the situation to them. They heard that Natsui was an "outsider" with different views. These people—who also trained here—suddenly became united in their anger!
"Hey kid, you look pretty handsome, but I didn't think you were such a sissy!"
"Only people with strong bodies can stand at the top of Pokémon battles!"
"That's right! You only become the mightiest after hard muscle training!"
"Female Machamp is the best!"
Listening to the criticism around him, Natsui sighed helplessly again.
He had really had enough of these "muscle-brain" people. Every single one of them was so rude and illogical.
Now, even if he did not want to fight, he had to.
He had originally thought that since he was a visitor just passing through, he should leave the other party some dignity. But now...
Let the thunder strike the darkness!
He was just about to take out Gardevoir's Poké Ball. He wanted to give these people a harsh lesson. He wanted to show them the consequences of their actions.
But just then, Bea, who had been silent for a long time, stood in front of Natsui.
Ever since they experienced hiding from the rain in a cave on Dewford Island together, they had become friends. Although she did not know much about social grace, she would not just stand back. She would not let her friend be surrounded by these people.
And most importantly, she knew this man had this attitude toward these people because of her. Since everything started because of her, she naturally could not just watch.
Without any hesitation, she observed Natsui and said seriously, "I will fight this match in your place."
She said this because she had seen the hesitation on Natsui's face just now. She also thought his Pokémon had some kind of problem.
After all, she had seen Natsui's Gym battle back at the Dewford Gym. She knew he was very powerful and not the type of person to be cowardly. Since he was hesitating, did that not mean he had run into some difficult trouble?
They must be badly injured and have not been healed yet.
That was the only thought in Bea's mind.
Hearing her words, Natsui and Iwashimizu both observed her at the same time.
The two had different thoughts. Natsui was surprised that she would step forward at this time. Iwashimizu obviously did not expect this beautiful girl with short hair to stand up for a "heretic"! She seemed to be his own type—a trainer specializing in Fighting-type Pokémon.
After staring at Bea for a while, Iwashimizu scoffed. He observed Natsui intentionally.
"I don't care who it is, but if it were me, I wouldn't hide behind a woman!"
Natsui remained very calm toward this level of provocation. His heart did not even flutter. However, Misty, who was standing nearby, was fuming with rage!
Others did not know the reason, but she knew why Natsui did not want to bring out his Pokémon. It was because he was too powerful!
Take those legendary Pokémon, for example. Any of them would cause a massive sensation if they appeared in front of people.
She did not expect his restraint to be seen as a sign of cowardice!
They even dared to insult him like this!
She glared fiercely at Iwashimizu. Then she said to Natsui, "Natsui, go ahead and fight. You have to give him a lesson!"
Since things had reached this point, what else could Natsui say?
He could only take out his Poké Ball to show these people how massive the gap between them truly was.
However, the more he acted like this, the more Bea believed something was wrong with his Pokémon.
Thinking of this, she said to Natsui seriously, "No, let me do it."
"It's fine, I can handle it..."
"Just leave it to me."
Iwashimizu saw these two "competing" to fight right in front of him. He felt ignored and was very displeased.
He waved his hand and said deeply, "It's not that complicated. Since both of you want to battle, let's have a double battle!"
Hearing his words, Bea and Natsui finally stopped. They observed each other. With just one look, they seemed to have made a decision. They nodded at the same time.
"Fine," Natsui said to Iwashimizu. "Then let's have a 2-on-2 battle."
There was a battle to watch. The people nearby ignored their exercise and quickly cleared a field for them. Under their watchful eyes, Natsui and Bea walked to one side. Iwashimizu called another woman in her twenties. She had a red ribbon tied around her head. She formed a team with him and went to the other side.
"Good luck!"
"Iwashimizu, defeat this rude man!"
"Show him how powerful we are!"
"That's right, make him feel the power that comes from muscles!!"
The people around them cheered for Iwashimizu. Among them, Misty was not to be outdone. Her clear voice was very piercing in the crowd. Even though she was only one person, she cupped her hands like a megaphone. She yelled with all her might!
"Natsui, good luck!!!"
Once both sides were ready, Iwashimizu announced, "Since this is just to decide a winner, we don't need to use any messy rules. Each person sends out one Pokémon. As long as you knock out all of the opponent's Pokémon, you win."
It was a very simple rule. Natsui and Bea nodded to show they understood.
A man acting as the referee blew a whistle. The four of them took out their Poké Balls at the same time.
As they threw them with force, blue lights flashed. Four Pokémon appeared in the open space.
What surprised Natsui was Iwashimizu's choice. Although the man kept talking about muscles, the Pokémon he used was not a Fighting-type. It was a Walrein!
A Water-type?
Was he not a Fighting-type specialist?
On the other hand, the female trainer beside him used a Pokémon that fit Natsui's stereotype. It was a Fighting-type Hitmonchan.
From this, one could see their choices. Even though they exercised every day and looked like muscle experts, they did not only choose Fighting-type Pokémon. Their choices were quite varied.
Looking at Natsui's side, Bea sent out her representative Pokémon, Machamp. This was expected. This showed how seriously she was taking this match.
And the Pokémon Natsui sent out was, of course, his Gardevoir!
It could be said that these two Pokémon were the regular aces of both trainers!
The referee saw that all four Pokémon were ready. He signaled the start of the match.
Actually, before the fight started, Natsui had wondered about these people. What would they be like in battle? They had trained their bodies like that. Would they have different methods than ordinary trainers?
But he soon found out he was overthinking it.
Iwashimizu and the female trainer were just like them. They stood in their designated spots. They did not do any special movements. They did not move along with their Pokémon. There did not seem to be anything special about them.
They just looked like they had more energy and spirit.
This made Natsui very puzzled. Did these people train non-stop day and night just to look more energetic?
Despite his confusion, the battle had to continue.
Under the commands of the four trainers, the four Pokémon officially began to fight.
Their Pokémon were Fighting-types. Therefore, Bea and the female trainer naturally targeted each other. Their instructions were very simple. They wanted to get close and try to defeat the opponent with close-range combat.
Compared to them, Natsui and Iwashimizu's fighting style was more direct. They stayed in place and launched attacks at each other.
Machamp waved its four arms. It ran quickly to the center of the field. It swung at Hitmonchan. On the other side, Hitmonchan was not to be outdone. Its two fists looked like they were wearing boxing gloves. They also swung toward Machamp.
Just as their fists were about to collide, several "whoosh" sounds rang out. It was like something had flashed by.
In the next second, invisible psychic power and a thick stream of water collided beside them. The water instantly exploded with the force of the impact. It turned into a spray that soaked both of them completely!
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