Eichi ignored him. He didn't like engaging in trash talk; he preferred to let his results speak for themselves.
Seeing Eichi's lack of reaction, Shida sneered and tossed out his Poké Ball. Eichi mirrored the action simultaneously.
"Go, my darling!"
"Go, Ninjask!"
A blue and red Pokémon with a massive flower on its head appeared on the field. It was a bipedal Pokémon with a blue, bulb-like lower body and a giant flower on its head that closely resembled a real-world rafflesia.
Eichi's Eye of the Bug Emperor scanned it.
Vileplume, the Flower Pokémon.
Types: Grass / Poison
Abilities: Chlorophyll (Standard), Effect Spore (Hidden)
Talent Grade: Outstanding
Trainer Rank: Late-stage Gym Leader (Level 57)
Then he checked his own Ninjask.
Talent Grade: Outstanding
Trainer Rank: Experienced Peak
The gap in levels was staggering. Seeing Eichi's Ninjask, Shida let out a disdainful laugh.
In the spectator stands, Ryuichi, Buliangren, Mumu, and Kadokawa sat together.
"This gap is a bit too wide. Can Eichi win?" Mumu asked with concern.
"It's fine. Even if he loses, there's no shame in it," Buliangren comforted her.
"Don't worry, just leave it to Eichi."
On the massive electronic screen, Vileplume appeared as the first entry in Shida's row, while Ninjask's portrait appeared in Eichi's row.
"Vileplume, Stun Spore!"
"Ninjask, Fury Cutter!"
Both trainers issued commands at the same time.
Countless yellow powders erupted from the stamens of the flower on Vileplume's head. In Vileplume's eyes, the Ninjask that had been far away suddenly closed the distance. However, it didn't panic; in an instant, the spores covered Ninjask.
Ninjask held its breath and flew above Vileplume's head, swinging its arms to strike the giant flower fiercely.
Bang, bang, bang!
Three consecutive hits landed on Vileplume's head. Vileplume furrowed its brow in slight pain, but Ninjask immediately retreated after the assault.
"Vileplume, Vine Whip!" Shida sneered.
Just as Ninjask tried to escape, Vileplume broke into a cold grin that looked exactly like Shida's. Emerald green vines shot out from its large flower. They whipped toward Ninjask with speed beyond imagination, snaring it instantly.
"Oh no!!"
"Vileplume, pull it over! Don't let it break free!" Shida said confidently.
Ninjask struggled frantically to escape, but the vines held it in a death grip. No matter what it did, it couldn't break loose. It was dragged directly over Vileplume's head.
"Vileplume, Sleep Powder!"
Purple powder sprayed from the stamens. Caught off guard, Ninjask inhaled the spores directly into its body. It felt its strength drain away as a heavy drowsiness took hold. Its vision blurred, and the Vileplume before it looked more and more like a mushroom. Its eyes dimmed, and it fell fast asleep.
Just like that, Ninjask drifted into slumber while still entangled in the vines.
"Vileplume, Energy Ball!"
A green orb of energy rapidly gathered in Vileplume's mouth. It fired the orb at high speed. At the moment of impact, Vileplume retracted its vines, allowing the Energy Ball to blast Ninjask.
Bang!
An explosion rang out, and Ninjask was blasted into the ground, creating a shallow pit. It lost its ability to battle instantly.
"Ninjask is unable to battle! Vileplume wins!" the referee announced.
Ninjask's portrait on the electronic screen went dark. Eichi recalled Ninjask, shaking his head inwardly. The level difference was simply too great. Furthermore, Ninjask was naturally fragile; a single solid hit was enough to take it out.
Shida looked at Eichi with his head held high, and his Vileplume mimicked the haughty pose. Eichi, however, remained calm as he released his second Pokémon.
"Go, Shedinja!"
A pale yellow, hollow-bodied Pokémon appeared in mid-air.
"The situation is looking a bit grim for Eichi. How will he counterattack against this powerful Vileplume? Let's wait and see!" the commentator shouted. "There it is, Eichi's second Pokémon!"
The match continued.
"Shedinja, Double Team!"
Shedinja's mouth opened slightly, and its eyes glowed with yellow light. Instantly, it split into numerous clones. Compared to Ninjask, Shedinja was even more fragile; with the gap in levels, any ordinary move from Vileplume would be fatal.
"Vileplume, Razor Leaf!"
Countless leaves flew from Vileplume's head like green daggers. They shot toward Shedinja's clones, popping over a dozen of them instantly. However, none hit the real Shedinja.
"Shedinja, Shadow Sneak!"
The eyes of all the Shedinja clones glowed with a dark light. Their black shadows on the ground rapidly elongated under the sunlight, creeping behind Vileplume. Then, they surged up from the ground to strike Vileplume.
Thump, thump, thump!
It was unclear how many times Vileplume was hit, and it clearly felt the pain. However, the effects seemed mediocre; the moves didn't cause significant damage.
Vileplume's counterattack didn't stop. Countless leaves continued to strike Shedinja's clones until only two remained.
"Shedinja, Phantom Force!"
One of the two Shedinja vanished instantly without a trace. The remaining clone also blinked out of existence. Shida scanned the area, searching for Shedinja's location.
In the next instant, Shedinja appeared out of thin air right above Vileplume's head. Black energy erupted from its body as it slammed into Vileplume.
Bang!
This move finally had some effect, causing Vileplume genuine pain.
"I was waiting for you! Vileplume, Vine Whip!" Shida shouted.
Two vines shot out from its head and snagged Shedinja.
"Oh! Shedinja has also been caught by the vines!"
Vileplume slammed it into the ground with great force.
Bang!
Vileplume slammed it again, repeating the process three times before stopping. The vines retracted, and Shedinja lay on the ground, completely unable to battle.
"Shedinja is unable to battle! Vileplume wins!"
On the electronic screen, the portrait of Eichi's Shedinja also went dark.
"Both of Eichi's Pokémon have been easily defeated by Shida's Vileplume. This must be a huge blow to Eichi!"
Eichi calmly recalled Shedinja. The audience, however, reacted differently; many were sighing and groaning, feeling that Eichi was destined to lose. Mumu, Ryuichi, and Buliangren looked at each other, their eyes full of worry.
Kadokawa lowered his camera, hesitated for a moment, then continued filming. Eichi took out his third Poké Ball and threw it out.
"Heracross, I'm counting on you!"
"Hera!"
Heracross stepped heavily onto the ground, staring seriously at Vileplume.