Chapter 344: Kenji vs. Xun Zhurong
It was safe to say that the competition in this year's Huaxia League Conference was far more brutal than in previous years.
Analysts were already predicting that by the time the closing ceremony concluded, the regional Elite Four would be looking at a total overhaul of their roster.
Xun Zhurong withdrew his gaze from the high platform and looked back at Kenji. His expression was cool, his voice calm but heavy with expectation. "I hope you don't disappoint me."
"Battle... Begin!!!"
"Go! Darmanitan!!"
"The stage is yours! Arbok!!!"
"Darummm!!!! —"
Darmanitan hit the field with a resounding thud. It slammed its massive fists against its chest, letting out a primal roar that echoed through the rafters.
On the opposite side, Kenji chose his lead. The black serpent slithered forward.
"CHAAA!!!! —"
Arbok let out a sharp hiss, coiling its muscular body into a tight spring, its eyes narrowed in predatory focus.
"Hmm?"
Xun's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected Kenji to lead with his most discussed Pokémon.
Before the Conference, Xun's knowledge of Kenji was practically zero. He hadn't bothered to research the "Metropolis Prodigy" because he truly believed he was peerless among his generation.
But after watching the earlier rounds, Xun—like everyone else—had correctly identified the "Dragon-Form" Arbok as Kenji's primary trump card.
He had to admit that the transformation was impressive, but in his mind, even a mutated Arbok couldn't possibly stand against his Houndoom.
He just didn't expect to see it in the very first round.
Does he have something even bigger behind this? Xun wondered.
Kenji didn't care about Xun's confusion. He moved straight into his endgame strategy.
"Arbok, Dragon Pattern!!"
"CHAAA!!! —"
Arbok let out a sharp cry. In an instant, the patterns on its hood began to glow and shift. A translucent violet dragon phantom erupted from its body, and its physical anatomy began to warp.
Even though the world had seen the "Dragon Transformation" video a million times by now, seeing it live in the Phoenix Nest was a different experience entirely. A wave of gasps and cheers rippled through the stands.
In the VIP section, groups of researchers from various institutes leaned forward, clutching high-tech sensors and scanners. They were here to measure every erratic spike in energy this "Arbok" produced.
Within seconds, the transformation was complete. The sleek, black dragon-serpent stood tall, its aura exploding outward in a wave of ancient, crushing pressure. It looked like a beast from a forgotten epoch. The sudden surge in power made even the battle-hardened Darmanitan shift its weight uneasily.
BOOM!!! —
There was no need for small talk. For Arbok in this state, every second was a precious resource.
It moved with a speed that shouldn't be possible for a creature of its size. A black blur tore across the arena, appearing instantly in front of Darmanitan.
Breaking Swipe!!!
Darmanitan barely had time to register the movement. Caught off guard by the sheer velocity, it couldn't dodge. It threw up a panicked Protect barrier just as the tail came down.
BAM!!!! —
The tail slammed into the green shield. The barrier held, but the impact was so heavy it sent a shockwave through the ground.
"LEVEL 99!!! —"
Down in the research area, a scientist screamed in disbelief, staring at his tablet.
His device was calibrated to measure the kinetic and elemental output of a Pokémon's strikes. The reading for Arbok's "casual" Breaking Swipe was glowing a violent red, indicating a power level equivalent to a Level 99 Champion-tier peak.
Missing the knockout but ignoring the shield, Arbok didn't stop. It immediately transitioned into a Dragon Rush, its body wreathed in blue energy as it lunged again.
This time, Darmanitan was ready. It didn't retreat. It ignited its core, turning its entire body into a raging furnace.
Flare Blitz!!!
The Zhurong Clan were masters of fire. Just as Grandma Liu's Poison-types possessed unparalleled toxicity, Xun's Pokémon wielded flames that were hotter and more destructive than any found in nature. Darmanitan's Flare Blitz was a localized solar flare.
But it was a losing battle.
Arbok was currently in its ultimate state. The Dragon Pattern wasn't just a physical change—it was a biological fusion of all its specialized markings.
In this form, Arbok possessed the effects of the Dragon Might, Fire-Immunity, Water-Immunity, Attack, Speed, and Defense Patterns simultaneously.
To Arbok right now, the legendary Zhurong flames weren't a threat—they were barely a nuisance.
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