Probopass remained stationary, controlling three smaller Nosepass bodies, constantly releasing beams like floating cannons.
Crobat nimbly dodged, leaving residual shadows as it swooped across the battlefield's sky.
Interestingly, the smaller Nosepass's offensive rhythm was quite precise, intercepting with beams whenever Crobat attempted to attack or approach Probopass.
For a short time, Crobat couldn't do anything against them.
What an impressive Probopass!
Baimu looked in surprise at its trainer, judging only by skin color and attire, this young man battling Bartas seemed to be a local of Ore.
Are they familiar with each other?
Anyway, Silicon City is indeed full of hidden talents.
He was glad to see two outstanding trainers consecutively; it seemed there was no worry about the lack of native trainers in the upper ranks of the first league tournament.
Inside.
The tense and exciting chase scene had a new development.
Bartas found a breakthrough in the dense light beam barrage from the three Nosepass, allowing Crobat to approach Probopass and use Hypnosis Techniques.
At the same time, its reaction was extremely swift, giving Probopass no time to counterattack, releasing pink-purple light immediately and flying away.
With a swish, Crobat returned to the sky.
The three smaller Nosepass fell to the ground, Probopass closed its eyes.
It's a common saying—In a one-on-one Pokémon battle, the sleep status is more dangerous than poison, burn, and paralysis, equivalent to giving the opponent multiple free turns.
Any previous advantage would vanish completely.
The predicament arrived.
Baimu looked at the young man, seeing no trace of defeat on his face, loudly calling out to Probopass, trying to wake it up, thinking perhaps trainers from Pyrite Town were unique?
Silicon City trainers are rather qualified!
Of course, this person might also be a trainer from Battle Mountain or another arena.
As he was pondering, Crobat in the sky used Evil Fluctuation, resulting in little damage but waking Probopass directly!
From the hit of Hypnosis Techniques to Crobat attacking again, in a mere ten seconds, it can be called instant awakening.
Unlucky for Bartas!
Baimu was amused.
But honestly, although in games instant awakening depends purely on luck, in the animation it's clearly not just luck, a trainer's call can be heard by a sleeping Pokémon, and the Pokémon would struggle accordingly.
Otherwise, why call it sleep status and not fainting status?
The three smaller Nosepass flew again, chasing Crobat around the sky like fighter jets.
As a Flying and Poison Attribute Pokémon, Crobat's same-type techniques have only a quarter power, another one completely ineffective, unsurprisingly, it can only rely on non-same-type techniques for damage.
Baimu remembered Crobat doesn't know Fighting, Ground or Water Attribute attack techniques.
Probopass has a great advantage!
"Mr. Zhengyi is getting more formidable! Master Bartas's Crobat can't do anything against his Probopass anymore!" The conversation of passersby caught his attention.
Zhengyi?
Isn't that the Hall Master of the Trainer Training Center who challenged him? Also the one of the Silicon Arena!
He looked in amazement at the person speaking, asking: "Excuse me, is the person battling Master Bartas the Hall Master of our Trainer Training Center?"
"Of course! Is there another Zhengyi in Silicon City?"
The person initially spoke quite rudely, but upon realizing he had to look up to Baimu, softened instantly: "Cough cough, excuse me, are you not from Silicon City? Master Bartas has been challenging outside trainers on this street for several months now.
"Mr. Zhengyi often comes to challenge him, wins less than loses, but with resilience, fights more valiantly each time, believing he will eventually surpass Master Bartas!"
"Exactly! Mr. Zhengyi is younger, more promising!"
The onlooker conversing with that person agreed.
Baimu nodded: "I see, thanks."
From their narration, it's easy to tell Master Bartas's reputation as the Master of Battle Mountain is well-acknowledged by Silicon City's locals, while Zhengyi also holds high prestige, well-anticipated by the citizens.
At this moment.
An exclamation rose from the crowd.
He quickly snapped back, seeing Crobat once again breakthrough the beam blockade from the three smaller Nosepass, Probopass predicted its attack direction using Rock Lock, but it dodged again!
Crobat managed to hover, accelerate briefly, and perform amazing flight maneuvers, applying Hypnosis Techniques a second time.
Probopass couldn't wake up immediately this time and took three hits of Evil Fluctuation in a row, unable to withstand the stacked damage, losing its ability to fight.
What an impressive reflex!
What keen insight!
Baimu realized this was Bartas's true strength, and the strong excitement made him reach for the Pokeball in his pocket.
He hadn't had a serious battle with anyone for the past few days, and he was itching for a fight.
If Bartas doesn't have a chance...
He watched Zhengyi finish a friendly handshake that ended the battle, put away Probopass, and left the crowd, while Bartas was surrounded again. Baimu quickly squeezed through the crowd to catch up.
Most Trainers' eyes tend to chase the victor, unaware that losing doesn't equate to weakness.
Probopass's precise control over Little Nosepass was enough to awe Baimu.
And when he finally found Zhengyi, he was at a roadside drinks stall, gulping down a cup of freshly squeezed peach juice.
"Ah—damn it!"
Zhengyi angrily crushed the paper cup.
The stall owner laughed and said: "Mr. Zhengyi, I must remind you, you've been drinking peach juice for three days straight."
"Stop nagging! Prepare the orange juice! I'll definitely come for it tomorrow!" Zhengyi said fiercely, and the stall owner's smile grew even warmer.
Baimu stepped forward quickly and greeted politely: "Hello, Hall Master Zhengyi."
"What's the matter?"
Zhengyi frowned and waved his hand: "If it's about recruiting me to some company, forget it... Hmm? Why do you look familiar?"
He laughed: "You've forgotten. You expressed your intention to challenge Uncle Dennis recently, right?"
"Challenge... Dennis..."
Zhengyi murmured to himself, then suddenly exclaimed excitedly under the curious gaze of the stall owner, "Ah! I know! You're Baimu! The one who won the Hoenn double crowns and defeated the Four Heavenly Kings!"
The stall owner also got excited upon hearing this, "You're Baimu?"
Their reactions, especially the stall owner's, surprised him. Could he be that famous in Silicon City? Even roadside stalls knew.
"To be precise, it's a double victory. To not waste time, I'll be direct. Hall Master Zhengyi, let's have a battle, shall we?"
Baimu directly issued a challenge.
Zhengyi's smile was exceptionally bright, he reached out to pull Baimu's arm, and after being dodged, didn't mind and responded: "Of course! Absolutely! Let's find a venue now! Remember to save me a cup of orange juice!"
With that said.
The two quickly and decisively went off to find a venue.
The stall owner watched their departing backs, muttering: "I can't miss this, the legendary Baimu actually came to Silicon City! Honey, watch the stall for me! I'm going out for a while!"
He refused to miss this inevitably exciting Pokémon battle, turned back to shout at the shop behind him, and hurriedly chased after them.
Meanwhile.
The two easily found a new battle venue, with standard length-to-width ratios and clear interior and exterior dividing lines.
At the same time, there were few pedestrians nearby, so there was no need to worry about being disturbed.
"I didn't expect you to come looking for me before I had a chance to find you! Haha!" Zhengyi laughed, hands on hips, looking at Baimu on the opposite side, "You're considered quite strong out there, aren't you?"
Baimu nodded at this, replying: "Pretty much, but there's still some distance from the strongest group."
"Did you watch my battle with Master Bartas just now?"
"I did."
"How does it compare with the strongest group?"
"..."
He looked at Zhengyi speechlessly, perfunctorily saying: "You'll understand after we fight."
Zhengyi chuckled: "Right, let me see how strong you, the Trainer who received accolades from the entire city and is hailed as the number one of Ore's youth generation, truly are!"
Ore's youth generation number one?
Baimu was very surprised he had this title, how come he didn't know?
Besides, this title didn't suit him.
It should be Ore's number one!
"Three-on-three or one-on-one?" He took out a Pokeball, and asked loudly.
Zhengyi straightforwardly said: "Of course three-on-three! That's the rule out there! Am I right?"