As a flash of white light passed, a Diglett Pokemon with a dark brown body, a white face, and two red streaks on its cheeks, appeared on the grass.
Is that... Excadrill?
Naoki looked at the Pokemon before him with surprise.
This Excadrill's body is quite robust, clearly well-cultivated.
Steel blades, sharp as iron, have grown on its forehead and claws, allowing it to effortlessly break through the ground and burrow into holes.
"Nice to meet you! Naoki-san!" said John.
Naoki: "..."
He was silent for a moment and nodded, "Nice to meet you."
The battle officially begins!
As John's Indeedee blew the whistle in his hand, Excadrill immediately spun its claws, burrowing into the ground at high speed.
John had learned plenty from the previous battle against Miltank.
This time, he planned to use a storm-like attack to crush the opponent in one blow! No chance for respite!
"Excadrill, use Metal Claw!"
Excadrill began moving underground at extreme speed.
Planning to launch an attack from beneath? Naoki slightly curled his lips: "Grassy Terrain."
"MOO!"
The next second, a massive surge of Grass Energy emerged from Gogoat's body, transforming into a green field that enveloped the entire battleground.
Witnessing this scene, everyone was slightly taken aback.
[What move is that?!]
[Grassy Terrain? No, this isn't the Grassy Terrain I know!]
[What's going on here?]
Excadrill had already reached below Gogoat.
The steel blades on its arms swiftly spun, breaking through the surrounding soil, and the sharp claws emanated a chilling metallic light, clawing towards Gogoat above.
"Buzz!"
The sharp Metal Claw instantly left a scar on Gogoat.
However, in the next moment, something unexpected happened.
A surge of green light frantically entered the wound on Gogoat.
Instantly, the wound created by Excadrill was restored to its original state.
It's healed!
"What is going on?!" John murmured to himself.
Meanwhile, on the chat stream, a Trainer from the Kalos Region had already noticed the situation.
[Indeed, it's Grassy Terrain! Only Grassy Terrain helps Pokemons recover strength, but... did that Gogoat change the form of Grassy Terrain? How did it do that?]
[Is this also a Pokemon cultivated by Naoki using the Champion's Secret Technique?]
[Gogoat isn't just this, folks from out of town, get ready to witness the prowess of our Mr. Naoki today!]
Realizing something was amiss, John didn't stop the attack.
"Excadrill, keep attacking, don't stop!"
"Chirp!"
Excadrill responded, cautiously eyeing Gogoat, instinctively sensing it was an incredibly powerful Pokemon.
But it must not back down!
With this thought, Excadrill resumed swinging its claws and charged.
"Don't give it a chance, Goboat, Vine Whip." Naoki said calmly.
Gogoat's forelimbs slightly tapped the ground, and the next moment, two green, snake-like Vine Whips flew out from its sides.
The massive Vine Whips fiercely struck Excadrill.
"Chirp!"
Initially, Excadrill was slightly flustered but managed to dodge successfully.
On the second strike, Excadrill narrowly dodged.
On the third strike, the massive Vine Whip directly whipped it flying.
The huge force sent Excadrill sprawling backward, crashing awkwardly onto the ground.
"Excadrill, get up, quick!" John urgently shouted.
"Chirp..."
Excadrill had stars in its eyes, the whole Pokemon was in a dazed state.
Witnessing this, Naoki spoke: "Use that move, let's end it!"
"MOO!"
Gogoat responded solemnly.
It bent slightly forward, a green light consolidating in its mouth, under everyone's watchful eyes, transforming into a giant green sword blade.
This scene was reflected in the eyes of numerous viewers in the live stream room.
Looking at the incredible spectacle on the screen, almost everyone couldn't help but widen their eyes.
[!!!]
[What kind of move is that?]
[Such a strong sense of oppression!]
[Why does that Gogoat seem different from the Gogoat I know? How is it doing this?!]
Lines of messages swiftly flashed across the screen of the Rotom Phone.
Under everyone's gaze, Gogoat's body dashed forward like an arrow leaving the bowstring.
It clutched a large Grass sword in its mouth, leaping forward at lightning speed.
"Boom!"
A green light pierced through Excadrill's body, and a huge explosion erupted from the spot.
In the glow of energy, Excadrill's body twisted and fell, unable to rise again.
The battle is over!
Gogoat slowly walked over to Naoki.
Naoki patted its head, and then Gogoat returned to the pen and continued lazily basking in the sun on the grassy ground.
Naoki walked up to the stunned John and said, "You lost."
John: "!!!"
He finally reacted, his face full of shock, "That Pokemon just now..."
Naoki nodded smilingly, "That's my Gogoat, the Pokemon responsible for the Grass Trial. Only by defeating them can you pass the Grass Trial."
Upon hearing this, a thought immediately flashed through John's mind.
— With that kind of strength, who could possibly defeat it?!
Even though Excadrill was almost instantly defeated, during the few rounds of exchange, John had already perceived some of Gogoat's abilities.
The special Grassy Terrain could rapidly recover the Pokemon's stamina.
Moreover, this Grassy Terrain seemed specifically modified to work only for Gogoat, unlike ordinary Grassy Terrain which affects all Pokemon on the field!
The enormous Vine Whip fiercely lashed opponents like a monster; small Pokemon hit by it would be sent flying instantly.
And then there was that unknown mysterious move...
Recalling the image of Gogoat holding a giant blade in its mouth, a look of terror flashed across John's face.
At that moment, he suddenly understood why those people in Paldea referred to a Rancher as the "hidden Boss" of the Paldea Region on the internet...
Miltank, Gogoat... Then what about the other Pokemon in this ranch?
Could their strength have reached championship level too?
John turned around, looking confusedly at his surroundings.
Here, he saw a mysterious red Pokemon filled with wildness, with muscular bulges all over its body.
He saw Pawmot wearing a cloak, floating in mid-air proudly.
He saw a Dragonite with an endearing expression.
He saw a mysterious Pokemon wearing a green outfit resembling a human girl.
He saw a deer with a giant cauldron on its head, a fish made of flames, a snow leopard with ice-blue eyes, and a large snail...
Could all the Pokemon here have reached championship level?!
At that moment, John even thought that this place shouldn't be called Naoki Ranch, it should be renamed as Champion Ranch.
Johto Region, Goldenrod City.
Whitney opened her mouth slightly, gazing at the scenes in the live stream with disbelief.
That Trainer is so strong!
In Blackthorn City, Clair, training within the Dragon Cave, frowned seriously as she watched the Rotom Phone screen.
"Hidden Boss of the Paldea Region? I didn't expect that person to have tamed so many Dragonites..."
Clair raised her head, looking towards the field in front of her.
This is the sanctuary of the Dragon Taming Clan, where Dragon Type Pokemon live together.
Due to the numerous Dragon Type Pokemon residing here, the Dragon Taming Clan also refers to this place as Dragon's Holy Sanctuary.
But now, a question popped into Clair's mind: who is the true Dragon's Holy Sanctuary?
Compared to that ranch, the Dragonite count within their Dragon Taming Clan is frankly pitiful...
After a moment of silence, Clair took out her Rotom Phone and shared the live stream with her cousin Lance.
Meanwhile, Lance, who was performing a secret mission in the Kanto Region, saw the live stream and message sent by Clair.
[Clair:...]
[Clair: The true Dragon's Holy Sanctuary.]
Lance: "?"
With a sense of curiosity, Lance opened the live stream, and at first glance, he saw a familiar figure within.