Although battling on the same stage wasn't possible.
They could still engage in roadside... or onboard battles with Wula La. As long as they didn't use overly destructive moves to damage the ship, no crew would intervene.
"Garchomp..."
She glanced at the tired shark beside her, too drowsy to open its eyes, hesitated a moment, then opted for another Pokémon—
A cute and cuddly Wigglytuff.
"Pu ha~"
This fellow used to team up with a Gabite in the Sinnoh Verde Conference, performed quite well, but unfortunately never battled in the animation, so Baimu didn't know much about it.
He pondered for a few seconds, then sent out the altered-color Milotic.
"Mi luo~"
The beautiful serpent appeared, with its tender chant matched by splendid golden scales and a sleek, creamy body, under the direct sunlight, it seemed like it was edged with gold, as if it carried its own spotlight, naturally exuding a unique elegant and beautiful aura, drawing the attention of other travelers and Pokémon near the deck.
Altered-color Milotic!
Its rarity prompted them to approach, and upon realizing a battle seemed imminent here, they began to gather and watch in groups.
The originally drowsy Garchomp snapped to alertness upon seeing Milotic, its pale golden dragon eyes slowly widening, not only shedding all sleepiness but also showing an eager-to-battle demeanor.
Wula La and Wigglytuff also looked amazed.
"So beautiful..."
"Pu ha~"
Milotic's appearance and aura were absolutely captivating to both genders, but Garchomp's reaction seemed more pronounced.
—Aren't you female?
Baimu looked again at its dorsal fin for confirmation, ensuring the absence of a notch that would only appear in males.
Perhaps there was another reason.
He didn't dwell too much on it, raised his hand for Milotic to prepare for battle.
Although the battling area was on the ferry's deck, it still somewhat counted as a watery environment, which provided an obvious advantage for Water-type Pokémon.
More than anything, he wanted it to engage in proper external battles to gain experience.
Likewise a Pokémon from the "greenhouse," Mawile accompanied him in making a name in Pyrite Town, so even when they shifted focus to the Gorgeous Competition, its combat capabilities remained highly guaranteed.
Milotic couldn't survive in harsh environments, so in various aspects, it naturally fell a little short.
Hence, street fights became its only path.
"Coiling."
Baimu didn't hold back, street battles never cared about order, sending out Pokémon marked the start of the fight.
"Mi luo~"
Milotic naturally coiled into a large cream-colored mass, and its already bright eyes suddenly gained a sharpy hue, its spiritual qi instantly transformed from a lazy beauty into a spirited Martial God.
Orange-red light rose in sync, temporarily enhancing its attack, defense, and accuracy.
Meanwhile.
On the opposite side, Wula La and Wigglytuff made quick responses after the admiring moment.
"Giant Sound!"
"Hsss—"
With a deep inhaling sound, the pink Wigglytuff instantly inflated into a massive ball, pursed its lips tightly towards where Milotic stood, and suddenly opened its mouth.
"Pudding!!!"
Like a chorus of banshees, visible pale sound waves burst out from Wigglytuff's enormous mouth, enough to fit half a person inside, blowing forward like a fierce wind, causing spectators and Pokémon around to instinctively cover their ears.
Such power!
By inhaling deeply to increase lung capacity and volume, even if it didn't affect the energy output, it would certainly boost the move's overall power.
However, Wigglytuff opted to narrow the attack range of Giant Sound to keep its power concentrated, turning the attack from a wide angle to a sharp angle, providing Milotic the maneuverability to evade.
At present.
It swiftly twisted its body to dodge sideways, while Baimu behind it moved to dodge the energy shock of Giant Sound in opposite directions.
The impact on the steel railing at the edge of the ship caused intense trembling and humming noises.
But that was all.
"So fast... Coiling shouldn't have speed-enhancing effects, right?" Wula La pursed her lips, Milotic's evasion abilities exceeded her expectations.
Unexpectedly, its evasion was entirely self-directed, judged the direction on its own and succeeded, without relying on Baimu's command.
Disobedient?
Hardly believable, it was likely a Pokémon with stronger autonomy.
Wula La had seen many similar Pokémon, but their battle capabilities tended to be extremely polarized, either exceptionally strong or exceptionally weak.
The Milotic before her likely belonged to the strong category.
While she was thinking, Baimu issued another command.
"Get close, Hypnosis Techniques."
"Mi luo!"
Milotic instantly transformed into a swift swimming snake, rapidly closing in on Wigglytuff.
"Hold your breath and bounce!" Wula La hurriedly issued commands.
Wigglytuff reacted fast, naturally inhaling and holding its breath before jumping on the ground, its round body suddenly bounced like a ball straight into the sky.
Surprisingly, this leap continued rising to ten meters high without stopping, rendering Milotic's Hypnosis Techniques ineffective.
Baimu looked up at the sky-high Wigglytuff, thinking it's a relief it wasn't an unevolved Jigglypuff, knowing the latter could lift Xiaolan to fly in the special comic series.
It will come down sooner or later.
Indeed.
As Wigglytuff bounced to nearly twenty meters high, it finally began its descent, and due to the ferry's inertia, it wouldn't fall into the sea, but its landing position would inevitably shift.