Infernape forcefully withstood the damage and charged towards Alakazam, then shattered the psychic barrier it had erected and collided heavily with its body.
Boom!!
The massive impact made Alakazam let out a muffled groan as it was sent flying backwards.
Fortunately.
Under the protection of its psychic powers, Alakazam prevented itself from suffering secondary damage upon landing.
At the same time.
After completing its attack, Infernape's body emitted a muffled sound, and its body involuntarily curled up, kneeling on one knee.
The Future Sight attack erupted at this moment, combined with the recoil from "Flashing Flame Charge," resulting in tremendous damage.
"Infernape!"
Da Ye shouted.
Rather than showing concern for Infernape's injury, his eyes burned with intense flames.
Roar!!
As if hearing Da Ye's call, Infernape stood up from the ground once again.
The flames already burning fiercely on its head surged even higher.
Fierce Fire!
Infernape's trait "Fierce Fire" was triggered after enduring the trauma caused by Alakazam's "Future Sight."
This is not like Magmar's fake Fierce Fire, but the genuine "Fierce Fire," coupled with the fervent fighting spirit shared between Infernape and Da Ye.
The amplification brought by "Fierce Fire" would make Infernape's subsequent attacks exceptionally terrifying.
It can be seen.
Infernape took a few steps forward, clenched its fist, and delivered a "Flame Fist" aimed at Alakazam's face.
Bam!!
Unfortunately, after being "Taunted," Alakazam couldn't execute any tactics, and could only attack Infernape simultaneously while being hit.
Then.
The "Blood Lock Hang" mechanism started again.
However.
After Infernape finished wielding its Flame Fist this time, the restriction of "Taunt" on Alakazam finally disappeared.
From this moment onward, Alakazam truly began to showcase its abilities.
Swish—
"Instant Movement" immediately vanished from Infernape's sight, and waves of Mental Shock attacked from behind.
No matter how powerful Infernape's Fire-type techniques become after its "Fierce Fire" trait is triggered, as long as it can't hit Alakazam, they're futile.
Alakazam also learned a lesson this time, maintaining distance at all times, not giving Infernape another chance to use "Taunt," exploiting its agility to the fullest.
This battle made Natsuhiko realize something.
Damn, if I don't stockpile a bunch of "Spiritual Vanilla" back home, I'm not living up to my identity as a rancher.
From now on, every Pokémon should carry three stalks of "Spiritual Vanilla" to negate the impact of "Taunt."
Otherwise, once the opponent uses "Taunt," all strategies become worthless.
Although Da Ye's Infernape is strong, facing the exceptionally agile Alakazam, plus the type restraint, the "Blood Lock Hang" mechanism has time limitations.
Finally.
After Alakazam's second Future Sight erupted, Infernape fell to the ground unwillingly, losing its combat ability.
Natsuhiko secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
In a battle against an emotional-type trainer like Da Ye, one cannot underestimate them at all, otherwise, if the "Blood Lock Hang" is activated, Alakazam almost got beaten badly, and Infernape still didn't fall.
This is not like the encounter between Beedrill and Flareon; in that instance, Alakazam was avoiding combat with Infernape and almost got overturned.
What?
Why doesn't Alakazam forcibly hit Infernape?
Haha—
An emotional-type trainer refers to Da Ye, not Natsuhiko.
Knowing you're unmatched yet obstinately confronting someone's advantage with your disadvantage is not "bravery," it's foolishness.
Natsuhiko can even guarantee that if Alakazam exchanged blows with Infernape, the likelihood of Infernape winning would be higher, and this inference can be seen from the first phase of Alakazam being "Taunted."
So Natsuhiko and Alakazam didn't give Infernape a chance to use "Taunt" again thereafter.
Hence, Infernape was unable to exert its strength.
Towards Da Ye's Infernape, Natsuhiko had focused the most specific countermeasures on this Pokémon.
Information advantage, type advantage, avoiding direct confrontation.
Even so, Alakazam was almost overturned.
"Infernape is unable to battle! The winner is... Natsuhiko Player!!"
This battle.
Had a substantial amount of value, particularly when overcoming disadvantages and reversing the type restraint, leveling the score and turning the tide, creating more opportunities for Alakazam afterwards.
Otherwise, having Alakazam fight both Flareon and Infernape successively, the win wasn't guaranteed.
Simultaneously through this match, Natsuhiko gained a significant amount of supporters, far surpassing the previous sum.
After all.
A tense battle always provides more watchability than a decisive victory.
And Natsuhiko, this ordinary trainer from a civilian background, also garnered more recognition.
Even, quite a few trainers from civilian backgrounds began to idolize Natsuhiko.
Especially...
Those kids dressed in shorts, carrying bug cages, capturing insect-type Pokémon in the forest.
Unknowingly, Natsuhiko had become the representative figure for the bug-catching boys.
This was probably a scenario he hadn't anticipated.
Ultimately.
Natsuhiko.
Advanced to the quarter-finals!
——————
Arrived as promised (subjected to coercion by hundreds in the group), albeit a bit late!
Special thanks to Alliance Leader, Thank you to Qinggu Da Ye for the generous rewards, thank you Dark Star Emperor for the fifteen thousand reward! Thanks to all the friends for their support! Lastly, requesting monthly votes~~