Charizard, flying mid-air, squinted one eye; the pain throughout its body was telling it to give up, but Charizard continued to stubbornly flap its wings.
The flame on its tail was entirely opposite to its current state.
The more Charizard struggled to persist, the more the flame roared.
Looking at Garchomp on the ground, Charizard likely wasn't willing to get closer for the time being.
Enduring a bit more might just push it to its limits.
Garchomp slightly tilted its head, glancing sideways at Natsuhiko, lowering its eyes subtly as it did.
Through that earlier collision, Natsuhiko earned Garchomp's recognition.
Garchomp was worried Natsuhiko might come up with some "tactics" that would make it do things it didn't like.
But surprisingly.
Natsuhiko used a bit of strategic planning, surprisingly not the kind Garchomp imagined.
The result was still a head-to-head clash.
The difference was that this kind of clash was more planned, more organized, rather than mindless brute force.
This greatly appealed to Garchomp.
The sense of approval towards Natsuhiko skyrocketed.
In less than a minute.
Natsuhiko established a basic level of trust with Garchomp.
This successful bonding of trust inevitably allowed Garchomp to unleash more of its power.
"Sandstorm."
Natsuhiko continued directing.
Without any hesitation, Garchomp immediately gathered its energy.
The sky was instantly covered with wind and sand.
Garchomp seemed to have vanished within the sand, its figure faintly appearing and disappearing.
"Sand Concealment" trait.
Activated.
Dan Emperor's face darkened.
Seizing the opportunity formed by a misstep in one move led to a chain reaction.
Dan Emperor saw Garchomp's strength.
But what truly pressured Dan Emperor was Natsuhiko's aggressive command.
One move connected to another, forming a seamless chain.
After being struck once, there wouldn't be another chance for him to relax.
The appearance of "Sandstorm" weather, paired with Garchomp's "Sand Concealment" trait.
Natsuhiko could even let Garchomp avoid revealing itself, wearing Charizard down just by stalling.
That was the most despairing aspect.
Yet Dan Emperor showed no intention of giving up.
"Charizard, Hot Wind!"
In the face of this situation, Charizard could only muster all its strength to stir its wings, the terrifying hot waves mitigating the harm brought by the "Sandstorm" to some extent.
Simultaneously, it was also for...
Dan Emperor watched solemnly, staring intently at the dense sandstorm.
Under "Hot Wind's" agitation, the sandstorm finally showed some confusion and gaps.
And it was precisely through this gap that Dan Emperor and Charizard spotted Garchomp amidst the "Sandstorm."
This was the only chance!
"Charizard, Big Character Burst Flame!"
A "big" character formed from flames spewed forth from Charizard's mouth.
Covering the area where Garchomp was in a vast range.
The temperature of the entire dojo shot up several degrees in an instant.
The visual impact of this attack made many people's hearts skip.
What about Garchomp in the sandstorm?
As the flames gradually dissipated.
Countless sand grains scorched crimson fell to the ground, but there was no sight of Garchomp except for a hole on the ground.
Damn!
Witnessing this scene, Dan Emperor's heart trembled.
It's "Digging"!
Natsuhiko's successful preemptive plan and command rendered Charizard's attack futile.
Moreover.
With Garchomp burrowed underground, it might reappear to take down Charizard.
"Charizard, aim straight down, Explosive Flame!"
Explosive Flame, a fierce Fire-type Special Attack technique with a power of 150 points, requires the user to exhaust all their strength to release the move, leaving the Pokémon in a fatigued state, unable to act for a short period once used.
This was Dan Emperor and Charizard's final stubbornness.
Rumble!
A small crimson mushroom cloud rose under Charizard's feet, which seemed to bathe in its own flames!
The field fell silent.
Did Dan Emperor's prediction succeed?
Was Garchomp really about to launch an attack from beneath Charizard, precisely clashing with the fearsome "Explosive Flame?"
Thump thump thump!!
A sudden silhouette hit the hearts of everyone like a drum.
Sharp solid spikes swiftly spread from the corner behind Charizard.
Garchomp didn't appear under Charizard as Dan Emperor expected to deliver a lethal blow.
Natsuhiko chose not to do it.
Post-digging, Garchomp appeared behind Charizard.
And the technique it wielded was Rock-type.
Sharp Stone Attack!
Also known as the small "Sword of the Cliff."
Charizard, fourfold weak to rock!
Such an attack, once hit, Charizard would undoubtedly be unable to withstand it.
And Charizard, having unleashed "Explosive Flame," had lost its ability to act.
At the instant the last, sharpest, and stoutest rock spike struck Charizard.
The result of this battle.
Was already decided.
"Roar——!!" Garchomp excitedly raised its voice to the sky.
Charizard crashed heavily to the ground, eyes shut, losing the ability to fight.
After assessing Charizard's condition, the referee promptly raised the flag.
Announced the result.
"Charizard is unable to battle, so the winner is.... Dojo Leader Natsuhiko!"
Wow!!
The audience cheered vigorously.
Today, they were fortunate to witness a fantastic battle, worth the journey.
And the journalists were furiously pressing the shutters.
Kikuno also revealed a hint of a smile.
Excellent.
Now Sinnoh, Kanto, and Hoenn could potentially open up some gap.