Korrina looked at Bea opposite her, barefoot, wearing her battle suit, her face full of tenacity.
Korrina was instantly attracted to Bea, and she greeted her enthusiastically: "Hello, my name is Korrina, I'm from the Kalos region."
Bea's originally tense spirit was broken by Korrina. Facing the enthusiastic Korrina, Bea was a bit unaccustomed to her passion, so she shyly replied: "My name is Bea, I'm from the Galar region."
"Wow! The Galar region, I'd really love to visit. By the way, after this battle is over, how about we go eat together? I've been waiting all day, I'm starving."
"Huh? Oh——let's battle first."
"Hehe, just watch, Lucario and I won't lose."
After saying that, Korrina shook her neck, full of confidence.
Bea didn't want to be outdone, "Machamp and I won't lose either."
Korrina's grandfather, Gurkinn, sat in the spectator seats, watching Korrina and Bea.
"It seems Korrina has found her opponent."
He felt a different kind of aura from Bea.
"Lucario, Bone Rush!"
Korrina took the initiative. Lucario condensed a deep blue bone in its hands and rushed towards Machamp while wielding the bone.
"Machamp, meet it head-on."
Machamp roared and raised its fists to meet the attack.
"Cross Chop!"
Machamp used its arms to block Lucario's Bone Rush. On the final strike, it caught Lucario's bone with both palms, exerted force with both palms, and the bone shattered. Then, Machamp let go, crossed its arms in a cross shape, and slashed at Lucario.
Lucario took the hit head-on, flew backward, and fell heavily to the ground.
Lucas couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
Such a familiar way of handling things: take the hit first, close the distance, then strike to win.
Isn't this exactly what he loves to have Machoke do?
"A familiar way of handling things——"
Mustard in the waiting area pinched his eyebrows.
In this young girl's fighting style, he vaguely saw the shadow of Lucas.
"It looks like Lucas's way of handling things."
Bruno, who was sitting next to him, asked: "Does Mustard also know Lucas?"
Mustard nodded, "Lucas—I see his strength is already about the same as Leon's."
"And he also has quite a lot of experience in raising Fighting-type Pokémon. I've sparred with him before, and his fighting techniques are not a bit weaker than mine."
"I see."
The shirtless Bruno nodded and continued to watch the battle on the field intently.
Lucas——
This time, persuaded by Lance, he came to participate in this first-ever Martial Arts Tournament for the world's top fighters, thinking of exchanging pointers with Lucas. He didn't expect there to be so many surprises waiting for him.
Mustard actually came to participate too.
Being able to ask Mustard for advice is something he has wanted to do for a long time.
At the same time, there is also the Unova Elite Four, Marshal. Being able to spar with him is also a very exciting thing.
Additionally, there are other Gym Leaders.
He didn't expect him to be able to gather so many powerful fighters.
No wonder he was so confident in crowning this competition with the title of "Strongest Duelist."
In the name of fighters, I'm afraid there won't be any competition in the world more authoritative than this one, right?
Bruno the more he thought about it, the more his blood boiled, and he couldn't wait to get on the field and fight.
On the field.
The fallen Lucario stood up. The super-effective Cross Chop still made it hard to bear.
"You're so strong——"
Korrina was fired up, "But I'm not bad either. Lucario, Close Combat!"
Lucario rushed towards Machamp angrily.
"Machamp, we'll use Close Combat too!"
Machamp took a punch to the face, and likewise, it also punched Lucario in the face. This was followed by a fist-to-fist battle. Both sides abandoned defense, and Close Combat moves kept hitting each other.
With the final punch, both sides hit each other in the face at the same time again.
Machamp staggered back a distance, while Lucario was sent flying again.
Whether in terms of typing or strength, Lucario was at a disadvantage.
"Lucario, final blow, let's go, use Reversal!"
"Lucario!"
Lucario clenched its fists, forcefully boosted its aura, and rushed towards Machamp.
"Machamp, we'll go too, use Brick Break to parry."
Bea clenched her fists and did a high kick.
Machamp joined its palms into a hand blade, which then glowed with white light, and met Lucario.
"Ma Machamp."
Machamp used the hand blade to parry Lucario's Reversal continuously. The injuries on its body were increasing, but its aura did not weaken; instead, it was slowly rising, as if waiting for a certain moment.
Just as Lucario finished the last kick and threw its fists at it, Machamp's eyes sharpened, and its two palms caught Lucario's fists perfectly.
Lucario: ?
Lucario tried hard to break free, only to find that having just finished using Reversal, it was a bit weak, and with Machamp using all its strength to restrain it, it couldn't break free for a moment.
"Machamp, now is the time to test our training results, Focus Punch!"
Machamp's remaining two fists began to charge up, and then, in Lucario's terrified eyes, they slammed into its face without mercy.
Boom!
The smoke cleared, Lucario's legs went limp, its hands were held by Machamp, its head hung down, and it collapsed on the ground.
The muscular referee rode a flying device over, checked Lucario's condition, and raised his right hand.
"Lucario is unable to battle. Bea and Machamp from the Galar region are the winners."
The scene erupted in amazing cheers.
"I really didn't expect the tickets to be so cheap, and the battle to be so exciting!"
"This is the Martial Arts Tournament I imagined! Fist to flesh!"
"Great! Keep going! Battle! Passion!!!"
In the stands, Lucian shook his head.
This familiar fighting style——
After the referee left, Machamp used its hands to support Lucario's waist and laid it gently on the ground.
"Ma Machamp."
Thanks for the pointers.
Bea also bowed politely.
"Thanks for the pointers."
Faced with her defeat, Korrina was stunned for a while, then took out a Poké Ball to recall Lucario. After calming her mood, she walked up to Bea, smiled, and extended her right hand.
"You are really strong, Bea. Next time, let's have an even more passionate battle together!"
Looking at the hand Korrina extended, Bea looked at Korrina, and seeing the sincere smile on her face, she couldn't help but be infected by it, then she extended her hand and smiled.
"Yeah, next time, let's battle together again!"
Korrina followed Bea off the field.
"Let's go, let's go eat together. Let me tell you, I recently discovered a super delicious shop, let's go eat there."
"Not now, I have to watch my teacher's battle."
"Your teacher? So you have a teacher too. Who is your teacher? Do I know them? How is it? Are they strong?"
"Well, very strong."
Korrina chattered away, walking off the field with Bea through the player tunnel.
Then the referee's voice sounded.
"Next, let us invite the contestant from the Hoenn region, who is also the Gym Leader of Dewford Town in the Hoenn region, Brawly."
Cheers rang out again.
"At the same time, let us warmly welcome Lucas, the owner of the Breeding House near Twinleaf Town and Sandgem Town in the Sinnoh region."
"Huh? Is it me so soon?"
Lucas stood in the stands, unable to react for a moment.
Lucian: "Didn't I send you the schedule?"
"I haven't looked at it yet, hehe, but since it's my turn, I'll go first."
"Uncle, good luck."
Shauna clenched her small fists.
"Uncle, good luck."
Tomoyo followed closely.
Leon, Sonia, and Honey also cheered for Lucas.
Lucas waved his hand, "Don't worry."
Then he turned and ran towards the player tunnel.
"Eh? Machoke, why are you here? Lucas didn't leave you behind, did he?"
Sonia noticed Machoke was still sitting in the stands and asked curiously.
Machoke was still very easy to recognize. First, its terrifying physique was almost in a league of its own, and second, it had the Black Belt Lucas gave it tied around its arm.
"Ma Machamp."
Machoke turned back and gave Sonia its signature smile, then gave a thumbs up.
"Manager said that until he encounters a really powerful opponent, he will let Machoke and Vex go on stage."
Mr. Fujino sat on the side and explained.
Leon nodded, "I see, that makes sense. After all, a Gym Leader doesn't really need to use their main Pokémon."
Sonia: ???
Huh? Is that so?
Lucas ran out of the player tunnel, raised his hands, and was about to enjoy the audience's cheers.
As a result——
"Ahhhhh! Lucas! I want to have Chimchar for you——"
"Lucas is so handsome!"
"Lucas, I want to marry you!"
"Lucas, come to my house for dinner after the fight!"
Lucas: ——
Grandpa Yask, that's really enough!
Looking at the stands, his twilight fan club, where Grandpa Yask and Ursaring occupied the C position, wearing headbands to cheer for Lucas, were cheering him on.
The one who just said they wanted to have Chimchar for Lucas was Grandpa Yask.
Which brat taught him these things! Can you teach him something normal, you jerk!
Lucas smiled, flipped his hands, and bowed to the audience.
Seeing this, the scene erupted into cheers again.
Even the residents of Twinleaf Town outside the venue started cheering along.
Rhys held Vivia's hand and rushed to the stands.
"Glad we made it in time, Lucas, good luck!"
Rhys cheered for Lucas.
Vivia looked at Rhys, who was cheering as hard as he could, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, then she imitated him, placing her hands by her lips.
"Lucas, good luck, and also, Rhys, I like you."
Lucas was just throwing his Poké Ball. Hearing this, his wrist twitched, and his posture was distorted.
What does that mean?! Are you using me as part of your play?!
Lucas adjusted his state, looked at the handsome blue-haired man opposite, and greeted him politely.
"Gym Leader Brawly, please take care of me."
Brawly laughed, "Please take care of me."
Brawly sent out a Hariyama.
Standing in front of Lucas was a Machamp.
It was exactly the second of the three Machamps, Machoke. Usually, they were left to guard the Breeding House, or out for deliveries, or handling some disputes around the area. They had never really enjoyed a battle, so he took this opportunity to let them come out and get some fresh air.
"Machoke, I'll leave it to you."
Among the three Machamps, Machoke was the delicate one. It rarely spoke, which was also related to its gentle voice.
It was also the smallest of the three, only slightly larger than an ordinary Machamp, and far inferior to Big Strength and Bruno's Machamp.
"Huh? Is this Machamp of Lucas's ———— not his main one?"
Mustard noticed that the one Lucas had sent out wasn't Big Strength, and asked curiously.
"Not his main one?"
Bruno narrowed his eyes. Was he being confident or arrogant?
You have to know that Brawly had trained with him for a period of time. He had mastered the "Art of Hardness," while Brawly had mastered the "Art of Softness." Not long ago, he had even taught Brawly his "Art of Hardness."
"Let me see what you've got."
Bruno narrowed his eyes.
"Hariyama, Force Palm."
Hariyama spread its palms and unleashed a shockwave toward Machoke.
Force Palm?
"Machoke, parry it, then push forward."
Machoke pulled its four arms back in front of its body, bracing against the shockwave as it closed the distance between itself and Hariyama.
"Low Sweep."
Machoke crouched down and kicked quickly toward Hariyama's feet.
"Detect."
Hariyama bent down and used its palms to block Machoke's kick.
"Dynamic Punch."
Seizing the gap before Hariyama could stand up, Machoke threw a punch, blasting Hariyama backward.
"Hariyama—"
Hariyama stood up and shook its head.
"Arm Thrust."
Hariyama rushed toward Machoke, its palms constantly striking out at Machoke.
"Chop."
Machoke used Chop to parry Hariyama's attacks, but it was still struck by Hariyama's palm in a peculiar stance.
Under Hariyama's assault, Machoke kept retreating.
"Is this the Art of Softness?"
Lucas murmured.
But so what? Who do you think Machoke usually spars with? It's Big Strength!
"Machoke, abandon defense, Close Combat."
Hearing Lucas's command, Machoke immediately abandoned its defense, letting Hariyama's palms strike its body.
"We'll use Close Combat too."
Machoke and Hariyama pressed their bodies tightly together, their fists and palms constantly raining blows upon each other.
Machoke's fighting style was different from Big Strength's and Vex's. Since it was smaller, it couldn't gain an advantage in raw power when facing them, so it began to constantly refine its punching speed and also incorporated its feet into its attacks.
Therefore, when attacking Hariyama, it often used a coordinated attack of fists and feet. During this battle with Hariyama, for every three punches it threw, it would deliver a fierce kick toward Hariyama.
With the final punch, the two Pokémon traded blows, then separated.
Machoke twisted its neck, bounced from side to side, and kept shaking out its arms.
Hariyama's palms hitting its body felt like stones striking it—it was painful. But compared to big sis's fists, this pain was nothing more than a light breeze.
On the other side, Hariyama had already started panting heavily.
How is this Machoke so durable?!
"Machoke, Dynamic Punch!"
Machoke rushed toward Hariyama and threw a heavy punch. Hariyama twisted its body, dodging the Dynamic Punch.
Lucas: ————
Forgot! Machoke doesn't have No Guard!
"Force Palm!"
"Close Combat!"
Machoke twisted its upper body and slammed its other two fists heavily into Hariyama.
Brawly clenched his fists. "Let me show you the power of merging the Art of Hardness with the Art of Softness."
"Hariyama, Close Combat!"
Hariyama pressed in front of Machoke, its two giant palms striking fiercely. Machoke endured the blows, forced to retreat step by step.
In the spectator stands.
"Bea, your master seems to be losing."
Korrina said, standing beside Bea. Bea watched the match with rapt attention.
Lucas smiled with narrowed eyes.
Art of Softness? Art of Hardness? Then let me let you experience the art of our Breeding House.
"Machoke, parry."
Machoke took a step back. As Hariyama's body leaned forward, Machoke took the opportunity to tuck Hariyama's giant palms under its armpits.
"Hold it."
Machoke used its remaining two hands to tightly wrap around Hariyama's barrel-like waist.
"And now, Seismic Toss!"
Take this, my ultimate sky-high technique, blast off!
Machoke exerted force suddenly.
"Nikeh!"
Get ———— up there!
Hariyama was forcibly lifted by Machoke, then Machoke lowered its waist and threw Hariyama high into the air.
"Close Combat."
Hariyama was in freefall in the air. Just as it was about to crush Machoke, Machoke jumped up, and all four fists struck out together.
Boom!
As the smoke cleared, Hariyama lay in the crater, unable to battle further.
Machoke exhaled.
"Nikeh."
Thanks for the lesson.
Lucas patted Machoke's shoulder with satisfaction.
Actually, if he had used the fighting style Lucas was most familiar with, the battle might have ended faster. But he knew Machoke was better at seizing the opponent's mistakes and countering, so he wanted to try fighting in the way Machoke was familiar with. Fortunately, it was a narrow victory.
The unconscious Hariyama: You call this a narrow victory?!
Machoke: Can't help it, facing big sis at the Breeding House, there's no chance to attack, so I can only look for chances to counter.
After the referee announced the result, the venue erupted in cheers again. There was even a regressive phenomenon where many people were hooting and hollering like primitive apes to express their excitement.
"I accept your concession."
Lucas reached out to Brawly, and Brawly also reached out to shake hands with Lucas.
"I didn't expect to stop at the first round."
Brawly said with a smile, "Let's battle again when there's a chance next time."
"Sure."
"As expected of Lucas, his ability to grasp the timing is so good."
Mustard stood up and walked toward the contestant tunnel.
"This old man can't lose face either."
Bruno started to look forward to the upcoming battles even more.
"Master."
Bea ran over with Korrina. Lucas nodded and looked at Korrina, "Hello, Korrina."
"Um ———— Master Lucas, hello."
Korrina greeted him politely.
Lucas looked at Bea, "How about it? Do you want to go to the stands and watch the matches? Your match is over anyway."
Bea hesitated for a moment, "Korrina said she's hungry and wants to go eat."
"There's plenty of food in the stands, if you don't mind, you can come and eat together."
"Really?"
Korrina said happily.
Lucas nodded, then led Bea and Korrina toward the stands.
"Great battle."
Leon gave Lucas a thumbs up. Similarly, Big Strength and Vex also gave Machoke a thumbs up.
"Le ———— Leon Champion!"
When Bea saw Leon, her eyes lit up.
Lucas patted her head, "Leon just said your battle was very exciting."
Bea's eyes lit up even more intensely.
"Bea, great battle."
Leon gave Bea a thumbs up. Bea blushed with shyness.
Korrina looked at Leon, curious that he was actually the Champion. At the same time, she was even more curious about what Lucas's identity was.
"By the way, where are Little Shauna and Little Tomoyo? Why are they missing?"
Lucas sat down next to Lucian and asked curiously.
"They went to sell snacks and drinks."
Mrs. Fujino said.
"?"
"After Little Shauna finished watching your match, she saw so many people at the venue and said if they could sell snacks and drinks, they might make a lot of money, so she dragged Little Tomoyo, along with Mime Jr., Chimecho, and Dratini, to go out and sell snacks."
Lucian sipped his tea and said.
"I see. Let them be, as long as they are happy."
Honey was a bit worried, "With so many people, is it really okay not to supervise them?"
"Don't worry, Honey. Gengar and Gothitelle are following behind them to keep an eye on them."
Lucas reassured Honey; after all, Gengar and Gothitelle were experienced, excellent Pokémon at babysitting.
The matches continued, and as Lucas expected, powerful contestants like Mustard, Bruno, Marshal, Chuck, and Maylene all easily achieved victory as long as they didn't meet each other.
The morning matches ended, and the organizers were rushing to process the afternoon schedule. Meanwhile, one of our organizers was currently taking a group of people and Pokémon back to the Breeding House to eat.
"Lucas, how was it? Did you see? This old man's performance on the field."
"Yes, I saw it. As expected of Mustard, your style is still as impressive as ever."
Lucas flattered him.
"Hahahaha, of course. Who do you think I am? After all, this old man was once the Champion of the Galar region for many consecutive terms."
Mustard laughed heartily.
"Grandpa Mustard is amazing! Little Shauna and Little Tomoyo will also become as amazing as Grandpa Mustard in the future."
In this regard, Lucas really couldn't compete with Shauna's sweet mouth. With just a few words, Mustard was coaxed into feeling wonderful.
Lucas watched from behind as Bea and Korrina's relationship had become familiar, thinking as expected. Sometimes, friendship between girls is best opened with fists.
Fists ————
Lucas glanced at Little Shauna's small back.
If it were her fists ———— it might actually be a bit painful.
A small body with great power.
Lucas already imagined the scene where, if someone called her a little potato, she would punch them out ———— no, he had to earn more money to prepare for paying medical bills.
On the other side, Bruno was strolling around Twinleaf Town with Chuck and Brawly, looking for a place to eat. He found that a lot of food in Twinleaf Town was delicious, and he wanted to try them all.
He also discovered that this place was different from other places; one could see wild Pokémon wearing wooden plaques everywhere. Did the wooden plaques have any meaning?
Until he saw a wooden plaque standing on the street, which explained the origin of the Pokémon wearing the plaques. Bruno read it carefully.
"So that's it ———— humans and wild Pokémon living in harmony? And the work of the Breeding House ————"
"I really want to battle you sooner, Lucas."
Bruno clenched his fists suddenly.
"I can sense that he hasn't used his full strength yet."
Brawly said from the side.
Chuck narrowed his eyes, "I heard he once defeated the Sinnoh region Champion, Cynthia, and became the second Trainer in the Sinnoh region with Champion-level strength."
Brawly: "No way?"
Bruno nodded. Lance had told him about this, which was why he wanted to battle Lucas so much.
Brawly realized suddenly, "No wonder he's so strong."
"Let's go eat at that place."
Chuck and Brawly looked in the direction Bruno was pointing and found it was a noodle shop.
"Sure."
"I have no objection."
***************************
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