Chapter 613: Four Layers of Strategy
Despite knowing the immense pressure they were under, the White Eagle commentator continued to enthusiastically encourage the audience.
"We're still in the lead! If we win this Captain's Match, we advance! As long as we don't stop, the road will extend endlessly! So keep going, Hornet Team! Don't stop!"
The referee made the final confirmation with both players, then raised the flag high.
At this moment, the Atago Team from the same group was no more relaxed than the teams on the field; they were equally nervous.
As a fellow team from the Sakura Alliance, the Nine-Tailed Fox Team was watching the match with them.
Someone from the Atago Team asked Future Yuzuru, "Captain Hanyū, do you think Kubfu's genius boy can hold his ground in this round?"
The other members of Nine-Tailed Fox glanced sideways at him.
You Atago guys really are an otaku team. Do you have any social awareness? Don't you know that guy Arthur doesn't get along with our captain?
No wonder you're all single!
However, to their surprise, Future Yuzuru looked quite calm as she watched Arthur on the screen.
She might still dislike him, but she wouldn't let her emotions dictate her judgment in competitive matters.
Despite her appearance as a wealthy young lady, always accompanied by maids and acting flamboyant and regal, she was extremely serious about everything related to Pokémon, whether it was breeding or battling.
In these aspects, she never acted recklessly or let her emotions run wild.
On the contrary, her training was extremely disciplined.
Her current strength came not only from her family background and talent but also from diligence and focus.
She could allow herself to dislike Arthur, dislike Roman who had beaten her twice, and dislike the many Kubfu trainers who defended Arthur in the desert.
But she wouldn't allow herself to lose her cool judgment because of these reasons.
So unexpectedly, Future Yuzuru answered more objectively than anyone else in the Nine-Tailed Fox Team.
"In terms of raw strength, Kubfu's Arthur definitely has the upper hand in this duel.
"Moreover, the Hornet Team captain's three ace Pokémon don't match up well against Charizard. In a head-on clash, they are destined to be pierced by Arthur's dual-form Charizard.
"So if the Hornet captain doesn't want to be crushed one-sidedly, he must have devised a strategy. That's inevitable.
"Next, we'll see if the Hornet captain can come up with an effective counter-strategy in a short time.
"I can't say for sure what the outcome will be, but barring any accidents, the result should come out very quickly."
This answer left the Atago Team members with nothing to criticize.
Although they didn't hear the answer they wanted most, there was at least one point they universally agreed with and felt relieved about—
That is, the result of this match would definitely come out very quickly!
Because Arthur never hid his intention to start with Lina.
And coincidentally, the Hornet captain's three ace Pokémon were: Simisage, Scizor, and Tyrantrum.
The first two were almost toys for a Fire-type Charizard, and Tyrantrum, having the Dragon type, also risked being heavily injured against Mega Charizard X.
As Future Yuzuru said, the Hornet captain's three aces were not good matchups against Charizard.
Whether he could design a stunning strategy to completely seal Lina's performance became the crucial factor for victory in this Captain's Match!
Success meant glory; failure meant going home.
It wouldn't take long to find out.
Then the referee's flag dropped, and both sides sent out their Pokémon simultaneously!
Arthur indeed sent out Lina!
And the Hornet captain chose to start with Golduck.
Everyone quickly thought of the first layer of reasoning.
"Cloud Nine ability!"
The Hornet captain's Golduck had the Cloud Nine ability, which made the Pokémon immune to all effects brought by weather.
It wouldn't be hurt by Hail or Sandstorm, and most importantly: its Water-type moves wouldn't be weakened in Sunny Day!
Very suitable for the current duel.
Because everyone who had seen Arthur's previous matches knew that his Charizard would definitely set up Sunny Day at the start.
Because setting up Sunny Day cost Lina nothing, she just needed to—
"Evolve, Lina, Form Y!"
Just evolve.
The Hornet captain obviously anticipated this as well.
So immediately, his second layer of intent appeared!
"Now, Golduck, use Soak!"
A very obscure Water-type move appeared in the Hornet captain's command.
"So that's how he solved it! This is amazing!"
The White Eagle commentators shouted excitedly.
The Hornet Team's strategy was revealed!
Water-type move: Soak. Douses the enemy in water, forcibly changing their type to Water for a short time.
Yes, that's right. Golduck used this move to temporarily change Charizard's type to Water!
Unbelievable!
Although Charizard couldn't use Water Absorb, she could be Soaked.
Coincidentally, Lina was in the process of Mega Evolving. Evolution took a second, which prevented her from dodging Golduck's water splash in time.
And Golduck was carrying an item to increase its water output this round.
The opponent clearly came prepared!
After being changed to Water-type, Lina felt uncomfortable all over.
Unlike Greninja, who was used to Protean, suddenly changing into an attribute she was completely unfamiliar with made Lina feel awkward all over.
Not to mention changing from Fire to Water would make anyone feel uncomfortable.
This wasn't over!
The Hornet captain quickly pulled out his third layer of calculation.
"Use Water Sport!"
After soaking Lina, Golduck started splashing water around, not intending to attack at all.
Water-type move: Water Sport. Greninja knew this move too. By splashing water around, it spread moisture and energy into the surrounding space, reducing the power of all Fire-type moves in the area for a period of time.
Normally, this move is completely outclassed by Rain Dance because rain not only weakens Fire-type moves but also boosts Water-type moves, coordinates with Thunder and Hurricane, and triggers various abilities.
But there was no helping it. Arthur's Lina was too rule-breaking. Previous matches had proven that fighting Lina for weather control was foolish.
Since he couldn't grab the rain, he had to settle for using Water Sport.
After using two moves, the Hornet captain recalled Golduck without hesitation.
Not a single attack move used, not even a tentative basic attack.
Truly a tool duck.
Then immediately after, one of the opponent's aces, Simisage, entered the field!
This was already the fourth layer of design.
Currently, Lina was temporarily turned into a Water-type, so the Grass-type Simisage was no longer the one being countered. Instead, it transformed into the one with the type advantage for a short time!
Through tactical maneuvering, the Hornet captain successfully reversed the type matchup on the field!
Four layers of design, just to limit one Pokémon!
Now, it was up to Arthur to respond.
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