This Beedrill is incredibly strong!
This was the sentiment of the trainers from Jade Rainbow City Club and Silver Club after watching the battle.
More importantly, this Beedrill executed a deadly finishing move with its Deadly Needle Stab.
That's the real problem.
Matsukita glanced over his team, momentarily hesitating about who to send out next for the best chance at victory.
At this moment, a short-haired young man stepped forward.
"Let me go. My Golbat isn't afraid of Insect-type and Poison-type techniques. Its Flying Type can counter those attributes."
"Is it Black Pool's Golbat?" Matsukita pondered for a moment and agreed it was indeed a decent choice.
This Golbat specializes in cunning tactics. Engaging a head-on confrontation with such a fast Beedrill isn't wise. The key to victory is to draw it into a protracted struggle and guide it into their combat rhythm.
With this in mind, Matsukita patted Black Pool on the shoulder, "Go ahead."
Meanwhile.
Natsuhiko, who was asking Beedrill how its Deadly Needle Stab felt, sensed someone tugging at his sleeve.
He turned back.
It was Zhenzi.
Holding a notebook, she whispered behind Natsuhiko, "Natsuhiko, the person coming on next is named Black Pool, and his Pokémon is Golbat, known for tactical versatility. His usual techniques include..."
Listening to Zhenzi's briefing, Natsuhiko glanced skeptically over at Aiwei, who nodded in confirmation.
No wonder Zhenzi was missing earlier. Aiwei probably had her investigate the opponent's data after seeing their two losses in a row.
From the first match, when Machoke countered Persian's Clap Attack with a relatively obscure Quick Guard move, it was already clear that they had a decent understanding of them. They'd even devised specific strategies and countermeasures.
But they lacked similar information, putting them on the defensive.
If the trainer of Persian had known about the Quick Guard, they likely wouldn't have used the Clap Attack strategy.
Silently listening, he refrained from commenting.
Obtaining intelligence on opponents isn't something he opposes.
It's not like he's a hot-blooded youngster who charges in recklessly.
Simultaneously, Black Pool finally made his entrance, summoning his Golbat.
At the referee's signal, the fourth match commenced—
"Golbat, Black Mist!" Black Pool immediately issued the command.
Golbat's large mouth released a thick black mist, swiftly concealing itself within the fog. Its blue-purple body melded into the mist, obscuring the situation within.
It refrained from initiating an attack, adopting a strategy of luring the opponent in.
Beedrill's immense boost in Attack Power from Deadly Needle Stab? Simply reset all buffs with Black Mist... Black Pool smiled in confidence, internally praising his strategy.
However, Natsuhiko remained composed, not directing Beedrill to attack. Beedrill stayed in place, continuously flapping its wings, once, twice, thrice...
The gusts from Beedrill's wings swirled increasingly, creating small whirlwinds across the battlefield.
The next moment.
Beedrill suddenly moved.
Leaving a golden arc, it rocketed forward like a spinning arrow.
Carried by the gusts, its rapid rotation and accelerated movement intensified the winds.
Natsuhiko crossed his arms, watching calmly.
The Shield of Retribution isn't a fixed tactic; you can use Spinning Silk, 100,000 Volts, or even airflow.
Beedrill, like a high-speed rotating turbine, was dispersing parts of the thick fog with its rotating currents before even touching the Black Mist, revealing the slightly panicked Golbat within.
The fast-approaching Beedrill struck with its Double Needle, borrowing momentum for powerful consecutive strikes that even landed critical hits twice on Golbat.
Bam!
Beedrill's Physical Attack prevails over Insect-type moves? Simple Basic Attack, chaotic strikes, hitting Golbat five times in quick succession, knocking it to the ground and kicking up dust.
Falling to the ground, Golbat lost its combat capability.
"Sssss-i!" Beedrill glanced arrogantly at the fainted Golbat on the ground.
Attribute suppression.
Is that all?
Finishing the second battle, Beedrill leisurely returned to Natsuhiko's side.
Behind him, Flint watched Beedrill's move with interest.
"Using high-speed rotating airflow to avoid the Black Mist, then finishing off Golbat with basic moves due to a substantial boost from Beedrill's attack. An interesting tactic."
He focused not on the final attack but on the Shield of Retribution during the assault.
The tactic greatly piqued Flint's interest.
Another win!
Zhenzi excitedly clenched her fist.
Aiwei's face finally regained its natural smile.
So, it's tied two to two.
But how will the opponents stop this now immensely powerful Beedrill?
She eagerly glanced at their supervisor Matsukita, satisfied to see a sullen face.
Time for a reward of chicken legs for Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko's performance impressed her greatly.
What a good employee.
The time it took for the opponent to send out their third person was even longer than for the second. After discussing their strategy, they finally sent in the third.
This time, their Pokémon was a Graveler, a Rock and Ground-Type.
A typical high-defense Pokémon.
And their strategy, Natsuhiko had a faint idea of it.
"They plan a war of attrition, to gradually wear down Beedrill's stamina, then send someone in for the finishing blow?"
Though high in defense, Graveler is slow, and evidently, this particular Graveler hasn't been trained to the level of the initial Machoke or Golbat, just barely reaching Senior Level.
Natsuhiko's eyes flickered, finding their mindset exploitable.
"Alright, as you wish then."
The battle commenced once more.
Graveler unhesitatingly opted for a defensive strategy right from start, refraining from using the Invisible Rock that would confirm their plan for a war of attrition.
Beedrill flapped its wings again, swiftly appearing before Graveler, its immense stingers crossed before its chest, reflected in a dazzling blue glow, unleashing in a strike learned from Scyther's Cross Cut.
The intense cyan Insect Energy surged forth with Beedrill's strike, hitting Graveler unaffected.
Boom!
Graveler isn't immune to Insect-type moves, but it managed to block thanks to its Sturdy trait.
Waiting for this moment!
"Graveler, Fall...."
But the Graveler's Trainer couldn't even complete the command as Beedrill promptly unleashed another Deadly Needle Stab.
The directive cut off abruptly.
Bang!
Seeing this, Natsuhiko shook his head.
An Assassin Type Beedrill, of course, can handle such Sturdy trait Pokémon with specialized training.
Knowing they planned an attrition tactic suggested this Graveler likely had Sturdy, so he had preemptively taken precautions.
Not like a one-on-one turn-based game where you trade blows.
In the end, Graveler was simply too slow.
Graveler lost combat capability.
Deadly Needle Stab successfully stacked again!
Beedrill's Attack Power received another massive boost!
Achievement unlocked: Big Q!
In the ensuing silence, Natsuhiko suddenly raised his hand, asking:
"Referee, can my Beedrill eat something?"
Saying that, he took out an Advanced Energy Block.
This immediately energized the Jade Rainbow City Club's previously stagnant atmosphere.
An opportunity!
This Beedrill finally showed signs of fatigue!
After all, how could a Pokémon like Beedrill have such high endurance?