Upon hearing Natsuhiko's question, the referee instinctively looked towards Aiwei.
This is the advantage of playing at home; the referee is one of their own. This doesn't just manifest in Pokémon battles; in many aspects of competition, the referee can influence the outcome.
However, before Aiwei could respond, the manager of the Jade Rainbow City Club, Matsukita, spoke up first.
"Oh? The Silver Pokémon Battle Club has a habit of supplementing with food during battles? That's quite rare."
Aiwei glanced coldly at Matsukita, who was speaking with a sarcastic tone, and said sternly, "Of course not."
"That's good, then I don't have to worry since we didn't bring Pokémon food."
After that remark, they went back to discussing the next step in their tactics with the remaining members of the club.
And the referee, as expected, gave Natsuhiko a "no" as feedback.
Natsuhiko shrugged, put away the Energy Block, and gently patted Beedrill's back, signaling it to hang in there a bit longer.
Hearing Natsuhiko's question, Zhenzi showed a worried expression.
Judging by the current situation, if Beedrill had to leave due to exhaustion, the other sparring partners from their club might not necessarily win this match.
The other sparring partners were also conflicted.
On one hand, they hoped Natsuhiko would step down so they could earn some extra cash; on the other hand, they worried that after Natsuhiko stepped down, they might just end up losing miserably like the previous two sparring partners.
As for Flint, he frowned while looking at the panting Beedrill, feeling an odd illusion.
Even though Beedrill seemed to be panting heavily and looked quite exhausted, why did it give him a feeling of pretending?
After a brief thought.
Upon seeing the opponent's fourth Pokémon, the Rhyhorn (Iron Armor Rhinoceros), it seemed clear to him, and his eyes lit up with understanding.
Unable to help but chuckle, his brow relaxed, and he looked at Natsuhiko with renewed interest.
"Using the opponent's tactics against them, feigning weakness?"
In reality.
Flint was overthinking; Natsuhiko wasn't trying to feign weakness, he simply hoped the opponent would send out more tank-type Pokémon.
Most tank-type Pokémon have a common weakness, and that's speed.
Isn't it great to find a live target for Beedrill to hit, win more matches, and earn rewards?
As they say, rich people will never understand the considerations and directions of those who are less fortunate.
Indeed, the fourth Rhyhorn is a perfect example.
Unlike Graveler, Rhyhorn didn't completely forsake offense and solely focus on defense. It chose to try and exhaust Beedrill's energy in as many ways as possible.
For instance, it started with the Rock Type's Knock Off move, not intending to hit Beedrill, but just to force Beedrill to move around more.
Of course.
This only slightly delayed the battle's end by a few seconds, but in the end, it was still hit with Beedrill's Cross Cut and lost its ability to fight.
However, when they saw Beedrill wobbly flying back, panting even faster, they couldn't help but show some delight.
Yet they had to quickly suppress that joy, forcing themselves to wear a serious expression.
"Pfft—"
But just because they're holding back doesn't mean others will.
Flint couldn't hold back his laughter, looking at the Cloud Rainbow City Club sparring partners struggling to keep a straight face.
Everyone's eyes inevitably fell on him.
Flint waved his hand.
"Cough, cough, it's nothing, just thought of something funny."
When Natsuhiko looked over at Flint, he happened to catch his gaze.
Flint indicated that he understood Natsuhiko's tactics, but it wasn't appropriate to say it out loud, so he raised his eyebrows at him.
Natsuhiko: "..."
The battle continued.
Thinking their tactics had succeeded, the Jade Rainbow City side sent out another endurance-type Pokémon. This time, the Pokémon took up a large portion of the field—its size was both its advantage and disadvantage.
A Ground plus Rock-type Pokémon, Onix!
Seeing this Onix, it wasn't only Flint who felt like laughing; even Natsuhiko wanted to laugh.
But luckily, he held it in.
How could they laugh when someone is consistently making money for them?
Except, the battle's result was neither beyond Natsuhiko's expectations nor Jade Rainbow City Club's expectations.
After all, sending out Onix wasn't intended to win.
Five people down!
Natsuhiko and Beedrill had achieved an impressive streak of five wins. Even if he lost next, he would still walk away with a reward of at least 250,000 league coins, along with two sets of manuals, teaching tools, and materials.
He's defeated five people; there's no way anyone will surpass that number, right?
However.
When the members of the Jade Rainbow City Club saw Beedrill looking like it could barely fly, they felt the opportunity had arrived.
Finally.
Matsukita gazed seriously at a young man with long red hair and placed great hope in him, "Chi Yan, it's up to you next. Finish it off!"
"Got it!"
Chi Yan stepped onto the field, glanced at the sagging Beedrill, and tossed out a Pokéball.
"Fwoosh—"
A muscular and robust Rapidash, engulfed in crimson flames, appeared on the field.
Rapidash!
And looking at Rapidash's strong body and the intensity of its flames, it was evident that this was no ordinary Pokémon, even surpassing the Machoke at the start.
The Silver side wore serious expressions, looking towards Natsuhiko and Beedrill.
"Rapidash, Flame Wheel!"
Following Chi Yan's command, Rapidash's hooves scraped the ground slightly, roaring flames suddenly erupted all over its body, instantly wrapping it, condensing into a fiery wheel.
Clop, clop, clop...
Its hooves moved, charging towards the clearly fatigued Beedrill.
This time, he intended to take down Beedrill and achieve his own streak of five, turning the tide!
Watching the oncoming Rapidash, Natsuhiko's eyes twinkled slightly. He knew the opponent probably wouldn't send out any more tank-type Pokémon, or maybe they simply didn't have any left.
"Then there's no need to keep pretending."
Hearing Natsuhiko's words.
Beedrill shook off its previous defeated demeanor.
Its wings vibrated, shooting out like lightning.
It's time to show them what a fully charged Deadly Needle Stab really means!
When the Jade Rainbow City Club members saw Beedrill shaking off its facade and attacking fiercely.
Even the dullest among them realized.
They had been fooled!
This Beedrill had been pretending all along!
"How is this possible? This Beedrill has already battled five times, how can it still be so fast?"
"Damn it! They were acting the whole time!"
Then.
Beedrill dodged Rapidash's attack with extreme speed, circling to the side, and delivered a Chaotic Strike with three hits to Rapidash.
Rapidash's Flame Wheel was abruptly interrupted, and it was sent flying off the field.
Bam!
Slammed hard against the barrier below the stands, it lost its ability to fight.
The Beedrill, fully charged with Deadly Needle Stab, had an Attack Power already surpassing its level, coupled with its trait of sniper accuracy, making its instantaneous destructive power off the charts.
The sixth one!
Looking at the dumbfounded and incredulous faces of the Jade Rainbow City Club members.
Natsuhiko said calmly, "Next."
He had promised Aiwei to completely crush them.
"Buzz!"
Beedrill's long cry echoed throughout the battle room.
I, Beedrill, will take on ten opponents!
Not one less.
——————
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