"Are you trying to limit Rattata's movement range?"
Ashu, standing at the side, gradually saw through Icarus's intention.
Rattata was already injured. As long as it was accidentally contaminated by Stun Spore, its speed would definitely drop.
"However, I just need to defeat Bellsprout before the area shrinks! Rattata — Quick Attack plus Crunch!"
After glancing at the distance, Ashu felt it couldn't continue like this. Since Quick Attack couldn't be used continuously, he chose to close the distance with a burst instead.
"Bellsprout, block it with Vine Whip!"
"Crack!"
Bellsprout raised its two thick vines and collided head-on with the charging Rattata.
Because it wasn't as fast as a full Quick Attack at close range, and the distance wasn't too short, Bellsprout still had time to react.
"Ratta~"
Rattata was knocked back by the impact and rolled twice on the ground, inevitably getting contaminated by the Stun Spore scattered across the field.
"That power! And Bellsprout's vines actually have wooden thorns!"
The audience was stunned by Bellsprout's Vine Whip.
"This kid must be from a big family. Otherwise, how could he develop a basic Vine Whip to this level?"
"Sure enough, children from big families have inheritance."
"Yeah, unlike us who can only rely on our Pokémon's bloodline inheritance… sigh."
Icarus didn't know the audience had already mistaken him for a family-trained child. He continued directing Bellsprout to attack.
"Bellsprout, Vine Whip — again!"
"Shoo! Shoo!"
Two thorn-covered vines lashed out instantly.
"I didn't expect you, Icarus-kun, to be from a big family. But I won't lose."
Ashu muttered to himself while looking at the thorny vines.
"Rattata, dodge!"
"Crack!"
One vine struck the ground heavily after being dodged.
"Ratta!"
But the other vine abruptly changed direction. With the Stun Spore taking effect, Rattata couldn't react in time and was whipped again, landing in an area still covered with powder.
"This brat Icarus has already learned to multitask!"
An ordinary trainer watching the match exclaimed in surprise.
He meant that Bellsprout could manipulate its vines to change direction mid-attack — similar to making one hand draw circles while the other draws squares. Even though both hands belong to the same body, doing different actions requires special training.
He owned a Weepinbell himself, but his Weepinbell's Vine Whip could only attack in one direction. He had only recently begun training it to control multiple directions after receiving advice from others.
He didn't expect to see it on a Bellsprout today.
"Not bad!"
Ashu was also surprised. He hadn't expected this new opponent to be so strong.
"Rattata, stand up and use Focus Energy!"
He had no intention of admitting defeat and immediately issued another command.
"Ratta!"
Feeling the pain in its body, Rattata still followed orders and began concentrating its energy.
A circle of white energy burst out from its body.
"You're still not surrendering?"
Icarus originally thought Ashu would give up. After all, Rattata's greatest advantage — its speed — had been crippled by paralysis, and it had already taken two Vine Whips.
"Then continue. Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"
"Shoo! Shoo!"
Two more vines tore through the air.
"Rattata, endure it! Keep gathering energy!"
"Ratta!"
Having fought through many battles with its trainer, Rattata obeyed without hesitation, closing its eyes and focusing on building power.
"Crack! Crack!"
Two deep whip marks appeared, along with many small puncture wounds caused by the wooden thorns.
"Our turn now! Rattata — Quick Attack and Hyper Fang!"
Seeing Rattata's miserable condition, Ashu's eyes flashed with distress, but he couldn't lose. If even his strongest Rattata fell, how could he maintain his position as captain?
He was determined to fight it out.
"Shua—"
Rattata's eyes turned red as its body flashed forward, lunging toward Bellsprout.
"Not good! Bellsprout, use Vine Whip to block!"
After Focus Energy, Rattata's Quick Attack was clearly faster.
Unable to fully intercept it, Icarus could only order Bellsprout to defend.
"Crack—crack!"
Rattata's sharp fangs snapped through the blocking vines and bit hard onto Bellsprout's head.
"Sprout…!"
Even with the vines absorbing part of the impact, Bellsprout lost its fighting ability from the enhanced Hyper Fang.
Fortunately, after Bellsprout fell, Rattata staggered and collapsed as well.
"Thud."
Although Focus Energy caused a temporary burst, once it ended, Rattata's injuries and the effects of Stun Spore became overwhelming.
The referee looked at both Pokémon and raised his flag.
"Icarus's Bellsprout and Hirakawa's Rattata have both lost their fighting ability. However, Hirakawa still has one Pokémon remaining, while Icarus has no Pokémon left able to battle.
Therefore, I declare the winner of this match — Hirakawa Shu!"
"Clap, clap, clap—"
The spectators applauded.
"Phew…"
Letting out a breath of relief, Ashu waved to Icarus and the surrounding crowd.
"I still lost… but after Bellsprout evolves, I should be able to win."
As the loser, Icarus quietly stepped down from the battlefield, handed Bellsprout's Poké Ball to the medical staff, and waited outside alone.
After enjoying the applause, Ashu also handed Rattata's Poké Ball to the staff and walked toward Icarus.
"Icarus-kun, your Pokémon are very well trained. You're not from a big family, are you?"
Ashu patted his shoulder and asked.
"Ashu, just call me Icarus. I'm a commoner too — not from any big family."
Icarus waved his hand in denial.
"Then that special Vine Whip… sorry, I don't mean to pry. I'm just curious. It's fine if you don't want to say."
Seeing Icarus deny it, Ashu asked curiously but quickly added a clarification.
"Oh, you mean the Thorn Whip. It was developed by Bellsprout and me through day-after-day exploration and hard training."
Since it had already been revealed in battle, Icarus spoke calmly. It wasn't some powerful secret technique.
Ever since Uncle Sam mentioned that moves like Pidgey's Peck and Claw techniques had been refined by family factions, Icarus understood that similar combination skills must already exist within Grass-type specialist families or Gyms — perhaps even stronger secret techniques.
In that case, it didn't matter if it was exposed. It might even add a bit of "genius" aura to him and attract potential investment.
(End of this chapter)
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