Chapter 406: Reversal!
After that, the poison effect from the Toxic Spikes forced Simon to have his Shuckle use Safeguard to cure the status condition.
Only then did the battle somewhat return to a normal competitive state.
The two sides finally began to properly exchange moves!
Seizing the opportunity while his opponent was curing the poison, Arthur quickly commanded, "Greninja, use Water Pulse! Push it back!"
Although Arthur was very confident in his authority in the realm of close combat and had enough faith in his Greninja, there were still some contacts that were best avoided.
Because—
"Shuckle, use Power Split!"
He had long since predicted that his opponent would definitely use this move!
Any Shuckle that enters the professional arena will definitely learn Power Split, regardless of whether its style is offensive or defensive.
This move is just too perfect for Shuckle!
Even though Simon's "Meteor Shuckle" style doesn't rely much on its own strength and energy—it relies on pure kinetic impact, as long as the pot is hard enough—
Just being able to weaken the enemy's stats is already excellent!
Unfortunately for him, his intention was completely read by Arthur.
The command for Water Pulse had been given a second earlier.
Greninja was the first to activate Water Pulse. The surrounding water vapor began to vibrate intensely. The neck of the Shuckle, which had been tightly coiled around Greninja's leg, trembled violently and was finally forced to let go.
Now, Shuckle had no chance to use the close-contact Power Split.
After shaking off the Shuckle, Greninja immediately took a half-step back, creating distance!
Now, the Shuckle was in a bind.
Because, relying on its own short legs, a Shuckle's movement speed is very slow, just like a little tortoise.
It must use a skill or its own rotation to achieve rapid movement.
But once it uses a skill and enters its cooldown period, it won't be able to complete the Power Split even if it gets in close.
The commentator immediately shouted, "Beautiful! A beautiful read from Arthur, perfectly neutralizing Simon's first attempt at a Power Split! A magnificent defense!"
You could say that Simon's opening was stunning. The debut of his Meteor Shuckle had amazed all the new spectators, redefining the use of this Pokémon.
But unfortunately, his most important strategic objective had not been achieved.
After getting in close, he had ultimately failed to use Power Split.
"What a shame," the Blaze fans all sighed.
That read was truly fatal!
But Simon was still not flustered.
There was still a chance!
"Shuckle, give up on Power Split! Use Gastro Acid!"
Greninja had just used Water Pulse and was in its cooldown period. And since his Power Split had failed, he decisively changed his move and went for Gastro Acid.
Chen Lin's Galvantula had used this move before. It was specifically for sealing an opponent's ability!
Any Pokémon hit by this special stomach acid will temporarily lose its ability.
The distance was too close, and the Gravity field was still active. Greninja had nowhere to dodge and was hit squarely.
Its Protean ability was temporarily disabled.
Simon had won back a round!
But Arthur immediately returned the favor.
To spit that mouthful of Gastro Acid, the Shuckle hadn't immediately plunged its head into the ground to start its second Meteor Shuckle rotation. Arthur seized this opening.
"Greninja, use Taunt!"
Greninja crooked the middle of its three fingers, making a universally understood gesture.
At this moment, the Shuckle had neither its head buried in the ground nor retracted into its shell. The two Pokémon's gazes met.
The mental suggestion of Taunt hit instantly!
For a period of time, Shuckle's aggro towards Greninja would be greatly increased, and at the same time, it would only be able to use direct attacking moves.
Simon was also decisive. The moment he saw this, he commanded without thinking.
"Use Rock Blast! Use the recoil to retreat! Quickly!"
He was running!
His Shuckle was a formidable attacker, its shell harder than a hammer.
Its Power Split was also formidable; anyone who got close had to be wary.
But its direct attacks were not formidable at all.
Shuckle's special attack is, frankly, a bit sad.
Most Pokémon, after being hit with Taunt, would take the opportunity to attack. But Shuckle couldn't.
Don't be fooled by how fierce Simon's Shuckle usually is. When it's time to be cowardly, you have to be cowardly.
He had to at least wait out the duration of Taunt. Only when he had his big weapon, Power Split, back in his hands could he fight again!
But of course, Arthur would not give him this chance!
"Greninja, pursue! Use Rock Smash!"
With this, all six of Greninja's move slots were used up.
For attacking moves, he had only kept Water Pulse and Rock Smash, even giving up his signature Water Shuriken.
All of this was to counter Simon's unique personal style!
Simon's Shuckle is ferocious, offensive, and never backs down!
So it rarely uses defensive skills.
Moves like Defense Curl and Withdraw, which Leo's counter-pick Shuckle had used, his Shuckle had never considered.
Because in reality, using Withdraw really requires you to retract your head into your shell, and using Defense Curl really requires you to make yourself look like a ball.
But Simon's Shuckle doesn't normally do that.
It needs to keep its head and neck out to use skills for reverse propulsion, or to act as a fixed pivot for rotational acceleration.
So it normally doesn't use Withdraw or Defense Curl.
This meant that his Shuckle was actually not as tough as Leo's.
Offense and defense, most of the time, you can't have both.
So—
Greninja strode forward in pursuit. Its three fingers came together, and a hand-blade viciously chopped down on Shuckle's hard shell!
The Fighting-type move: Rock Smash!
In addition to dealing damage, it has a significant destructive effect on the enemy's outer shell, armor, or exoskeleton, weakening their physical defense!
With this one hand-chop, although Greninja's own hand was also jolted by the recoil and was throbbing with pain, the move's energy fiercely poured in, and the Shuckle immediately let out a cry of pain.
Its shell had cracked!
A crack that was not long, but exceptionally glaring!
Simon's face immediately darkened.
Not only had his offensive rhythm failed to get going, but now his most proud defensive attribute had been broken by his opponent!
Everything has a price. When he had his Shuckle try to attack in an unconventional way, its own original defensive advantage was no longer so prominent.
Compared to the pure turtle-style Shuckle of Leo's, which had used two defensive moves right at the start, coiling up and curling into a ball, Simon's Shuckle was, after all, a bit lacking in toughness.
And Greninja's Rock Smash was on the verge of breaking through!
Now, even Sage Hwang was no longer calm.
"A stunning reversal has just occurred on the field! The Shuckle, which had seized the initiative at the start of the match and had taken a dominant position, has suddenly had its defense broken by Greninja! Arthur has pulled off a stunning reversal! Is this young man about to create another miracle?!"
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