064: Xunzi from Siguniang Town!!
After exchanging a firm nod with Froakie and confirming it still had the stamina to continue battling, Ash turned his gaze across the battle platform, scanning the summer camp students who had gathered near the dam.
He raised his voice with confidence and clarity, "Anyone else want to come up and battle with me?"
"Whoa, this guy seriously wants to keep going?"
"Tch... don't tell me he's planning to go through all five rounds in a row."
"Arrogant much? If I wasn't waiting for him to wear down, I would've gone up already."
"Yeah, right he's just buying time to crash later."
Ash's bold challenge triggered a wave of chatter among the students outside the battle dam. Some were impressed by his energy and conviction, while others accused him of being cocky, convinced his winning streak would soon come to an end.
Yet despite all the talking, no one actually stepped forward.
It wasn't that no one wanted to challenge Ash. Many of them were just waiting for someone else to go first and wear down Froakie's stamina. Most of the students here were six-year-olds still early in their journey as trainers. Their strategy was simple: don't be the first to get knocked out.
But silence hung over the battlefield for a long moment.
Until…
A girl in a jujube-red kimono, her black hair tied back with a large bow, gracefully stepped into the arena.
"Since none of you scaredy-cats are brave enough to step up, I guess it's up to a beautiful girl like me to do it." She smiled sweetly, but her words cut through the crowd like a blade.
"Who does this girl think she is?"
"Did she just call us cowards?!"
Boys along the sideline bristled at her jab, murmuring complaints and insults, but she seemed utterly unbothered by their reactions. Her smile didn't waver for a second.
With a composed expression, she walked to her position on the dam and raised a Poké Ball in one hand.
"I'm Xunzi, from Siguniang Town in the Kanto Region," she declared. "And my partner today is... this one!"
With a flick of her wrist, she threw the Poké Ball into the field.
Pop!
"Hisss~" The ball burst open, and a new Pokémon materialized.
If Froakie resembled a pea shooter earlier while launching its Bubble attack, then this new Pokémon looked like the original model itself.
Its slender brown stalk of a body was topped with a yellow bell-shaped head, eyes black and beady. Two leafy green arms extended from either side, and thin root-like feet twitched under its stem.
The Bellsprout locked eyes with Froakie immediately, twisting and swaying, its movement strangely fluid and unsettling.
"A Grass- and Poison-type, huh?" Ash's eyes narrowed as he took in the opponent. "So you're planning to take advantage of the type matchup… but if you think it's going to be that easy, you're mistaken."
Ash had studied plenty about type advantages from Professor Oak's materials but he had also learned firsthand that battles were more than rock-paper-scissors.
"System," he muttered internally, activating the interface only he could access. "Scan Bellsprout's data."
[Bellsprout]
Level: LV.5
Type: Grass/Poison
Nature: Lax
Ability: Chlorophyll
Potential: B (Elite)
Skills (Current Proficiency):
Vine Whip (Proficient)
Wrap (19/500) — In Progress
Growth (15/100) — Unfamiliar
"Oh?" Ash blinked in mild surprise. "It's got elite-level potential? This Bellsprout isn't just for show."
The system display confirmed that this Bellsprout wasn't your run-of-the-mill camp-issued Pokémon. With a B-rank potential, it stood out from the standard batch Professor Oak had prepared for the training session.
Ash smiled slightly, feeling his pulse quicken. A worthy challenge had finally appeared.
Although it's still not as exceptional as Froakie favored by the fortune of the Kalos region and blessed with the potential of an S-rank (Peerless) Pokémon—Xunzi's Bellsprout was clearly not an ordinary opponent either.
Compared to the previous Pokémon Ash battled, whose talents were ranked C (Normal) at best, this Bellsprout's B (Elite) qualification was a notable step up.
It's important not to underestimate a B-rank Pokémon. While Ash had recently encountered extraordinarily gifted Pokémon like Pichu and Froakie, both with rare, high-tier potential, those were the exceptions rather than the rule.
In reality, a B (Elite) Pokémon was already considered outstanding especially among beginner Trainers. In fact, even after paying hefty taxes, the standard starter Pokémon—Eevee, Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle—distributed by the Pokémon League to certified rookies typically only possess a B (Elite) qualification.
Even the prestigious "Yusanjia" trio official Kanto starters known for their growth potential and popularity generally cap at B (Elite), rarely surpassing it into the A (Perfect) tier unless specifically bred or trained.
However, Ash knew well that Pokémon issued during summer camps were not permanent and would be reclaimed once the event concluded. That fact tempered his excitement; he was only mildly surprised by Bellsprout's stats and didn't linger on them too long.
"Both sides in position… the match begins!!" the referee shouted, raising his hand high to signal the start after giving the trainers ample time to prepare.
"Bellsprout, use Growth!" Xunzi immediately initiated the battle with a setup move.
"Hiss~"
"Growth to boost both Attack and Special Attack?" Ash observed, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he assessed her opening tactic.
Unlike the reckless trainers he had faced before who charged in blindly with brute force—Xunzi showed signs of strategic awareness. Utilizing status moves like Growth from the start made her a more complicated and dangerous opponent.
"But I'll be the one to win this battle," Ash muttered to himself, confidence etched into his face as he issued a decisive command.
"Froakie, the opponent isn't attacking time to strike first! Use Bubble!"
"Quack~" Froakie let out a short cry of acknowledgment. Still crouched in place, it barely moved a muscle like a small golden toad guarding a treasure in a shop window.
Puff puff puff…
Shhhhhh…
With practiced calm, Froakie inhaled, puffed its body, pursed its lips, and let fly. Hollow, shimmering water bubbles the size of baby fists shot forward like a barrage of liquid bullets, streaking toward Bellsprout.
But Xunzi's reaction was swift and calculated.
"Bellsprout, dodge it!" she called out sharply, voice carrying over the battlefield.
"Hiss~!"
The plant Pokémon's thin root feet soaked in nutrients from the soil as its body expanded slightly due to the Growth buff. Its vines and stalk twisted with surprising flexibility as it elegantly evaded Froakie's projectile assault.
On the sidelines, students gasped and whispered in amazement.
Though many of the boys were still a little irritated by Xunzi's earlier "cowardly boys" comment, they couldn't deny her strength. This was the first opponent who had cleanly dodged Froakie's Bubble attack during Ash's three-match win streak something even Machop and Venonat failed to do.
They might not have liked her attitude, but Xunzi was already earning their respect.
Despite Froakie's Bubble attack missing its target, Ash remained completely calm. Even though Froakie's stamina was clearly running low after three consecutive battles, Ash didn't show a flicker of panic. His expression stayed steady like someone who had everything under control.
"Hmph… Let's see how long you can keep that calm face," Xunzi said quietly under her breath, then raised her voice. "Bellsprout, go in with Vine Whip! Let's test that composure!"
"Hiss~!"
Swish whoosh!
Bellsprout's leafy arms extended into two sleek, vine-like lashes that cracked through the air with speed and force as they lashed out toward Froakie's position.
"Vine Whip, huh?" Ash narrowed his eyes slightly. "I've been waiting for that one."
"Froakie, use!"
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