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As Aiden's command fell, the Incineroar, which had been waiting for a long time, instantly revealed a ferocious smile and stretched its arms straight out.
The rapidly surging fighting spirit soon made the flames around its waist burn fiercely, displaying a dazzling golden yellow.
Then...
With the balance enhancement from spreading its arms, its body quickly began to rotate, soon transforming into a red and black storm!
[Whoa? Teacher Azure didn't use a basic move at the start but went for a strong attack instead?]
[This one's easy. Since it's a Sunny Day team, Teacher Azure said that the most important thing for a Sunny Day team is brute force output; everything else can wait!]
[To be fair, this Pokémon looks very strong, but... why is it spinning?]
[Although I've seen Machamp use this move before, every time I see it, it feels so absurd. How can there be such an outrageous fighting technique in this world...]
[Yes, brothers, yes!]
Darkest Lariat.
A Dark-type move that propels forward by rotating both arms, ready to attack the opponent at any moment.
Since it's impossible to predict when the attack will land, this move is difficult to dodge and hard to defend against.
Thus, besides having decent power, Darkest Lariat has the additional effect of ignoring the opponent's stat changes and directly dealing damage, making it highly effective.
Each of the Alolan starter Pokémon has its own unique moves, like Decidueye's Spirit Shackle and Primarina's Sparkling Aria.
Of course, there's also Incineroar's Darkest Lariat.
In theory, this move was once considered exclusive to Incineroar.
However, possibly due to its effectiveness, other Pokémon with robust arms and ample martial prowess quickly learned this move.
If only the exclusive Volt Tackle of a certain electric rodent family could be learned by other Electric-type physical attackers through this method...
"Darkest Lariat?"
Watching the high-speed spinning Incineroar charging towards Ceruledge, Mela instinctively sensed something amiss, her brain beginning to race.
It appeared to be a Fighting-type move, but with Teacher Azure's knowledge comparable to a human Pokédex, he couldn't possibly not know that Fighting-type moves wouldn't affect Ceruledge...
So, it must be a Dark-type move that counters Ghost-types!
From the quick glance at Incineroar's Pokédex data earlier, its close combat abilities were terrifying.
Therefore, this move, enhanced by its type, might be quite fatal.
Absolutely cannot take it head-on.
After quickly making a judgment, Mela immediately issued a command:
"Ceruledge, stop Swords Dance first, use Protect to block its attack!"
Fortunately, Incineroar's speed wasn't particularly fast either. Ceruledge immediately obeyed the command and swiftly deployed an energy-formed transparent barrier before its attack arrived.
When the barrier contacted Incineroar, various wild offensive methods like punches, elbow strikes, flying knee kicks, and headbutts all struck simultaneously. The multiple attacks almost instantly shattered the Protect barrier like brittle wood.
If Ceruledge hadn't retreated several steps backward the instant it blocked, it would have likely taken a few hits...
Dark-type Pokémon are extremely ruthless in real combat. The fact that numerous Pokémon covet Darkest Lariat definitely speaks to its merits.
Just from this point alone, the Incineroar that first developed this ultimate move could be called a master...
Seeing the attack miss, Aiden quickly smiled and shouted:
"Incineroar, Taunt!"
Previously, because the two Pokémon had pulled apart, and his side clearly had a speed disadvantage, Aiden hadn't rushed to use this move at the start.
Because it would obviously give Ceruledge a chance to strengthen.
Now, it was the perfect time to control the field!
Having an inherent advantage in attributes, the opening Intimidate further plummeted Ceruledge's combat power.
Undoubtedly, this was a fair 1v1 duel!
So, you're not allowed to use status moves anymore; only I can use them!
Mela's reaction was half a beat slower. It wasn't until Ceruledge was already disturbed by Incineroar's actions and steam erupted from its head that she realized and immediately prepared to recall it into its Poké Ball.
Seeing this, Aiden couldn't help but nod inwardly.
Not bad, at least it wasn't a stubborn kid.
However, facing a Dark-type Pokémon, switching needed extra caution.
If Incineroar could learn Pursuit like Tyranitar, with its muscular build, this vulnerability could even be fatal.
Unfortunately, it couldn't learn it.
So Aiden simply let up a bit and quietly waited for Mela to send out her next Pokémon.
"The next one, it's decided! Houndoom!"
Mela quickly tossed out another Poké Ball, and a canine Pokémon with demonic horns and a fierce face appeared on the field.
Aiden was very familiar with this one. He had encountered one on Poco Path before.
Like Mightyena and Weezing, Houndoom was also a staple for villains.
Upon appearing, Houndoom quickly became dazzling under the sunlight, showing no fear towards Incineroar, and even had a hint of... desire? Clearly, it shared the same Flash Fire ability as the previous Ceruledge, completely muting the strongest firepower point of the Sunny Day team.
However, Aiden quickly smiled and decisively commanded as soon as the opponent landed—
"Incineroar, Parting Shot."
A flurry of nonsensical, chaotic Pokémon profanity spewed from the ill-mannered Incineroar's mouth, leaving the newly-appeared Houndoom utterly bewildered.
By the time it realized what happened, Incineroar, after finishing its taunts, immediately turned tail and fled, swiftly recalled into its Poké Ball by Aiden.
Leaving Houndoom alone under the sunlight, its long, sunburnt face suddenly flushed red, clearly enraged.
Parting Shot, yet another Dark-type move, was especially proficient for mischievous Dark-type Pokémon.
By hitting the opponent with taunts before retreating, briefly affecting the opponent's combat power, and then swiftly evacuating the field while the opponent was stunned...
Insulting without allowing a response, and even lowering the opponent's attack stats while switching, it was a thoroughly dirty move.
With Incineroar recalled, the lurking Scovillain instantly appeared, facing the visibly deflated Houndoom. Both heads simultaneously emitted warning roars.
At the same time, under the sunlight, its Chlorophyll ability quietly activated, significantly boosting its otherwise mediocre speed.
At least Houndoom couldn't keep up with its rhythm.
[That's the flavor! I knew Teacher Azure wouldn't make a move just yet; he was saving a big one!]
[Teacher Azure using such dirty moves is too skilled. Could Teacher Azure also be a Dark-type with the Prankster ability?]
[The Pokémon Teacher Azure chooses indeed each have their own dirty tricks. Even a bulky Incineroar can make the opponent's Pokémon blood pressure skyrocket...]
[Being scolded right after entering, who wouldn't be confused? Look how wronged Houndoom is!]
While other viewers were still commenting, Mela inexplicably felt a sense of foreboding—
Was this Incineroar's tactic a bit terrifying?
Intimidate could suppress physical attackers, and the retaliatory Parting Shot ensured every attacker gets slapped, meaning her Pokémon would almost certainly not perform at full strength upon entry.
And if such a Pokémon couldn't be dealt with and kept rotating...
It seemed a bit troublesome!
Mela couldn't help but click her tongue.
However, the solution was simple—
The Sunshine Gym's assessment battle was just a 2v2 singles match. As long as she could break through Incineroar or Scovillain, preventing it from re-entering the field would solve all problems.
Hmm, as long as she could do that...
Mela shook her head helplessly.
Currently, it seemed that was the only option.
"Houndoom, Fire Blast!"
Fortunately, Scovillain was a Grass/Fire dual-type, so Fire-type moves could normally harm it. With the boost from the Sunny Day weather, breaking through it might not be too difficult?
As she thought this, Aiden immediately countered with a command.
"Scovillain, Leaf Storm."
Flash Fire's interference capability was too strong in Fire-type battles. Aiden chose the powerful but evidently less effective Leaf Storm against Houndoom.
As everyone knows, powerful moves often come with dangerous side effects.
Leaf Storm was very powerful, but like the Fire-type Overheat, after expending strength to use it, the user's combat power would significantly decrease in a short period.
Thus, the audience was momentarily puzzled.
This didn't seem like a choice Teacher Azure would make?
However, before they could send their comments, the situation changed again.
Relying on the extreme speed provided by the Chlorophyll ability, Scovillain managed to strike first despite being second to act, decisively spewing a burst of green energy towards the opponent.
Just before the move was unleashed and the opponent's counterattack was about to arrive, the inconspicuous backpack on its back suddenly swelled.
With a "pop," Scovillain instantly turned into red light and disappeared, replaced by the recently withdrawn Incineroar.
Returning as the king, it once again revealed its ferocious face, subtly triggering its Intimidate ability.
Though it meant nothing to Houndoom, which was emitting Fire-type energy, it was enough to shock the audience—
[What kind of item was that just now? Why did Scovillain suddenly disappear???]
[I checked; it should be Eject Pack. It feels like an item no one's ever seen used before. Its effect is that when the Pokémon carrying it has its abilities reduced, it can actively retreat into its Poké Ball and switch with another Pokémon.]
[If I hadn't seen Teacher Azure use it today, I would never have imagined such an item existed, let alone being used like this...]
[Combined with Incineroar's Intimidate, it somehow feels a bit disgusting!]
[So even a Sunny Day team can play so dirty? No wonder it's you, Teacher Azure. Even the Black-Hearted Cotton came and couldn't bear to look!]
"..."
Looking at the reappearing Incineroar, which easily blocked the Fire Blast, and her side's visibly weakened Houndoom, Mela suddenly realized—
This round seemed to be already lost…
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