Perhaps even Honedge itself didn't realize how strong it was, just always thinking it was weak.
So it kept training hard, just to become stronger and to survive better.
This gave it a very solid foundation, which could even be described as an exaggerated foundation.
Because it hadn't had much contact with outsiders or other Pokémon, Honedge only mastered a few techniques.
But its proficiency in these techniques had reached an extremely high level.
Natsuhiko had communicated with Honedge and roughly understood its situation.
Now he wanted to test just how strong Honedge was.
If it didn't work out, there was still Beedrill to back them up.
"Honedge, feel carefully, the Pokémon in front of you is much weaker than that one, it's not your match, it definitely isn't your match!" Natsuhiko's voice kept echoing in Honedge's ears.
A Pokémon like Honedge, with its combination of Steel-type and Ghost-type attributes, had excellent resistances, immune to three attributes alone: General Type, Fighting Type, and Poison Type.
And aside from Ground Type, Fire Type, Ghost Type, and Dark Type, which would doubly restrain it, only Water Type and Electric Type techniques could deal normal damage to it.
Considering Fairy Type, out of all eighteen Pokémon attributes, a total of twelve attributes were either immune or had double to quadruple resistance.
Such resistance was also considered "excellent" among many Pokémon.
Honedge glanced at Natsuhiko, then at the opposing Yujira.
Why did it feel that the opponent seemed tough?
Natsuhiko was a bit speechless.
In your eyes, even Togetic must seem tough, right?
"Fight without worry, I'll back you up. If you feel you can't win, just come back."
Hearing Natsuhiko say this, Honedge reluctantly nodded.
"Sword Dance," Natsuhiko directly commanded.
Clang!
Honedge's body shuddered, the sharp, shiny metal blade was drawn from the sheath, a dark red glow swirling, and its momentum rapidly increasing.
"Yujira, Shadow Ball!"
Seeing Honedge using Sword Dance, Miss Number 15 wouldn't just stand there watching it power up.
For a Pokémon like Honedge, she knew it had excellent resistance and high physical defense, but its special defense ability was somewhat lacking.
As a Special Attack and Ghost-type technique, Shadow Ball was very countering to Honedge.
She was very confident in grasping the timing, if the opponent was intent on using Sword Dance, it would surely suffer from the Shadow Ball's attack.
Taking this head-on was enough to seriously injure Honedge.
And if it abandoned Sword Dance to dodge, then her purpose would be achieved.
Given that Steel-type Pokémon generally have slow speeds, Yujira could exploit its psychic powers and Instant Movement to toy with it.
Even if its attributes were countered, its own physical advantages could help it win against opposite attributes.
"How is it possible?!"
However, she had calculated everything but couldn't imagine that Honedge could complete Sword Dance in the blink of an eye, before the Shadow Ball even hit it.
Natsuhiko's eyes were shining with surprise.
Honestly speaking.
Honedge's mastery of the Sword Dance technique was somewhat beyond his expectations or greatly beyond his expectations.
Even now, Beedrill at the Elite Level, when it came to the Sword Dance technique alone, was still far from Honedge.
However, the battle continued, and he hoped to see more surprising performances from Honedge.
"Honedge, use Shadow Assault to dodge."
Faced with Yujira's Shadow Ball, although Honedge completed the Sword Dance enhancement, it still felt a bit flustered.
Upon hearing Natsuhiko's command, it briefly blanked out.
But.
Its advantage of high proficiency in techniques manifested once more.
The body fell vertically, merging into the shadow.
It perfectly dodged the Shadow Ball attack.
Meanwhile, the shadow quickly moved laterally, aiming directly at Yujira's back.
The face under Miss Number 15's mask slightly changed, and she coldly said, "Yujira, Instant Movement."
"Yongji."
Yujira waved the spoon, psychically enveloping it, the surging psychic power teleporting it to another location.
"Yongji!"
However, when Yujira emerged from the Instant Movement state, it accompanied a shrill scream, stumbling to the ground.
Looking closely.
A hideous wound appeared on its back.
On the other side, at its original standing position, Honedge slowly emerged from the shadow.
Shadow Assault: Attacking using shadow, technique priority +1
Coupled with Honedge's proficiency in Shadow Assault, although Yujira successfully used Instant Movement, it still suffered an attack.
Ghost-type techniques naturally had attribute suppression over Psychic-type Yujira, dealing double damage, and coupled with Honedge's adeptness in Physical Attack, especially just having completed Sword Dance's enhancement, made the damage very considerable.
However, what left Miss Number 15 speechless was that Honedge, having completed an impeccable attack, showed a look of "fear" and "surprise".
Getting hit was one thing.
But even getting "mocked"!
Natsuhiko had been closely observing Honedge, noting its state and changes in expression.
Honedge's state was peculiar.
Perhaps it hadn't realized or noticed its own resistance to this battle, but its combat skills and technique applications were sharp.
It was a bit like watching...
A person shouting "I'm so scared," but the actions growing more wild with each punch thrown at the opponent.
A classic sign of split personality.
But now wasn't the time to ponder on this, the battle continued, and they should press the advantage.
"Body Lightening," Natsuhiko commanded.
Honedge's speed was lacking.
But it was okay; Body Lightening could greatly reduce its body weight and increase its speed significantly.
For a Steel-type Pokémon, having this technique meant speed wasn't much of an issue.
Honedge flashed with metallic sheen, its body instantly becoming much lighter.
And on the opposite side, Miss Number 15 finally realized she had hit a steel wall, her Yujira simply wasn't a match for this Honedge.
It seemed small and helpless, but its strength was indeed formidable, and it was ruthless in action, delivering lethal blows.
"Yujira, retreat!"
Miss Number 15's biggest reliance, daring to trouble Natsuhiko without knowing his details, was Yujira's Instant Movement technique.
The advantage of having such a technique was being able to retreat at any time one wanted.
But it had a disadvantage, a glaring one.
It made people unconsciously leave their last retreat up to Instant Movement.
Normally there was no issue in doing so.
But if experienced opponents were encountered who knew how to handle this situation...
Natsuhiko squinted his eyes.
He was too familiar with the opponent's choice since he also had a Yujira.
"Yongji."
Natsuhiko's Yujira hiding in the shadows appeared, the spoon waving, Buddha beads rattling, psychic energy surging.
The weakness of Instant Movement was too obvious and too easily disrupted.
In the meantime.
"Honedge, Pursuit."
Just then, Honedge transformed into a black streamer, merging into the surge of psychic energy at the instant before the opponent completed Instant Movement.
After that, the opponent's figure disappeared.
But the next second.
Honedge's shape slowly reappeared at the same spot, with a strong expression of self-doubt on its face.
'No! I can't let this false appearance affect me, it's not because I'm strong, it's because the opponent is too weak.'
Thud—
A body fell from nowhere.
Honedge achieved the title: Sister-Slaying Sword!
And Honedge quietly stood there, deeply introspecting.
'As expected, I'm still too weak.'