Lycanroc's Victory

Yan Yang's first one-on-one battle had been deliberately arranged in the most high-profile central main arena.

After claiming two championships in the previous two days, the applause and attention that greeted him when he stepped into the command zone once more were far more fervent and concentrated than yesterday.

Intangible pressure and expectations hung heavily over the arena.

His opponent came from a venerable, long-established Pokémon School—Kinkan Academy.

The opponent's lead was a Forretress with a tough shell, excellent resistances, and the Sturdy Ability (Lv. 48).

Some people also called it Tolstoy.

Four times weak to Fire... If I'd sent Houndoom out, perhaps this could have ended faster. The thought crossed Yan Yang's mind, but he immediately dismissed it.

A swift victory was certainly satisfying, but it did not fit his intention of "showing" something in this match.

With a flick of his wrist, the yellow-striped Quick Ball arced through the air. A nimble, graceful figure landed soundlessly. Her deep blue fur seemed to drink in the arena's light, flowing with the mysterious texture of a midnight ocean interwoven with rock and ore, instantly igniting the audience's curiosity and cries over her "rare form."

"That's a Lycanroc I've never seen before!"

Someone seemed to recognize this Lycanroc.

Although Yan Yang rarely used her in battle, he often took her with him whenever he went out, so there should have been quite a few witnesses.

Previously, he had used Lycanroc in a battle once and defeated the opponent with [Fissure].

As the battle began, the opponent knew full well the advantages of Forretress's defenses and adopted a solid strategy from the outset.

The steel insect curled its body, completing an [Iron Defense] boost amid a metallic gleam.

At the same time, countless sharp rocks of energy were quietly scattered across Yan