Silvally, the Budget Youth Version of Arceus

On the battlefield, the billowing smoke from the dust explosion stung their eyes, making them difficult to keep open.

Gladion covered his mouth and nose to avoid inhaling the smoke and dust, but the doubts in his heart were even heavier than the haze.

It was not that he did not understand the cause of the explosion. While the Pokémon World primarily focused its research on developing Pokémon abilities, it had also advanced its natural science and technology trees where necessary.

A dust explosion was hardly some profound concept. Gladion naturally understood this physical and chemical phenomenon.

Energy-formed rock was already highly combustible and explosive. It was manageable when condensed into a solid mass, but once Bug Buzz shattered it into powder, it became naturally explosive dust.

What puzzled him was that Xia Chen had used Bug Buzz to crush the boulder, then naturally allowed Volcarona to expose an opening before Lycanroc, baiting him into using Accelerock to close the distance, and finally detonating the dust with Flamethrower—

Had every link in that chain been part of Xia Chen's calculations?

Having already found the answer in his heart, Gladion silently marveled. What an awe-inspiring Trainer.

On the battlefield, the thick smoke gradually dispersed. Lycanroc stubbornly pushed itself up from the ground. There was not the slightest hint of retreat in its scarlet eyes; instead, they revealed a fearless madness.

Rockruff had always had that sort of temperament. It even looked like a Dark-type Pokémon.

Its exceptional endurance had allowed it to survive the dust explosion.

Gladion did not switch it out, either.

First, it was already in terrible condition, so switching it out would have little meaning. Second, Lycanroc was somewhat obsessive by nature. It would rather die standing than flee in the middle of battle.

It was better to