Arena Match

As soon as the words fell, every gaze in the arena, including Matsumoto Da Xiang's on the stage, focused on Xinhai and Combusken.

Xinhai remained calm as he led Combusken onto the stage with steady steps.

Not far away, a tall, powerfully built young man in a Goju-ryu Dojo training uniform spotted Xinhai, surprise flashing through his eyes. "Xinhai? I didn't expect us to be assigned to the same venue."

This person was Ozaki Kaito, one of the core disciples of Goju-ryu and the senior brother who often sought Xinhai out for offline sparring.

He folded his arms, a teasing smile curling across his lips, seemingly quite eager to see what would happen next.

Xinhai and Matsumoto Da Xiang stood roughly ten meters apart. Combusken stepped forward to face Poliwrath, their gazes colliding as though sparks were flying.

After confirming that both sides were ready, the referee announced loudly, "Challenger, Xinhai Bai Mu and Combusken! Defender, Matsumoto Da Xiang and Poliwrath! Begin!"

"Take the initiative, Combusken! Use Quick Attack to close in!" Xinhai ordered decisively.

"Combusken!" Combusken's figure suddenly blurred, turning into a streak of red light as it charged toward Poliwrath at high speed.

"Poliwrath, Mach Punch!" Matsumoto Da Xiang reacted instantly.

"Poli!" Poliwrath growled, scarlet Fighting energy covering its fists as it ran to meet Combusken head-on!

However, just as the two Pokémon were about to collide, Xinhai's command rang out again. "Now! Use Low Sweep!"

In the midst of its high-speed Quick Attack, Combusken suddenly lowered its body and swept fiercely at Poliwrath's left leg—the leg supporting its center of gravity—carrying sharp Fighting energy!

The timing of the strike was viciously precise, landing right as Poliwrath was driving forward with its Mach Punch.

"Poli?!" Poliwrath's pupils shrank. It had never expected its opponent to abruptly switch to