Battle Against the Hell White Tiger: Torrent and Blaze Unleashed

"So I'm the target? Looks like you've put some thought into this."

Chi Hong smiled, completely unaffected by the charm skill.

Cui Yajie gave a soft laugh.

"Is that your declaration of defeat? It's as boring as you are. Second soul skill, Nine-Tailed Needle!"

The fox tails behind her suddenly stretched out and shot straight toward Chi Hong.

Chi Hong remained calm, with even a hint of excitement in his eyes.

"It's been a while since I stretched my muscles."

The next second,

Chi Hong punched the incoming fox tail aside, emerging without a scratch.

He pushed off the ground and charged straight at Cui Yajie.

"How is that possible?"

Cui Yajie stared in disbelief. Her second soul skill was a century-old, mental-enhanced assault attack. How had he dealt with it so easily?

Wasn't the plan for her two teammates to keep the Soul Beasts busy while she circled around, took out the summoner, and won the match?

Here was a little-known fact: back when Charizard was still a Charmander, he could defeat only ten-year Soul Beasts at best.

Whenever they encountered a Soul Beast over a hundred years old that Charizard couldn't beat, Chi Hong had taken it down himself. He had also personally taught Greninja some of his hand-to-hand techniques.

Besides, this was a three-on-three team match. Chi Hong had always counted himself as one of the three fighters.

He was a super-strong rookie, and that was no joke.

Just as Chi Hong was about to punch Cui Yajie in the face, Greninja appeared in front of him and stopped his attack.

Greninja raised a hand, signaling that it would handle this opponent.

"You're stealing my fight too? Fine, she's yours."

Chi Hong was a little helpless. Both Pokémon were still so eager to fight that he hadn't had a chance to step in for a long time.

Such were the troubles of the strong.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Cui Yajie gritted her teeth and launched another Nine-Tailed Needle.

This time, the illusory fox tail passed straight through Greninja's body.

"I got it!"

Delight crossed Cui Yajie's face. But in the next instant,

Greninja vanished, leaving only an afterimage where it had stood.

"What? I clearly hit it!"

Cui Yajie's eyes widened in disbelief.

Chi Hong grinned. "Kid, you fell for the Substitute. Pay closer attention next time. Greninja, use Aerial Ace!"

As soon as he spoke, Greninja flipped through the air like a swallow, disappearing completely from Cui Yajie's view.

Its claws slashed down on a gust of wind. This strike could not be dodged. It was certain to hit!

"Ah!"

[Greninja used Aerial Ace. A critical hit! Cui Yajie was unable to battle.]

That mental-assault Soul Master went down in one hit? She seemed even weaker than an agility-type.

With that thought, Chi Hong turned his attention to the remaining two opponents.

Earlier, while Charizard had been focused on Chi Hong, Dai Huabin had blasted him away with White Tiger Fierce Light Wave and broken free.

Now Dai Huabin stood hand in hand with his young girlfriend, Zhu Lu, watching Chi Hong with a cold stare.

"Chi Hong, I never expected you to be so underhanded that you'd see through my flawless plan!"

Chi Hong was speechless. What was so flawless about it?

You just couldn't beat me.

"Today, I'll show you the power of the Hell White Tiger!"

Dai Huabin wrapped his arms around Zhu Lu and shouted, "Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hell White Tiger!"

Golden light intertwined with a ghostly glow, and a violent aura swept across the arena.

When the light faded, the phantom of a gigantic tiger-shaped Soul Beast appeared. Its broad paws pressed against the ground, claws digging deep.

For a moment, the Hell White Tiger's presence even surpassed Charizard's.

Roar—roar—

The tiger and Charizard roared at each other, neither willing to give an inch!

The shockwaves from their roars alone nearly burst the spectators' eardrums.

"A dragon against a tiger. What a spectacle. This year's competitors are much stronger than in previous years. What do you think, Xuan Zi? Chi Hong's own strength is nothing to scoff at either. Starting to think you misjudged him?"

Yan Shaozhe sounded pleased.

"If that girl hadn't been so weak, this fight would have ended long ago."

Xuan Zi snorted, seemingly dissatisfied with Dai Huabin's team.

Yan Shaozhe smiled. "Don't forget, Xuan Zi. Chi Hong entered on his own."

Xuan Zi shook his head.

"You still don't understand. It's not that he doesn't want to team up with others. He can't! Humans can work with humans, and Soul Beasts can cooperate with Soul Beasts. But humans and Soul Beasts can never truly stand united."

"That boy is destined to spend his life alone, shunned by other Soul Masters."

"That..." Yan Shaozhe fell silent. Xuan Zi's words did give him something to think about.

Back in the arena,

Chi Hong raised a hand and tugged down the brim of his cap.

"Then let's play with this little kitty. Charizard, use Dragon Claw and Fire Fang. Greninja, use Water Pulse."

Charizard roared. Crimson flames sprang to life around his four fangs, while sharp golden blades of light formed over his claws. He charged straight at the Hell White Tiger.

"You overestimate yourselves!"

The Hell White Tiger's layered voices rang out as it raised a paw to meet Charizard. They traded blow after blow, and it even managed to fend off Greninja's occasional sneak attacks.

A Martial Soul Fusion Skill really can unleash unexpected power. I wonder how it compares to Mega Evolution in the games.

Chi Hong watched the fight closely.

Even together, Greninja and Charizard couldn't gain the upper hand in close combat. Their health had been steadily falling as they repeatedly used their moves.

But that was exactly what he wanted.

Greninja and Charizard excelled in special attacks and speed. He had sent them into close combat to train their physical attacks.

After all, he had tested it: reality worked differently from the games.

In the games, a Pokémon's base stats had a fixed total that had to be distributed among its attributes.

In reality, there was no upper limit. Every attribute could keep improving.

Talent affected only how quickly each one grew.

Since they could keep improving, Chi Hong intended to make the most of every opportunity to train his Pokémon, shore up their weaknesses, and help them grow stronger and more well-rounded.

"They're in finishing range. Time to end this."

Chi Hong saw the changes in Charizard and Greninja and knew both their abilities had activated. He gave his final commands.

"Charizard, use Blazing Inferno! Greninja, use Water Shuriken!"

At Chi Hong's command, Charizard spread his wings and flew high above the Hell White Tiger's reach.

Charizard's body overlapped with the sun. The flame on his tail blazed fiercely, and rising fire engulfed his entire body. With his wings spread wide, he looked like a miniature sun burning everything in sight.

It was the combined eruption of Blaze and Solar Power.

On the ground, blue light burst from Greninja's body. The air around it turned into rushing torrents that swirled around it, and a towering waterspout shot skyward.

Torrent had activated!