Manalo Stadium.
The second Pokémon Professor Kukui sent out
sparked a wave of surprised chatter around the arena.
Venusaur!
No one had expected Professor Kukui to have this up his sleeve.
"I traveled through all the regions when I was young, Ash. I have plenty of Pokémon that'll surprise you!"
Professor Kukui laughed with his hands on his hips.
Ji Qiu continued diligently providing live commentary.
"In terms of type matchups, Flying-type moves will deal heavy damage to Venusaur, but Poison-type moves are effective against Rowlet too!"
Hiro nodded. "Ash and Rowlet must avoid letting those Poison-type moves dictate the pace."
If Professor Kukui ran an annoying setup with Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, Leech Seed, and Giga Drain, it would be a nightmare.
That approach was rare these days, though. Most builds paired Venusaur with a Mega Stone and focused on firepower.
Professor Kukui did not have Venusaur's Evolution Stone,
so there was no need to worry about that.
Professor Kukui was an avid Z-Move user.
He had neither a Mega Bracelet nor a Dynamax Band.
"Rowlet, Brave Bird!"
Ash intended to end the battle quickly with a powerful Flying-type move.
"Trululu~" Blue flames flared around Rowlet once more, and it dove like a blue comet.
But Professor Kukui had already anticipated that.
"Venusaur, catch it with your flower!"
Venusaur's flower moved in an uncanny fashion, suddenly thrusting forward as its petals opened like a monstrous maw.
The maw caught the diving Rowlet with perfect accuracy,
swallowing it into the flower in one gulp.
The petals immediately closed, trapping it tight.
"What?!"
Ash was startled by this move too,
but he quickly regained his composure.
"Rowlet, break out!"
Rowlet struggled desperately inside the cramped flower, the energy of Brave Bird surging in every direction.
Venusaur's flower bulged and shook, but