Thanks to Mustard, Urshifu was one of the most famous Legendary Pokémon in the world.
Whatever its prestige, at least it appeared often and got plenty of exposure!
So Kubfu's entrance earned a fair amount of applause from the Petalburg City spectators.
To be precise, this was the first time they had applauded Xia Chi.
That alone showed just how loyal the Petalburg Gym's "hostile home crowd" was to their Gym Leader, Norman.
On the battlefield, Kubfu narrowed its beady eyes at the Kangaskhan standing nearby, nearly a dozen times its size. Its thick, black, crayon-drawn eyebrows stood straight up as it let out a clear battle cry brimming with fighting spirit.
"Kuma!"
A newborn bear cub feared no tiger!
Even though it had stepped on [Toxic Spikes] the moment it entered the field and become poisoned.
Even though its opponent was Kangaskhan, hailed as "the boss," Kubfu's eyes held nothing but soaring fighting spirit, without a trace of fear!
Though, in an era before Mega Evolution had been discovered, that title was a little undeserved. "The fraud" would have been more fitting.
"Bulk Up!"
Xia Chi gave the command.
This was an open gambit.
If Norman sent Kangaskhan charging over, Kubfu could use its superior speed to stop [Bulk Up] immediately and retaliate fiercely with Fighting-type moves that were super effective against Kangaskhan!
Norman's gaze sharpened. He instantly saw through Xia Chi's intentions.
Rather than interrupt, he made a bolder, more confident decision. "Swords Dance!"
Norman's goal was equally clear: boost with [Swords Dance], combine it with the earlier [Power-Up Punch] boost, and use the massive increase in Attack to knock Kubfu out in one [Giga Impact]!
Kangaskhan's enormous body immediately began dancing vigorously, fierce fighting spirit surging out alongside its steadily rising presence.
The golden light that signaled