Suddenly!
A thick Hydro Pump tore through the smoke, about to slam into Toxicroak.
"Shadow Ball."
Fang Yexian frowned. This Hydro Pump was much thicker than the last one.
Toxicroak brought its hands together, then spread them apart. A Shadow Ball formed between its palms and shot out in one burst.
Yet the moment Shadow Ball collided with Hydro Pump, Samurott's attack lost its former power. It even seemed to run out of steam, letting Shadow Ball break through with ease. And when Shadow Ball continued hurtling forward, unstoppable, Samurott was nowhere to be found!
-That Hydro Pump had been covering Samurott's movements!
Realizing this, Fang Yexian immediately ordered, "Protect!"
But Samurott gave Toxicroak no time to react. Just as Protect's light began to flicker, a cold gleam flashed with a terrifying edge. Samurott suddenly emerged beneath Shadow Ball, its pair of leg blades transformed into dazzling, razor-sharp ice swords. At the same time, the long horn atop its head shone brilliant silver-Smart Strike!
Swish!
In the blink of an eye, Samurott's three "swords" had already slashed Toxicroak.
Ash and Beldum watched, dumbfounded!
Samurott sheathed its blades, and Toxicroak fell.
"Looks like I won." Ash folded his hands in front of himself, elegant and composed.
Fang Yexian said nothing.
What had he seen in that instant?
He had seen a master swordsman with peerless swordsmanship.
Worthy of the name "Samurott," huh...
Its strength had improved considerably since the Intercollegiate Battle Tournament.
Fang Yexian treated Toxicroak with a Potion before returning it to its Poké Ball.
Actually, once he saw that Toxicroak's strength couldn't contend with that tightly compressed Hydro Pump, Fang Yexian had realized he might not win this battle. But he hadn't expected to lose in a single instant, without even getting to use his trump card. He was,