Giovanni in danger!

They assembled early again.

Only this time, they did not all assemble together, but gathered by class.

The three classes were assigned to three enormous training grounds. Everything inside had been cleared away, and despite all the open space, a heavy sense of oppression hung over them.

When they entered, the youths already understood what was about to happen.

Every youth kept some distance from the people beside them, not daring to let their guard down for a moment.

Giovanni kept one hand on his dagger and the other on Nidoran♂'s Poké Ball, ready to act at any time.

Max, not far from him, did the same, his face full of wariness.

Of the two, one had the strongest physique and personal strength, while the other was the great threat in everyone's minds, even if one of his Pokémon was currently unavailable.

But that did not mean the others would underestimate him.

There were simply too many unknowns about Giovanni.

Miyamoto was still the one who appeared. No one knew what Mu Lixiang had been doing lately.

Standing on a raised platform, Miyamoto addressed the dozen or so youths below.

"I'm sure you've already guessed. Because of a few minor mishaps, this month's rules may have to change."

At those words, the already wary youths put even more distance between themselves and those beside them.

Miyamoto simply continued.

"I won't waste words. The rules are simple. Only one person can leave this training ground alive today."

The steps rose, leaving only the boys and girls in the training ground.

Flashes of white light flickered as Pokémon poised for battle were released from their Poké Balls.

The flames of battle and killing intent filled the entire training ground.

Giovanni tapped a finger, and Nidoran♂ emerged in a flash of white light.

The moment Nidoran♂ came out and saw the situation around him, he very cleverly used Focus Energy.

Unlike Kakuna, Nidoran♂ had not reached the point of being almost in sync with Giovanni's thoughts. He could not unleash a move and attack everyone the instant Giovanni began to speak.

So launching a preemptive attack was not realistic for Giovanni.

If he really did that, not only would he gain nothing, but he might even face a joint attack from a dozen or so boys and girls.

He would be in danger then!

But using Focus Energy was still fine.

Clearly, though, Giovanni would still be targeted even if he did not strike first.

The same went for Max, who, unlike Giovanni, was not currently limited to using one Pokémon.

Right now, Max was these youths' greatest enemy.

So most of them went straight for him.

The others descended into a chaotic melee.

As for Giovanni, two boys had set their sights on him. One was called Lian Xiu and the other A Huo. They launched the first attack against Giovanni. "Mankey, Meowth, kill that Nidoran♂ and that human! Scratch! Low Kick!"

"Rattata, Sandshrew, use Tackle and your sharp claws!"

The four Pokémon charged ferociously at Giovanni and Nidoran♂!

Max glanced at Giovanni, but quickly turned his head away and fought alongside Machop and Tyrogue.

Facing the four Pokémon's combined assault, Giovanni's face grew as dark as ink!

"Nidoran♂, drive them back with a full-power Poison Sting!"

The situation left Nidoran♂ no room for carelessness either. One slip, and it looked as though he would die alongside Giovanni.

Judging by the looks in their eyes, even if he killed Giovanni now, they would not spare him.

Whoosh, whoosh!

Nidoran♂ unleashed Poison Sting at full power. Though his aim was poor, the sheer number was enough.

Lian Xiu and A Huo immediately shouted.

"Dodge!"

The four Pokémon that had been lunging toward him could only dodge and block the poison needles.

That was the advantage of Poison-type Pokémon: they had no fear of being mobbed.

Once they reached Elite Four level, they could turn an entire city into a poisonous swamp in an instant, reducing humans and Pokémon to bare bones!

Giovanni thought for a moment, then gave an order.

"Charge in and fight them up close! We're not afraid of these close-range fighters!"

With his Poison Point Ability, Nidoran♂ was now a tough customer who feared no one.

Sandshrew would be a little troublesome, though.

These youths had studied for two months and battled for another two. They were no longer boys who knew nothing, so A Huo hurriedly shouted.

"Sandshrew, Sand Rush! Rattata, Tail Whip!"

Lian Xiu shouted as well, "Meowth, Growl! Mankey, Leer!"

Four layers of weakening.

His face grim, Giovanni continued giving orders to Nidoran♂, who was already beginning to tire. "Nidoran♂, ignore them! Attack Rattata with Peck!"

Nidoran♂ gritted his teeth and kept charging!

"Dodge, Rattata!" A Huo shouted urgently. "Sandshrew, use your sharp claws."

Lian Xiu, however, showed no intention of ordering his Pokémon to help.

Ultimately, they were still rivals.

Nidoran♂ ignored everything else and single-mindedly kept attacking Rattata.

Rattata had been wounded by the poison barbs. A patch of its body had already turned black, and dark, poisonous blood dripped from it.

A Huo was no fool. He immediately shouted at Lian Xiu, who was watching from the sidelines.

"If you don't act, we'll both die!"

With no other choice, the boy could only send Meowth and Mankey into action. "Meowth, Fake Out! Mankey, use Fury Swipes!"

Urged on by their trainer, the two spectating Pokémon immediately charged at Nidoran♂.

Just as they were about to reach Nidoran♂, Giovanni narrowed his eyes and shouted.

"Now! Unleash Poison Sting in every direction at full power!"

Nidoran♂ also saw that this was a rare opportunity. He immediately swung his head around, pouring out poison needles without pause!

Lian Xiu's eyes contracted at the sight. "This is bad."

But it was already too late.

Thud, thud!

The unlucky Meowth took the poison needles head-on. The skin beneath its fur instantly blackened, and a pained expression appeared on its face!

Only Mankey managed to dodge the attack by sheer luck.

Lian Xiu cursed at A Huo.

"You bastard! This is all your fault!"

A Huo did not back down in the slightest and cursed right back. "Serves you right for refusing to help!"

They looked ready to come to blows.

Fortunately, they also knew the current situation did not allow for that, so they formed another temporary alliance.

Lian Xiu told A Huo.

"Have Sandshrew take the front! I'll have Mankey look for an opening. Rattata and my Meowth can still fight! Whatever happens, let's kill him first."

A Huo nodded and ordered Sandshrew, "Go! Use Defense Curl, Sandshrew!"

Sandshrew curled up, exposing its hard back armor, and charged straight at Nidoran♂.

Under A Huo and Lian Xiu's orders, Meowth and Rattata kept wearing down Nidoran♂'s stamina.

Mankey remained ready at every moment.

At this rate, Nidoran♂ really was in danger.

Giovanni's brows knitted tightly. That was not all: as the two failed to take Giovanni down for so long, others had begun looking their way too.

Giovanni was in danger!

P.S. Guess who's going to appear in the next chapter?