Pokemon: The Legendary Trainer

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"It's actually a Swampert. This guy must be doing it on purpose. But that's fine—an opponent like this is perfect as a whetstone for my Marshtomp."

Seeing that Matis had sent out a Swampert, the evolved form of Marshtomp, to battle against his Marshtomp, Sato was briefly surprised. 

Then, a satisfied smile appeared on his face as he thought to himself.

At the same time, a faint blue light flashed through his eyes as he examined the Swampert's stats carefully.

....

Swampert's Data:

Pokemon: Swampert

Level: 38

Type: Water/Ground

Ability: Torrent

Gender: Male

Known Moves: Mud Shot, Hammer Arm, Tackle, Growl, Water Gun, Mud-Slap, Foresight, Endure, Mud Bomb, Rock Slide, Protect, Bite (Egg Move), Protect (TM), Double Team (TM), Hyper Beam (TM), Ice Beam (TM), Ice Punch (TM), Surf (TM), Waterfall (TM)

Held Item: Mystic Water

IVs:

HP: 25 (31)

Attack: 21 (31)

Defense: 21 (31)

Special Attack: 23 (31)

Special Defense: 23 (31)

Speed : 27 (31)

[Overall Rating: Purple] (Total IV 140, barely meeting the threshold for purple-tier Pokémon)

....

From the data, Sato could tell that this Swampert was quite well-trained. Although its IVs barely reached the purple tier, it was still an exceptional Pokémon. 

Considering the substantial fees Matis' family paid to the League annually, obtaining a purple-tier starter Pokémon as a result was certainly worth it.

Judging by its condition, Matis had clearly invested significant effort into this Swampert. 

Its development was above average, and it had even learned HM moves like Surf and Waterfall. It was evident that Matis considered Swampert his main Pokémon.

As Sato analyzed Swampert, Matis was equally focused on Sato's Marshtomp. As Swampert's trainer, he naturally knew a lot about Marshtomp as a species.

What caught Matis' attention most was Marshtomp's voracious appetite. Throughout their conversation, Sato's Marshtomp hadn't stopped eating. 

It had consumed nearly half of the grilled food that the waiters brought to their table, its stomach seemingly bottomless. The pile of empty clam, shrimp, and crab shells beside it was nearly as tall as the Pokémon itself.

Matis couldn't help but think, "I've never seen a Marshtomp that can eat like this. My Swampert's appetite isn't even a tenth of his."

There's a saying: To possess the strength of a dragon, one must first have a dragon's appetite. 

It's well-known that Dragon-type Pokémon have enormous appetites, which are essential for fueling their immense power. Moreover, they require only the most nutritious and high-quality food to develop properly.

If a trainer doesn't have sufficient financial resources, raising a pseudo-legendary Dragon-type Pokémon can easily lead to financial ruin—and that's just during its juvenile phase. 

Once it's fully grown, the cost multiplies tenfold.

Matis recognized that Marshtomp's enormous appetite was indicative of something extraordinary. 

Furthermore, instead of fear or apprehension, the battle-hungry expression on Marshtomp's face as it stared at Swampert, its evolved form, made it clear that this Pokémon had a competitive nature—a highly desirable trait among trainers.

"Well, this commoner sure got lucky," Matis thought bitterly. "It's a waste for him to have such an outstanding Pokémon."

At the referee's signal, the battle began.

Without hesitation, Matis took the initiative. "Swampert, use Mud Bomb!"

A signature move for Water/Ground types, Mud Bomb was launched from Swampert's mouth. Meanwhile, Sato remained silent, arms crossed, as Marshtomp took action on its own. 

With a well-practiced Ice Punch, it struck the ground, creating an ice wall mixed with sand to shield itself.

The impact of the Mud Bombs created a series of explosions, but when the smoke cleared, the ice wall remained standing—scarred but unbroken. 

At the same time, Marshtomp had vanished from view.

"Stay alert, Swampert. The opponent might not be where they were before."

Matis' caution proved warranted. Moments later, Marshtomp burst from the sand behind Swampert, a glowing Ice Punch ready to strike. 

Despite Matis' warning, Swampert barely reacted in time, countering with Hammer Arm.

Boom! 

The clash sent shockwaves across the battlefield. 

To everyone's shock, it was Swampert—not Marshtomp—that was sent flying. The larger Pokémon skidded across the sand, leaving a deep trench. Its right arm hung limp, clearly fractured.

"How is this possible? That Marshtomp's strength is monstrous—almost inhuman!" Matis exclaimed, his prior confidence all but gone.

However, Marshtomp himself was not feeling very well either. After all, Swampert was his evolved form. 

Although it was far inferior to Marshtomp in strength, with the help of Arm Hammer, a 120-power fighting-type attack move, its entire right arm was almost numb.

Despite Marshtomp taking some damage as well, its incredible resilience, bolstered by the regenerative effects of its mutated Supreme Blue Water Stone's Aqua Ring, quickly soothed its pain.

"That incredible raw power... It's Marshtomp's greatest weapon. In close combat, only Fighting or Dragon types could hope to match him," Sato thought, pride swelling in his chest.

As the crowd buzzed with disbelief, Elsa, watching from the sidelines, looked at Marshtomp like a rare treasure. 

Her gaze shifted to Sato's composed demeanor, and her resolve to pursue her decision only grew stronger.

The battle continued. 

Marshtomp, undeterred, switched to its left hand for another Ice Punch. Matis, regaining his composure, ordered, "Swampert, use Surf!"

But Sato smirked. "Keep going. Just swim over and deliver another punch."

On the sandy terrain, Surf churned up a muddy wave. Yet instead of hindering Marshtomp, the murky water enhanced its agility. 

Under the terrified gaze of the Swampert, who was already a little shaken up, Marshtomp once again surged forward with incredible momentum. 

In moments, it closed the gap with Swampert, whose confidence crumbled as it turned around and fled, refusing to face another icy fist. The severe pain from its right hand was a constant reminder of the possible consequences of that strike. 

In fact, Swampert was not the first Pokemon to be frightened by Marshtomp's fists.

Many Pokemon who had faced Marshtomp in head-on combat were extremely reluctant to face it again, almost developing a psychological shadow. 

Fleeing from a fight was the greatest shame for a warrior. Marshtomp was unwilling to fight such an opponent and stopped its pursuit, sneering at its cowering opponent. 

With disdain, it turned and calmly returned to Sato's side.