Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

Even if the opponent doesn't switch Pokémon, any Pokémon that touches the invisible rocks floating in mid-air will take damage.

Sudowoodo successfully used Stealth Rock, but in doing so, it completely lost its chance to evade the incoming Twister.

Whoosh!

The Twister not only broke apart the sand created by Sand Tomb, but it also swept the debris into its vortex, forming a swirling "sandstorm."

Although Twister, a Dragon-type move, didn't have a type advantage against Sudowoodo's Rock typing, it targeted Sudowoodo's weak Special Defense as a special attack.

Caught in the vortex, Sudowoodo was spun like laundry in a washing machine, tossed about until it cried out in pain.

"Ka—thunk!"

Sudowoodo crashed to the ground with a resounding thud.

Yet, despite this setback, Ryuji wasn't despondent.

The field, now littered with Stealth Rock, presented a significant obstacle for Gabite, which relied on its speed to outmaneuver Sudowoodo.

If Gabite so much as grazed one of the explosive invisible rocks, it would learn the true meaning of pain.

Ryuji commanded Sudowoodo to use Rock Tomb to pressure Gabite into stepping on the hidden Stealth Rock.

But to his surprise, Gabite seemed entirely unbothered by the traps.

Gabite darted forward, evading the rocks summoned by Rock Tomb with remarkable precision as it closed the distance to Sudowoodo.

"It's reckless enough to charge in like that..."

Seeing Gabite rushing toward Sudowoodo, Ryuji allowed himself a small, confident smile. He was ready to see Gabite get blown back by Stealth Rock.

But the next moment, his grin vanished.

"What?! How is this possible?"

Gabite weaved through the battlefield with ease, completely unaffected by Stealth Rock.

Ryuji's expression was a mixture of disbelief and frustration.

Was the Stealth Rock Sudowoodo set up defective?

The move, which he had relied on to counter Dragonite, seemed useless now.

The truth, however, was that Ryuji's strategy was doomed from the start.

While Stealth Rock might work against 99.9% of trainers, Luo Yuan happened to be in that 0.1%.

Unbeknownst to Ryuji, Luo Yuan's psychic abilities allowed him to perceive every hidden object on the battlefield.

From his vantage point, Luo Yuan scanned the arena, his eyes briefly glowing blue.

Through telepathy, he shared a 3D map of the battlefield with Gabite, marking the exact locations of every Stealth Rock.

Following the mental map, Gabite easily avoided the traps and closed in on Sudowoodo.

"Metal Claw!"

Gabite's sharp claws gleamed as it slashed at Sudowoodo, leaving three deep gashes on its rocky body and sending it flying backward.

But Gabite wasn't done yet.

With a powerful stomp, Gabite unleashed a shockwave that rippled across the ground and slammed into Sudowoodo.

"Bulldoze!"

Boom!

Sudowoodo experienced yet another moment of airborne "fun" before crashing to the ground.

Having endured a relentless combination of Sand Tomb, Twister, Metal Claw, and Bulldoze, Sudowoodo fainted on the spot, completely unable to battle.

"Sudowoodo is unable to battle! Gabite wins!"

"Damn it!"

Ryuji clenched his fists in frustration. His first Pokémon was completely defeated, and the strategy he had pinned his hopes on had failed miserably.

Still, he wasn't ready to give up.

With a determined expression, Ryuji threw out his second Poké Ball.

"Go, Mamoswine!"

Ryuji had already studied Luo Yuan's lineup and knew that two of his revealed Pokémon were weak to Ice.

To counter this, he had brought Mamoswine, a heavy hitter and Ice-type powerhouse.

Standing nearly three meters tall, Mamoswine stomped onto the battlefield with an imposing presence.

Its massive tusks and rugged appearance were a stark contrast to its adorably fluffy pre-evolution, Swinub.

"Incredible! After Sudowoodo's defeat, Ryuji sends out Mamoswine, a rare Pokémon that lives deep in snowy mountains!"

"Research suggests Mamoswine was common during the Ice Age. Due to global warming, it's now an exceedingly rare species."

"With its Ice and Ground typing, Mamoswine is a serious threat to the Dragon-type Gabite. How will Luo Yuan respond?"

"Mamoswine..."

Luo Yuan had anticipated this.

He had read the reports about Ryuji owning a Mamoswine, but seeing it in person was a different matter.

As a Pokémon that had existed since ancient times, Mamoswine's tusks grew thicker, longer, and stronger in colder climates.

Ryuji's Mamoswine, in particular, exceeded Luo Yuan's expectations.

The enormous tusks exuded an icy chill, and the sheer size of its body exuded an oppressive aura.

Despite its thick fur, which gave it a deceptively warm appearance, the air around Mamoswine was frigid.

"The Mamoswine described in the reports wasn't this strong. It might be close to Elite Four level. Did Ryuji power it up recently?" Luo Yuan wondered, casting a glance at his opponent.

Ryuji's confidence seemed to have returned after sending out Mamoswine.

Luo Yuan turned his gaze to Gabite.

While Gabite had incredible potential and had been growing rapidly under Luo Yuan's training, taking on a Mamoswine of this caliber would be a significant challenge.

Sensing Luo Yuan's attention, Gabite looked back at its trainer with a determined expression.

As a Gabite, it had inherited the pride and resilience of its species.

Under Luo Yuan's guidance, it wasn't one to back down from a tough opponent.

"Alright, let's give it a shot."

With the media attention already serving its purpose, Luo Yuan felt no need to maintain a flawless streak.

This was a perfect opportunity for Gabite to gain valuable experience in a high-stakes battle.

Luo Yuan raised his hand, signaling Gabite to continue.

Understanding its trainer's intentions, Gabite immediately shifted into a battle stance.

"Whoa! Luo Yuan has decided to stick with Gabite against Mamoswine!"

"To be honest, this isn't the smartest choice. But given Luo Yuan's undefeated streak since the start of the tournament, there must be a reason behind his decision!"

---

A good story, much like a well-fought battle, is all about precision, strategy, and passion. Every choice matters—the right move, the right word, the perfect balance between staying true to the original and making it shine in English.

That's why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL] – where every pledge helps ensure more high-quality translations, faithful to the original while flowing naturally in English. Trust me, as a Champion, I know a thing or two about mastery.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another battle to prepare for. But you? You should definitely check out that Patreon.

—Cynthia