Chapter 162: Tactical Deception
The young man about to duel Arthur was surnamed Wilson; he was often addressed as Young Master Wilson at the banquet earlier.
The Pokémon he brought out was a Poliwrath. This Pokémon also has a common folk name, Kuaiyongwa (Fast-Swimming Frog).
The reason it's classified as a frog-type is because its initial form is called Poliwag.
However, in reality, Poliwrath looks nothing like a frog.
Their main body trunk is round and disc-shaped, with sturdy arms and short, thick legs, but they have no head or neck. Their eyes protrude directly from the top of their torso, and below the eyes are two small, hole-shaped nasal cavities.
Additionally, their most distinct feature is the mosquito-coil-shaped pattern on their white belly, which is also the origin of their name.
Although it doesn't actually repel insects...
Conversely, Poliwrath actually prey on insects, even Bug-type Pokémon, for sustenance.
They are, in fact, a carnivorous type of Pokémon and are quite fierce in the wild.
Their typing is Water/Fighting.
On Arthur's side, since the origins of Specter and Mismagius hadn't been properly faked yet, it was temporarily inconvenient to bring them out.
Thus, next, it was naturally Frogadier's turn to enter the field.
Before the match even began, the spectating guests at the edge of the field started chatting amongst themselves.
"Old man, which kid are you optimistic about?"
"Still Old Wilson's kid, I reckon."
"Why's that?"
"I heard that little kid named Arthur, the main Pokémon he used in the news was a Honedge, right? And it was a very special way of using it, directly holding it in his hand to slash. I'm afraid it won't be easy to bring that out in a match."
Arthur was now considered a minor celebrity. Everyone only knew that after "getting lost," he had, in a fit of anger, directly carried a sword and killed the leader of an international terrorist organization—a feat that could be described as terrifying!
However, it was precisely because his battle record was too formidable that now no one believed that Honedge was a Pokémon he had newly captured.
People all felt that Honedge must have been raised by Arthur from a young age; only after more than ten years of tempering his body with the sword could he have achieved the current battle method of human-sword unity!
No one dared to believe that Honedge was actually just bought by Arthur in Lavender Town over a month ago.
Only Levi, who had heard some things from his cousin Raymond, was currently lost in thought.
"I, on the other hand, am somewhat more optimistic about Brother Arthur, even if he doesn't personally enter the field using Honedge."
How Oliver died, to speak the truth, Levi also didn't know. But at least, during the cleanup of the battlefield afterward, he had personally witnessed how those few gunmen in the trenches died and had led people to analyze it.
Arthur wasn't just strong because of that Honedge!
On this point, Levi was very certain.
So much so that he strongly suspected that Honedge actually wasn't as mystical as many people online were making it out to be.
Recently, on the internet, topics surrounding Arthur fighting while holding a sword—what with divine swords, demonic swords, evil swords—were flying around chaotically.
But after Levi had personally examined the corpses of those gunmen, he felt that perhaps, that sword wasn't anything special.
What was strong, very likely, wasn't the sword...
But the person wielding the sword!
Therefore, he believed: The Pokémon Arthur was truly focusing on cultivating was perhaps not Honedge at all.
In this battle, if Young Master Wilson was careless, he was very likely doomed.
At this moment, before the duel began, Young Master Wilson still very gentlemanly apologized to Arthur first.
"My apologies, little brother. According to competitive rules, you yourself cannot personally wield a sword and enter the field. Please don't blame me for taking advantage of you."
While apologizing, he was still smiling kindly, displaying strong confidence.
Military personnel generally don't fight in competitive matches.
But this certainly didn't mean their Pokémon's strength was lacking!
This round, he was brimming with confidence.
Arthur also smiled humbly in return.
"It's no matter."
The opponent still doesn't know that the 'advantage' he's taking actually isn't limited to just the rule preventing the trainer from entering the field himself.
Immediately following, under the auspices of an elder at the edge of the field, both sides' Pokémon entered the field, and the duel formally began!
At the opening, both sides simultaneously gave orders—
"Poliwrath, Mud Shot!"
"Smokescreen!"
Poliwrath took the initiative, using the ranged Ground-type move "Mud Shot," condensing energy into mud clumps and hurling them towards Frogadier.
Unexpectedly, Arthur seemed to have calculated his decision beforehand; right at the start, he had Frogadier throw down smoke.
The diffusing smokescreen affected Poliwrath's accuracy; the mud clumps were thrown into the smoke, and for a good while, no sound of impact was heard.
Eighty percent chance it went askew.
Poliwrath wasn't anxious either. Taking advantage of the skill cooldown period, it cautiously and slowly approached the opponent's half of the field.
Seeing Frogadier still not emerging after some time, Young Master Wilson ordered again.
"Use Bulk Up!"
Bulk Up: A Normal-type buff move. Through mental suggestion, it motivates oneself, strengthening body muscles and energy organs for a period, making one's own attacks stronger.
Arthur was forced to react immediately, "Go forward and interrupt him!"
In reality, almost all buff-type moves require a casting process; they are not instantly applied.
This process can be interrupted.
And normally, it must be interrupted!
Otherwise, in the subsequent battle, the buffed side will gain a period of absolute dominance.
Frogadier, as expected, rushed out from the smoke.
This made Young Master Wilson offer a knowing smile.
Good of you to come!
This is precisely what I wanted, to lure you out!
Little rascal, you've fallen for my trick!
"Circle Throw!"
Instantly, he yelled out another command, which, while stunning many in the audience, also made their eyes light up.
This was an extremely classic tactical deception!
Deliberately using the command and action of a buff-type move to lure the opponent out of their advantageous terrain to engage in battle. But in reality, Poliwrath had just made a fake action of flexing its arms and thrusting its hips.
It wasn't actually using "Bulk Up."
It was merely a feint!
And it had successfully lured out both Arthur and Frogadier.
This wave required the trainer's deliberate shout, secret commands, and the Pokémon's tacit cooperation—not one element could be missing.
A very classic, yet also very effective, luring enemy tactic on the competitive stage.
Unexpectedly, Young Master Wilson, despite his military background, actually had quite some research into these kinds of fancy tricks used on the competitive arena.
The next moment, Poliwrath grabbed the charging Frogadier with one hand, energy swirling around its arm, helping it to firmly suppress and control its opponent.
Then, accompanied by a loud yell, Poliwrath fiercely lifted Frogadier high above its head with one hand and then forcefully hurled it out!
Circle Throw: A Fighting-type move, using great strength to create miracles by throwing the enemy far away.
Because of the energy assistance, this throwing move can hurl an enemy very far.
In practical combat, it's often used to throw opponents against walls or obstacles, in hopes of utilizing the terrain to deal secondary damage.
And in arena competition, this move also carries an abnormally powerful threat: that is, it holds the promise of directly throwing the opponent out of the field!
Competitive fields have boundaries; going out of bounds results in an immediate judgment of loss.
Therefore, this move, when used unexpectedly, even has the potential to end the match with a single blow!
Young Master Wilson's smile was obvious at this moment.
His catchphrase, "My apologies," was almost about to slip out.
However, the next moment, only a crisp "Pop!" sound was heard.
He was stunned...
More than half the onlookers at the edge of the field were also watching, stunned.
But immediately following, more than half the audience couldn't help but burst into applause.
"Beautiful, that move!"
The Frogadier that had just been forcefully thrown out by Poliwrath popped and shattered in mid-air.
Because that... was actually just a Double Team clone!
(End of Chapter)
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