Chapter 101: The Death Makeup Technique!
Brave Bird!!!
Crobat's speed was incredible, carving an afterimage in the air and slicing a gap through the black mist as it charged toward Beedrill's back.
Beedrill, however, remained completely still, seemingly frozen because Crobat's attack was too fast.
Before the bird cry even finished, Crobat was already slamming into Beedrill's back.
"SWOOOSH!!—"
Suddenly, Tyson Tang's eyes widened, and a chill climbed his spine.
Tyson Tang and Crobat had long since achieved a heart-to-heart bond. Because of this, Tyson Tang could clearly feel the profound shock in Crobat's mind.
The instant Brave Bird was supposed to connect, Beedrill had vanished!!
Crobat halted, letting out an ultrasonic wave to probe its surroundings.
But the moment Crobat stopped, two scarlet points of light pierced the mist behind it.
They were Beedrill's compound eyes!
Without warning, Beedrill had appeared behind Crobat like a wraith!
"BOOM!!!—"
Beedrill raised its hand and smashed its stinger down.
"CHAPA!!!—"
Crobat cried out in agony, its body sent flying like a cannonball, hitting the ground with a loud crash.
"Crobat!!—"
The black mist dissipated. Crobat was lying on the ground, unconscious.
Beedrill remained suspended in the air right where Crobat had been moments before.
One-hit KO!!!
Yuki's mouth hung open. She was almost sure she was dreaming.
Kenji looked on, slightly helpless.
Another one-hit KO...
It seemed only Champion-level Pokémon would truly be a match for his Beedrill.
"Come back, Beedrill."
Kenji recalled Beedrill to its Pokéball.
Tyson Tang, his face a picture of complexity, recalled Crobat.
...
Half an hour later...
Tyson Tang was carefully stroking Arbok's black scales, his eyes shining. He was practically drooling.
Arbok looked utterly disdainful of the attention.
"What kind of special ability do you possess to be able to raise a Pokémon to such a terrifying level?" Tyson Tang asked enviously, continuing to pet Arbok.
Tyson Tang himself possessed a "special ability," one that specialized in training and raising Pokémon. That was the only reason he was able to become an Elite Four-level trainer at such a young age.
Trainers were divided into levels: Professional Trainer, Elite Trainer, Elite Four Trainer, and Champion Trainer.
Above Champion Trainer was the Legendary Trainer, or what was sometimes called a Pokémon Master.
The division of trainer levels was simple: one only needed four or more Pokémon at the corresponding level.
As for Gym Leaders, Champions, and the Elite Four, those were official positions within the National League.
"It's mostly just these little guys fighting for themselves," Kenji replied humbly, stroking Arbok's head.
Arbok's scales were cool and smooth, making it quite comfortable to stroke.
Yuki, who was standing nearby, remained silent, but the look in her eyes held a hint of relief. She realized she had been foolish to consider this person her rival.
"It's incredible, truly incredible. I've never seen a pattern like this before," Tyson Tang said, peering intently at Arbok's belly like an obsessive fan.
"Right, Gym Leader Tang, since you are a master of Poison-type Pokémon, I have a few questions about Arbok," Kenji said abruptly.
Tyson Tang's interest immediately piqued. "What is it?"
Kenji cleared his throat. "I'd like to understand more about Arbok's markings."
Tyson Tang nodded. This was knowledge explicitly documented in the Pokédex.
"Currently, to my knowledge, there are a total of 24... 25 discovered marking patterns across the world's Arbok population," Tyson Tang corrected himself after glancing at Kenji's Arbok.
He continued, "And these markings cause different variations in the individual Pokémon's base stats. These variations include, but are not limited to, HP, Physical Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, Speed, toxicity, regeneration, and intimidation factor..."
"In the research community, there are many theories. Some believe the difference is caused by the environment they grow up in. Others believe the markings themselves influence the stats. And still others believe..."
Tyson Tang spoke eloquently. The more he talked, the brighter Kenji's eyes shone.
As expected of a specialist in Poison-types, much of the knowledge Tyson Tang imparted about the markings was undocumented in books, the Pokédex, or even on the internet.
Once Tyson Tang finished, Kenji tentatively asked, "Then... Gym Leader Tang, do you know if there is any way to make Arbok change its abdominal markings?"
"Change its markings?" Tyson Tang was startled.
Kenji nodded. "Yes. If changing the markings can boost different stats, wouldn't being able to change them mid-battle allow for an incredible surprise attack on the opponent?"
Kenji's question left Tyson Tang looking thoroughly confused.
Clearly, the technique known in the anime/manga as the Death Makeup Technique (used by Elite Four Agatha's Arbok) had not been developed here.
The Death Makeup Technique allowed an Arbok to change its markings to gain different stat boosts. Kenji wasn't sure if Elite Four Agatha's Arbok was simply a gifted individual, or if all Arbok could develop this skill through special training.
If it required a unique gift, and Arbok didn't possess it, then Kenji would have to abandon the idea.
But if it only required a special training method, then Kenji had to place his hope in Tyson Tang, the Poison-type expert.
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