LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Charizard vs. Sceptile!
Chapter 120: Charizard vs. Sceptile!
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"This is strange..."
Over the past few days of matches, the rapid growth in the power of Sceptile and Arcanine hadn't gone unnoticed by the Elite Four watching from above.
As overseers of the competition's integrity, they couldn't ignore this anomaly.
A Pokémon reaching Leader-tier shouldn't exhibit such dramatic changes in strength within a single day.
Could it be a rare artifact? Hidden potential? Or perhaps some kind of enhancement drug?
The Ghost-type Elite, known as Granny, suggested, "Let's conduct a post-match examination of his Pokémon."
"Agreed."
None of the other Elites voiced objections.
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On the battlefield...
"Who would've thought that two competitors in the National High School League semifinals would both hail from the same place—Shuimu City in Hunan Province!"
That single sentence from the commentator electrified the audience.
The small, seemingly inconspicuous Shuimu City suddenly became the subject of immense curiosity.
"Shuimu City? Where's that? I've never heard of it."
"Let me look it up... Wait, it says an Articuno was sighted there? Whoa, that's amazing!"
"They're both from the same city? Incredible. Once the league is over, I have to visit."
That single sentence, broadcast nationwide, was enough to boost Shuimu City's economy significantly.
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"Now for the arena draw... Grassland!"
As usual, a Master-tier Venusaur stepped out to create the battlefield, filling the arena with lush grass.
The grassland arena gave a boost to Grass-type Pokémon, increasing their damage output.
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"Bring it on, Hikaru!"
Kei Hoshino called out, trying to suppress his simmering anger as he faced Hikaru's calm demeanor.
Hikaru glanced at him with mild interest.
It wasn't Kei himself who intrigued him but rather the mysterious slate Kei relied on.
The ease with which Hikaru had progressed in the competition had left him with a slightly dismissive attitude.
Even the National High School League didn't seem particularly challenging to him.
But Hikaru knew better than to underestimate Kei. Kei had never taken him lightly, and this battle was no exception.
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"The match rules are 6v6. Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Kei took the lead. "Go, Sceptile!"
"Go, Charizard!"
"Roar!"
Sceptile stood tall, about 2.5 meters in height, but it was still slightly smaller compared to Charizard.
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"Charizard! Hikaru's sending out Charizard! This is its debut in the competition! Let's see what kind of performance this rarely seen Pokémon will deliver!"
Hikaru chose Charizard strategically, knowing the grassland arena would favor Grass-types like Sceptile.
Meanwhile, Kei stuck with Sceptile as expected.
Charizard glanced at Kei and his Pokémon, briefly assessing them before settling into its battle stance.
To Charizard, Kei was nothing more than another challenger.
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"Sceptile, Leaf Storm!"
Kei made the first move, uncertain of Charizard's current strength.
"Scep..."
Sceptile swung its blade-like leaves, its pride as a former underdog fueling its resolve against Charizard.
In the grassland arena, the swirling leaves coalesced into a towering green cyclone, each blade gleaming with a sharp edge.
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Hikaru shook his head slightly.
"Rapidly increased strength but still unstable energy control."
"Charizard, take to the skies and use Flamethrower."
The storm of leaves posed little threat to Charizard.
Charizard soared into the air, releasing a torrent of flames interwoven with golden and white hues, forming a mesmerizing arc that descended upon the green cyclone.
The towering Leaf Storm dissipated instantly, its remnants scattering like fragile autumn leaves.
The flames left the grassland scorched and barren, rendering the arena unrecognizable.
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As a Pokémon capable of clashing with Leader-tier Feraligatr while still at Gym-tier, Charizard was now firmly Leader-tier itself.
Facing a newly evolved Leader-tier Sceptile, it had nothing to fear.
Furthermore, Hikaru glanced at the blazing sun above.
In July, the intense sunlight activated Solar Power, further boosting Charizard's special attack.
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The commentator's voice brimmed with excitement:
"There it is! That distinctive white flame that even burns underwater! This flame is unique to Hikaru's Charizard!"
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Sceptile's expression twisted in disbelief. "Scept?"
"If Sceptile is your strongest Pokémon, then don't blame me for sweeping your entire team," Hikaru said coldly, his gaze piercing through Kei.
Kei clenched his fists, his anger boiling over.
"How dare you underestimate me! Sceptile, use Quick Attack into Leaf Blade!"
"Fire Punch!"
Charizard didn't back down.
The two Pokémon collided in a blur of motion, their speed too great for most spectators to follow.
When the clash ended, Sceptile's arm hung limply by its side.
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The commentator quickly displayed a slow-motion replay.
In the instant of contact, Charizard's Fire Punch shattered Sceptile's Leaf Blade with overwhelming force before delivering a devastating blow to Sceptile's torso.
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The audience erupted.
"No way! Hikaru's Charizard is this strong?"
"It's insane! I thought Sakura would win, but now I'm not so sure!"
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In the Elite Four's viewing area, the judges exchanged astonished glances.
Charizard's power seemed borderline absurd.
Although there was a clear type advantage, this level of dominance was unprecedented.
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"That flame is absorbing Sceptile's energy! It's also replenishing Charizard's!" Granny's eyes widened as she observed the battle.
As a Ghost-type specialist, she was highly attuned to such abilities, as many Ghost-types absorbed life force.
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"It's more than that," Takashi Hayashi added gravely. "Look at the grass on the field. Half of it is burned, while the other half is frozen. That flame simultaneously burns and freezes!"
He couldn't help but recall Charizard's earlier battles in the provincial league. Its flames had been unusual, but not nearly this terrifying.
Burning caused continuous damage, freezing reduced speed, and the flame even drained energy.
The thought of how powerful Charizard might become sent chills through the judges.
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Back on the field...
"This can't be happening! No way!" Kei yelled in disbelief as he watched Sceptile fall, defeated in the same way it had been back in Shuimu City.
Kei had put Sceptile through intense training in volcanic heat and rushing waterfalls, all to overcome Hikaru.
And yet...
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