Divine Plan? But I'm a Pokémon trainer.

Chapter 361 How could there be such an absurd beginner elf as a fuzzy-horned sheep?

Send relatively reliable but not highly trained Pokémon like Whimsicott, Ferrothorn, Breloom, and Wooloo that has learned "Cotton Guard" and "Pounce" to a new trainer with good luck.

Upon learning of this, Brock and Misty, the two gym leaders who were first challenged by trainers who possessed Pokémon trained by Link, were completely stunned because they were located near Rota Street.

Link is absolutely awful!!!
Whimsicott with the "Mischievous Heart" ability is particularly troublesome when using status moves. If it were just that, it wouldn't be so bad, since the difference in strength often makes status moves ineffective.

However, the Whimsicott trained by Link not only possesses the "Mischievous Heart" ability, but also the "Pierce" and "Chlorophyll" abilities, making the battle experience extremely poor.

If it were just a Whimsicott with only three abilities, it would be fine. Although this kind of Pokémon is versatile and quick to react, its power and durability are not high, and it can be easily defeated by Rock and Water-type Pokémon that are good at offense.

But Link sent out more than just Whimsicott...

I don't know where he got the Ferrothorn from. This kind of Pokémon is slow but also tough and annoying. Its "iron spikes" can damage the attacker when it is attacked at close range, and if you keep your distance, you will be harassed by spikes and Stealth Rock.

Although the battle-hardened Xiaogang and Xiaoxia know how to deal with spikes and invisible rocks, they are still easily disrupted by these two moves in one-on-one battles.

The Nut Dumbbell, in particular, has extremely high durability. After being "cursed," the "Spinning Top" becomes unexpectedly powerful, and the "Big Explosion" when it's near death is absolutely disgusting.

That being said, the speed of the nut dumbbells remains their biggest weakness.

While the dust, "highly toxic" and "troublesome seeds" of the exposed mushroom are disgusting, they are not insurmountable.

But the Woolstätter sheep that came out of Sprout Ranch started to go crazy.

This Pokémon develops rapidly; even without a trainer's guidance, it can evolve into Wooloo within a year, and with Link's guidance, it can evolve in almost a month.

The evolved Wooloo has decent speed and power, and excellent durability. As a Normal-type, it has almost no weaknesses. When facing Fighting-type moves that are super effective against it, it has "Cotton Guard" which greatly increases its physical defense and "Fluffy Body".

Physical attacks can barely damage it!

Special-end "Aura Missiles" and "Aura Bullets" will be deflected by the body's elastic "bulletproof" design.

Its "Unyielding Spirit" makes it go all out when facing strong enemies, and it will not back down even if the gym leader sends out a slightly stronger Pokémon.

While Fire-type moves are a good counter to Wooloo, there aren't many Rock and Water-type Pokémon that know Fire-type moves, and Misty sending out Gyarados, which only knows Flamethrower, would be too over the top.

This Pokémon, which is quick to develop, powerful, extremely durable, and incredibly strong, is also formidable on the offensive end.

It's unclear what Link taught it (it was "Pounce"), but the woolly sheep from Sprout Ranch look fluffy and soft, but once they launch a full-force attack, even Rock-type creatures can't withstand their outrageous power!

Even more unbelievable is that... Woolworths even knows the two convenient moves "Imitate" and "Pass the Baton", as well as the Grass-type "Grass Slide".

Xiaoxia and Xiaogang were completely fed up with battling these kinds of Pokémon. They simply didn't have any Pokémon of similar level that could reliably defeat these Woolhorn Goats.

When a challenger pulls out a woolly horned sheep, the challenger usually knows that at least one of them will be replaced.

Especially since Brock and Misty are Rock and Water type gym leaders, it's not advisable for them to switch to non-Style Pokémon when facing challengers. This makes it extremely difficult for them to fight when they bring out Pokémon that match the number of challenger badges they have... but it's not like they can't win.

As gym leaders, both of them are highly qualified trainers. Trainers who simply acquire a Pokémon but don't know how to command or train it shouldn't expect to clear the game with just a Grass-type Pokémon.

"Damn it, I should have thought of this when I kept encountering Pokémon with dual or triple abilities!"

Xiaoxia then belatedly realized: "Multi-characteristic Pokémon are not something that trainers can cultivate; it's all thanks to the Sprout Ranch's Ability Capsules."

Realizing this, Xiao Gang narrowed his eyes. A multi-attribute Pokémon that can be mass-bred... No wonder the League values ​​these attribute capsules so much.

"The problem shouldn't be too big, right? I'll definitely be in charge of training beginner Pokémon in the future, and you two shouldn't be defeated by a mere Pokémon with a type advantage."

Link didn't think his breeding skills were that outstanding, especially since the Pokémon he sent were limited in strength: "I think it's probably because you're not very familiar with Pokémon from other regions. I'll tell you about the characteristics of these Pokémon later."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxia straightened her chest; of course she wouldn't be defeated by a Grass-type Pokémon.

"Before that, since you, Kobayashi, also plan to become the gym leader, let me share some insights with you—"

"When facing a challenger, the gym leader will dynamically adjust the power output and the Pokémon they send out based on the opponent's skill level."

The purpose of gym leaders and gym masters is not to defeat challengers, but to assess their strength...

“I already knew that,” Link said matter-of-factly. “That’s why I always have the gym leader send out his best players to battle me when I challenge a gym. Otherwise, it would be so boring.”

Xiaoxia was speechless; a challenger like him was truly a rare find.

It's important to understand that not all rookie trainers are capable of battling against Gym Leaders' main trainers.

Based on the number of badges a challenger possesses and the information in the Poké Ball management system, the gym leader will usually test the waters with a Pokémon of similar strength to the challenger.

If the challenger performs well enough, then get a little more serious and send out a Pokémon that is slightly stronger than the opponent.

Even if the opponent ultimately loses in this situation, there is a high probability that you will get the badge.

However, if the performance is poor, the gym leader will consider whether the other party did not perform well, or whether there is a difference in the training progress of the Pokémon, and will take appropriate measures based on the actual situation.

"Since gyms test the skill of trainers rather than the skill of their Pokémon, having a superior Pokémon with a type advantage is not the decisive factor."

Xiao Gang summarized it this way: "In terms of the results, the Pokémon you provided, Xiao Lin, will not play a decisive role in the challenger's test."

Link seemed to understand something upon hearing this. So, the dojo's assessment was actually for pilots, not mecha? He hadn't thought about this difference before.

So, wouldn't it be fine for the gym to temporarily lend their Pokémon to the challenger for command?

"I have a plan..."

Just as he was about to mention a "more interesting" assessment plan to the two gym leaders, Ash and Pikachu's stomachs growled.

Link looked up at the sky outside; it was indeed getting late.

"That's it for now, let's eat first."

"Great!"

Thanks to Xiaogang's help, this meal was much easier than usual...

……

The arrival of Zhigang, Xia, and their companions brought a lively atmosphere to Sprout Ranch. While everyone was enjoying sightseeing in the surrounding area, the Aura Warriors' celebration finally began.

Early that morning, Ergui Pong woke Link up and dragged him to the street to participate in the celebration.

The so-called Waveguide Warrior... such a tired topic doesn't seem to need further explanation.

"Boni?" But Ergui Pong looked curious about this, wondering who this Aura Hero's celebration was commemorating, and why it was like a masked festival where people had to dress up and go out.
"Fu~"

Fu heard that Ash was the hero of the Aura.

"Huh?" Ash, who was stuffing food into his mouth, paused for a moment. "Where's the naan?"

"Pikachu~"

"Ash looks a bit dull, I don't think he can become a hero," Misty remarked instinctively.

Xiao Gang disagreed: "The most important thing about a so-called hero is, of course, courage."

anyway.

Seeing that the group of tourists hadn't done any prior research, Link had no choice but to reluctantly waste some of his breath explaining.

The legend of the Aura Warrior is a long story.

Around a thousand years ago, humans and elves did not coexist, the Kanto region was not unified, and various towns and countries were constantly at war.

One of them is the city of Orudron, north of Rota Street, which once dominated the region with its skill in taming elves.

"Taming?" Ash swallowed his snack and asked curiously, "Isn't that training?"

"No, back then there was no such profession as trainer, and the relationship between humans and Pokémon was far from what it is today. Most humans were afraid of these incredible creatures with destructive power."

Pokémon trainers are those who actively approached Pokémon and utilized their power.

Generally speaking, trainers can be considered the predecessors of today's trainers.

Ancient people tamed spirits and used them as livestock, tools, and soldiers.

In Rota Street, there was a knight who had mastered the art of waveguides. He took a Lucario as his apprentice and taught him everything he knew.

"Aura users always seem to appear in pairs with Lucario." Misty couldn't help but recall the news she heard when she went to the Sinnoh region with Link last time, "There is an Aura user named Yaxuan on Iron Island who also trains Lucario."

and……

She looked at Ash, who was making a Lucario: "Ash, you seem to have raised a Lucario too, right?"

"Yes, that Aura user should also possess similar skills, but why is it a human teaching a Pokémon Aura?"

Based on Ash's experience, Riolu is born with the talent for Aura, and as it grows, it can easily become an excellent Aura user.

The skill of manipulating waveguides and using them to perceive the world should be an instinct for this kind of spirit.

Link shrugged: "Don't underestimate ancient humans. I've heard that they were much more powerful than modern humans."

In the movie, Aaron the Aura Hero was able to save Mew all by himself, while his Lucario needed Ash's help to do so...

The title of this hero is well-deserved.

Xiao Zhi didn't understand but felt impressed. No matter how powerful the ancients were, how powerful could they really be?

"Boni!"

Humans were really powerful back then.

Regardless of Egui Peng's explanation, the Blazing Roaring Tiger standing to the side thought to himself, "You two don't seem to be that weak either."

One is physically strong and can create "Aura Spheres" with its bare hands, while the other possesses various superpowers and has a higher adaptability to moves and energy than many other Pokémon.

“Don’t worry about such a small thing.” Link shook his head and continued to introduce the legend of the Aura Hero, “That Aura user was named Aaron. During his long training, he and Lucario grew closer and closer, like friends.”

However, the mainstream thinking at that time was still relatively primitive, and from Lucario's perspective, the two were more like master and servant.

Then, like all stories, one day a disaster struck.

For some unknown reason, the World Tree of Origin north of Orudron City, the node of the ley lines in this land, malfunctioned, and the dream that coexists with it also weakened.

The severed ley lines have gradually depleted the soil in the Kanto region, leading to reduced food production, frequent natural disasters, and further exacerbating conflicts between human nations.

War broke out in various places, and the city of Orudron also clashed with a country that had long since disappeared from history.

Just as the war was leading to destruction, Aura sent Aaron to the Tree of Origin, saving Dream and the Ley Lines and preventing natural and man-made disasters.

Since then, Rota Street has regarded him as the "Hero of Waveguides," and his deeds have been continuously sung at celebrations over the past thousand years.

In Link's opinion, the story is not dramatic enough and is quite ordinary overall, not much different from the most common fairy tales on the market.

However, Ash and his friends were quite excited after learning about this and decided to win first place at the tournament held this year in memory of the Aura Hero.

The winner of the battle tournament at the celebration will be symbolically crowned "Hero of Aura," which couldn't be more fitting for a certain trainer.

However, Xiao Gang quickly realized what was going on and concluded, "But if Xiao Lin also participates, then this year's 'Wave Guide Warrior' should be a foregone conclusion."

"I'll give it my all too!" "Pikachu!"

Ash, however, was unconvinced. He had fought Link many times in Langrisser, and although he had almost never won, he believed that as long as he gave it his all, there was still hope of victory.

Link laughed and said, "I'm not participating."

"what?"

Ash was puzzled. How could he not participate?
"Because I was invited to watch the game as a guest."

Former champion of the Kanto region, winner of the Hoenn Tournament, former champion of the Hoenn region, and the creator of the globally popular Pokémon cards, etc...

With a host of accolades bestowed upon him, Link, who is temporarily residing on Rota Street, has become the most talked-about figure on the street this year.

In fact, the current queen has wanted to see him for a long time, but he is so elusive that she almost never catches him when he comes.

So we had to invite him well in advance to watch the game as a guest at this year's celebration...

Link wasn't particularly interested in the title of "Hero of the Wave," but he readily accepted the invitation.

(End of this chapter)