Pokémon: Starting with a Pokémon Ranch.

Chapter 208 EXcalibur (crossed out) Sunblade

Let's go back two weeks.

On this day, Farfetch'd was diligently practicing its sword on the grass. For it, the way of the sword was nothing more than ten years of unwavering practice.

That's why, even a move like Wild Smash, which is weak and only deals 15 damage in the game, can eventually become incredibly powerful with Farfetch'd's constant practice.

It's just that Su Yu didn't have a cheat code; otherwise, he really wanted to change Farfetch'd's ability to "Master Technician." That way, its weaker moves would become much stronger.

Just as Farfetch'd was practicing, Su Yu suddenly sat down beside it. He watched Farfetch'd practice its swordplay relentlessly, and finally said:

"Farfetch'd, have you ever considered... that pursuing the power of weak moves too much might lead you astray?"

Su Yu had always acknowledged Farfetch'd's swordsmanship talent. However, it seemed to have a kind of obsession: it kept practicing weak moves, trying to unleash the power of stronger moves with them.

Under these circumstances, even after several months at the ranch, Duck's strength hadn't improved much. If Growlithe hadn't been so slow to evolve, it might have been the weakest one.

"Gah?" Farfetch'd looked puzzled in response to Su Yu's words.

It recalled the past, when it was a newly hatched, very weak farfalle duck. Not only was it physically weak, but it also knew very few moves.

Back then, it could only learn some weak tricks like splashing sand and glaring. It couldn't compete with other green onion ducks for green onions, and it couldn't even keep the dwelling it dug in the ground.

It was under these circumstances that it relentlessly practiced those weaker moves, attempting to compensate for its weakness through hard work. In the end, it succeeded; its sand-splashing attack blinded its opponent, and its chaotic strikes sent the opponent fleeing in terror.

It became the strongest green onion duck in that green onion field.

After becoming invincible among Farfetch'd, it began to believe that even weak moves have their reasons for existing and can be developed and popularized.

"So that's why you refuse to learn and master those powerful techniques?"

Su Yu asked, puzzled.

Farfetch'd nodded in agreement. It felt that its current moves were more than enough.

This silenced Su Yu. It seemed that the giant green onion duck had put shackles on itself, restricting all its actions.

No wonder its progress has been so slow these past few months. Thanks to the farm's cooking, its body is still getting stronger. But its weaker moves are limiting Farfetch'd's full potential.

Just like the difference between someone wielding a dagger and someone wielding a broadsword, unless Farfetch'd has an epiphany and can turn a dagger into a throwing knife, he'll most likely still lose to someone wielding a broadsword.

"But this doesn't conflict with you learning powerful techniques, does it?"

"After all, powerful techniques are just a means of combat. And learning them might even help you better understand weaker techniques."

Su Yu explained.

Upon hearing this, Farfetch'd raised its wing and scratched its head, seemingly agreeing...

Su Yu smiled, took out a martial arts manual he had prepared beforehand, and handed it to the giant green onion duck, saying:

"This is the manual for the [Sunlight Blade] technique that I got from Sister Yang Wen. It's said to have been unearthed from a secret realm in the Galar region. I'll be training with you for the next while until you've mastered the basics."

"This is a very powerful move. Learning it might enhance your understanding of [Leaf Blade]."

And that was just one week after I got the secret manual.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 10 ...

Farfetch'd quickly learned the move with a power of 125 in the game and mastered it, demonstrating terrifying swordsmanship talent.

……

……

At this moment, they were facing a group of fiery horses blocking their way.

"Gah—!"

Farfetch'd let out a call ahead, and upon hearing it, the Pokémon blocked by Rapidash slowed down and made way for it.

Seeing this, Su Yu also showed a very expectant expression. After all, this was the first time Farfetch'd had used the Sunblade in actual combat.

"Farfetch'd, who initially only used weak moves, has such a deep understanding of Leaf Blade techniques and such strong fighting ability..."

"So, once Farfetch'd learns the powerful move Solar Blade, Rapidash... can you handle it?"

After the Pokémon in front dispersed, Farfetch'd closed its eyes, held a green onion, and gathered the energy of sunlight.

This is a necessary step in using Sunlight Blade; the pre-attack animation is essential to unleash the full power of this move.

Seeing this, the host also asked in confusion:

"The Farfetch'd contestant has closed its eyes! What's it doing? Has it given up the race?"

After a brief moment of gathering sunlight, Farfetch'd opened its eyes again, with a much shorter wind-up time compared to a regular Sunblade.

This is a special method of gathering energy that Farfetch'd learned from the lambs he usually rides while sunbathing in the pasture.

Meanwhile, the throwing monkeys riding horses in front would occasionally turn around to look behind them. They threw out the tree fruits in their hands, but all of them were blocked by the armored rhinoceros.

"Gah..."

Farfetch'd patted Armored Rhinoceros on the back. "Thank you for shielding me from these berries."

Now, watch me.

Leaping off Rhyhorn's back, Farfetch'd used its Wind Rush move to float in the air. The next moment, Farfetch'd swung its Leek Blade and unleashed a powerful slash forward.

—You like blocking the way, don't you?

Then please... taste my sword!

"Gah...!" EX, calibur!

Farfetch'd unleashed a golden sword wave imbued with intense sunlight energy. The destructive power of the sword wave was immense; it destroyed even the road surface in its path.

The throwing monkeys that had been blocking their way immediately spurred their fiery steeds to speed up. This sword wave was so terrifying; if they didn't escape now, they would all be wiped out…

At that moment, the television broadcast studio had just started showing the scene of the leek duck leaping into the air. Upon seeing this, the host exclaimed in surprise:

"Is the farfalle duck... flying?"

"Wait, Farfetch'd just used a move whose name we don't know. Wow, that's incredibly powerful! I wonder... can Rapidash and the others withstand that attack?"

As the camera slowly panned forward, the host finally saw Rapidash and Mantis shrimps tumbling about. Rapidash, thanks to its Grass-type resistance, wasn't seriously injured. The Mantis shrimps, however, were completely visibly shaken.

Seeing this, the host also said regretfully:

"It seems the Flaming Horses couldn't make it. It's a real shame that Little White Horse Ranch suffered a complete defeat in this competition. Let's look forward to their performance next year!"

I have something to do tomorrow, so I'll be updating today earlier.

(End of this chapter)