Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

However, the royal masked man also has many supporters.

As a local celebrity and professional wrestler in the Alola region, coupled with his constant wearing of a mask to maintain an air of mystery, many people have been speculating about the true identity of the Royal Masked Man.

But probably no one would associate a wrestler with a PhD in elven studies.

Kukui is quite talented.

A Pokémon scholar, a top trainer, and even briefly served as a league champion, he was also a professional wrestler.

These titles combined are even more exaggerated than Xia Yan's.

"I've heard of Xia Yan's reputation as a 'tactical master' for a long time, but I never expected to meet him in this competition. I'm starting to get excited."

The royal masked man flexed his biceps, looking rather eccentric.

Kukui is really going all out to maintain her identity.

Xia Yan said, "I have a friend named Barnett who is a fan of yours. She really likes Mr. Royal Masked Man."

"Haha—really? What an honor."

The royal masked man scratched his head, the mask concealing his embarrassment.

Xia Yan chuckled to himself as he watched his actions.

The brief exchange ended.

The referee signaled for the two players to get ready.

Xia Yan's expression turned serious, and the royal masked man's eyes also gradually became solemn.

This battle will not be easy.

They each ran out of their Poké Balls.

In the red light.

"Click—"

Bang! !

With the ground trembling violently, it appeared as large as a mountain, with a憨态可掬 (simple and honest) face, its eyes barely open.

"The first Pokémon of the Royal Masked Contestant is Snorlax!!"

Snorlax?

This isn't an easy Pokémon to deal with... Xia Yan thought to himself.

Moreover, as a trainer who also owns a Snorlax, he is very clear about the characteristics of this Pokémon.

Just by looking at its thick body and large belly, one can roughly guess that Kukui's Snorlax has the ability "Thick Fat".

It can reduce the amount of fire and ice damage received by half.

"And Xia Yan's first Pokémon was Infernape!"

"Kuro!"

Infernape was full of fighting spirit.

Judging from attributes alone, Xia Yan had an advantage in choosing this first Pokémon.

Fighting-type is super effective against Normal-type. Although Fire-type is weak to Thick Fat, the effect is not fatal.

Furthermore, although Snorlax is a tank-type Pokémon, its physical defense and special defense are still quite different.

"Battle begins!"

The referee's voice interrupted Xia Yan and Kukui's respective observations and thoughts.

"Infernape, high-five!"

This time, Xia Yan seized the initiative first.

Kukui squinted, giving no instructions, only saying, "Hold on."

Even without the priority boost, it would be difficult for Infernape to keep up with Snorlax's speed.

Therefore, for Snorlax, the counterattack is the key.

Snapped!

Infernape's skillful paw produced a crisp sound, like slapping a ripe watermelon.

Snorlax is in a "cowardly" state.

"Close combat!"

Xia Yan did not hesitate to have Infernape launch a fierce attack.

A hail of fists rained down on Snorlax's belly.

Snorlax's fat formed wavy patterns that spread outwards from Infernape's fist.

This series of combined attacks seems to have yielded no results.

"Crack—!!"

Snorlax awoke, and the pain in its abdomen caused even the usually gentle creature to show a hint of anger.

Kukui grinned.

But before he could give the order, Xia Yan beat him to it.

"Infernape, you're provoking me!"

"Snorlax, Belly Drum!"

The two were almost evenly matched.

Then I saw it.

Snorlax's belly swelled up like a ball, but instantly returned to its original shape in the next second.

Xia Yan, who understands Snorlax, would never let Snorlax use Belly Drum, as it poses too great a threat.

"Xia Yan has read the move first! He has once again successfully judged his opponent's move and interrupted the 'belly drum' with a 'provocation'!" The host seemed quite excited.

Not many people demonstrated "pre-reading" in this competition. Apart from some who were lucky, Xia Yan can be said to have "pre-read" the most.

"Sonic punch to get rid of it!" Xia Yan immediately said.

Kukui frowned.

Thinking back to when the two of them were watching Wataru and Cynthia's battle, Xia Yan's judgment was almost never wrong.

Is this the foundation he read first?

"Snorlax, 100,000 horsepower!" Kukui said again.

Then, we saw Snorlax and Infernape engage in close-quarters combat.

With its agile movements and lithe physique, it has learned fighting techniques from Infernape dressed as a bear and has extensive experience battling Snorlax.

a chance.

Infernape crouched down and grabbed Snorlax's hand, pressed its back against Snorlax's abdomen, and suddenly stomped its legs, cracking the ground, and actually delivered a perfectly curved over-the-shoulder throw to Snorlax.

The audience was stunned.

With Snorlax's weight, can it just fall over like that?

boom--!!

The ground was smashed, creating a dent and cracks.

"Snorlax, Earthquake!"

Feeling the ground tremble, Kukui was amazed by Infernape's fighting skills. As a professional wrestler, he knew how much prior training Infernape needed for those moves, but he still calmly gave instructions.

Centered on the fallen Snorlax, ripples carrying dense Ground-type energy swept towards Infernape.

"Jump onto its belly!"

Xia Yan gave Infernape a reminder.

It reacted instantly.

Before the shockwaves from the "earthquake" reached it, it took two running steps, flipped into the air, and jumped towards Snorlax.

"Grab it, it'll crush you like Mount Tai!"

Just as Infernape's paw was about to touch Snorlax, Snorlax swiftly raised its hand and grabbed Infernape's tail tightly.

Then, with a flip, it pinned Infernape beneath it.

Given Snorlax's weight, even without using any moves, it wouldn't be easy for it to withstand being pressed down, let alone when combined with moves.

"Infernape, earthquake!" Xia Yan's expression changed slightly.

Rumbling--

This time.

It is an "earthquake" centered around Infernape.

Although Snorlax was on Infernape's back, Infernape's size was clearly insufficient to allow Snorlax to avoid the damage.

But Snorlax persevered.

"Take it down, Snorlax! We'll use Earthquake too!"

The site was devastated by the series of earthquakes, with only the first one causing such damage.

"Close combat! Shoot it up!" Xia Yan said quickly.

bang bang bang-

The frenzied fists were accompanied by a large amount of dark red flames.

As Snorlax trembled violently, Infernape, the only one left beside it, had reddened eyes. The flames had scorched the fur on Snorlax's belly into a charred black, but they couldn't penetrate its fat to have any real effect on Snorlax.

The relentless punches forced Snorlax off the ground, interrupting its "earthquake," but it still suffered considerable damage.

"100,000 horsepower!" Kukui was shocked by Infernape's power and immediately changed its moves.

An upward attack and a downward attack are locked in a struggle.