The strongest gym leader starts by beating up Gary.

Mudkip frowned as it watched the masked ninja moving rapidly through the air.

Clearly, Mudkip is having a very hard time dealing with an enemy like the Iron-Faced Ninja, who has both ranged attacks and extremely high evasion.

What's more, the opponent also possesses Grass-type moves that are effective against Mudkip...

Seeing the Mudkip already panting, Fang Yuan didn't hesitate, picked up the white towel beside him, and said...

"The Mudskipper surrenders."

Hearing Fang Yuan's words, Mudkip, though somewhat unwilling, nodded and stepped down from the arena.

Although he was very unwilling, Mudkip knew that with his current abilities, he really had no way to deal with a Pokémon like Ninjamas.

Just after Fang Yuan announced his surrender, the challenger, a bug-catching boy named Masao, excitedly waved his fist and said...

"We won! We finally won! After spending half a month in Matsuzao City, I finally won!"

Zhengxiong recalled his hard work over the past two weeks and was so moved he almost cried.

Fang Yuan took a weather badge from the tray Xiao Wen handed over and gave it to Zheng Xiong.

"Congratulations, Masao. This is proof that you defeated me, the Weather Badge."

Masao stared at the weather badges on the tray, nervously unsure what to do with his hands.

"Thank you! Thank you so much, Director Fang."

"If it weren't for your guidance over the past two weeks, which helped me overcome the weaknesses of the Iron-Faced Ninja and the Shedding-Shell Ninja, I would never have been able to succeed in the challenge!"

Although Masao finally defeated Fang Yuan, he knew that Fang Yuan's strength was definitely more than that.

After all, Masao had witnessed the terrifying battle that night.

Although the battle was over by the time they arrived, it didn't stop Masao from believing that Fang Yuan was the greatest gym leader.

"By the way, if you want to build a Bug-type team, you can check out the Unova region in the future."

"There are quite a few unique Bug-type Pokémon over there, such as Volcarona and Scolipede."

"And the Sinnoh region has the only Bug-type Elite Four member in all regions."

"As a fellow Bug-type Pokémon trainer, you can ask him for advice; he'll be happy to help."

"Yes! Thank you for your guidance, Master. I'll definitely go check it out when I have the chance!"

After expressing his sincere gratitude, Masao left the Matsuzo Dojo with great joy.

Seeing the weather badge on Masao's chest, the other challengers drooled with envy.

Fang Yuan led the injured Mudkip off the stage and said to Ash and Gary beside him...

"Which of you two will go first to accept the challenge? I'll go and treat Mudkip's injuries."

Xiao Zhi and Xiao Mao's eyes lit up immediately after hearing Fang Yuan's words.

"Now it's my turn to be the acting gym owner!"

"What do you mean, 'your turn'? Isn't it whoever goes up first becomes the acting headmaster?"

. . . . . . . .

After stepping off the stage, Fang Yuan took out Mudkip's Poké Ball and began using Tokiwa Power to heal Mudkip's injuries.

At this moment, Fang Yuan turned his head and saw Yukira training hard in the garden. He couldn't help but say...

"Yukira has finally grown up and started doing extra training on his own."

Of course, Fang Yuan thought it would be even better if Yukira didn't have a lollipop in his mouth during training.

Nine-Tails, still in her fox-eared girl form, lovingly wiped the Poké Ball in front of her. When she saw Fang Yuan's gaze, she gave him a sweet smile.

Fang Yuan quickly looked away, then noticed that Mudkip seemed a little sullen.

Seeing the sullen Mudkip, Fang Yuan didn't say much, but gently patted its head.

"It's just a gym battle loss, and you've been beating him for half a month now. He only beat you once, so there's no need to be so sullen."

After hearing Fang Yuan's words of encouragement, Mudkip's mood improved considerably.

At this moment, Fang Yuan took out two evolution potions.

After using the medicine for a period of time, Fang Yuan has discovered that using a maximum of two evolution potions a day yields the best results.

Using too many evolution potions at once can actually be a waste of their effectiveness.

Looking at the evolution potion in Fang Yuan's hand, Mudkip was not as excited as Tyranitar, but hesitated.

Because, in the eyes of the Mudkip, strength should be something that one can develop through training.

Doing it this way is a bit unorthodox and unethical.

Moreover, one day Mudkip saw Fang Yuan watching short videos, and he didn't want to end up with a pointed head like Tyranitar after taking the drug.

Mudkip thought with unwavering determination.

"I will become stronger through my own efforts!"

. . . . . . . .

[Ding~ Evolution potion successfully used, Mudkip's IVs +7]

The Mudkip lay on the ground, feeling warm and cozy, as if it were soaking in a hot spring. Every muscle was being nourished, its skin became tougher, and its speed increased.

A dozen minutes later, the Mudkip came to its senses and was filled with regret.

"I clearly said I would become stronger through my own efforts! I absolutely do not want my head to turn into a pointy point!"

[Ding! Evolution potion successfully used, Mudkip's IVs +8]

At this point, Mudkip discovered that if it continued training after using the evolution potion, the warm effect would be enhanced!

"But I will still rely on my own strength to become stronger! There won't be a next time..."

[Ding~ Evolution potion successfully used, Mudkip's IVs +7]

On the third day, the Mudkip was full of energy and seemed to have inexhaustible strength!

Mudkip thought to itself as it exercised.

"This warm, cozy stuff won't directly help me improve my strength; ultimately, I still have to train myself! So this isn't cheating!"

But the Mudkip hesitated again at the thought that its head might become pointed.

[Ding~ Evolution potion successfully used, Mudkip's IVs +9]

[Ding~ Mudkip's aptitude level has increased from Excellent to Superior]

One day, Mudkip suddenly realized that he had grown taller, increasing by a full ten centimeters. The number of muscles under his arms had not changed, but Mudkip could clearly feel that the arrangement of his muscles had become more reasonable.

Although total muscle mass did not increase, strength increased by about 20%.

At this moment, Mudkip's inner thoughts had begun to change.

"How can spraying pesticides not be considered part of my efforts?"

"Even medication couldn't give me these chiseled muscles; it's all the result of my hard work!"

"My pointed head is a symbol of my hard work!"

--------

Thank you all for your generous donations. There will be two more chapters tonight.

Spoiler alert: Mewtwo will be making an appearance soon!

Chapter 67 The Fox Spirit Absorbing Essence, Naz's Letter

Fang Yuan was clearly unaware of the internal struggle that Mudkip had gone through during those five days.

However, Mudkip's individual values ​​have now broken through the bottleneck of being a top-tier rarity, its strength has increased significantly, and its training efficiency has doubled.

However, although the quality of Mudkip has increased dramatically.

However, the weaknesses in Mudskipper's tactics have not yet been addressed.

Although Mudkip possesses terrifying strength that surpasses all others of its class, it lacks any means to restrict its opponent's attacks.

While these weaknesses aren't too noticeable in open field battles, they can be quite detrimental in a formal 1v1 arena.

Therefore, Fang Yuan plans to help Mudkip develop a suitable tactic.

Of course, relying on the entire gym's resources, it was quite easy for Fang Yuan to find a suitable tactic for Mudkip.

It was invented by Fang Yuan's grandfather, the previous Gym Leader of the Matsuzo Gym, and is a skill combination specifically designed for the Swampert race.

Fang Yuan, however, preferred to call this combination technique a killing move.

And this ultimate move is called Frozen Hell!

Although it sounds impressive, it actually is quite impressive.

The so-called Frozen Hell is a skill developed based on the Tide Vortex skill.

This control skill has three stages of effect.

The first part is the control effect of the most basic Tide Vortex skill.

Of course, the effect of simply controlling the water flow is very limited. In addition, Mudkip is not a pure water-type Pokémon, so the second stage of the Frozen Region is called the Mud Region.

Replacing the original whirlpool with thicker mud will greatly improve control.

The third stage is quite simple: the Mudkip freezes the mud into an ice sculpture the moment it controls the opponent, completely cutting off any possibility of the opponent escaping.

When faced with an opponent from whom there is no escape, Mudkip has a hundred ways to defeat them.

Of course, this wasn't because Fang Yuan was biased and only gave Mudkip the opportunity to research killer moves.

Floating Bubble's abilities are almost entirely focused on weather; all it needs to do is continue training to master the weather.

That day, Fang Yuan's cheap father's Heavenly King-class floating bubble directly blasted down Hunter J's entire spaceship with its torrential rain and strong winds.

As for Kira...

Fang Yuan could only try to find a solution on his own.

After all, even if Professor Oak and the gym have combined their years of research, they still can't find a single case of what kind of killing move would be suitable for a Tyranitar that possesses both Sandstorm and Sand Cloak.

Not to mention tailor-made killing moves like those of the Mudkip.

Fang Yuan had no choice but to slowly adjust his fighting style based on Ursaring's fighting style, and then try to come up with a killing move.

Just then, a faint female voice came from behind.

Fang Yuan felt a pain in his back upon hearing this sound.

Nine-Tailed Fox remained in her fox-eared girl form, tightly hugging Fang Yuan's arm.

"I'm so hungry right now."

Looking at the Nine-Tails, Fang Yuan took a deep breath and then said to it.

"Stop, stop, stop! Don't make it sound like there's some kind of R-rated plot twist!"

"You just want me to help you replenish your life energy with Tokiwa's power. Don't act like a fox demon absorbing other people's essence."

Hearing Fang Yuan's words, Nine-Tailed Fox stuck out her tongue, revealing a shy, girlish expression.

"Anyway, I feel the process is pretty much the same; isn't it all the same—the master injects energy into me..."

Fang Yuan turned his head to the side in despair.

"If you keep talking like that, I really won't give it to you this time!"

Incidentally, three days ago, a Champion-level Bulbasaur fruit was delivered to Fang Yuan.

After receiving the Bulbasaur Fruit, Fang Yuan fed it directly to Nine-Tails.

As a result, Nine-Tails' level dropped from 50 back to 55, and its strength returned to the level of a Gym Leader.

Combined with the superpowers that Nine-Tails has accumulated over hundreds of years, Nine-Tails' fighting strength is among the strongest in the gymnastics category.

However, after reaching the Gym level, Kurama's daily need for life energy increased.

Fang Yuan needs to inject a massive amount of Tokiwa power into Kurama every day, which is making him somewhat physically exhausted.

However, perhaps because of this high intensity of consumption, Fang Yuan felt that the strength of his Tokiwa power was gradually catching up with the rate at which Kurama was being consumed.