Pokémon, Inkaros, my starter Pokémon

The real challenge lies with Salud.

This natural-born battle Pokémon is filled with arrogance and a thirst for battle. While ordinary gym battles can provide opportunities for combat, the challengers' strengths vary greatly, and the atmosphere is too mundane, making it difficult to unleash its full potential or give it the sense of ritual and honor it would have in a real tournament.

"What's the fastest way to get Salud into the fighting rhythm of this world and ignite its fighting spirit?"

Shi Dou fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, the floodgates of memory opened, and Shi Dou recalled the promotional poster he had seen at Yuhong Department Store not long ago!

P1 Fighting Tournament!!

This arena, specifically designed for Fighting-type Pokémon, is practically tailor-made for Salud.

Although there may be subtle differences in the details between the "combat" and "fighting" styles in the two worlds, their core values ​​are close-quarters combat and the clash of strength and skill.

Allowing Salude to compete against numerous Fighting-type Pokémon on such a professional stage will not only allow it to quickly accumulate practical experience and adapt to the rules of Pokémon battles, but more importantly, it will allow it to personally experience the sense of accomplishment of defeating strong opponents under the spotlight and winning cheers and honors from the audience.

This pure, recognized joy in battle may be the best catalyst to open Salud's heart, make it truly identify with the team, and inspire it to strive to become stronger.

"It seems the plan needs to be adjusted."

Just as Shi Dou was deep in thought, planning how to use the P1 Fighting Tournament to hone Salud, the system on his wrist once again gave a clear notification.

[Ding! Side quest triggered: P1 King of Fighters!]

[Mission Objective: Participate in and win the P1 Fighting Tournament Championship!]

[Mission Reward: Unlock the immersive experience module – "Sailor Moon Galaxy Exploration Immersive Simulation and Space Station Training System"!]

"Hmm? They've developed a new way to play?" Shi Dou's spirits lifted.

The system's mechanical voice carried a rare hint of explanation:

This feature is designed to celebrate the host officially obtaining Gym Leader status and having a stable base. It also aims to assist the host and their Pokémon in quickly improving their overall strength to handle higher-level challenges.

"Sounds good, but what exactly are the gameplay details?" Shidou asked curiously.

[Insufficient permissions. The host will be aware of this upon receiving the reward.]

Shi Dou helplessly spread his hands, "Okay, Cat System, always so mysterious. It wants to make you stronger, but it can't be like the Furnace and Temato, making you instantly stronger and invincible."

Although it was a rant, his heart was burning with passion.

The mere names like "Immersive Experience: Seer Galaxy Adventure" and "Space Station Arena & Special Training Pod" are enough to spark Shi Dou's imagination.

Immersive exploration of the galaxy...

Wouldn't that give us a chance to challenge those powerful boss spirits from our memories and obtain special resources?

The exact form of the combat arena on the space station is unclear, but the special training module...

Just from the name, it sounds like a great place to quickly level up or improve your Pokémon's proficiency!

In order to prepare for the upcoming dojo exchange tournament and for Salud's growth, this trip to the P1 Fighting Tournament is imperative. Therefore, we need to arrange the itinerary as soon as possible, take Salud to that stage that belongs to fighters, make its name, and hone its skills.

With our minds focused, the daily work at the dojo must continue.

Soon, the first challenger of the day arrived.

The newcomer was a trainer dressed in flashy clothes and with slightly exaggerated movements, who introduced himself as a juggling performer named Domu.

Tokito remembered this opponent that Ash encountered in the first round of the Indigo League in the original work. Before the start of the competition, he performed magic tricks on the roadside and refused to be interviewed by Team Rocket, which made them angry.

Afterwards, Dobu and Ash battled in the Water Field. During the battle, Ash's Krabby evolved into Kingler. Ash's Krabby hadn't even been used in a single battle since it was caught, so he didn't expect it to be able to defeat the opponent's main Pokémon after evolving.

This guy is absolutely outrageous.

Upon seeing Tokito, Dobu immediately struck an exaggerated pose and said, "You must be the renowned Tokito Gym Leader! I am Dobu, and I have come here specifically to challenge you. Please give me your guidance!"

Tokito maintained the etiquette of a gym leader, smiling and replying, "Welcome to the Goldenrod Fighting Dojo."

The referee, Bumino, mustered his spirits and raised the flag, announcing, "Gym Challenge, rules are 3 vs 3. The match ends when all Pokémon on one side are unable to battle! The match begins!"

"My vanguard is this!" Without any hesitation, Shi Tou threw out the deep blue spirit capsule. "Salud, prepare for battle!"

A flash of light, and Salud, its body a deep blue with scythes gleaming with metallic coldness, appeared in the center of the field. Its sharp compound eyes coldly scanned its opponent, and its two scythes were slightly open, exuding an innate fighting spirit. This was its debut in the Pokémon world!

Dowu clearly didn't recognize what kind of Pokémon it was, but he was also intimidated by Salud's unique appearance and aura. Composing himself, he sent out his first Pokémon, "Go, Zubat!"

Looking at the giant beaked bat flapping its wings in the air, and then at Salud standing ready in the arena, Shi Dou's lips curled up slightly.

In terms of attributes, Fighting-type isn't very effective against Flying-type, but... the difference in level and strength, as well as Salud's unique Flash ability, is enough to make up for that. This battle will be a good opportunity for Salud to get used to the combat rhythm of this world.

"Bigmouth Bat, strike first, use poison!" Dowu tried to seize the initiative and inflict the torment of his opponent's abnormal status.

The giant beak opened its mouth and spat out a glob of purple venom, which accurately hit Salud in the field.

However, when the venom came into contact with Salud's deep blue carapace, it did not corrode or adhere as expected. Instead, it evaporated and dissipated quickly, like water droplets falling on a hot iron, with a soft "hiss" sound, leaving no trace.

Salud even shook his head, but the coldness in his eyes remained unchanged.

"What?! What's going on?! Why is my Zubat's poison completely ineffective?! Could it be... could it be that your Pokémon is Steel-type?!" Doowu was stunned and shouted in disbelief.

“I’m sorry, I guessed wrong.” Shi Dou explained calmly, “This child has a rather special characteristic; it is naturally immune to the effects of all abnormal conditions.”

This is precisely the strength of Shiny Salad's ability—immunity to status conditions. Under the rules of the Pokémon world, this ability is practically overpowered!

"Immune abnormality?!"

Duo Wu's eyes widened. This was completely beyond his comprehension. Did such a characteristic really exist? Were they born with a mysterious protective force?

"Salud, don't give it a chance to use your power first, boost your attack! Then finish it off with Crescent Moon Flash!"

"Sa!"

Salud let out a low growl, its aura suddenly surging, and its attack power was enhanced. Then, it transformed into a deep blue afterimage and rushed towards the giant beak bat in the air at an extremely fast speed.

"Don't even think about it! Gobbat, use Shadow Clone Techies!"

Duowu hurriedly shouted.

The giant beaked bat in the air blurred for a moment, then instantly split into more than a dozen indistinguishable clones, surrounding Salud and trying to confuse its vision.

Duowu: "Hmph, Master, do you know which one of them is the real one?"

Shi Dou smiled slightly, "Why should I guess? Salud, Crescent Moon Flash, take them all out in one go!"

Upon receiving the command, Salud abruptly stopped, and his two sharp scythes simultaneously lit up with a dazzling white light. Then, they spun rapidly like a blue top, and a 360-degree circular slashing light wheel suddenly erupted from its center, spreading out instantly!

"Shua——!!"

The crescent-shaped beam of light, like a ring of death, easily pierced through all the shadow clones, shattering them one after another like bubbles. Finally, the light struck the main body of the giant bat, hidden among the clones!

"Ugh—!!"

The giant beak bat let out a shrill scream and plummeted straight down from the sky, crashing heavily to the ground, rendering it incapable of fighting.

"Zoobat is unable to fight!" Bulbasaur immediately announced.

"Is...is that really true?! One move...and he's that strong?!"

Duo Wu opened his mouth wide, unable to close it for a long time.

Tokito said calmly, "There are still many things and spirits in the world that you don't know. Come on, send out your next one."

Dowu felt immense pressure, cold sweat beading on his forehead, but he forced himself to remain calm and recalled his Zubat, throwing out a second Poké Ball: "I... I came prepared! Go, one of my trump cards, Exeggutor!"

A flash of light appeared, and a tall Pokémon with a cream-colored body and green leaves appeared on the field. It had three heads that looked like coconuts, each with a different expression. Its thick legs were rooted to the ground, radiating dual energy fluctuations of Grass and Psychic types.

The Exeggutor is known as the walking rainforest. Each fruit has a face and a different consciousness. They seem to have no interest in anything outside of themselves. Each of the three heads is thinking about different things. If each head wants to go in a different direction, the body will be unable to move.

The intense sunlight in the Alola region awakened Exeggcute's hidden power, eventually transforming it into a Dragon-type creature.

Even Aerodactyl, Charizard, and Gyarados couldn't do that.

Alola is the best environment for Exeggutor.

"Oh? A Psychic/Grass-type Exeggutor?"

Tokito looked at this Pokémon, which had also appeared in the original work, and a smile of interest curled at the corner of his mouth. "Facing my Fighting-type Salud... interesting. Salud, keep attacking!"

Shi Dou showed no intention of changing tactics and continued to take the initiative.

Upon seeing this, Duowu immediately shouted, "Coconut Exeggutor, don't let it get close, use bombs!"

As Salud leaped over, the head in the middle of the Exeggutor suddenly tilted back, condensing an energy egg that flickered with an unstable white light, and hurled it swiftly towards the charging Salud.

"Sa!"

Sarud was fearless. His two scythes crossed, gleaming with cold light, and he unleashed a fierce Double Moon Strike straight at the flying bomb, attempting to shatter it.

However, just as the sickle touched the exploding egg...

"Boom!!!"

The bomb suddenly detonated prematurely, and a violent explosion rang out. Flames and thick smoke instantly engulfed Salud's figure.

"Haha, we've fallen for their trap! Exeggutor, now's your chance, use your mental interference!" Dowu laughed triumphantly.

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PS: Thanks to the two Xianyu users who chimed in.

Chapter 86 Coach, she defied common sense, she dribbled the ball and charged at someone!! (1.2 words)

"Haha, we've fallen for their trap! Exeggutor, now's your chance! Use your mental interference!"

Exeggutor's three heads simultaneously emitted a rich blue light. Its powerful psychic abilities pierced through the smoke and precisely seized Salud, who was briefly off balance due to the explosion. Invisible psychic power acted like countless shackles, tightly binding the deep blue Mantis Pokémon and forcibly suspending it in mid-air!

"Sa!!"

Salud struggled fiercely, but psychic powers were effective against fighting types, making it difficult for it to break free for the time being.

"See, Gym Leader Shidou? My Exeggutor's superpowers aren't just for show." Dobu's confidence soared.

Faced with this predicament, Shi Tou showed no sign of panic. Instead, he smiled slightly and said, "Not bad tactics. But, superpowers require concentration, right? Use blade aura."

"Sa!"

Hearing the command, Salud, who was bound in the air, forcibly steadied himself and swung one of his scythe arms with difficulty.

In an instant, an invisible, sharp blade of energy shot out, not aimed at the body of the Exeggutor, but precisely grazed the hair-like clump of coconut palm grass on its head!

"Thump!!"

The Exeggutor was startled by the sudden attack on its "hairstyle." Its three heads instantly showed expressions of panic and began to disagree due to the unexpected fright and disturbance.

One head wanted to hide behind, another head wanted to rush forward, and the third head wanted to crouch down in place!

The inability of the three consciousnesses to unify caused the Exeggutor's body to instantly lose coordination, and it began to sway and twist involuntarily, instantly collapsing the high level of concentration required to maintain mental interference!

"Oh no! Exeggutor, calm down!" Dowu shouted anxiously.

But Shidou wouldn't give him a chance to regroup. "Now! Salud, Crescent Slash!"

"Sa—!!!"

Having broken free of his restraints, Salud fell fiercely from the sky, his deep blue figure merging with the crescent-shaped light gathered on his scythe, like a falling blue meteor, carrying the momentum to tear everything apart, sweeping across the chaotic exoskeleton!

"Thump...click..."

The three heads of the Exeggutor froze simultaneously, the light in its eyes went out, and its massive body crashed to the ground, losing its ability to fight.

"Exeggutor is incapacitated!" Bumino announced again.

With his two trump cards defeated one after another, Dowu dejectedly sent out his last Popo, and the result was predictable: it was easily taken down by Salud.

"Pidgey is unable to battle, so the winner is Gym Leader Tokito!" Bulbasaur waved the flag signaling the end.

Dowu withdrew Bobo, his face full of frustration and disbelief. In the end, he could only sigh deeply and regretfully admit defeat and leave.

Salud stood in the center of the arena, flicking non-existent dust off his scythe. In his cold compound eyes, a glint of victory flashed in his eyes, a light that belonged to a victor in his first battle against this world.

In the following dojo matches, the opponents were mostly of similar or even weaker strength than Duowu.

With its fierce offensive and immunity to abnormalities, Salud almost always crushed its opponents with ease, winning battles quickly. At first, it could derive some pleasure from its victories, but after facing increasingly weak opponents, its deep blue compound eyes clearly showed a lack of interest and a hint of impatience. Even its swinging of the scythe seemed somewhat perfunctory.

Shi Tou watched all this, and after quickly ending another battle, he walked over to Salud, gently patted its cold shell, and comforted it:

"I know these opponents are too weak for you. Bear with it, I promise you, in two days I'll take you somewhere with opponents of enough strength to give you a good fight!"

“Sa?”

Salud raised his head, a glimmer of light rekindling in his eyes, as if he understood Tokito's promise, and let out a low hum in anticipation.