Pokémon Detective Case Files.

Even though just seconds earlier, when the entire plasma swarm launched a volley, he was the first to execute a standard head-and-crouch defensive stance from the police officer's tactical manual with incredibly fluid movements.

This is certainly not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, when faced with an overwhelming enemy attack, and with all the orders already given, the most important thing a trainer should do is ensure their ability to continue giving commands.

Those who fail to do this are the unqualified trainers—at least that's what a certain Sinnoh detective who taught the handsome guy back then claimed.

Whether it was a psychological illusion or the difference in perspective between television and reality, the old craftsman in front of the handsome man seemed to be even larger than the genuine Dynamaxes in the Galar Arena.

"We're saved... seize this opportunity!"

On the other side of the battlefield, realizing that the situation had changed, Lila decisively changed her strategy and threw out all the Poké Balls she had on her.

Unlike the previous battle plan when there was no cover at all, now that the Dynamaxed Constructor is in front, the more combat members in the back, the better. Although it is unknown how long Constructor can maintain its Dynamax state, it is precisely because of this that we must race against time!

In the blink of an eye, a variety of different moves flowed smoothly from the mouth of the fighting lord, as if ordering food at a familiar family restaurant.

Raikou, along with Metagross, Lucario, Snorlax, and Espeon who rejoined the team from the handsome guy, launched a counterattack simultaneously in their most suitable ways, targeting the two nearest temple walls.

The opponent naturally retaliated, but before those scattered moves could take shape, they were completely dissipated by Raikou's "Electromagnetic Cannon".

Following closely behind was Lucario's "Bone Boomerang"—which, together with Metagross's "Cannon," directly shattered the relief patterns that Team Plasma members were using as their foothold.

The situation was improving, but Lila's expression turned serious again—

"The counterattack over there has begun... If only I had known about Dynamax sooner."

Despite achieving good results, Snorlax and Espeon's subsequent attack in another direction was ultimately a step too slow due to the greater distance, and was blocked by Team Plasma's support forces.

It is a pity.

It seems that the opponent has recovered from the shock caused by the Dynamax Pokémon and has begun a well-organized counterattack.

Of course, even if we were to blame someone entirely, we couldn't really pin the blame on the Heavenly Kings.

Not to mention that the eavesdropping devices of the "city defense masters" in the castle are impossible to guard against, and even Wu and his companions cannot tell their companions all their trump cards in detail. Just the fact that they were able to find a space large enough like the temple to perform Dynamax is already a low-probability event comparable to a miracle - although the Elite Four members were indeed a bit too proud when they were talking about riddles earlier.

"Everyone...it looks like the Pokémon on the wall are preparing to fire again."

Holt, who had been watching the enemy's movements since earlier, nervously pointed upwards and cautiously reminded the trainers around him.

If he remembered correctly, in Pokémon battles, moves like "Protect" that completely block enemy attacks are rarely used a second time in a row. The previous barrage was blocked by Dynamaxed Builder, but what about the next round?

"don’t worry."

A large hand patted Holt on the back. Even the Heavenly King of Martial Arts had somehow walked over to the former inspector and stood beneath the giant construction master.

"So-called courage is nothing more than a choice made under pressure. We've finally got a chance to Dynamax, how can we just take a beating?"

He stood firmly in a fighting stance, and his fists clasped together.

It was as if they had reached a certain resonance with the spirit of the old craftsman building above them.

"Ah, it's coming."

Lingju smiled and squinted her eyes, as if she had already guessed her old friend's next move.

"Miss Lila, you'd better get ready." Wanlong also gestured with his chin toward the detective, tapping his temple with his fingertip.

"Huh—what does this mean?"

Before Lila could ask any further questions, the Dynamaxed Construction Master had already begun its work. It retracted the concrete pillars that had been crossed in front of it, and instead, with its most practiced starting stance, pulled its right arm back—

"Max Fighter!"

With a roar, the Fighting King and his partner swung their muscular arms together. The latter gripped the top of the concrete pillar, which had also been enlarged to the point of Dynamax and was now like a battering ram, and thrust it forward in a punching motion—

This move is almost always used in Dynamax battles between Fighting-type Pokémon!

boom!!!!

The deafening impact echoed through the sealed temple, instantly creating a breach in the plasma ball's defenses. Countless cracks spread outwards from the center of the impact point, the wall crumbling inch by inch, the dent far exceeding the damage previously caused by Lucario and Metagross combined.

This force, along with the vibrations, spread to every corner of the temple. The overflowing energy even boosted the attack power of the entire alliance.

But that's not all—

"Let's press our advantage!"

Lian Wu excitedly waved his arms; there shouldn't be any martial artist in the world who would remain unmoved in the face of such unparalleled power—

"Old craftsman, let's make a scene!"

"Whoa whoa whoa!"

The gigantic giant let out the same exhilarating roar.

Actually, "Max Punch" isn't the most powerful Dynamax move. But as a compensation mechanism for this weakness, its power increases with each successful hit.

On the other hand, since the starting move of "Max Punch" is relatively simple, it is easier for Pokémon that specialize in martial arts to control the rhythm and frequency.

This is embodied in the old craftsman right now—

The instant after unleashing its first Dynamax move, the Pokémon's other hand, gripping the top of the concrete pillar, mimicked the exact same action without pause.

In the brief moment when all enemies had no time to react, and even if they hastily unleashed their attacks, they were powerless to stop it due to the maximal increase in the Constructor's HP after Dynamaxing—

Another even more powerful and fierce "Maximum Punch" was unleashed.

It struck the exact spot where the previous shot had landed.

"not good!"

The first to realize the crisis were not the Team Plasma members who were utterly defeated by the Dynamax moves, but the Sage in Yellow Robe who commanded everyone from above.

Originally, when Lian Wu's first attack was not aimed at Jero himself, who was obviously the weak point of the formation, but inexplicably pointed at a relatively sparsely defended wall, he should have realized the problem.

However, the presence of hundreds of fanatical followers under his command gave this "city defense master" a moment of blind confidence—causing him to miss this last chance to make amends.

Crash—

A slightly ominous sound suddenly rang out.

It looked as if something was sprouting cracks, slowly spreading from the surface of the wall deeper into it.

At that moment, Gerald, an architect by training, froze.

That means that some parts that shouldn't be cracking are being pushed to their limits.

The whole plan, to use the ancient proverb most favored by the Plasma Group sages, is probably this: If you can do the first day of the month, you can do the fifteenth.

Since even Wu can imitate Hugo's move of unleashing Dynamax power during the Champions Cup, then the detective's tactics before that can certainly be learned as well.

That strategy was precisely the one that the Plasma Sage, 'City Defender' Jero, found most difficult to deal with at that moment.

Damaging buildings.

Everything will perish!

Unlike the situation on the Tower of Heaven, this time the Unova Elite Four member is not on the side protecting the historical and cultural relics of the Unova region.

Kara la la la la—

The old construction worker, who unleashed two consecutive "Max Punch" attacks, failed to pull back the two concrete pillars that had crashed into the wall.

Instead, it spurred the immense energy coiled around it, taking mountain-like strides and continuing to exert force forward.

"Everyone—stop it!"

Jero's voice came from high above the dome, where a figure in a yellow robe was now awkwardly peeking out from the edge of the relief at the top, waving his hands frantically.

However, at this distance and height, the effectiveness of command was greatly weakened by the energy field and dust generated by Dynamax. The lower-level Team Plasma members recovered from their shock and hurriedly regrouped. They launched attacks in a panic, which scattered and hit the old craftsman's legs, but they couldn't even make him stop for a moment.

The next moment, everyone witnessed an even more incredible sight.

The two enormous stone pillars in the hands of the master craftsman were slowly beginning to "shorten"...

This phenomenon is certainly not due to the concrete column being broken or worn.

Anyone with ears present at the scene could fully understand this fact—after all, the ear-piercing noise of tearing rocks was echoing continuously throughout the temple, and even the explosive sounds of colliding attacks could not completely mask it.

Cracks appeared in the temple's dome, and amidst the continuous wails of the Plasma Team members, the two concrete pillars, as thick as train carriages, were slowly piercing into the sacred white wall beneath the bas-relief patterns.

Then, with a sudden burst of strength from the old craftsman, its massive body took another giant step forward—

boom--!!!!

The entire hall looked as if it had been struck by a fist crashing down from directly above, with fine stone chips falling from the dome. The old craftsman's arms were completely submerged in the deep pit, and he himself was pulled forward by the inertia, his center of gravity shifting, almost losing his balance.

Just then, even the giant wristband on Lian Wu's hand could no longer withstand such a violent energy conversion, and black smoke billowed out amidst a buzzing sound.

The masculine, purplish-red particles of light began to peel away from the outline of the old craftsman, and the mountain-like body shrank and shrank at a visible speed—along with the two concrete pillars that had already penetrated into the wall, eventually disappearing into nothingness.

But that's enough—

After the two stone pillars were removed, an ugly and huge passageway was left in the wall of the temple.

It penetrates through the layers of rooms and walls inside the castle, and at its end is a gap that leads directly to the outside sky.

The eggshell had been chipped open.

The sky was dark, and no sunlight shone in, but fresh air, carrying moisture, was rushing in with the strong night wind—it seemed like only a day had passed, yet it had already started raining outside.

"Ahhh! My perfect castle! What... what have you all done?!"

No one paid any attention to the furious rage of Team Plasma Sage above. Wanlong commanded Chandelure to cover the Builder, who had returned to normal size after exiting Dynamax.

Lila, who was watching this scene, finally understood the meaning of the gesture Wanlong had made to her earlier—

The novelist then pointed to his own brain.

"Hudi?"

She whispered her partner's name, and suddenly the image of the Pokémon she had lost contact with since they parted ways at the castle entrance flashed through her mind.

After the castle was breached, the barrier that prevented "instant teleportation" from the outside world also disappeared.

Her partner didn't keep her waiting long—almost at the same moment, a faint pulse connected by the "synchronization" feature, like a glass bottle carried ashore by the tide, finally reached the destination of the information transmission.

Spatial anchor point determined!

The next moment, a yellow figure holding a spoon appeared silently out of thin air in front of Lila.

It also brought with it fifteen Poké Balls fully loaded with reinforcements.