Pokémon: The Zen Trainer

Chapter 52 Elf Battle

"Hahaha, it's finally my turn!"

Taguchi burst into a wild laugh.

Turning my head to look at the crowd queuing behind me!

Make a thumbs-up gesture.

The people in line looked at Taguchi, their minds filled with questions.

What is he trying to do?

"Are you cheering us on?"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Taguchi turned his thumb upside down and pointed it downwards.

"What the hell is that bastard doing??"

"That's outrageous!!"

"You bastard, don't let me see you on the street again!!"

After demonstrating his hand gestures, Taguchi felt refreshed and, guided by the dojo staff, headed towards the arena.

I'm different from them!! I'm the chosen one!! Let those Flying-type gyms become stepping stones on my path to becoming champions!!

I am the only one who reigns supreme in heaven and earth!

When Taguchi strode confidently to Arena 2, he found the arena already surrounded by a large crowd.

These are tourists visiting the gym and trainers preparing to check the level of the gym's trainers and take on a challenge.

Oh? My name has spread from Hinoki Town to Kikyo City? Is everyone here to watch my match?

Taguchi was very satisfied. Everyone, just watch! See what the future champion will do!

But when they looked at Taguchi, their expressions weren't expectant, but rather pitying and gloating.

"Another challenger has arrived?"

"Pitiful."

"Haha, keep going! Just hold on for ten minutes and you win!!"

"Kid, you'd better give up quickly. You have no idea what you're going to face."

"The gym tickets today are really worth it. We can watch so many Pokémon battles in one morning."

"Yes, and the gym trainers are quite good, pleasing to the eye, and their command level is definitely above two badges."

"Yes, yes, yes!! And today's gym trainer is super handsome!! I've never seen one like him before, is he a newcomer?"

"If every trainer is like this, I'll bring a small stool and come watch every day."

"Looks like I need to switch gyms. This gym is messed up; the trainers they assigned for two badges are this strong."

"Are they deliberately preventing newbies from passing?"

Taguchi frowned as he listened to the sounds around him.

Are you sure you've got the main character wrong? A gym leader? He's nothing! I'll show you what I'm made of later!!

"Taguchi, please swipe your card here to register."

"Then you can go straight to the competition stage."

"By the way, today's gym trainer might be a bit too strong. Do your best, and if you can't beat him, don't be discouraged. He's just an exception."

Sueyoshi, who was a guide at the dojo, kindly offered a word of advice to Taguchi.

Having watched the game from the very first match today, he knows best what this child is about to face.

That boy was incredibly strong.

Sueyoshi's gaze swept across the wide arena toward the boy standing quietly on the opposite side.

He had short black hair, fair skin like glass, and black eyes with a clear, penetrating quality, as if he had seen through the world. He exuded a sense of composure and nonchalance.

Just by standing there, everyone's eyes would involuntarily turn to him.

Taguchi felt inexplicably annoyed by this trainer; a supporting character should act like a supporting character.

He was looking at the data displayed on the screen.

Taguchi! He cleared the Hinoki Town Dojo a week ago.

New trainer, starred!

Oh? A starred trainer? Looks like they have potential.

After these trainers compete in gym matches, the gym will provide some kind of evaluation.

If a gym has a favorite trainer, it will award stars to those trainers.

These are the trainers that Yi Hong mentioned as having talent and needing to be well cared for.

We've already hit eight today, should we go easy on the ninth?

As I scrolled down, I saw the previous gym's evaluation of this trainer.

Hmm? Possesses extremely high trainer talent, and the Pokémon they train with work together very well, showing great potential. However, they have a strong desire to show off, a bad temper, and are naturally irritable. Although their skill level is very high, they lack basic human qualities and need to be properly trained by the gym.

Lacking basic human qualities? Such comments are truly extreme. And to give him a star for such an extreme comment means his trainer level must be exceptional. Should we go easy on him?

I wanted to turn off the data screen, but at the same time I wanted to look up at Taguchi.

"Hello, Trainer Taguchi, I'm your opponent for today, Ben Sō!"

"So, which battle mode did you choose: 2v2 or 1v1?"

Taguchi looked around. "Do I have that many people watching my match just because I have two badges?"

Taguchi's desire to perform is off the charts.

Shh, Taguchi thought to himself and then tapped his lips with his index finger.

"Ok?"

He looked at Taguchi with a strange expression.

"This is...."

"Did you hear that? The whispers of your defeat! Remember my name, Taguchi. Today, I will crush you under my feet! Make you one of my stepping stones to becoming a champion! Feel honored!!!"

Taguchi looked at the side and said loudly.

Bian squinted his eyes, thinking that there was no need to release water!

"So, which battle mode did you choose?"

"One match is too short, so let's have two matches so you can enjoy my performance for a longer time."

"Alright, two two it is then."

"Go, Big Wave!!!"

"Gurgle!!!"

Bobo flew straight into the arena.

As a Gym Leader, the proper etiquette when facing a challenger is to first release your Pokémon.

Of course, Yi Hong is an exception; that guy would do anything to win.

"Hehe, Pidgey? A common and ordinary elf that can be seen everywhere."

"Let me show you my magnificent fire-type spirit!!"

"Go on, little lion."

"Ouch~~"

The little lion jumped into the arena.

At this moment, Bian Xiang has already made a preliminary assessment.

It has strong limbs and bright red mane on its head.

Although he was arrogant, he was indeed quite skilled at training Pokémon.

This little lion is the best-trained Pokémon I've ever seen.

It does have a hand.

"Big wave! Fly up!!"

"Goo!"

Bobo is rapidly climbing, preparing to seize air superiority.

“I have seen through all your actions.”

"Little Lion Flame! Stop Bobo from flying up there."

"Ouch!!"