A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

As the black sleeves were roughly rolled up, a special piece of equipment worn on the wrist was revealed—a simple yet technologically advanced silver-gray Z-bracelet.

The ring is inlaid with a sharp, silver-gray rhomboid Z-shaped steel crystal.

Just as the black-robed youth's emotions surged, it emitted an increasingly intense, cold metallic luster!

"We won't just sit here and wait to die!"

Xiao Gang suddenly spread his feet apart and stood firmly in a stance as steady as a mountain.

Instead of looking at the critically injured Emperor Naboo in the arena, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, as if to inhale all the surrounding air and fighting spirit into his lungs.

The next second, his eyes snapped open, flashing with a sharp light! His entire demeanor changed, and his movements took on a powerful and strangely rhythmic trajectory!

He clenched his left fist and held it horizontally in front of his chest; with his right hand, his five fingers were joined together like a knife, and he slashed diagonally upwards and to the right from above his left fist!

Zhang Heng's calm face showed a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, his lips tightly pursed, as if he was about to burst into laughter.

Awkward! So embarrassing!

Xiao Lan's movements remained swift and decisive, carrying a resolute determination to sever all ties!

At the same time, he shouted in a deep voice, "The will of steel—"

Without stopping, the right arm draws a full arc and returns to the side, while the left hand changes from a fist to a palm, palm facing upward, as if lifting a heavy burden, and slowly rises to shoulder height!

"Forge an invincible force!"

Immediately afterwards, he stepped on his feet alternately, and his body began to rotate at a small but extremely fast speed. His arms then spread out and waved at his sides, stirring up the airflow, as if he had transformed into a miniature steel whirlwind!

As he spun, his voice rose higher and higher, carrying a metallic clang: "Steel Whirlwind—"

Finally, he stopped spinning abruptly, facing the center of the field, his arms crossed in front of his chest, and the Z-bracelet and crystal on his wrists burst with a dazzling silver-gray light!

The light seemed to have a life of its own, transforming into a solid pillar of light that traversed space and instantly entered Emperor Nabo's body!

Xiao Gang mustered all his strength and roared out the true name of his final move:

"—Tear everything apart!"

"Spiritual Spiral Combo!!!"

"Whoosh—!!!"

Receiving the trainer's will and the immense power of the Z Crystal, Empoleon emitted a deafening roar!

Its aura, which had been somewhat weakened by resisting the waterfall, suddenly erupted like steel thrown into a furnace!

A dazzling silver-gray light burst forth from every cell within its body—pure steel-based energy!

Its deep blue body was instantly covered by this metallic luster. Its three crown-shaped horns, sharp wing blades, and even every scale armor became as if they were cast from mithril, shimmering with an indestructible cold light!

Emperor Naboo's enormous body defied gravity and soared into the air!

It folded its wings, curled up its body, and with the three sharp horns on its head at the very front, its entire body began to spin wildly at an unprecedented speed!

"Swoosh—Boom boom boom—!!!"

The speed of rotation increased rapidly, so fast that its shape could not be captured by the naked eye. All that could be seen was an enormous spiral drill bit, interwoven with the silver-gray metallic luster and the deep blue of the Emperor Naboo's body!

This is a self-sacrificing strike that transforms oneself into the ultimate weapon—the Steel-type ultimate technique, Ninja Spiral Combo!

"go!!!"

With a roar from Xiao Gang, the massive steel spiral drill bit, carrying a terrifying aura that seemed to tear everything apart, fiercely met the two cascading torrents that were attacking from both sides!

“BOOM Boom Boom Boom!!!”

The steel drill bit collides head-on with the raging waterfall! There is no stalemate, no neutralization, only the ultimate penetration and tearing!

The steel drill bit displayed terrifying power beyond conventional skills. The two waterfalls, blessed by the Combo Martial Arts Bear Master and possessing power and continuity far exceeding ordinary waterfalls, were torn apart and pierced through from the middle by the drill bit, just like fragile cloth!

The water spray was violently thrown in all directions by the spinning force, turning into a water mist that covered half of the venue.

The steel drill continued its momentum, and after destroying the two side waterfalls, it slightly adjusted its direction and crashed straight into the Swampert and the third main waterfall that carried it!

"Roar!!!"

The swamp monster standing atop the waterfall roared furiously, seemingly sensing the terrifying threat emanating from below.

Just before the steel drill was about to collide with the main waterfall, the Swamp Monster did something that left everyone speechless—it actually jumped off the top of the waterfall!

It's going to take it by force!

"Zzzzzzzzz—!!!"

The moment the giant hand made contact with the steel drill bit, a piercing, teeth-grinding metallic screeching sound echoed throughout the entire venue!

Swamp Monster braced its paws against the spinning sides of the drill, attempting to stop the terrifying spiral impact with brute force.

Its muscles bulged explosively, and the water beneath its feet surged wildly to provide support, but the rotational force of the drill was too terrifying. The giant swamp monster's massive body was pushed backward, and its feet plowed two deep furrows in the specially made ground!

That was the most primitive and savage collision of power against power, flesh against steel!

The Swamp Monster roared repeatedly, its arms trembling violently, clearly under unimaginable pressure.

It lasted for about two or three seconds, but the power unleashed by the Z-Move was indeed superior to that of regular moves.

"boom--!!!"

Finally, the Swampert's power was completely shattered, and its hands were thrown back. The steel drill, though its momentum had slightly diminished, was still terrifying, and it slammed solidly into its broad chest!

"boom!"

Swamp Monster was struck as if by a battering ram; its massive body flew backward and slammed heavily against the battle wall dozens of meters away.

The energy buffer layer rippled violently before finally sliding down to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

On its chest, a distinct dent and scorch mark with metallic scratches were shocking.

At the other end of the field, Emperor Napoleon, having unleashed his Z-Move, also appeared, falling from mid-air and staggering to his feet.

"Adjust your form! Naboth the King!"

"Pop..."

His chest heaved violently, and he exhaled scorching white breath from his beak. His deep blue eyes were fixed on the cloud of smoke, filled with exhaustion, but even more so with high vigilance.

The dazzling silver-gray light around it had dissipated; after the brief burst of power from the Z force, there was a huge drain on its energy.

Xiao Gang was also slightly out of breath, with sweat on his forehead. Using Z-Moves not only depletes the Pokémon's stamina, but also puts a considerable burden on the trainer's mental and physical strength.

His gaze was fixed on the direction where the Swamp Monster had crashed, but he didn't relax at all.

Zhang Heng remained standing in place, his face expressionless. He showed neither panic at being knocked away by Swampert nor surprise at the opponent using a Z-Move.

He simply waited quietly for the smoke and dust to dissipate.

Because the connection between him and Swampert, and the spiritual connection with the nascent Overpower, still exists clearly and stably, and has not been severed.

This undoubtedly proves that Swampert still retains its fighting ability!

It is a Water/Ground type, giving it a natural resistance to Steel-type moves.

Moreover, Emperor Naboo's [Spiritual Spiral Combo] first shattered two powerful waterfall streams, then Swampert used its two palms to withstand the attack, consuming some of its rotational energy, before finally hitting its main body.

Even with its formidable power, the heavily weakened Steel-type Z-Move is virtually impossible to one-shot Swampert, a creature known for its durability and type resistance.

If it's the Grass-type Z-Move, [Floral Blossom], then that's a different story...

Just then, the light in the battle room seemed to dim slightly.

Immediately afterwards, a faint, pattering sound began to rise.

It's raining.

Raindrops appeared out of nowhere, gently yet swiftly falling across the entire arena, wetting the ground and landing on the slightly panting Emperor Naboo and the cloud of dust enveloping Swampert.

"Pray for rain?!"

Xiao Gang's heart skipped a beat, and his expression instantly became even more serious. He glanced sharply at Zhang Heng, who remained calm opposite him, and then quickly glanced at the state of Emperor Nabo.

The occurrence of rainy days means that control of the venue may change hands!

He had already observed that there was a Mega Stone embedded in the center of the collar worn around Swampert's neck!

Having made up his mind, he thought, "Once Swampert undergoes Mega Evolution, its ability will change to Swift Swim, doubling its speed in rainy conditions!"

"At that time, given Emperor Naboo's current physical condition and speed, he probably won't even be able to catch a glimpse of Swampert, and will only be completely toyed with and defeated!"

"Emperor Naboo!" Xiao Gang shouted without hesitation, his voice urgent, "Ignore the smoke and dust! Defend with all your might!"

We can no longer risk an attack; we must stabilize our position!

If we adopt a defensive strategy and wait for the Swampert to show itself, there might still be a glimmer of hope.

Emperor Nabo responded with a low growl, mustered his spirits, folded his wings to protect himself, and his steel-type energy surged once more.

This time, the energy rapidly condensed and shaped in front of it, transforming into a massive, heavy, ancient, and coldly metallic silver-white shield phantom!

"Boom--!"

The phantom shield solidified, like a real giant shield, and slammed heavily onto the ground in front of Emperor Naboo, producing a dull thud, protecting most of his body behind him.

Steel-type status move - Iron Defense! Greatly increases the user's physical defense!

Xiao Gang's tactical intentions were clear: hold firm, stack up defenses, offset the Mega Swampert's rampaging physical attacks that might come with the rain, buy time, and look for an opportunity to counterattack.

However, upon seeing this, Zhang Heng's lips curled into a barely perceptible upward curve, and a glimmer of triumph flashed in his eyes.

"I've been tricked after all..." he thought to himself.

This battle, the evolution stone, and the possible rain were all "bait" he deliberately showed to his opponent, in order to guide his opponent to make the reaction he wanted.

For example, if it's uncertain when he will Mega Evolve, choose a relatively conservative defensive tactic and focus your attention on the front.

The real killer move often comes from outside sight, such as from under your feet.

Just as Emperor Naboo was warily watching the dust cloud ahead, and Xiao Gang was also focusing most of his attention on the direction from which Swampert might charge—

"Click... rustle..."

The seemingly solid ground beneath Emperor Naboo's feet, wet with rain, suddenly emitted an extremely faint, rattling sound, as if the soil had loosened!

"Pop?!" Emperor Naboo lowered his head alertly.

But it's too late!

"Plop—!"

A huge hand, covered in slippery mud but still retaining its original pink color, burst forth from the ground at Emperor Naboo's feet without warning!

He grabbed Naboo's ankle tightly!

It feels cool and slippery to the touch, yet it contains terrifying grip strength!

"Ugh—!!" Caught off guard, Emperor Naboo let out a cry of pain mixed with shock and anger, and instantly lost his balance!

After the giant hand got its grip, it pulled downwards without any mercy! The force caused the person to stumble, half of their body sinking into the suddenly soft ground!