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Having lost two consecutive matches—especially the second one, where his ace, Combusken, evolved into Blaziken only to suffer defeat—this was undoubtedly a significant blow to Heiji Kuroya, a proud and ambitious young Trainer.
Heiji Kuroya didn't co from a prestigious family, but he had a remarkable ntor: Bruno, one of the Elite Four of Kanto.
Of course, Heiji was only a nominal disciple of Bruno, far from being a direct protégé.
Even so, his association with Bruno was enough to earn him widespread respect.
The reason Bruno had taken Heiji as a nominal disciple was largely due to a favor owed to Heiji's father, Kojirō Kuroya.
Everyone has monts of hardship—even Bruno was no exception. In his youth, Bruno's life had been particularly tough, and Kojirō had extended a helping hand.
Because Heiji was rely a nominal disciple, Bruno never personally ntored him.
However, Bruno did leave behind his notes on Pokémon training and went out of his way to procure a Torchic with the Speed Boost ability as Heiji's starter Pokémon.
Heiji, for his part, was no ordinary talent. Using Bruno's training notes, the Speed Boost Torchic, and his identity as Bruno's disciple, Heiji had experienced smooth sailing ever since debuting as a Trainer a year and three months ago.
But today marked the first major setback of his career. Two of the Pokémon he had ticulously raised using his ntor's training thods had been defeated back-to-back by an unknown opponent.
"I've really underestimated the world's talent. I'm not as special as I thought I was. What my ntor wrote in his notes is true: there are always people stronger than you out there—you just haven't t them yet. Today, I finally t one of them."
With a grim expression, Heiji recalled Blaziken into its PokeBall. Then, lifting his head, he gazed at Sato, who stood silently across the field, expressionless.
Since Heiji's Blaziken was the one to fall, the rules required him to send out his Pokémon first for the next battle. Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, Heiji reached for a Great Ball.
"It's all up to you now. Let's go, Hariyama!"
Pressing the button on the Great Ball, Heiji released his final Pokémon for the match. A robust Hariyama materialized on the battlefield.
The mont Hariyama appeared, Sato quietly activated his system's scanning ability, imdiately pulling up data on his opponent.
Ard with this information, he quickly devised a strategy.
Pokémon: Hariyama
Level: 25
Type: Fighting
Ability: Guts
Gender: Male
Known Moves: Brine, Tackle, Focus Energy, Sand Attack, Strength, Fake Out, Vital Throw, Whirlwind, Knock Off, Seismic Toss, Aura Sphere (Egg Move), Thunder Punch (Tutor), Protect (TM), Rock Slide (TM)
From the available information, it was clear that compared to Hitmonchan and Blaziken, Heiji Kuroya had not invested nearly as much effort into training his Hariyama. Sending it out now was evidently a last-ditch effort.
For a Pokémon like Hariyama—high in attack and stamina but extrely slow in movent—Sato already had strategies prepared.
For instance, Bellossom could easily handle it using the sa hit-and-run tactics employed against Hitmonchan earlier.
However, there was no need to deploy Bellossom just yet. Hariyama was the perfect live target—an ideal training opportunity and experience boost for Sato's other Pokémon.
"It's your turn, Growlithe. Let's bring ho the victory."
After defeating Heracross earlier that morning, Growlithe's level had risen from 19 to 21, making it stronger.
While it was still at a disadvantage compared to Hariyama's level 25, the previous battle against Heracross had honed Growlithe's hit-and-run tactics.
Against Hariyama, with its poor mobility, these tactics would be particularly effective.
The mont Growlithe entered the rocky battlefield, orange flas flared from its head and limbs. The stones beneath its feet began to glow red from the heat.
"Use Brine!"
Though Heiji Kuroya was well aware that his journey in this match was effectively over, he wasn't one to go down without a fight.
With the referee's signal to start, Heiji quickly issued his command to Hariyama.
Hariyama opened its mouth and fired a thick jet of water, but the attack's speed was too slow. Before it could get within five ters of Growlithe, the nimble Fire-type easily dodged.
"Don't go head-to-head. Use your hit-and-run tactics," Sato instructed calmly.
Hearing this, Growlithe's eyes lit up. It glanced at Hariyama before darting off across the rocky terrain, swiftly closing the gap between them.
Under Heiji's direction, Hariyama attempted to intercept Growlithe with Rock Slide. However, like the Brine attack, Rock Slide was too slow, and Growlithe effortlessly evaded the falling rocks.
In no ti, Growlithe had closed the distance to within five ters. It stopped abruptly and began spewing small fireballs from its mouth.
Within seconds, Growlithe launched over a dozen Ember attacks from different angles, sending them flying toward Hariyama.
While Hariyama's massive hands swept through most of the small fireballs with ease, two or three managed to slip through and struck Hariyama, leaving faint scorch marks.
From that point on, Growlithe fully displayed its mastery of hit-and-run tactics, maintaining a safe distance while relentlessly peppering Hariyama with Ember attacks.
It executed Sato's strategy perfectly: "When the enemy advances, retreat. When the enemy retreats, harass."
"Damn it! They've completely exploited Hariyama's fatal weakness—its slow speed. That Growlithe may be at a lower level, but it's exceptionally skilled at hit-and-run tactics. Hariyama can't do anything against it," Heiji thought, gritting his teeth in frustration as Hariyama roared in anger, unable to retaliate effectively against the nimble Fire-type.
Despite Heiji's repeated attempts to bait Sato and Growlithe into overextending, they refused to take the bait.
They stuck to the safest, most cautious strategy to secure victory, which only made Heiji even angrier.
Finally, after nearly twenty minutes of relentless kiting, Hariyama could no longer withstand Growlithe's constant barrage of small fireballs.
Covered in burns, it let out a final, unwilling cry before collapsing to the ground, unable to battle.
Although a bit distasteful, the advance and retreat tactics had been proved flawless once again.
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