He knows Pokémon better than me.

The next day, high up in the castle tower.

It was still the boxing arena, and the stands were packed, even more so than yesterday.

The alliance card information for today's match has already been displayed on the high wall.

On one side is Raihana, the strongest Gym Leader in the Galar region, who is even said to be a match for the regional champion if placed in other regions.

The League Card was recently changed to a fan group photo, and Ash even saw himself in the crowd behind in the photo.

On the other side is Mari, the rising star of Galar.

The league card features Mary in her athletic uniform, expressionless, in a standard passport photo.

At this moment, at one end of the field, Cibana had already taken his position.

He put his hands in his shirt pockets and shouted loudly:
"Marie, give it your all—I'll fight with all my might today too!"

Clearly, he was itching to play after watching yesterday's game all night.

It's finally my turn to take the stage, and every cell in my body is burning with excitement.

Mary stood at the other end, her face tense, and nodded seriously, ready for anything.

Today, it was Ash and Yonex's turn to sit in the front row and watch the battle. The two sat down next to each other, their faces showing the same curiosity and anticipation.

The murmurs behind them mingled into a cacophony, along with unusually loud cheers and shouts of encouragement.

Ash turned around and, sure enough, saw many familiar figures.

They were all dressed like delinquents, holding banners and blowing horns, giving their all in support.

It's Mary's fanatical support team, the Shout Team!
Although they no longer specifically try to stop other contestants, their enthusiasm for supporting them has not diminished in the slightest.

The Rotom drone took off again, its sound dominating the entire arena:
"Today is the Punch Gate Arena Challenge! The two opponents are Gym Leader Chibana and challenger Marie!"

"Each side can use three Pokémon. The winner is determined when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to battle!"

"—Now, both sides, please send out your first one!"

There were no extra gyms added just because it was the last gym; it was still 3v3.

The two exchanged a glance, nodded solemnly, and then simultaneously threw out their Poké Balls.

boom!boom!
As the red light fell, the starting lineup of Cibana was a large snake coiled in a spiral, its off-white body covered with black and brown patterns.

Its head was encased in a blackish-green, ring-shaped structure, making it impossible to distinguish whether it was an air sac or part of the body; only a pair of gun-muzzle-like nostrils were visible.

Looking at it as a whole, it actually resembles a long snail?
"This Pokémon?"

Ash quickly pulled out his Pokédex. He had seen a similar-colored Slug in the Galar wild before, but Slug was much smaller.

"Beep beep! Sand Snail Python, a ground-type, evolved form of Sandbag Snake, coils its body in a unique way and can spray over 100 kilograms of sand roto from its nostrils~!"

Ash nodded; it was indeed an evolved form.

He then looked to the other side, where Mary's starting lineup consisted of a red-shelled lobster.

With a five-pointed starfish on its head, its pincers constantly opening and closing, and its expression looking fierce and menacing.

It was the Iron Claw Lobster that we captured on the Isle of Armor!

"Ash, it looks like your friend did some research on Curious Barna beforehand!"

Beside him, Yuji said with a smile, "In terms of attributes, the Iron Claw Lobster undoubtedly has an absolute advantage."

The battle has officially begun!
Mary didn't probe; she went straight to the attack from the start.

"Iron-clawed lobster, water jet!"

"Clatter—!"

The iron-clawed lobster opened its two claws, instantly enveloping its body in a sharp stream of water.

In the next instant, its entire body shot out rapidly along the ground like a water sword drawn from its sheath!
Extremely fast!

Instead of dodging, Cibanar directly commanded:

"Sand Python, use Stealth Rock!"

Whoosh! Bang!

The water jet hit it head-on! The massive body of the sand snail python was instantly knocked sideways by the water jet, dragging several meters across the ground.

The effect is outstanding!

However, the sand python's movements were not disrupted. As it was knocked away, it swung its tail violently in all directions.

Swish swish--!
Countless sharp stone blades were thrown out and then disappeared into various parts of the arena, quietly setting up traps.

If Marnie changes her Pokémon, these unseen sharp rock blades will immediately launch an attack.

Not only that, the sand snail python suddenly spewed sand and dust out of its nostrils, which looked like gun barrels.

*Splash! Splash!*

A large amount of sand gushed out of his nostrils, spreading throughout the entire area in the blink of an eye.

The once clear field was suddenly covered by brownish-yellow sand and dust, the wind howled, and visibility rapidly decreased.

Sandstorm!
It wasn't that two moves were used in one round.

Xiao Zhi's Rotom phone automatically issued a notification sound:

"Beep beep! Ability Sand Spit: When attacked, it triggers a sandstorm. If the user is holding Sand Rock, the sandstorm turn is extended."

"This is the exclusive trait of the Sandbag Snake and Sand Snail Python, Loto!"

Ash finally understood; it was the first time he had ever heard of this characteristic.

Visibility suddenly decreased during the sandstorm.

The brownish-yellow sand kept churning, forcing the iron-clawed lobster to lower its body and raise its pincers one in front of the other, warily scanning its surroundings.

Suddenly, Cibana's voice came from the other end:
"Thunder Fang!"

The next instant, the ground throbbed.

Before the iron-clawed lobster could react, the sand snail python burst out of the ground behind it, like a giant python lurking beneath the sand, and opened its mouth to bite!

Sizzle! Click!

An electric current coiled around its teeth and bit down hard on one of the iron-clawed lobster's claws.

"Clatter!"

The iron-clawed lobster let out a muffled groan, its body trembling as it was jolted by the electric current.

The effect is outstanding!

However, Mary's expression remained calm, as if she had anticipated this move, and she said calmly:
"Next, use an avalanche!"

The iron-clawed lobster had a fierce look in its eyes. It endured the pain in its claws and instead used the force to grab the sand snail python, then slammed it heavily to the ground.

The cold air suddenly condensed, and large chunks of snow and ice formed out of thin air, hanging densely above the head of the sand snail python.

Rumble rumble rumble—!!

The next second, all the snow stones crashed down!

The sand python had just been thrown to the ground and hadn't even had time to react before its entire body was struck by the avalanche.

The effect is outstanding!

Moreover, because it was a reactive attack, the avalanche's power was doubled!
Boom boom boom——! !

Snow and ice rocks continued to fall, piling up a snow and rock pile more than two meters high on the field, completely burying the sand snail python's entire body.

"Just as I thought."

Mary stared at the snowdrifts in the sandstorm, silently chanting in her heart.

First, create a sandstorm to lower visibility, then launch a surprise attack from underground.

Before the challenge, she had naturally investigated the strongest gym leader's information and fighting habits.

Today, Mary is having a bit of bad luck—

Sizzle!
As soon as the iron-clawed lobster lowered its claws, its body suddenly stiffened, tiny arcs of electricity crackled across its body, and its movements became noticeably slower.

Mary frowned deeply. How could Thunder Fang, with its pathetic paralysis probability, actually trigger a paralysis status?! (End of Chapter)