He knows Pokémon better than me.

However, there are also unique methods for dealing with paralysis in the iron claw lobsters that live in the waters around Kaido.

"Clatter!"

It let out a low growl, then suddenly opened its pincers, spewing out a large amount of fine bubbles from its jaws.

The bubbles quickly enveloped its entire body, suppressing the erratic electric arcs layer by layer. Then, the iron-clawed lobster pounced on the ground, rolling around covered in mud and sand.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!
The numbing current in his body was indeed gradually conducted out, and finally dissipated completely.

The paralysis is over!
Cibana's lips twitched as he watched.

"What kind of folk remedy is this?"

However, I have to admit that he is indeed a rising star and has a real talent.

Of course, that avalanche just now didn't hit the target completely.

The sand python had already burrowed underground halfway through the avalanche, barely avoiding further damage.

However, Mary didn't give it a chance to hide any longer and spoke directly:
"If we find it, we'll dig a hole too!"

The iron-clawed lobster plunged its claws into the ground, instantly breaking up the soil, and burrowed its entire body underground, actively pursuing the prey.

The stadium fell silent, with only the howling sandstorm obscuring the view.

However, Marnie doesn't have Ash's cheating methods using Aura.

To catch sand snail pythons underground, you can only rely on the iron claw lobster's own earthy senses.

Half a minute later, the ground suddenly exploded!

The iron-clawed lobster actually burst out of the ground, its two pincers clamping tightly around the sand snail python, holding it above them as they broke through the soil together!

Mary's eyes lit up, and she immediately shouted:

"Now! Crab Claw Hammer!"

In mid-air, the iron-clawed lobster raised its claws high, with water and bubbles rapidly swirling around them.

"Crack—!!"

Using the momentum of its descent, it slammed down with its claws with tremendous force!
In its haste, the sand python could only flick its tail, the tip of which was covered in a highly venomous purple light, to block the attack head-on.

Poison Tail!

Clang!

The venomous tail and pincers collided in mid-air, causing purple light and water to explode simultaneously.

However, the iron claw lobster is highly adaptable.

When using Water and Dark-type moves, their power is amplified.

The stalemate lasted less than a few seconds before the venomous tail was forcibly broken!

The crab claw hammer struck the sand snail python squarely at its seven-inch waist.

The effect is outstanding!

Hit the vital point!

Thump—!

The sand python crashed heavily to the ground, its coiled body twitched, then its head lolled to the side, and it immediately lost its ability to fight.

That hammer blow was incredibly powerful!
Even though it had fainted, the Sand Snail Python's gun-muzzle-like nostrils still instinctively spewed out an even more violent burst of sand and dust.

*Splash! Splash!*

The sandstorm intensified again, covering the stadium with yellow sand.

The ability "Sand Spit" will still activate in the current turn even if the user is knocked down.

The moment they secured their first victory, the stands erupted in cheers!
Mary's support group, the "Shouting Team," was particularly in an uproar.

"Miss Mary, you're amazing!!"

"Gallar's strongest rookie!!"

"If we beat Kibana today, we can take down Dan tomorrow!!"

They waved flags and shouted as loudly as if the competition was over and Mary had successfully won the badge.

In the front row, Ash looked at the Crawdora on the field and nodded approvingly.

It seems that Mary has indeed made great progress in her training on the Isle of Armor these past few days.

At one end of the arena, Mary let out a soft breath, her tense shoulders relaxing a little.

We secured the first one; today's start went fairly smoothly.

The shouts from outside the stadium... aren't they a bit too outrageous?!

However, she did not let her guard down. This Sand Snail Python was not particularly high-level; it was just the first one the gym leader used to test the waters.

The real battle is about to begin. "The commander is very decisive."

On the other side, Qibana remained expressionless, recalling the defeated Sand Snail Python while letting out a wry smile.

His performance in the first match was no less impressive than that of the trainer named Xiaoyou from a few days ago.

Then, he took out a second Poké Ball from his waist.

"Next, let's switch to this one."

boom!
As the red light faded, a turquoise dragon appeared on the field.

It has a slender body, thin, diamond-shaped wings, a red eye patch-like structure around its eyes, and a pair of green antennae on its head.

"Flygon, I haven't seen this Pokémon in ages."

Ash blinked and couldn't help but sigh.

This Pokémon doesn't have any Mega Evolution or Gigantamax forms. It seems to have been completely forgotten.

Only then did he belatedly realize what was happening.

By the way, isn't Raihana a Dragon-type Gym Leader?

I've finally started using Dragon-type Pokémon.

To be precise—

Beside him, Yuji spoke up to correct him:

"Tirana is a trainer specializing in weather tactics and Dragon-type skills."

Clearly, he was quite familiar with his old friend's fighting style.

Sandstorm tactics are one of the systems that Qibana excels at.

"I see."

Ash nodded and looked back at the arena, eager to see what Qibana could do.

The battle has begun again.

Mary's gaze turned serious. The oppressive feeling from the desert dragonfly was completely different from that from the sand snail python she had just encountered.

The level is significantly higher.

"Strike first, use an avalanche!"

After a moment's hesitation, Mary chose to launch a direct attack.

And we don't need to worry about the double effect of a successful avalanche strike anymore—

Ice-type moves are four times more effective against Garchomp, such as Flygon!
Even a mere glancing blow can cause considerable damage.

"Clatter!"

The iron-clawed lobster immediately raised its pincers, and the cold air quickly gathered in mid-air, causing large blocks of snow and ice to begin to form.

However, Cibana grinned, his voice hearty:

"It's not that simple! Strike head-on!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the desert dragonfly vanished from its spot.

Whoosh—!
A green streak of light shot out close to the ground, so fast that it was almost just a blur!

The timing of this move is on par with lightning speed.

Of course, there are also significant limitations; Head-on Strike can only be used each time a character enters the field.

Whoosh! Bang!
Before the iron-clawed lobster could react, it was hit head-on by the green light, its entire body was sent flying, rolling around on the ground in a disheveled state.

The snow blocks that had just formed in mid-air also collapsed.

The avalanche attack was directly interrupted!

Cibana's attacks came one after another:

"Air Blade!"

The desert dragonfly has taken to the skies again, its diamond-shaped wings flapping rapidly.

Swish swish--!
Several sharp air slashes shot out, heading straight for the iron-clawed lobster.

However, these wind blades did not retain their original blue and white appearance.

During flight, the swirling sand and dust around it were forcibly drawn in and adhered to the surface of the blade, turning it brownish-yellow in the blink of an eye!

The originally simple and sharp air blade suddenly gained a rough, sandy texture.

It's like countless grains of sand compressed into a blade, possessing both the sharpness of air slashing and the friction unique to sandstorms.
It has transformed into an air sand blade, which is significantly more powerful than a normal air blade!

This is precisely the sandstorm weather warfare tactic unique to Qibana! (End of Chapter)