You are not allowed to be a Pokémon Trainer!

Chapter 288 The Wonderful Tree's Intentions (4k)

Seven days of preparation time may seem a bit tight, but it's enough.

After all, the opponent is certain, and there won't be too many variables regarding the main Pokémon.

After a night of tactical discussions, the tone for the upcoming special training was set.

The next morning, Xia Chi and Qi Shu went to the Brewing Light Dojo together.

After all, serious training and combat wouldn't be possible in a small place like an apartment.

Let alone seven days of closed training, Xia Chi would call the Guaili Decoration Company after just half an hour.

He doesn't have a lifetime VIP status there.

As the car drove along the busy streets, Xia Chi noticed that many electronic billboards and posters were advertising the upcoming King of Fighters Challenge.

The main character is naturally the girl driving beside me.

The competition will be held in Nyang Kwang City.

This is an old rule of the league, allowing challengers to fight in their hometowns, which can be considered a kind of implicit home-field advantage.

This match has been generating quite a bit of buzz these past few days.

Just a year ago, Qishu was a "main streamer and part-time gym leader" who was always eliminated in the first round of the Electric Attribute Expert Tournament.

A year later, she has already won the expert competition and is now challenging for the top spot.

Every citizen of Niangguang felt proud of Qishu's actions, which brought great honor to his hometown, and their enthusiasm for supporting him was naturally extremely high.

"Speaking of which, why did you suddenly want to challenge the Heavenly King?"

On the way, Xia Chi suddenly asked with some curiosity, "If you become a top star, plus your status as a gym owner and your livestreaming activities, you'll probably be even busier, right?"

He asked this question when they played the game last time, but Qishu changed the subject and avoided it.

The relatively private atmosphere inside the carriage prompted him to bring it up again.

He always felt that, given Qishu's personality, he wouldn't be the type to actively pursue such an extremely busy life.

Brother Aoki also holds multiple positions.

He's only in his early thirties, but he looks like a middle-aged man in his forties because he's been exploited.

Xia Chi even felt happy about Qi Shu's challenge.

Of course, whether or not this would lead to leniency is purely a subjective conspiracy theory of Xia Chi's.

The car had just reached an intersection when the red light came on.

Qi Shu slowly stepped on the brakes and turned to look at Xia Chi.

The morning light streamed through the car window, casting soft shadows on her face.

"this one"

She tilted her head, her tone light but unusually serious, "Actually, it's because of you, Xia Chi."

Without any beating around the bush, Qishu simply stated it.

This answer completely surprised Xia Chi. He looked at Qi Shu's bright eyes, paused for a moment, and didn't know how to respond.

Is there any necessary connection between wanting to become a superstar because of oneself and wanting to become a superstar?
The red light turns green.

Qi Shu turned back, focused on starting the car, and merged into the traffic. He continued in a steady voice, "Actually, it's not that I necessarily want to become a superstar. I just want to take this opportunity to prove some things and find some new answers."

Xia Chi leaned back quietly in his chair, patiently listening without interrupting her.

The cityscape outside the car window rushed past, and Qishu's gaze seemed to drift further into the past.

“My mother was the previous Gym Leader of Brewmaster, and my father was an Interpol agent who disappeared while on a mission in the Sinnoh region when I was twelve years old.”

Xia Chi's heart sank slightly.

When they first met, he sensed Qishu's background from certain details, and now it seems that it may be more serious than he imagined.

Although Qishu's expression and tone did not seem particularly downcast, one could still hear immense sorrow in his words.

Kiju continued, his tone still calm: "My mother couldn't accept this fact. Ignoring everyone's advice, she resolutely went to Sinnoh to find my father. And then, just like her, she never came back."

A brief silence fell over the carriage, broken only by the steady hum of the engine and the sound of the wind outside the window.

"Back then, Sister Yeci was just an ordinary clerk at the Alliance headquarters."

Qi Shu's voice softened slightly, "She came to my house and told me the news. I was playing with Bu Bo in my room at the time."

She paused, as if recalling that blurry yet vivid moment.

"Sister Yeci later told me that I cried for several hours at the time, and the fur of the cloth was soaked with my tears, but I don't remember it. I just felt like I had a very long nightmare."

The city scenery outside the car window flashed by.

Xia Chi is actually not very good at empathizing.

Although he was also alone in this world, he didn't actually have any special feelings for his parents who died in the plane crash.

It has nothing to do with whether someone is cold-blooded or not, because we've never met before.

Therefore, any words of comfort offered at such times are somewhat pale and powerless.

Moreover, he knew that this was not what Qishu truly wanted to express.

Xia Chi asked softly, "The nightmare is over now, right?"

Qi Shu snapped out of his reverie, turned his head to look at Xia Chi, and nodded vigorously. "Yes, it's over now."

"Yeci told me that my mother's last wish was for the Niangguang Dojo not to decline. Although I can now guess that this was mostly what Yeci said to comfort and encourage me at the time, it has indeed become a great motivation for me to train hard and strive to become stronger."

As the car rounded a bend, the futuristic silhouette of the Niangguang Dojo became faintly visible.

Kiju's voice carried a hint of confusion: "However, after I really made Brewmaster Dojo famous and recognized again, I suddenly felt very empty, as if something had been ripped out of my heart, and I didn't know what to strive for next."

Her fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel, and she suddenly said, "Until I met you."

Xia Chi looked at Qi Shu's profile.

Her face, which was usually beaming with smiles, now displayed a complex expression that was a mixture of gentleness and determination, which was particularly clear in the morning light.

"Although saying 'I want to become stronger because I don't want Xia Chi to leave me behind' is a bit childish and forced."

Qi Shu turned his head, his eyes sparkling as if with starlight. "But it's true, Xia Chi is my strongest motivation right now."

Qi Shu's words were not a confession, but they touched people's hearts more than any love words.

Xia Chi listened quietly, a warm feeling welling up inside her.

He didn't avoid Qishu's gaze, nodded, and replied softly, "Yes, Qishu is also a very important person to me."

The wondrous tree blossoms with a smile.

This answer was enough for Qishu.

This companionship and shared growth is far more important to her than simply establishing a relationship. Xia Chi joked, "Besides, Qi Shu, you're already amazing. Maybe you'll become the champion even before me?"

Qi Shu chuckled and gave him a reproachful glare: "You can't say things like that. I'm absolutely loyal to Sister Ye Ci!"

"Do not worry."

Xia Chi laughed too, "If that day ever comes, I believe Sister Ye Ci will be incredibly proud of you."

The jokes eased the last bit of tension in the carriage.

Amidst the warm, tacit understanding, the car smoothly entered the parking lot of the Niangguang Dojo.

------

With the King of Kings Challenge approaching, Qishu's dojo and live stream activities have naturally been suspended for the next few days.

The huge Niangguang Dojo appeared much emptier than usual.

Only a few staff members are on duty at the medical station to ensure that the Pokémon undergoing training receive timely treatment.

The heartfelt conversation that morning did not create any distance between them; on the contrary, it made them even more in sync.

Xia Chi and Qi Shu quickly got into the swing of things and began high-intensity special training according to the established plan.

For this kind of targeted training, if conditions permit, it is naturally best to simulate Aoki's actual lineup.

But for now, that condition is probably not met.

Xia Chi had no choice but to settle for second best, using Pokémon like Vibranium, Latias, and Victini to cosplay Aoki's flying army.

These three Pokémon all possess excellent flying abilities and high speed and high attack, perfectly simulating the "air-to-ground" suppression that Aoki's team might bring.

Despite the differences in attributes and preferred moves, this tactical simulation is highly effective.

Qishu's main lineup lacked effective anti-air countermeasures and was under immense pressure.

The most important part of the special training was naturally the super-evolved Raiden.

It must be said that Qishu was being modest last night; her progress over the past six months has been remarkable, and her results in training Pokémon are outstanding.

This Electamon, which was not particularly strong before, has now firmly entered the Gym level.

With the support of super evolution, it has fully demonstrated its high speed and high attack capabilities.

The repeated back-and-forth maneuvering involving intimidation and electrical feedback is already taking shape.

However, Xia Chi's progress is clearly even more terrifying.

The last time he helped Qishu win the Electric Attribute Expert Tournament, he could only guide him by suppressing his own strength.

At this moment, facing the all-out attack of the strange tree, Xia Chi's three elves handled it with ease.

This is without Latias undergoing Mega Evolution.

In the end, Xia Chi, who held nothing back, won the 3V3 simulation battle thanks to his superior tactical execution.

Qi Shu wasn't too disappointed; he simply expressed his amazement at Xia Chi's rapid growth.

Especially Bictini.

Who would have thought that it, which hatched from an egg just six months ago, would now have the strength to face off against Babubo.

Hand over the Pokémon that was injured in the battle to the Gym's professional Blissey and Nearby.

Xia Chi and Qi Shu sat outside the medical room, resting and reviewing the match.

"Overall, the performance was pretty good. The rotation strategy with Mega Raiden was basically executed, although the timing still needed a little more fine, but it's not a big problem."

Xia Chi pondered for a moment and said, "Babu Groundhog, a Pokémon that excels in close combat, is at a disadvantage against a lineup dominated by Flying-type Pokémon. We might consider switching to other Pokémon later to see if they would be more effective."

Qishu took a sip of juice through the straw, tilted his head and pondered, "Why do I feel like the Super Thunder Beast's rotation isn't working very well?"

Xia Chi glanced at her helplessly: "Because Fa Jie and Latias are both special attack-oriented Pokémon, of course it won't be very effective against them. Brother Aoki's team is mainly Flying-type Pokémon that excels in physical attacks, which is the stage where Mega Electabuzz can exert its intimidation value."

Qi Shu stuck out his tongue. "Yeah. With Xia Chi around, I don't even want to use my brain."

Xia Chi glanced at her irritably, "So, who's going to play in the competition, you or me?"

"Just kidding, I'll hit you, I'll hit you."

Qi Shu chuckled, then his smile faded, and he said seriously, "However, regarding Babu Tubo, I think perhaps we could keep it?"

She analyzed, counting on her fingers: "After all, Fighting-type poses a threat to Normal-type, and it can also switch on Volt Switch, which can form a double Volt Switch rotation system with Electivire, and it can also add a Fake Out for crowd control."

Xia Chi's eyes flashed with approval: "Not bad, it's really great that you were able to think of this level on your own. It seems you've put in a lot of effort to study this recently."

"Tch, are you trying to fool a child?"

Although she said that, the slight upturn of her lips and her bright eyes clearly showed that she was very pleased.

Hmph, all those tactical lessons I've had these past few days haven't been a waste!

Xia Chi smiled and got back to the main topic: "The idea itself is not wrong. The double electric return rotation can indeed greatly enhance the team's flexibility and suppression, but the key problem is that there is a cooldown time for switching Pokémon."

"You have to consider how to deal with Babutop being stuck on the field during the time when you can't switch in, and how to respond when Flying-type Pokémon are 'standing above' you?"

"Although Electric-type moves are super effective against Flying-type moves, Babuto's Electric-type physical moves are difficult to effectively attack targets in the air."

This is a very real problem. Qi Shu bit his lip and fell into deep thought.

As if she had just thought of something, she suddenly looked up excitedly and said, "What if we added some anti-aircraft capabilities?"

"For example, could we use [Rock Block] and [Ice Fist] to create an environment that would cause Uncle Aoki to lose his aerial advantage?"

Xia Chi looked at Qi Shu with some surprise. This time, he was truly astonished by Qi Shu's idea. "That's great, the idea is excellent, but it would be best to put it into practice first."

"Uh-huh!"

Qi Shu nodded, his eyes gleaming with increasing excitement: "And we can have the preceding Pokémon set up first, or directly give Babuto a Crystal Flying Pokémon? No, no, no, it's better to just boost the output directly. Crystal Electric should be a bit more useful than Crystal Fighting."

Seeing Qi Shu already deep in thought about tactics, Xia Chi smiled knowingly.

You're not the only one who keeps moving forward.
------

The special training ended much faster than Xia Chi had expected.

With the establishment of the core tactics and the increasing perfection of the actual combat exercises, Xia Chi had little room to intervene and provide guidance in the following days.

More challenges fell on Kiki's own understanding of tactics and her proficiency in the "combination techniques" she conceived.

Starting from the fourth day, Xia Chi also stopped sparring with Qi Shu.

The reason is simple: to conserve enough energy and form for the King of Fighters challenge three days later.

On the third-to-last day before the competition, exciting news came from the Zero Zone Research Institute.

The time machine has finally been successfully developed!

(End of this chapter)