Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

"Oh no."

Tomoaki Koike's expression grew increasingly grim.

There was a 30% chance, but I happened to run into it on the very first try.

"Keep it occupied, don't let it create distance, then use Nightshade!"

Yuji's tactics are direct and disgusting.

For Infernape, which is a Fire/Fighting type, it is naturally at a disadvantage when facing Gengar, which is a Ghost/Poison type.

The only way to win is not through close-quarters combat, but through long-range attacks.

The problem is...

The paralyzed Infernape is now limited in its agility and has no way to create distance between itself and Gengar.

Gengar nodded upon hearing Yuji's words.

A short arm waved slightly.

A beam of light, shrouded in black mist, burst forth from its body.

"Get out of the way, Infernape!"

Tomoaki Koike quickly directed Infernape to take cover.

Paralysis does not mean complete immobility; it simply means that movement is easily interrupted by electrical arc interference.

Given Infernape's physique, actions that don't involve energy can be performed relatively easily.

“gei”

Despite its discomfort, Infernape strained its legs to push off.

In the blink of an eye, it had covered a distance.

Unfortunately, the two elves were positioned far too close together.

Gengar's Nightshade attack ultimately grazed the left side of Infernape's body.

"Roar--"

The Infernape immediately clutched its head in pain and howled.

A hint of pleasure appeared on Gengar's face.

For Ghost-type Pokémon, such emotional fluctuations are quite a delicious treat.

Even the stiffness caused by skill release and energy consumption has been largely restored.

The screams of the Infernape gradually subsided.

Instead, heavy breathing could be heard.

Its eyes were somewhat red.

Fortunately, the damage caused by the Night Demon and the tongue lick was not too high.

The main problem is the side effects.

The licking sensation is paralysis, while the shadowy figure in the night brings an intensified version of pain.

Tomoaki Koike clenched his fists: "If that's the case, then let's go even crazier—Infernape, use trickery on yourself!"

“me gei!”

The Infernape looked up and pounded its chest, letting out a fierce roar.

next moment.

Everyone was startled when it looked down at Gengar.

The veins around Infernape's eyes were bulging, and wrinkles appeared one after another.

This makes it look somewhat terrifying.

"Infernape, use Flame Vortex to envelop the entire field."

Tomoaki Koike's order startled Yuji.

"Gengar, use Shadow Ball to stop it!"

Looking at Infernape's condition, Yuuji doubted whether paralysis could stop it from using its skills.

In that case, let's defeat it before it succeeds.

Without saying a word, Gengar slightly widened its body.

A rotating black energy sphere gradually took shape in front of it.

"call out"

The body, shaped like an inverted C, suddenly rebounded, and the Shadow Ball immediately shot out.

"Infernape, be patient!"

Under Yuji's piercing gaze, Infernape raised its head and smiled at Gengar and the rapidly approaching Shadow Ball.

"Sizzle~~~"

The black shadow orb kept spinning on Infernape's body, as if trying to tear a hole through it.

Countless hairs slowly fell, and deep scars covered his chest.

But Infernape seemed oblivious.

The swirling flames on his hands grew larger and larger.

As the shadow orb disappeared from its front, the vortex of fire expanded wildly.

Until it enveloped the entire battlefield.

"madman."

Yuji muttered something under his breath, his face grim.

In this way, even if Gengar loses most of its stamina, Infernape, which is also trapped inside, will only be in worse condition.

It is highly likely that they will lose their ability to fight directly.

After all, Infernape's ability doesn't include Flash Fire.

Even with high resistance to fire, you're not immune.

The air was thick with heat.

The heat of the flames made the scene appear somewhat distorted.

"Heh~"

A Gengar, panting heavily and covered in wounds, suddenly appeared.

"Is Gengar alright? Can it still battle?"

Yuji quickly inquired.

Gengar nodded.

It pointed with both fingers to the area in the flames and then made a sleeping gesture.

"You mean, Infernape has lost its ability to battle?"

A smile appeared on Yuji's face.

Despite being relentlessly attacked by Infernape's trickery, Gengar's HP was reduced to less than half.

But judging from the result, he undoubtedly had the upper hand in this game.

as predicted.

When the flames exhausted their last bit of energy and dissipated, the Infernape lying on the ground appeared before people's eyes.

"Infernape is unable to battle, Gengar wins!"

Upon hearing the referee's announcement, Tomoaki Koike, who was already prepared, recalled his Infernape: "Good job, you did a great job."

"The rest is up to you, Blizzard King!"

"Roar--"

With a roar, the Grass/Ice type Snow King appeared on the field.

Then came the fluttering snowflakes.

Chapter 555 Giving it your all is the greatest respect (Edited in ten minutes)

"The Grass/Ice type Blizzard King is indeed a great counter to Yuuji's team."

Tetsuya, standing in the stands, commented in this way.

"Hmm, the right choice. It all depends on how far Gengar can go." Kajiyama pondered. "If we can deplete some of its stamina, we should be able to win easily."

"It's hard to say." Tetsuya shook his head. "With Blizzard King being sent out in this situation, Yuuji's choice of his second Pokémon is basically fixed, and it's going to turn into an internal war."

"Going straight for Dragonite isn't a bad idea, it would be better that way."

"This is exactly what the guy on the other side wants to see. I reckon his third Pokémon will still be an Ice-type, after all, he's a trainer from the Sinnoh region and knows about Dragonite."

"Yeah, tsk, it really is a bit difficult."

The two whispered to each other.

On the field.

With the appearance of the Blizzard King, colorful snowflakes fell in this not-too-cold region.

Gengar made a strange trembling motion.

"Gengar, use Venom Blast!"

However, the trainer's voice immediately made it serious.

With its mouth wide open.

A bubbling, purplish-black liquid rushed toward the Snow King.

A foul, fishy odor permeated the air.

"Block it with Rock Blockade, then use Shadow Ball."

Tomoaki Koike immediately retaliated.

Blizzard King crouched slightly, his short, stubby, dark green hands pressing on the ground.

"Boom boom boom"

Several giant rocks rose from the ground and blocked the way for the Blizzard King.

"Whoo-"

The purplish-black venom fell onto the boulder, making a corrosive sound.

Countless plumes of white smoke rose up.

"Such a potent poison."

Tomoaki Koike's expression grew even more serious.

Ghost-type Pokémon are simply too deeply ingrained in people's minds.

People often forget that Gengar actually has a Poison type.

Furthermore, because it also possesses the Ghost type, Gengar's poison has a much colder, more sinister feel than that of a typical Poison-type Pokémon.

Looking at the eroded, unrecognizable boulder in front of the Blizzard King, Yuji shook his head regretfully.

It was just a little bit short.

"boom--"

The boulder shattered with a deafening crash.

However, the source of its power is not Gengar, but Abomasnow behind it.

A Shadow Ball spun wildly, breaking through its own defenses and charging straight at Gengar.