Chapter 11: The Beast Tamer, Xiao Ming

Chapter 11: Beast Tamer Samurai

Hearing the voice, Xia You turned around to look at him.

“Your challenge?”

“That’s right.” The man straightened his collar and gave a confident smile. “My name is Samurai, the powerful trainer known as the ‘Beast Tamer’! Since I began my training, I have never been defeated. How about it? Do you dare to have a match with me?”

Beast Tamer Samurai?

Glancing at the Sandshrew by his feet, Xia You wore an expression of realization.

“I don’t mind.” As he spoke, Xia You looked around into the distance and couldn't help but ask, “But where are we going to battle? This area is full of streets; there aren't any battlefields around here.”

Thanks to the league-sanctioned, popularized, and widespread nature of Pokémon battles, just like the outdoor basketball courts in his previous life, one could often see simple battlefields in parks, schools, riverbanks, and shopping malls while walking through the city.

However, it was unfortunate that the area Xia You was currently in was a fair distance from any public facilities.

“Of course not here.” Samurai pointed in the direction of Vermilion City. “I’ve built a personal gym in the wilderness not far ahead. There’s a battlefield there. Follow me.”

Saying this, he didn't give Xia You a chance to object and walked off first.

Shaking his head at the few Pokémon beside him, Xia You chose to follow.

The two walked one after the other, leaving Cerulean City. After walking for another ten minutes or so, they indeed saw a simple camp built with fences and tents not far ahead.

Outside the camp stood a huge sign with large letters written on it: Pokémon League Unofficial Gym, currently on a 92-win streak.

From the confident look on Samurai’s face and the words on the sign, it wasn't hard to see that he was indeed a very confident trainer.

And he was very eager for attention, too.

It was just that his face, combined with his slightly stocky build and thick, upturned eyebrows, made him look a bit goofy the longer you stared at him.

Seeing Xia You staring at the sign, Samurai said proudly, “My goal is a 100-win streak. Once I reach that goal, I’ll start traveling around to challenge various gyms and collect badges.”

“That sounds pretty impressive.” Xia You shrugged and offered a compliment, though his expression didn't look particularly impressed.

The two entered the camp and arrived at this so-called personal gym.

Through the open tent flaps, Xia You immediately saw several Pokémon engaged in independent training.

A Butterfree and a Beedrill were flying and colliding in the air, seemingly practicing combat, while on the ground, three Rattata were wearing weights, appearing to be doing endurance training.

“How about it? My gym is pretty good, right?” Samurai came to the trainer’s command area and said to Xia You, “Now, as long as I defeat you, I’ll have a 93-win streak, one step closer to my goal!”

“That’s certainly worth celebrating.” Xia You walked to the other side and said solemnly, “I can tell you’re a formidable opponent, but since I started my journey, I’ve never lost either!”

Just as he said, ever since he obtained Ralts, hadn't he been winning all the way?

Both were on winning streaks; who was afraid of whom?

Beneath their feet was a hard-packed dirt field. Although this type of field was unremarkable, it was the most common type of outdoor battlefield in this world.

“Is that so? It looks like someone’s record is destined to be broken today!” Samurai spread his hands, looking as if he had no choice but to deal with Xia You. “Alright, let’s get down to business. The rules for this battle are simple: each person uses one Pokémon. Whoever is the last one standing is the final winner!”

Xia You nodded. “Alright, I understand.”

Taking a whip from behind his back, Samurai flicked it forward and shouted, “Sandshrew, let them see our strength!”

Following his words, the Sandshrew beside him slowly ran onto the field.

In terms of appearance, other than standing on two legs, this Sandshrew didn't look much different from a pangolin on Earth. Overall, however, it was a bit rounder, and its skin was an earthy yellow, hard and dry, with brick-like patterns that made it look like wall tiles.

Xia You took out his Pokédex and aimed it at the Pokémon.

Pokédex: “Beep. Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon, Ground-type. It dislikes water and digs deep holes in dry places to live. If danger approaches, it will curl into a ball to protect itself.”

In terms of typing, whether it was the Grass-type Bulbasaur or the Water-type Squirtle, both had an advantage over the Ground-type Sandshrew. Although he couldn't quite remember the specific plot, Xia You remembered that this Sandshrew had once defeated Ash and the Team Rocket trio, so he didn't dare to be careless. After thinking seriously for a moment, he waved his hand and directly sent out his ace Pokémon—Kirlia.

Looking at the maiden-like Kirlia, Samurai said in surprise, “Your Pokémon is quite unique, but it doesn't matter. Whoever it is, the result will be the same. Let’s go, Sandshrew! Use Rollout!”

The Sandshrew’s four limbs ran forward rapidly. After gaining enough speed, its body curled up, turning completely into a ball, and it rolled toward Kirlia at high speed.

“Kirlia, use Double Team!”

Kirlia’s body instantly split into dozens of phantoms. Because the Sandshrew was moving too fast to stop, it rolled past the intended path. Only after it stopped did it look back, realizing it had only passed through a fake phantom.

“Kirlia, use Confusion!”

Kirlia raised a hand, and a burst of light suddenly enveloped the Sandshrew. In that instant, with the crack of a whip, the Sandshrew curled its body into a ball at high speed!

The Confusion took effect, lifting the Sandshrew high into the air before dropping it heavily. When the dust settled, it stretched its body, shook its head, and climbed up from the ground, clearly having taken little damage.

“Not bad at all.” Xia You couldn't help but praise. “Being able to use Defense Curl to mitigate damage in an instant—I have to say, you’ve really raised this Sandshrew quite well.”

Samurai curled his lip. “Hmph, what’s a little pain like that!? My Sandshrew has undergone rigorous training and has even overcome its weakness to water!”

“Oh?” Xia You raised an eyebrow, surprised. “A Ground-type Pokémon that overcame its weakness to water? That’s truly impressive!”

In fact, through their brief exchange, Xia You had already noticed the clues.

Beyond the Sandshrew’s outstanding strength, the communication between it and Samurai was extremely fast and concise.

Often, Samurai only needed to flick his whip; without a word, the Sandshrew could understand his intentions through the sound of the whip, changing its attacks and defeating opponents with unexpected moves.

These two points had made them invincible in past battles, leading to their streak of over ninety wins.

But now, facing the combination of Xia You and Kirlia, they had met an equally matched opponent.

Xia You and Kirlia were naturally in perfect sync. Moreover, because of the red horn on its head, Kirlia could quickly sense Xia You’s emotions. Being a Psychic-type Pokémon, it could even, to some extent, read some of the thoughts in Xia You’s mind.

(End of chapter)