Chapter Sixty-Nine: Growlithe’s Persistence and Fury

Xiaoxia watched as Chen Ou, his expression grave, recalled his Charmeleon. He did not hurriedly release another Pokémon to continue the battle, but instead spoke to Chen Ou. “Your Charmeleon will become very strong.”

Chen Ou nodded silently. “I have never doubted that.”

Charmeleon possessed remarkable talent, but to be fair, Growlithe’s gift surpassed even that of Charmeleon. Still, if the two were to fight, Chen Ou did not believe Charmeleon would lose. Charmeleon’s fighting spirit was too intense—perhaps because he had not been trusted by his former trainer, the brat from the Viridian City mayor’s household. Once Charmeleon began to battle, he strove only for victory. If he could not win, he would at least ensure his foe remembered him—no matter the cost, even if it meant trading injury for injury.

Chen Ou had no intention of curbing this behavior. For a Pokémon, such spirit was not necessarily a bad thing. As a trainer, Chen Ou’s responsibility was to guide Charmeleon, using his commands to prevent him from suffering too much harm.

Victory was the goal, but ensuring the safety of his partners as much as possible was the trainer’s duty.

If one could not do this, he was not a qualified trainer. Of course, Charmeleon’s current injuries were not serious; a visit to the Pokémon Center would heal him, leaving no hidden wounds.

“Let’s continue our battle, Xiaoxia,” Chen Ou said calmly.

Xiaoxia took a deep breath and unclipped an unused Pokéball from her belt. Chen Ou did the same, retrieving a Pokéball from his own belt.

Because Gyarados’s Rain Dance was still in effect, the rain continued to fall in a steady drizzle. Yet neither Chen Ou nor Xiaoxia made any move to open an umbrella. Previously, Asu had taken an umbrella from Sakura, intending to hold it over Chen Ou, but he had declined.

Although Asu did not understand, she did not insist. Chen Ou was aligned with fire; such light rain could not affect him. Clearly, Xiaoxia wanted only to use the rainy weather to gain an advantage, otherwise Gyarados’s Rain Dance would have shown far greater power.

As for Xiaoxia, she cared even less about the rain; claiming the identity of a mermaid, she found the weather rather pleasant.

Chen Ou and Xiaoxia exchanged glances, then, as if by prior agreement, threw their Pokéballs at the same time.

“Come out! Poliwrath!”

“It’s your turn! Growlithe!”

Poliwrath appeared with little fanfare, simply striking a showy pose before diving into the water. Having witnessed the opponent’s brutality, Poliwrath would not make the mistake of underestimating them by engaging head-on. Now, with the Swift Swim ability enhancing his speed in the rain, and the vast expanse of water on the field, he held every advantage.

The opponent was a Fire-type; generally, Fire-types would never voluntarily enter the water.

A glint of cleverness flashed in Poliwrath’s eyes—he was a Pokémon who fought with his brain!

On the other side, Growlithe landed with a bark, then sat down, gazing up at Chen Ou with expectant eyes.

Relying on their innate bond, Chen Ou understood what this little fellow wanted and, with a complicated expression, asked, “Are you sure you really want to do this?”

If one looked closely, they would see a subtle tremor in Chen Ou’s cheeks. Although he wasn’t sure what strange scheme Growlithe had come up with, judging by the look on his face… it was unlikely to be anything normal.

You never fail to surprise me.

Growlithe panted, squinting his eyes and grinning at Chen Ou.

Chen Ou massaged his forehead, then waved his hand dismissively, giving Growlithe leave to do as he wished.

Growlithe leapt up in excitement, spun in two circles chasing his tail, and then—suddenly—jumped straight into the water.

What sort of suicidal new move was this?

Xiaoxia, Asu, and Sakura all stared wide-eyed, watching as Growlithe entered the water with an elegant leap and barely a splash. They couldn’t quite say they were completely baffled, but they were certainly at a loss.

Had anyone ever seen a Fire-type Pokémon willingly dive into water to battle a Water-type?

Together, they turned to look at Chen Ou, their confusion nearly tangible.

Is this Growlithe just here to liven up the atmosphere?

Chen Ou could read this question in their eyes.

He sighed helplessly and shook his head, saying nothing. He hadn’t wanted things to be this way; he’d hoped for a proper battle, but somehow, whenever Growlithe got involved, everything—even the very style—changed.

Of course, Growlithe probably stood a good chance of winning; otherwise, Chen Ou would never have let him take such an unnecessary risk. Though he wasn’t particularly confident, since Growlithe wanted to try, Chen Ou saw no need to stop him.

How outrageous… Why do I have such an innate bond with this outlandish dog? Could it be that we are too much alike? No, no, impossible—surely it must be that I am so upright, and Growlithe is here to make up for my shortcomings. That must be it!

And with that, Chen Ou finished hypnotizing himself.

As for the reality… everyone knew the truth in their hearts.

Meanwhile, in the water, Poliwrath watched the Growlithe who had leapt in, utterly dumbfounded.

What was going on?

A Fire-type Pokémon voluntarily plunging into water? How could such good fortune exist?

Poliwrath felt no risk of underestimating his opponent. He was convinced this Growlithe must be just a filler Pokémon Chen Ou had brought along. Whose proper Pokémon would be so foolish?

A free win offered up—he would be a fool not to take it.

Poliwrath hesitated only three seconds—one in bewilderment, one in doubt, and one to decide in what manner he would pummel Growlithe.

Then, like a streak of black and blue lightning, Poliwrath shot out from the depths and smashed directly into Growlithe’s belly.

Incidentally, why did all the Pokémon Xiaoxia raised like to attack the stomach?

Poliwrath charged with tremendous force, but the moment he struck Growlithe, he realized something was wrong…

Too light… Too compliant… There was no resistance…

Poliwrath instinctively sensed danger, but by now, they had already burst out of the water and into the air.

This was the attack method Poliwrath had imagined—very stylish!

But now, the script seemed to be going off track.

Growlithe, enduring the pain, his eyes fiercely bright, bared his teeth, which were sheathed in a tangible flame.

Flame Fang.

He bit down on Poliwrath’s arm.

A flash of white light coursed over his body.

Retaliation!

This is for Charmeleon—take it back!

Receive the wrath that belongs to both me and my companion!