Chapter 231:Grimmsnarl's Fake Surprise Attack! Another Encounter

"Infernape, Fire Punch!"

"Infernape!"

Infernape swung its blazing fist, darting through the flames as it charged forward.

"Grimmsnarl, Thunder Punch!"

Zap~

On the battlefield, a long-haired, demon-like Pokémon stared at Infernape and, without hesitation, swung its own fist.

Zap~ Boom!

Fists collided.

Flames and lightning clashed.

Boom~

The flames surged, overwhelming the electricity!

In a straightforward fistfight, Infernape feared no opponent.

Bang!

With a deafening crash, Grimmsnarl was sent flying backward by Infernape's powerful strike.

It landed heavily on the ground.

Infernape didn't hold back, quickly pouncing forward to continue the assault.

But then, Grimmsnarl, seeing Infernape charging again, suddenly got up and abruptly knelt on the ground.

Grimmsnarl lowered its head to the ground, as if surrendering.

"Infernape?"

Infernape, clearly encountering such an opponent for the first time, instinctively slowed its attack.

"Infernape, Protect!"

Natsume, seeing Grimmsnarl kneeling, quickly shouted.

But it was too late.

At that moment, Grimmsnarl, who had been kneeling, suddenly grinned and launched itself forward, slamming into Infernape.

Bam~

Infernape was hit directly, tumbling to the ground.

"Grimmsnarl~"

Grimmsnarl looked at Infernape lying on the ground and laughed triumphantly.

"Now, Bulk Up!"

Grimmsnarl didn't continue its attack but instead chose to boost its Attack and Defense.

"Infernape!"

Infernape rubbed its stomach, standing up with a furious expression.

"Sorry, sorry, but that's just Grimmsnarl's way of battling."

Arthur chuckled. "Finish it now, Sucker Punch!"

Grimmsnarl's speed instantly increased, its hand slicing like a blade toward Infernape's neck.

Bang!

Infernape stood its ground, raising its Iron Fist to block Grimmsnarl's strike.

Arthur was slightly stunned. "It actually blocked it."

Bang!

While Arthur was still amazed by Infernape's quick reflexes, Grimmsnarl was sent flying again.

Infernape had used Mach Punch!

Infernape was now level 62 and had absorbed the treasure Quick Claw. Combined with its rigorous training, its reaction speed and attack speed were top-tier!

"Infernape!"

The furious Infernape bared its teeth and charged forward.

Grimmsnarl, either genuinely scared or trying to pull the same trick again, panicked and swung its arms before kneeling once more.

"Infernape!"

This time, Infernape didn’t care whether it was genuinely surrendering or not. Without hesitation, it slammed its fist into Grimmsnarl's head.

Bam~

Grimmsnarl's head smashed into the ground with a loud thud.

"Infernape!"

Infernape immediately mounted Grimmsnarl.

Mach Punch, Mach Punch, Mach Punch!

Natsume watched the scene with a smile. Clearly, Grimmsnarl's fake kneel and real charge had infuriated Infernape.

Soon, Grimmsnarl was completely overwhelmed by Infernape's relentless assault, losing all ability to fight back.

"Match ends."

The referee announced, "Grimmsnarl is unable to battle. Infernape wins!"

Clap, clap, clap~

As usual, applause erupted throughout the arena.

Arthur and Natsume met in the center of the venue.

"Truly impressive, Gym Leader Natsume from the East."

"This is proof of your victory over Lake Gym."

Arthur handed Natsume the Gym Badge.

The badge was shaped like a combination of a sword and shield.

The shield was in front, with the sword behind, resembling an Aegislash.

"Gym Leader Natsume, do you plan to challenge the Great Britain Region?"

Natsume shook his head slightly. "Not for now."

"That's a shame. I was really hoping to see you go all out."

Natsume pocketed the badge and suddenly asked, "I’ve heard that Gym Leader Arthur is descended from King Arthur himself, is that true?"

Arthur was momentarily surprised but then puffed out his chest. "Indeed."

"Though, unfortunately, I haven’t inherited King Arthur’s divine power."

King Arthur, of course, wasn’t just an ordinary man.

In fact, he was also a Wave-Guiding Hero.

Arthur, sensing Natsume’s interest in King Arthur, invited him, "After my gym battles are over, if you don’t mind, Gym Leader Natsume, you’re welcome to join me for some of our region’s specialty black tea."

Lake Gym had three battles scheduled for the day, and Natsume’s was only the second.

"Of course."

After making plans with Arthur, Natsume left Lake Gym.

He intended to complete his original plan for coming here.

Capture a Clauncher.

Iron Clauncher were quite common in the nearby waters.

After all, they were just ordinary Water-type Pokémon.

Their dropped claws were even considered a regional delicacy, so much so that there were dedicated breeding farms for them.

For ordinary people who particularly enjoyed this food, they would go out of their way to fish for Clauncher and, through battle, obtain their claws.

Just like now, at a rocky fishing spot on Lake Island.

This was a famous spot for fishing Clauncher.

As Natsume and Gardevoir arrived, they heard an excited voice.

"Here it comes, here it comes!" The voice sounded familiar.

Splash~

With the sound of water breaking, a Clauncher was flung out of the sea.

"Floatzel, take it down!"

Natsume and Gardevoir turned toward the voice.

Natsume exclaimed in surprise, "Watanabe?"

"Floatzel!"

Watanabe’s Floatzel quickly leaped into the water, charging toward the Clauncher with a surge of water.

Aqua Jet!

Bang!

"Clawitzer!"

Watanabe, holding his fishing rod, shouted, "Swift!"

Tiny points of light struck the Clauncher.

"Go, Poké Ball!"

Watanabe quickly threw a Poké Ball at the Clauncher.

But just then, a shadowy figure emerged from below.

A powerful jet of water shot out, sending Watanabe’s Poké Ball flying into the air.

"Wow~ A Clawitzer!"

"Amazing! It actually lured one out!"

The nearby fishermen all turned their attention to the scene.

Watanabe, seeing the Clawitzer, quickly called out, "Floatzel, get back!"

"Need some help?"

A familiar voice came from behind Watanabe.

Watanabe turned around and exclaimed in delight, "Natsume?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Never mind that. Help me take it down!"