Chapter 167: Toxicroak

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Toxicroak

It was not only the three judges, every spectator present widened their eyes.

Everyone held their breath, watching Croagunk’s body gradually stretch and grow.

Every year, the Croagunk King born from the Croagunk Festival had its own strengths.

But a Croagunk evolving during the Croagunk Festival itself?

This was the first time.

Nurse Joy was a little puzzled.

"If the Croagunk King evolves from Croagunk into Toxicroak during the festival, can it still be considered the Croagunk King?"

Crasher Wake crossed his arms.

"I actually think Toxicroak suits the title of Croagunk King even more than Croagunk does."

The festival administrator frowned.

"But if next year’s winner has to battle a Toxicroak while still in Croagunk form, I’m afraid they won’t be able to win."

Crasher Wake also frowned.

"That is indeed a problem."

But Croagunk had won the title of Croagunk King with his own strength.

Nurse Joy suddenly had an idea.

"Since this is a festival prepared for Croagunk, only Croagunk can participate."

"But until next year’s festival begins, the title of Croagunk King and the crown belong to this Toxicroak."

"What do you think?"

Crasher Wake and the administrator nodded.

"That’s a good idea."

"Nurse Joy, we’ll have to trouble you to discuss it with Toxicroak’s Trainer."

Nurse Joy paused.

"Alright."

The crown originally prepared for Croagunk really did look a little unsuitable on Toxicroak’s head.

Toxicroak had gained a sharp crest on his head, like a shark fin.

The Croagunk King’s crown could only be worn at an angle.

Nurse Joy walked over to Julian and told him the decision the three judges had made.

"I’m sorry. The Croagunk Festival was originally created because the people of Pastoria City worshipped Croagunk as a guardian."

"Now that your Croagunk has evolved into Toxicroak, he’s no longer suitable to participate in the Croagunk Festival."

Julian waved his hand.

"Don’t worry, Nurse Joy. I’m not attached to the title of Croagunk King, or even this crown."

"I was actually worried about accidentally damaging it, so I was planning to leave it here instead of taking it back."

Nurse Joy hurriedly said, "As this year’s Croagunk King, you have the right to keep the crown for one year."

Julian smiled.

"It’s enough that he got to wear it for a while and enjoy being champion. A true king isn’t decided by a crown."

"Right, Toxicroak?"

Compared to before evolution, Toxicroak’s heart had actually settled quite a bit.

His temperament had also become steadier.

Hearing Julian’s question, Toxicroak calmly nodded, removed the crown from his head, and handed it to Nurse Joy.

"Croa."

That left Nurse Joy somewhat flustered.

Returning the crown on the spot made it look as if the three judges had forced Toxicroak to give up the title of Croagunk King.

Nurse Joy was about to say something else when Octavius walked over.

"Nurse Joy, Julian is a good friend of mine. That’s just the kind of person he is. He doesn’t care much for fame."

"He came to the Croagunk Festival this time because he wanted Croagunk to evolve into Toxicroak."

"Now that his goal has been achieved, the crown isn’t that important anymore."

Exactly

Compared to the crown, Julian now wanted to go back and test how much Toxicroak’s strength had improved after evolution.

Toxicroak’s poison was several times more intense than Croagunk’s.

And the capacity of his poison sacs was more than ten times greater.

If the poison spike pierced the body even lightly and released toxins, Julian feared even a Mudsdale would struggle to endure it.

The selection of the Croagunk King had ended, but the festival was still going strong.

Bright fireworks bloomed across the night sky.

Julian found a good spot and released all of his Pokémon so they could watch the dazzling fireworks together.

He condensed a qi sphere and fired it into the sky.

It exploded into a brilliant white firework.

Goodra followed his example and fired a dragon-shaped beam into the sky.

It wound through the air for a long distance before bursting into purple points of light.

Hakamo-o also condensed an Aura Sphere, shot it into the sky, and made it explode into blue sparks.

Primeape’s eyes widened.

He suddenly realised that he was usually so absorbed in punching that he had missed something.

Machamp had once asked Primeape whether he wanted to learn how to form qi spheres.

Primeape had felt that this kind of ranged attack was not interesting.

It was better to polish his fists properly and make every punch stronger.

Now, Primeape could only watch Hakamo-o fire Aura Sphere into the sky.

Primeape looked at Julian.

Is it too late for me to learn now?

"Prime!"

Julian did not know whether to laugh or sigh.

"Primeape, don’t tell me you want me to teach you how to use it right now?"

Primeape nodded.

Fine.

Since Primeape wanted to learn, Julian was willing to teach him.

On the spot, Julian explained the key points to Primeape.

He did not forget to include Toxicroak as well. With Toxicroak’s current level, learning qi spheres would not be difficult.

Although Sirfetch’d could not learn it, he still listened seriously from the side.

Sirfetch’d felt that even if he could not use it himself, after understanding how they worked...

If he fought a Pokémon that used them in the future, he could seize the key moment and interrupt the opponent’s gathering of energy with one strike.

As Sirfetch’d listened, he somehow learned the method of gathering energy.

His focus sharpened, and he felt as if his sword would be unstoppable.

His eyes were filled with Primeape’s openings.

Being stared at by Sirfetch’d’s sharp gaze, Primeape felt half his body begin to itch.

He unconsciously shifted position.

Wherever Primeape moved, Sirfetch’d’s gaze followed.

A vein throbbed on Primeape’s forehead, and he turned to look at Sirfetch’d.

Only then did Sirfetch’d awkwardly turn his head and stare at his shield.

Hmm... what a fine shield, truly shield-like...

Julian smiled and placed his hand on Primeape’s head, gently easing the pressure points around his skull and improving the stress tolerance of his blood vessels, lest Primeape burst one in anger.

"Alright. Focus on the lesson."

Julian did not know when Crasher Wake had arrived.

Only when Primeape began trying it out did he notice him.

"Gym Leader Wake, is something wrong?"

Crasher Wake shook his head.

"I just heard from Octavius that you’re currently the provisional Gym Leader of Veilstone Gym, so I came over to chat with you."

"I’ve been the Gym Leader of Pastoria Gym for several years, but I always feel like I’m not very good at guiding Trainers’ growth."

"I heard that online, Trainers praise you as someone who can bring out hidden potential, so I came to ask for some advice."

Julian almost winced.

How had that spread all the way to Crasher Wake?

If he attended the Gym Ranking Tournament next year and everyone used that to tease him, how embarrassing would that be?

Julian hurriedly waved his hand.

"I wouldn’t call it anything that impressive. I just ran into enough walls myself and gained a bit of experience."

"A long-term patient can sometimes become half a doctor."

Just then, a white sphere of qi formed in Toxicroak’s hand.

When the mind was clear, learning really did become faster.

Toxicroak fired it into the air, where it exploded with an astonishing gust.

Fortunately, this place was quite far from the stalls, and there were no tourists nearby.

After evolving, Toxicroak’s strength had actually increased this much.

He had stayed quiet for so long, but the moment he made a move, it was astonishing.

The next time they battled Cynthia, perhaps Toxicroak could give her a pleasant surprise.

Those poison-based tactics could finally be used.

Toxicroak had gained proper poison spikes, and his strength had greatly increased.

Julian no longer needed to worry that Toxicroak’s palm spike would fail to pierce Garchomp’s rough skin.

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