Chapter 72: I Can’t Be the Only One Who Fell for It

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: I Can’t Be the Only One Who Fell for It

A/N:2/3 Bonus Chapters

-----------------------

Julian, who had silently watched everything, nodded with relief.

Although Croagunk had not evolved, after fighting the boss that was Gallade, Croagunk had also made obvious progress.

Not only had he mastered Sucker Punch, Croagunk’s strength had also risen by a large margin.

Gallade retreated several steps, confusion flashing in his eyes.

Why was it that after Croagunk’s stamina had been beaten down to the level of a candle in the wind, Croagunk had also made such obvious progress?

When he faced Garchomp, why had he not been able to break through his predicament like them?

Croagunk, whose stamina was exhausted, collapsed to the ground, a trace of disappointment flashing through his eyes.

He still had not seized the chance to evolve. He had only learned a mere Sucker Punch.

Seeing that if he did not speak, both Pokémon would start shutting themselves away again, Julian immediately stepped forward and clapped.

"Good. Well done! Croagunk, you grasped your chance in adversity, learned Sucker Punch, and successfully hit Gallade."

"And Gallade too. You assisted your companion with friendship, helped him break through his current predicament, and let his strength rise another level! Your own ability to withstand blows also improved effectively in the process."

"You’re both the best!"

Gallade smiled and used Heal Pulse to restore enough stamina for Croagunk to move freely.

But Croagunk dug a hole with both hands and buried his head in the ground, feeling too ashamed to see anyone.

Julian silently sighed.

Croagunk’s problem could only be changed slowly.

"Training is over. Let’s eat."

Hearing the word "eat", Croagunk silently climbed up from the ground.

It was not because Croagunk was a glutton who loved eating.

It was because after training, if he did not eat a portion of Pokémon food, the training effect could not be maximised.

Croagunk radiated dense gloom as he returned to the training field. He silently squatted in his usual eating spot, the poison sacs in his cheeks constantly pulsing.

Hakamo-o, who had just finished training, took the initiative to walk towards Croagunk.

As the starter Pokémon, Hakamo-o believed he had a duty to help soothe the emotions of the companions who joined later.

Hakamo-o patted Croagunk’s shoulder, but Croagunk continued staring blankly at the wall.

"Hakamo!"

Bro, it really isn’t that serious.

You’ve only just joined the team for half a month. How could you evolve that quickly?

I waited a whole eight years before finally finding the chance to evolve.

Even without evolution, you can still become stronger.

Evolution isn’t the only way for a Pokémon to grow stronger.

Julian placed Pokémon food in front of Gallade, Croagunk, and Hakamo-o.

"Hakamo-o is right. If you limit your vision to evolution, it’ll only affect your growth."

"Raise all your abilities. As long as you don’t resist evolution, you’ll naturally evolve when the time comes."

Croagunk mechanically stuffed Pokémon food into his mouth.

Clearly, everything Julian and Hakamo-o had said had gone in one ear and out the other.

Julian shrugged.

He could only wait for tomorrow’s challenger to come and let Croagunk properly vent. Hopefully, that would cheer him up.

"Chic! Chic! Chic!"

With an intense craving for food, Torchic charged into the training field.

It plunged straight into Julian’s arms.

"Chic!"

Julian held the warm Torchic and cheerfully prepared food for it.

"It’ll be ready right away."

Torchic actually felt quite nice to hold.

Without any surprise, Torchic once again displayed its unique secret technique of washing its face with Pokémon food.

Julian looked towards Primeape, who was hammering the sandbag with loud bangs.

"Primeape, training is over. Time to eat."

Primeape walked to the eating area with sweat rising from his whole body.

"Gallade, please use Heal Pulse on him."

Gallade nodded. Purple ripples shone over Primeape’s body, sweeping away his fatigue and making him feel like himself again.

Primeape was very happy.

This was good. After eating, he could train for another round.

Julian directly saw through his thoughts.

"No. Go back and sleep!"

The next morning.

Julian opened the doors of Veilstone Gym and discovered that the challenger from yesterday was already waiting outside.

"Come in quickly and drink some water first. This is the first time I’ve seen a challenger as anxious as you."

The challenger smiled.

"Isn’t it because I’m in a hurry to make Infernape stronger? I was indeed a little impatient."

Julian nodded.

"You’re looking forward to this so much. Looks like I have to use my full strength."

The challenger nodded repeatedly in excitement.

"Please use your full strength! I’m counting on you!"

"The battle rules are three-on-three. The challenger may switch Pokémon."

Maylene raised her hand.

"This match... will be refereed by me!"

Julian naturally chose Croagunk as his lead, while the challenger did not directly send out the Infernape he most wanted to strengthen. Instead, he sent out Stantler.

Are you sure you’re not joking?

Although Stantler was very good at using Psychic-type moves, it was still a Normal type!

"Stantler, Zen Headbutt!"

"Dodge. Brick Break!"

Because Croagunk had failed to evolve, he had a stomach full of anger.

He sidestepped the charge and chopped down with one palm, directly making Stantler’s four legs soften as it collapsed to the ground.

"Brick Break!"

Croagunk leapt up and struck Stantler with another palm.

A deer cry rang out, and Stantler’s neck tilted to the side.

The challenger’s eyes widened.

How had his Stantler been knocked down by two Brick Breaks?

How could this Croagunk be so strong?

"As expected of a Gym Leader’s Pokémon. It’s already stronger than many Toxicroak!"

Hearing this, Croagunk felt faintly happy.

But compared to praise, he still wanted to evolve more.

And even if you praised him, you were still getting beaten.

"Go, Bronzor."

"Sucker Punch!"

Pa.

A black flash.

Bronzor was struck head-on.

While Bronzor was in pain, Croagunk directly attacked with both hands.

Sucker Punch!

Sucker Punch!

Three consecutive Sucker Punches, and Bronzor had not managed to use a single move before its stamina was nearly gone.

"Flash!"

Bronzor suddenly burst with light, shaking Croagunk’s vision until only a sheet of white remained before his eyes.

But Croagunk still forced one hand forward, grabbed Bronzor, and used Brick Break!

He kept chopping.

That crazed intensity was something the challenger had never seen before.

He was almost frightened senseless.

Julian had no choice but to take out a Poké Ball and recall Croagunk.

Only then did Bronzor fall to the ground, already unable to battle.

Julian then released Primeape, planning to let the challenger properly feel Veilstone Gym’s enthusiasm.

The punches had power.

The moves had precision.

It was only when Maylene reminded him that the challenger finally released his Infernape.

He had almost forgotten that he had come today to temper Infernape.

"Infernape, Flamethrower!"

"Mega Punch!"

Primeape directly charged through the flames without dodging or avoiding them.

One punch interrupted Infernape.

Looking at the red light covering Primeape’s body, the challenger thought Infernape’s flames had burned Primeape red.

"Infernape, press the advantage. Fire Punch!"

Infernape climbed up and rushed towards Primeape, swinging its fist.

"Mega Punch!"

Their fists clashed.

The challenger discovered a terrifying fact.

Primeape...

Why was it getting stronger the more it fought?

Whenever Primeape’s fist hit Infernape, or Infernape’s fist hit Primeape, the red light around Primeape would brighten by another degree.

It seemed that when the red light brightened, Primeape’s strength increased along with it.

This...

It really had not taken stimulants, right?

With Primeape’s final punch, Infernape flew straight out.

It fell to the ground and went to sleep.

The challenger did not know how he walked out of Veilstone Gym.

In his daze, he saw an internet café.

"Damn Full_Speed_Ahead. How is that warm and welcoming? It’s clearly fierce and brutal!"

No.

He could not be the only one who fell for it.

He walked into the internet café and logged onto the Trainer forum.

[ForeverBurning:I just challenged Veilstone Gym. The provisional Gym Leader is a very good person. After hearing about my problem, he very warmly gave me full-strength guidance. The battle experience really was rare]

[ForeverBurning:Also, one more thing. Everyone must request that the Gym Leader use Primeape. If you don’t fight Primeape once, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life]

[LuckyLucky:It’s that good? Then I’ll definitely challenge Primeape by name]

[Child_of_the_Forest:Then I’ll try too. I just so happened to catch a Breloom]

-----------------------

A/N: Up to 100 advance Chapters available on: P*tr*on.com/wardentranslations

Weekly Power Stone Goal:

200 PS = 2 bonus Chapters (COMPLETE)

300 PS = 5 bonus Chapters (COMPLETE)

400 PS = 10 bonus Chapters (COMPLETE)

500 PS = 3 extra bonus Chapters (COMPLETE)

600 PS = 8 extra bonus Chapters

If you’re enjoying the story, add it to your collection, leave a review, comment and drop some power stones to support the novel!