Chapter 674 - 674: 674. So It Was That One!

Vigoroth was simply too restless.

Kai noticed that in nearly every movement, whether attacking, defending, or repositioning, it inserted unnecessary motions: pacing steps, bouncing on its toes, scratching its side, and beating its chest.

It wasn't deliberate.

It was instinct.

An idea sparked in Kai's mind.

He ordered Combusken to attack again, carefully observing Vigoroth's reactions.

Just as he suspected.

When Combusken slashed forward with Scratch, Vigoroth evaded easily and immediately afterward, it unconsciously hopped twice to the side.

There it was.

The opening.

Without hesitation, Kai shouted:

"Behind it diagonally! Double Kick!"

Though confused by the command, Combusken trusted its Trainer. Without even turning its head, it lashed backward with two rapid kicks.

Thud! Thud!

Both strikes landed squarely in Vigoroth's chest.

Vigoroth staggered back, clutching the same spot, baring its teeth in pain.

Norman raised an eyebrow.

Perhaps luck, he thought.

But when Kai repeated the setup and achieved the same result again—

This time Vigoroth broke into a cold sweat.

The issue was no longer a coincidence.

Norman's expression grew serious.

Kai had seen through Vigoroth's rhythm.

But how?

On the opposite side of the field, Kai smiled faintly.

Names were rarely given without reason.

When people first cataloged Pokémon, they often named them after defining traits. Vigoroth earned its name for one simple reason—

It could never stay still.

Norman, who had raised it from a Slakoth, was used to this behavior. Familiarity had dulled its significance.

Many challengers had probably noticed it too.

But few possessed the awareness and timing to exploit such fleeting tells.

Still, Norman's experience quickly led him to the answer.

Ah, so that's it.

But knowing and fixing were different things.

Vigoroth's hyperactive habits had been ingrained since evolution. They weren't something that could be corrected mid-battle.

Under sustained pressure, Vigoroth finally faltered.

After taking yet another Fighting-type hit, its eyes rolled back and it collapsed.

"Vigoroth is unable to battle! The winner is Combusken!"

The fight had shifted dramatically from an early stalemate to a decisive finish.

Had Kai not identified the weakness, it might have ended like the previous round: mutual exhaustion.

Norman's strength was undeniable.

Recalling the heavily breathing Combusken, Kai waited calmly.

Norman did not immediately reach for his final Poké Ball.

Instead, he applauded lightly.

"I didn't expect you to read Vigoroth's movements so precisely. Outstanding observation."

Kai shook his head.

"That's not something to be proud of. If I were truly sharp, I would have noticed from the beginning. It would have made things easier."

Norman regarded him thoughtfully.

Winning and immediately reflecting on shortcomings.

Many Trainers never learned that discipline in a lifetime.

If Kai continued developing at this pace… just how far would he go?

At last, Norman withdrew his third Poké Ball.

"This is my final Pokémon. It's one of my strongest. Many challengers fall to it."

Kai's eyes focused on the ball.

The difficulty had clearly escalated with each round.

This one would be the peak.

Norman threw the Poké Ball.

A burst of blue light filled the field.

A massive, gorilla-like Pokémon materialized lying lazily on its side.

Kai exhaled.

He'd guessed correctly.

It was Slaking the final evolution of Slakoth.

From one perspective, Norman's team composition bordered on obsessive.

Slakoth. Vigoroth. Slaking.

Three stages. All are fully trained.

Just how much did he love this evolutionary line?

Slaking had a pig-like pink nose, beige fur, dark rings around its eyes, and a perpetually drowsy expression. Tufts of white fur crowned its head and wrung its neck, while its long arms ended in powerful claws.

It looked lazy.

Careless.

Almost bored.

But Kai knew better.

In the stands, Misty lifted her Pokédex once more, seated beside Caroline.

"Slaking, the Lazy Pokémon. A Normal type. Known as one of the most idle Pokémon in the world, it spends nearly all its time lying down. It eats whatever vegetation is within reach, only rolling over once its immediate surroundings are consumed. Circles of bare earth often mark the areas where it has fed. However, despite its lazy behavior, Slaking stores tremendous power and can unleash it all at once to deliver overwhelming force."

Kai barely needed the reminder.

Slaking was terrifyingly strong.

Incredible Attack stats. Excellent bulk. Surprisingly high Speed when it chose to move.

Careless Trainers who underestimated it often paid dearly.

Now the question was simple—

What to send out?

He mentally reviewed his remaining team, immediately eliminating those not yet ready for this level of confrontation.

That left three options:

Dragonite. Tyranitar. Scizor.

One of them would step onto the field next.

And whichever he chose—

The real battle was about to begin.

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