"So... the four semifinalists are already decided. They are Cacturne, Machamp, Poliwrath, and... Poliwrath?"
Upon seeing the matchup list, Ethan was stunned for a moment.
Two Poliwrath had appeared among the top four! What kind of situation was that?
However, if there were two Poliwrath, then apparently it would be enough to prepare just a single strategy. With that thought, Ethan began to devise tactics in his mind.
After the morning competitions ended, the students of the Multitype Martial Dojo returned, all with dejected expressions.
Evidently, the defeat of Maya Harper's Feraligatr had weighed heavily on their morale. Now, among the top four, only Ethan remained; if he also lost, then the Multitype Martial Dojo would have no hope left.
"Ethan, the rest of the tournament is in your hands."
Not long after, leader Henry Harper approached Ethan with a grave tone.
"Don't worry, leader. Tomorrow, I'll give it everything I've got in the fight!"
Ethan nodded with a serious expression. He had already reviewed the information on the other three semifinalists, and all of them were extremely strong. Deep down, he himself did not have much confidence.
"Good. There's still one day left before the match. During this time, I'll do everything I can to help you with your Cacturne."
Leader Henry nodded solemnly and suddenly took out a notebook, handing it to Ethan.
"This is... the dojo's inheritance?"
Ethan took the notebook, and after glancing through it, he could not help but feel surprised.
That notebook compiled practically all the combat techniques of the Multitype Martial Dojo.
Even on the last few pages, Ethan saw leader Henry's signature techniques: the method of bursting the Torrent ability and the training of Extreme Charge.
It could be said that this notebook represented, in the most literal sense, the true inheritance of the Multitype Martial Dojo.
"If you also lose, it's very possible that the dojo will disappear. In that case, this inheritance would lose its meaning, whether it exists or not."
"In truth, this inheritance is only truly useful in the Martial Arts Tournament. Once the restrictions on move types are removed, its value drops quite a bit."
Leader Henry shook his head, looking somewhat dejected. If Pokémon that were not Fighting-type were banned from the Martial Arts Tournament, it would be very difficult for him to accept.
"Don't worry, leader. This championship—Cacturne and I will definitely win it."
Ethan took a deep breath and made his promise with complete determination.
...
The next day, the semifinals of the Martial Arts Tournament officially began.
Because it was the top-four round, the Martial Arts Tournament was completely packed.
At that moment, practically all of Battle City's attention was focused there. With the official start of the tournament, the atmosphere of the entire city ignited instantly.
The semifinals were divided into two matches, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, and Ethan's match was scheduled precisely for the morning.
After seeing the matchup list, Ethan arrived early at the battlefield to wait. His opponent was, precisely, a Poliwrath trainer!
"It's one of the Poliwrath!"
"In the same edition of the tournament, two Poliwrath have reached the semifinals!"
"It looks like the Poliwrath dojo is about to rise with full force!"
Seeing the top-four list, the spectators could not help but discuss animatedly.
"Against Poliwrath, huh?"
"Will this Poliwrath also follow the technical school?"
Ethan looked at the Poliwrath standing on the field, and his expression grew even more serious.
At the same time, the spectators were also debating intensely as they looked at the two Pokémon on the stage.
"Is this Poliwrath also a technical-style one?"
"Then doesn't Cacturne, who excels so much at defense and counterattacks, have victory guaranteed?"
After hearing about Poliwrath's combat style, a spectator who supported Cacturne became visibly excited.
"No, that's not it. In any case, watch closely. Cacturne could get into serious trouble."
Another spectator shook his head, eyes fixed on the battle that was about to begin.
"The battle begins!"
With the referee's order, both Pokémon fixed their gaze on their opponent.
Cacturne let out a low growl, and immediately spikes sprouted from its arms, turning them into true spiked maces.
However, just as Cacturne was about to approach Poliwrath, it discovered with surprise that Poliwrath was continuously retreating.
"Huh? What is Poliwrath trying to do?"
"Is it trying to run away? But where could it possibly run?"
Poliwrath's actions left the spectators confused.
This was the Martial Arts Tournament! If they didn't face each other head-on, how were they supposed to fight?
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Just as the crowd was confused, several sharp whistling sounds suddenly cut through the air.
Immediately afterward, Cacturne's body came to an abrupt stop, as if it had been struck by some kind of attack.
Ploc.
At that moment, the sound of water droplets hitting the ground suddenly rang out, leaving everyone stunned.
"Is it raining?"
A spectator looked up at the sky and, seeing that the sun was still shining brightly, scratched his head in confusion.
If it wasn't raining, then where were those droplets of water coming from?
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
In that instant, several more whistling sounds tore through the air.
Seeing this, Cacturne quickly waved its arms to block.
Ploc, ploc, ploc.
With each movement of its arms, small droplets of water fell to the ground.
"They really are water droplets!"
"Wait, don't tell me Poliwrath is using a Water-type move!"
A spectator shouted in surprise, eyes filled with disbelief.
"This is... water?"
"Wait, now I get it. Does this Poliwrath also have the Water Absorb ability?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he stared intently at Poliwrath.
At that moment, Poliwrath had one hand clenched into a fist, and faint traces of moisture could be seen seeping between its fingers.
Immediately afterward, Poliwrath's hand was suddenly enveloped in Fighting-type energy. With a violent swing of its arm, a loud whistling sound rang out, and those droplets of water shot forward, wrapped in Fighting-type energy, like real water bullets!
It was obvious that Poliwrath was making use of its Water Absorb ability to condense the water stored in its body into the palm of its hand and, using it as a medium, execute a Fighting-type move. In this way, those water bullets were imbued with formidable offensive power: each one was like a punch thrown with Poliwrath's full strength.
Boom, boom, boom!
Under the coating of Fighting-type energy, the water bullets gained extremely powerful offensive capability.
Cacturne could only wave its arms rapidly to defend, but the attacks were too dense, and even so, it was inevitable that it took several hits.
"Damn it, this is the Martial Arts Tournament!"
"Poliwrath can fight like this too? This is way too shameless!"
A spectator stared with his mouth wide open. If it weren't for Poliwrath performing it right before his eyes, he would never have imagined that in a fight there could be a situation where a long-range fighter suppressed a close-combat one.
(End of chapter)