"It's impossible for Cacturne to have that kind of ability!"
"We should pause the match and clarify this matter first!"
Leader Brooks of the Machamp dojo looked at the battle that was still ongoing on the field.
Seeing that Machamp, after falling into a poisoned state, was being constantly suppressed by Cacturne, he couldn't help but speak up immediately.
The other guests, upon hearing Leader Brooks's words, also showed doubts; under normal circumstances, Cacturne really shouldn't possess that kind of capability.
"Who says it doesn't? Have you already forgotten that Pokémon from three editions ago?"
At that moment, Leader Henry Harper suddenly spoke, his expression slightly gloomy.
"The Pokémon from three editions ago?"
"Wait, Leader Henry, don't tell me you're referring to that Nidoking!"
One of the guests seemed to suddenly recall something and spoke hurriedly.
"Exactly, that Nidoking whose qualification to compete you canceled. Back then you didn't know what kind of ability it was—so now you still don't know?"
Leader Henry spoke in a deep voice. That student whose qualification had been revoked belonged precisely to his dojo, and it had always been a thorn in his heart.
"Leader Henry, are you referring to the ability Poison Point?"
Professor Sterling reviewed the information about Nidoking in his mind before speaking.
"That's right, exactly the ability Poison Point."
"Three years ago, when the ability Poison Point had not yet been officially announced, you suspected that Nidoking had used some special method. But today, three years later, the fact that Nidoking possesses the ability Poison Point is no longer a secret."
Leader Henry nodded, looking at several of the guests; it had been precisely them who made the decision to disqualify that student.
"That's true... Then, Leader Henry, are you saying that Cacturne might also have the ability Poison Point?"
One of the guests spoke somewhat awkwardly, at the same time voicing what Leader Henry was implying.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Professor Sterling exclaimed loudly, "That's impossible!"
Then, realizing his loss of composure, Professor Sterling took a deep breath before continuing: "Cacturne's ability is Water Absorb—there's no doubt about that!"
"According to the latest report on abilities, Cacturne can have Sand Veil and Water Absorb, and in yesterday's battle it clearly demonstrated the capability of the Water Absorb ability."
"Moreover, a Pokémon can only have one ability; that is beyond question. Therefore, if Cacturne already possesses the ability Water Absorb, it is impossible for it to also have the ability Poison Point."
After hearing Professor Sterling's words, the others once again fell into confusion; even Leader Henry didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"Poison Point... Wait, have you considered the possibility that Cacturne might be equipped with the item Poison Barb?"
"If it's that item, hidden on Cacturne's body, if one doesn't observe very carefully it would be impossible to notice it, right?"
At that instant, Leader Brooks spoke again, proposing another hypothesis that made everyone reflect once more.
"Let the battle continue; after all, this is already the final match. When the battle ends, we will examine Cacturne in detail. If it turns out to be one of its own innate capabilities, then there will be nothing to discuss."
"But if it is confirmed that Cacturne was carrying some item or other irregularity, then its qualification for the tournament will simply be revoked."
At that moment, the mayor of Battle City spoke, causing everyone to fall silent and turn their attention back to the battlefield.
Boom, boom, boom!
On the field, the poisoned state had clearly reduced all of Machamp's physical attributes.
In the head-on confrontation, Machamp, which had previously held an absolute advantage, was now completely suppressed.
"It seems this Machamp's ability isn't Guts."
Ethan let out a small sigh of relief, easing the tension in his heart a little.
Machamp can have three abilities: Guts, No Guard, and Steadfast.
The effect of the ability Guts is that when the Pokémon falls into an abnormal status condition, it rallies and its attack increases.
The effect of the ability No Guard is that, due to this tactic, all moves from both sides will hit without fail.
The effect of the ability Steadfast is that each time the Pokémon flinches, its spirit ignites and its speed increases.
Now that Machamp was poisoned but its attack had not increased, it was clear that it was not the ability Guts.
And the ability No Guard had already been ruled out after such a long battle, so the only possibility left was the ability Steadfast.
"It's already late; it looks like Machamp won't be able to hold on much longer."
A spectator sighed softly.
"Why isn't the referee saying anything?"
"Could it be that Cacturne really didn't use any Poison-type move?"
"Then why did Machamp suddenly get poisoned? This is far too strange!"
Some spectators looked toward the referee; after receiving no explanation for a long time, they frowned.
On the field, Kevin Brooks also looked at the referee; seeing that he said absolutely nothing, his heart sank.
"It seems there's only that move left to use..."
Kevin clenched his teeth and gave the order: "Machamp, use Bulk Up!"
Upon hearing his trainer, Machamp's gaze became firm and its body retreated some distance.
Then, Fighting-type energy concentrated throughout its body as it executed the move Bulk Up, causing its muscles to swell.
At the same time, with the use of the move Bulk Up, the unhealthy purple aura surrounding Machamp's body began to gradually fade.
"Huh... did Machamp cure the poison?"
A spectator asked in surprise.
"No, it suppressed it."
"By controlling the blood and muscles throughout its body, it has temporarily suppressed the poisoned state. But once that state ends, the poison in Machamp's body will erupt all at once; by then, Machamp will no longer have the strength to continue fighting."
Another spectator explained with a serious expression. It was obvious that Machamp was betting everything; the outcome would be decided very soon.
"So that's what it was in the end?"
"But... it's already too late."
Seeing Machamp's actions, Ethan gently shook his head, took a deep breath, and said, "Cacturne, strike the ground with Drain Punch!"
After hearing Ethan's order, Cacturne immediately understood. It raised its fist and, before everyone's astonished gaze, slammed it forcefully into the ground!
"Huh? What exactly is Cacturne doing? Has it given up?"
Seeing Cacturne's action, the crowd began to murmur. Perhaps the situation wasn't favorable, but... was something like this really necessary?
(End of chapter)