"Mmm... how should I put it?"
"Actually, it's an ability similar to the ability Poison Point."
Ethan pondered for a moment before responding that way.
"You're lying!"
"Your Cacturne clearly has the ability Water Absorb, how could it possibly be Poison Point?!"
Professor Sterling immediately spoke up to refute him, his tone visibly agitated.
"My Cacturne does indeed possess the ability Water Absorb. And the capability similar to the ability Poison Point was trained by me using other methods."
Ethan frowned. Naturally, he did not want to reveal the exact origin of Cacturne's poisonous capability, but if he said nothing, these people clearly were not going to let the matter drop.
After thinking for a moment, he added, "This is a special ability unique to my Cacturne. It is part of its body and fully complies with the rules of the tournament."
Upon hearing Ethan's words, the others looked at one another, evidently dissatisfied with his explanation.
"Ethan, can you explain what this is?"
At that moment, Leader Brooks of the Machamp dojo suddenly spoke, while picking up a sharp spine from the ground.
"This is... a Poison Barb?"
"That's right, it's the item Poison Barb. Although, judging by the looks of it, the poison it contains has almost completely dissipated; it can be considered a disabled Poison Barb."
Professor Sterling immediately stepped forward, took the spine, examined it briefly, and stated this with absolute certainty.
In an instant, his words caused a huge uproar among the crowd. The spectators burst into murmurs and discussions.
The students of the Machamp dojo began shouting excitedly, while those of the Multitype Martial Dojo immediately turned pale.
It was obvious that, based on the situation, Cacturne seemed to have used the item Poison Barb during the battle, something that was clearly prohibited by the tournament rules.
"This is indeed a Poison Barb, it's just that—"
Ethan frowned, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted.
Kevin Brooks looked at Ethan and sneered mercilessly. "Your Cacturne definitely cheated. You're a disgrace to this martial arts tournament. Let's see what else you have to say now."
However, just as he finished speaking, Cacturne walked up to him and, before his astonished gaze, displayed all the spines on its body.
Immediately, everyone present saw that Cacturne's spines were emitting a purple glow, and that their shape was exactly the same as the spine that had fallen onto the field.
It was obvious that the spine found in the arena had come off Cacturne's own body!
"Poison Barbs... its entire body is covered in Poison Barbs?"
"Wait, these needles seem to have been on Cacturne's body from the very beginning!"
"Don't tell me... damn it, all of Cacturne's spines are Poison Barbs?"
"This is insane! Its entire body is covered in Poison Barbs! How is that possible?!"
Seeing that Cacturne's entire body was covered in poisonous spines, the whole stadium was left in shock.
With so many Poison Barbs, it was practically impossible not to end up poisoned. At that moment, they couldn't help but feel sorry for Machamp; it really had been a miserable defeat.
"All of these are Poison Barbs?"
"I've got it! You must have applied poison to Cacturne's spines."
"Under normal circumstances, how could all of Cacturne's spines be Poison Barbs?"
Kevin started to grow anxious. After thinking it over, he suddenly shouted what he believed he had figured out.
Upon hearing his words, Professor Sterling slightly furrowed his brow. With his experience as an Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher, he could clearly see that these Poison Barbs had been generated by Cacturne itself. But then the question arose: how had it managed to do that?
"What Kevin says makes some sense. Therefore, I propose taking Cacturne away for investigation. When I finish studying Cacturne's spines, I will naturally give everyone a reasonable explanation."
Professor Sterling narrowed his eyes and suddenly made this proposal, leaving everyone present bewildered.
"Professor Sterling, we must speak with fairness."
"With your level, can you really not tell whether these Poison Barbs belong to Cacturne's body?"
Leader Harper spoke in a low voice, visibly displeased.
"I am an Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher, so naturally I speak with evidence."
Professor Sterling replied without changing his expression, not blushing in the slightest. Some people present, seeing his intentions, even began to support him.
"Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher?"
"Is that really so impressive?"
Ethan suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
Professor Sterling's purpose was far too obvious.
To determine whether the Poison Barbs truly belonged to Cacturne, there was no need to make such a big fuss.
"What did you say?"
"Of course an Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher is impressive!"
Professor Sterling replied with a hint of pride, but just as he finished speaking, Ethan produced a certificate from who knew where.
Upon opening it, it could clearly be seen that it also bore the words: Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher.
"Y-you're also an Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher?!"
"How is that possible?! You're still so young!"
Seeing Ethan's certificate, Professor Sterling shouted in disbelief.
After hearing his words, the entire stadium erupted into commotion. That young man, who looked to be about the same age as them, was already an Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher!
"Wait, Ethan Black...!"
"Damn it, I know who he is now!"
"He's the one who proposed 'A New Direction for Pokémon Evolution,' the leader of the Pokémon evolution field!"
"And what's more, he's no longer just an Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher, but an Elite-level Pokémon Researcher!"
A spectator suddenly shouted, and the moment his words fell, the entire stadium was plunged into a deathly silence.
"Elite-level Pokémon Researcher...!"
At that moment, Professor Sterling was completely stunned.
He looked around and saw the equally bewildered expressions of the other guests.
Immediately, he felt his face turn as red as a tomato. He had just boasted about his Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher credentials in front of an Elite-level Pokémon Researcher. Thinking about it, he wished he could dig a hole and crawl into it.
Beside him, Leader Brooks and Kevin were also completely dumbfounded. What on earth was going on?
At the same time, beneath the stage, Maya Harper held Feraligatr's Poké Ball, surprise and joy in her eyes; her heart was pounding uncontrollably.
"So he's an Elite-level Pokémon Researcher... no wonder he was able to train Cacturne to such a level."
The Mayor of Battle City interjected with a smile, while a shrewd light flashed in his gaze.
Earlier, he had already felt that the name Ethan Black sounded familiar. Thinking about it now, wasn't he the Advanced-level Pokémon Researcher who, not long ago, had managed to make Riolu evolve into Lucario and, thanks to that achievement, had been promoted in rank?
(End of chapter)