Chapter 294: The First Round of Qualifiers!!
"Tauros! Raging Bull!!!!"
After a brief standoff, the middle-aged man struck first, commanding his Tauros to charge.
"Tailuo!!! —"
Tauros let out a bellowing roar, its eyes turning blood-red as it glared at the distant Haxorus. It lunged forward, charging like a high-speed freight train.
Raging Bull. Tauros's signature move. It transforms the user into a rampaging beast that delivers a violent tackle capable of shattering defensive barriers like Light Screen and Reflect.
In this world, Tauros was a unique species with several regional variants. Beyond the standard Normal-type, there was the Combat Breed (Fighting), the Aqua Breed (Water/Fighting), and the Blaze Breed (Fire/Fighting).
Each breed's Raging Bull took on a different elemental attribute.
The man's Tauros was a standard breed, meaning its Raging Bull was a pure Normal-type attack.
Facing the incoming bull, Haxorus didn't even flinch. Disdain flickered in its eyes; it didn't even have the urge to dodge.
"Haxorus!!! Use Dragon Claw! Stop it in its tracks!!!" Namgung Xi commanded.
Haxorus let out a roar, its claws glowing with draconic energy that coalesced into sharp, ethereal blades.
As Tauros reached the dragon, Haxorus didn't slash. Instead, it reached out and grabbed Tauros's razor-sharp horns with its bare claws.
CLANG!!! —
The impact rang out like metal hitting metal. The bull's momentum came to a grinding halt as Haxorus successfully grappled the horns.
The two Pokémon began a desperate struggle of strength.
"Tailuo!!! —"
Tauros bellowed, put its head down, and pushed with all its might.
But no matter how much it strained its powerful legs, Haxorus remained as steady as a mountain. The bull was completely immobilized, its head held firm by the dragon's grip.
"Tauros!! Use Double-Edge to break free!!!" the man shouted frantically.
Tauros thrashed wildly, its body glowing with white energy as it tried to force its way through, but Haxorus refused to let go.
"Low Kick!!!" Namgung Xi called out.
"Fuuu-long!!! —"
Haxorus roared and exerted a sudden burst of power. It yanked the bull's horns to the side, forcefully redirecting its momentum before releasing its grip.
As Tauros stumbled forward from its own redirected force, Haxorus delivered a swift, powerful sweep to the bull's front legs.
Tauros let out a pained cry as its support vanished. Its heavy body crashed into the dirt with a massive THUD.
The Fighting-type Low Kick had dealt a devastating blow to the unbalanced bull.
"Dragon Claw!!"
Haxorus didn't give the fallen bull a chance to breathe. It followed up instantly, driving its glowing claws straight into Tauros's exposed abdomen—a critical hit.
Tauros didn't even have time to scream before its eyes rolled back into its head. It was out cold.
"Tauros is unable to battle!!"
"Haxorus is the winner!!!"
The referee signaled the end of the round.
"Haxorus!!! I knew you were the best!" Namgung Xi cheered happily.
On the other side of the field, the man looked like he had seen a ghost. Dejected and speechless, he recalled his Tauros and hurried away from the arena.
Seeing Namgung Xi successfully pass the first round, Kenji offered a proud smile before turning his attention back to his own assignment.
Ten minutes later, it was finally his turn.
"Next match!! Kenji vs. Slade!!!"
"Kenji???!"
The moment Kenji's name flashed on the massive overhead screens of Arena #8 and was announced by the referee, hundreds of heads turned in his direction.
"Holy crap! Is that the Kenji from Metropolis Academy?!"
"He's wearing sunglasses, but that looks like him!"
Whispers rippled through the stands.
Down by the railing, Xie Mu looked incredibly miffed.
He understood why people didn't recognize Bai Bai—she was quiet and stayed out of the spotlight—but he was the runner-up of the National League!
Why does nobody recognize me? he wondered bitterly. He actually felt the urge to turn around and point at his own face to ask if they knew who he was.
"Excuse me, handsome?"
Just as Xie Mu was wallowing in his self-pity, a young girl's voice called out from behind him.
Xie Mu perked up instantly. Finally! A fan?!
He turned around, plastering his most charming, "celebrity" smile on his face.
But before he could say a word, the girl pointed past him. "Handsome, could you move a bit? You're blocking my view..."
Xie Mu: "..."
The world was cruel. People only ever remembered #1.
...
Back on the field, Kenji walked onto the stage of Arena #8. His opponent, a man named Slade, was already waiting.
Before the referee could start the match, Slade spoke up. "Are you the Kenji from Metropolis Academy?"
The question caused the other qualifiers watching from the sidelines to lean in, their eyes filled with curiosity.
Kenji realized there was no point in hiding anymore. He reached up, took off his sunglasses, and gave Slade a friendly nod. "Guilty as charged. Hello."
The moment the glasses came off, Kenji's identity was confirmed. Instantly, dozens of phone cameras and professional lenses in the stands swiveled to focus on Arena #8.
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