Team Rocket’s Second-in-Command!

The feeling of being outplayed once again crept into Ryuji's mind.

The realization that his strategy had been predicted left him deeply unsettled.

"Did my opponent study my lineup and figure out I'd use Sudowoodo?"

Ryuji glanced at Luo Yuan.

Despite Luo Yuan's calm exterior, Ryuji was convinced he took his strength seriously.

However, if Luo Yuan could hear his thoughts, he'd laugh and tell him he was overthinking things.

Luo Yuan's decision to use Gabite wasn't based on Ryuji's supposed strength.

It was the opposite—Luo Yuan simply thought Ryuji was weak.

Gabite could gain experience, and with any luck, it might evolve into a Garchomp during the match.

With this ironic misunderstanding in place, the battle began.

---

Despite being caught off guard, Ryuji quickly regained his composure.

He had studied Luo Yuan's Gabite thoroughly.

Although Gabite had a type advantage over Sudowoodo, Ryuji's Sudowoodo had a higher level.

The outcome of this match wasn't set in stone.

Ryuji signaled Sudowoodo to prepare for battle.

On the other side, Luo Yuan's Gabite wasted no time, charging forward the moment Luo Yuan issued the command.

Gabite's streamlined body, built for speed and agility, dashed toward Sudowoodo with remarkable velocity.

Sudowoodo, made entirely of rock and accustomed to avoiding battles by mimicking trees, wasn't gifted with speed.

It was a heavily specialized Pokémon, with most of its stats focused on defense and physical attack. Its special stats, including its pitiful 30 base speed, were barely worth mentioning.

Against Gabite, Sudowoodo was forced into a purely defensive position.

Through telepathy, Gabite absorbed information about its opponent, gaining an edge as it sprinted across the field.

As it approached Sudowoodo, Gabite opened its mouth and unleashed a purple Dragon Breath.

The oppressive wave of energy surged toward Sudowoodo, crackling with paralyzing intensity.

Sudowoodo, unwilling to take the hit directly, dodged to the side and countered.

"Rock Tomb!"

Sudowoodo raised its arms, summoning a flurry of jagged rocks from the ground.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The stones burst through the dirt, aiming for Gabite's legs.

But as a Ground-type Pokémon, Gabite had an acute sensitivity to the terrain.

Before the rocks could fully emerge, Gabite evaded, leaping clear of the attack.

However, its Dragon Breath was interrupted.

Ryuji had successfully thwarted Gabite's initial assault.

But he wasn't satisfied with just defending.

"Sudowoodo, use Stone Edge!"

Whoosh!

Countless sharp stones materialized in front of Sudowoodo, glimmering ominously.

With a series of sharp swish sounds, the stones flew toward Gabite, which had just repositioned itself after avoiding the Rock Tomb.

"Ryuji's Sudowoodo interrupted Gabite's Dragon Breath with Rock Tomb! What will Gabite do to counter Sudowoodo's counterattack?" the announcer narrated, keeping the audience riveted.

The spectators were glued to the action, their eyes following every move.

Luo Yuan watched the incoming stones with a faint raise of his eyebrow.

While Stone Edge packed a punch, Gabite's type advantage against Rock moves reduced the damage.

Even so, Luo Yuan had no intention of letting his Pokémon take unnecessary hits.

"Gabite, Protect!"

Crossing its arms in front of its chest, Gabite summoned a glowing blue barrier.

Clang! Crackle!

The sharp stones shattered against the shield, scattering into smaller fragments.

The moment the barrage ended, Gabite dropped its shield and charged forward, ignoring the residual debris that grazed its scales.

To Ryuji's and Sudowoodo's surprise, Gabite used Sand Tomb without hesitation.

"Sudowoodo, dodge!"

Ryuji's voice rang out urgently.

Like many trainers, he clung to the simple command to "dodge" in the hope of a miraculous escape.

But miracles were not meant for a Pokémon with a base speed of 30.

Sudowoodo had managed to avoid the Dragon Breath earlier because Gabite had been far away.

Now, however, the Sand Tomb was activated directly beneath its feet.

Whoosh!

The sand surged upward, whipping around Sudowoodo and slamming against its rocky body with sharp, stinging impacts.

The real threat wasn't the sand itself but the fact that it completely trapped Sudowoodo.

Bound by the swirling sand, Sudowoodo's already pitiful speed made any attempt to move futile.

"Sudowoodo!"

Ryuji's voice carried a note of desperation.

The situation had taken a turn for the worse.

"Ryuji's Sudowoodo is in a dire predicament! Trapped by Sand Tomb, it's become an easy target!"

"And Luo Yuan isn't letting this opportunity go to waste! Gabite is charging forward to attack again!"

"Gabite's Dragon Breath lands… but Sudowoodo manages to block it with Protect!"

"Wait… Gabite is attacking again! It's using Twister! After defending against the first strike, Sudowoodo has no means left to shield itself!"

"What will Ryuji do now?"

The commentator's voice kept the audience on edge, amplifying the tension in the stadium.

On the battlefield, Ryuji hesitated.

Escaping the Sand Tomb and avoiding Twister was an impossible task for Sudowoodo.

Faced with this grim reality, Ryuji made a quick decision.

"Sudowoodo, use Stealth Rock!"

Ignoring the incoming Twister, Sudowoodo raised its arms, summoning a host of floating stones that hovered invisibly in mid-air.

"Oh? Ryuji isn't trying to defend or escape! Instead, he's chosen to use Stealth Rock! It looks like he's aiming to leave a parting gift before Sudowoodo is defeated!"

In the games, Stealth Rock is a support move that damages opponents' Pokémon when they switch into battle.

But in reality, the move had evolved beyond its game mechanics—it inflicted damage not only during switches but could also linger as a persistent hazard throughout the battlefield. 

---

A good story, much like a well-fought battle, is all about precision, strategy, and passion. Every choice matters—the right move, the right word, the perfect balance between staying true to the original and making it shine in English.

That's why you should support WiseTL at [patreon.com/WiseTL] – where every pledge helps ensure more high-quality translations, faithful to the original while flowing naturally in English. Trust me, as a Champion, I know a thing or two about mastery.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another battle to prepare for. But you? You should definitely check out that Patreon.

—Cynthia