novelraw Chapter 743: VS Battle Legend! Master Ma
Chapter 743: VS Battle Legend! Master Ma
With the first cold dews falling, a fine rain began on Victory Road, the mist hazy.
But the main venue’s enthusiasm burned like a holy fire in a silver basin, dancing with the wind, roaring bright!
The reason the crowd hadn’t left was to wait for Teacher Lu’s challenge outcome.
Among all challengers, he was the only one left, now about to launch an assault on the last stage of Victory Road.
If he passed this stage, the main venue would witness the climactic showdown between Teacher Lu and Champion Shangren!
“Will the result be out today?”
“Yes… they finished this morning, announced this afternoon. I’m starving, can’t wait, I’ll go get something to eat first.”
The spectators stayed in hotels along Victory Road and toured the major sights — Dragon Ridge, Stone Forest… sites that had spawned countless legends.
For example, the time Champion Shangren nearly died climbing Dragon Ridge, or when Old Man Wang cleaved the ravine with a single sword…
And this year, Teacher Lu’s famous scene suppressing the overlord Dragonite — still a topic people loved to retell.Business in the vendor district was booming, Team Rocket raking in money, and even The Girl got some attention, selling a few dolls.
“Miss, tell me, why does this Togebro doll look so fierce?”
A tourist held up a “Togebro’s vicious grin” doll, puzzled.
“Ah, well, it’s modeled after something,” The Girl answered with an awkward smile.
She’d meant to use Togepi as the template, and before she realized it, it had become “Togebro”…
At another stall, Meowth hawked, “Besides Angry Steamed Buns and dark gray rice cakes, we also offer xiaolongbao and other specialties, meow~”
The Trio’s cooking skills were unexpectedly impressive.
Tourists flocked: “Give me a serving of fermented bean juice~”
“Do you have roast duck? Best with big leek pancakes!”
In the Budew Hotel, in a suite decorated like a dojo.
Master Ma wore a green baseball jacket, sat on the sofa with a bag of xiaolongbao beside him, holding a controller, eyes fixed on the screen.
Klara complained, “Master, you’re gaming secretly again!”
“It’s little Lala~” Master Ma laughed, “This is about the only hobby I have left.”
“We promised Master’s wife we’d supervise you and make sure you act as the examiner properly.”
Mustard, wearing a tall hat, said, “Besides, today you fight Teacher Lu, please move to the sub-arena!”
“Ah… today?” Master Ma’s eyes cleared with a trace of confusion, “Isn’t it tomorrow?”
“You pulled an all-nighter the day before yesterday, slept, then started gaming again. It’s like you skipped a day,” Mustard said helplessly.
Master Ma was shocked: “That makes perfect sense!”
He sprang up, hunched, grabbed the plastic bag, pinched a xiaolongbao with chopsticks, and mumbled:
“Let’s go… meet Lu Ye, see his level now… what’s he really like…”
****
Victory Road, sub-arena.
Not open to the public, but a few invited people sat in the stands.
“Start already.” Champion Shangren glanced at his watch.
A staffer jogged over and whispered into President Tang’s ear. On hearing it, Tang nodded slightly to the head referee.
Boom, boom!
Two columns of light descended on either side of the arena, like a closed event at the World Championships, and the big screen lit the portraits of the two combatants!
Blue side: Isle of Armor, Master Ma.
Red side: Mo City, Lu Ye.
A six-versus-four single-battle format was adopted, with move limits, no duplicate held items, challengers barred from using legendary/mythical Pokémon.
The examiners’ legendaries had no such restriction.
Six-versus-four demands extremely high skill for mid-battle substitutions.
Standing in the shadow of the players’ corridor.
Master Ma wore his green baseball jacket, hunched, one hand in his pocket, the other stroking his whiskers, his gaze kind yet profound.
In front of him, sunlight shone on the green turf.
Even without spectators, tidal waves of screams and cheers seemed to echo in his ears.
Master Ma narrowed his eyes and listened, as if he could hear the announcer’s shouts from the past:
“Galar’s strongest champion, eighteen-time consecutive league king, please welcome the fighting master, Master Ma!!”
Brimming with vigor, brow like a sword, the young Master Ma wielding nunchucks.
Gradually he became hunched, white-browed, aged Master Ma.
Master Ma stretched his neck, then slowly walked onto the turf.
No audience, no commentator, no cheers.
Though his partner had died, his condition declined, his unbeaten legend broken, and he’d sunk into gaming after retirement…
He was still Master Ma, hailed as Galar’s greatest champion — that battle legend!
Within Master Ma’s deep gaze, the smiling young Lu Ye was reflected.
In Lu Ye, Master Ma faintly recognized the silhouette of his younger self.
“Lu Ye…”
Master Ma stroked his whiskers and smiled gently.
Then he ripped off his green jacket in one motion, revealing a yellow martial suit, swung nunchucks with precise fierceness, stepped forward into a low stance, struck a ten-year-habit pose, extended his palm, and shouted, “Please teach me!”
Lu Ye flashed out of his daze.
From sparring with Master Ma in games to today’s offline battle… it felt like a blink.
From Master Ma Lu Ye could sense a solid, burning fighting spirit.
A heroic heart remains in old age!
Lu Ye’s eyes hardened as he cupped his hands: “Master Ma, please teach me!”
An invisible aura surged across the arena.
Some called it aura, some called it chi.
Even facing a past battle legend, Master Ma’s awe-inspiring presence was towering.
Lu Ye’s own aura, however, was not a bit weaker!
Master Ma had fought on green fields and defeated countless trainers, dominated 18 Galar leagues, and became a battle legend.
And Teacher Lu had fought through one brutal, majestic legend after another to reach this point!
That invisible aura made Old Man Wang feel intimidated, painfully aware of his own shortcomings.
He glanced at Champion Shangren, who showed no reaction, and Old Man Wang couldn’t help but sigh:
“This one also bears the look of a legend!”
(Champion Shangren, who can’t sense aura): “……”
Why aren’t they starting? What are they standing there for…
“Both players prepare—”
The head referee put the whistle to his mouth, raised the flag high, then slammed it down. The whistle blew.
“Begin!!”
In an instant, Lu Ye and Master Ma threw their Poké Balls simultaneously.
On Master Ma’s side.
“Ho!”
Master’s Itch swung two long sleeves, lifted a leg in a golden-rooster stance, narrow eyes squinted, exuding the aura of a martial master.
On Teacher Lu’s side.
“Gak!”
Sirfetch’d gripped its leek and shield, V-shaped brows high, eyes bright, standing firm like a pine!
“Measured like a forest, unmoving as a mountain… this Sirfetch’d is trained very well,” Master Ma silently praised, nunchucks tucked under his arm, palm extended and shouted, “Master’s Itch, slap ambush!”
“Ho!”
Master’s Itch dragged its long sleeves back, its posture light as flowing clouds, and in a flash closed the distance.
Palms snapped together a fist away from Sirfetch’d’s face, the long sleeves whipping like whips, stinging Sirfetch’d’s cheeks like fiery lashes!
“Gak…(´థ౪థ)σ”
Sirfetch’d cried out in pain, staggered back half a step, and fell into a flinch!
That scared me, Duck~
Lu Ye’s expression turned black.
You’re a Bold Nature, aren’t you? Couldn’t you show some courage and null the flinch?!
“Hmm… footing unstable, speed didn’t improve, so not an Unyielding Heart nature,” Master Ma narrowed his eyes and deduced Sirfetch’d’s trait, then ordered, “Master’s Itch, Close Combat!”
“Ho!”
Master’s Itch swung its sleeves like twin whips, weaving afterimages like a storm, continuously striking Sirfetch’d!
Its movement was like flowing water — this was Master Ma’s Essence of Continuous Strikes, exploiting speed advantage to the utmost!
Champion Shangren, who thought he could fully handle this, suddenly widened his eyes.
Sirfetch’d shook off its flinch, full of vigor, using its leek and shield to block, ‘bang bang’ parrying Master’s Itch’s onslaught!
“Gak!”
Sirfetch’d’s actions blurred into afterimages;
each slash and shield lift successfully blocked Master’s Itch, gradually slowing its speed!
This technique is True Seeing, also called Miess-cut!
“Close Combat!!” Lu Ye shouted.
Aiming at a hesitation in Master’s Itch’s movement, Sirfetch’d’s leek lunged like lightning, spearing out five phantom stabs!
“Close Combat’s speed rivals Master’s Itch!?”
Master Ma was slightly surprised, admiration clear in his eyes.
But in experience, the youth was still raw!
The lightning five-hit thrust was evaded by Master’s Itch through head turns, waist drops, and sleeve swipes.
Lu Ye frowned slightly. This Master’s Itch’s moves integrated some technique beyond normal — akin to Bruno’s Essence of Steel and Green’s True Seeing!
At the same moment, Master Ma’s command sounded: “Master’s Itch, Blaze Kick!!”
“Ho!!”
Master’s Itch raised its arms, lifted a knee, like a white crane spreading wings, sprung forward and struck with its right leg wreathed in fierce flames, a booming blast hitting Sirfetch’d!
“Gak!?” Sirfetch’d’s eyes widened as it hastily raised its shield.
Boom!!
The Blaze Kick landed with heavy force on Sirfetch’d’s shield, burning scorch marks into it and sending the Pokémon flying several meters!
Sirfetch’d crashed to the turf with a thud!
“What incredible power!” Champion Shangren’s eyes went wide.
“Master’s Master’s Itch often fought Dan Emperor’s Charizard, even able to suppress a Charizard in normal state,” Mustard inhaled sharply, saying, “This is Master Ma’s champion Itch infused with the Essence of Continuous Strikes!”
Lu Ye frowned deeply.
Ducklett’s slashing hits crit, but its raw strength isn’t at the Elite Four peak.
Even with critical boosts — it still needs to land the hit!
Sirfetch’d’s speed remained a hard weakness!
“Lu Ye—”
Lu Ye heard the call and glanced over.
Master Ma hooked his hand toward Lu Ye, nunchucks tucked under his arm, sharp eyes, moving in perfect sync with Master’s Itch.
“Keep coming!”
“Gak…”
This is your fault… old man…
At that moment, the previously fallen Sirfetch’d wobbled up, leaning on its leek, its white feathers singed.
Its gaze turned fierce;
it thrust its leek at Master’s Itch: “Gak!!”
“Sirfetch’d, Meteor Assault!!” Lu Ye shouted.
Then Sirfetch’d ran, golden light bathing its body, its leek like a lance with a gleaming tip, charging full force!
Don’t underestimate me, old man!!
Master Ma’s pupils constricted.
A fighting-type ultimate, and Sirfetch’d’s signature move — Meteor Assault!!
“Perfect timing!” Master Ma roared excitedly, “Master’s Itch, True Seeing, now!”
“Ho!!”
Master’s Itch assumed an empty-hand blade-catching pose, lowered its stance, sleeves coiled to strike.
In its eyes flashed the golden drill-like glow of the incoming thrust, locking down every escape route!
A bead of cold sweat ran across Master’s Itch’s forehead, but its fighting intent sharpened;
the distance shrank, the lance drove in!
Boom!!!
A sudden explosion shocked everyone present.
On Master’s Itch’s side, an orange flame and detonating blast rose with a roar!
Sirfetch’d kept its lance pointed outward, calmly looking ahead.
Behind it, the blazing explosion swallowed Master’s Itch!
Master Ma’s eyes trembled.
He blocked it, but not completely.
This was the Essence of Steel from Chuck’s style — containing an unyielding, unstoppable conviction!
“Haha, interesting Sirfetch’d, interesting!” Master Ma grinned.
The explosion faded.
“…Ho!”
Master’s Itch, covered in scorch marks, shook its sleeves without comment and re-assumed its stance.
Sirfetch’d blinked.
“Gak！(´థ౪థ)σ”
This isn’t how the script goes!
“U-turn.” Master Ma commanded loudly.
Master’s Itch moved lightly, struck a foot to kick Sirfetch’d away, then flashed back into its Poké Ball like a red beam.
Sirfetch’d lay motionless: “Gak…_(´ཀL`」∠)”
Luckily no spiral-eyes, but its stamina was a candle in the wind.
Lu Ye smoothly recalled Sirfetch’d and threw out a Poké Ball at the same time as Master Ma.
“Roar!!!”
A violent bellow rose in the arena.
Looking over, a draconic Armored Dragon with plated scales extended thick arms, gaping maw, arrogant gaze!
A pseudo-legend of generation seven, known as the Dragalisk, a fearsome Battle Dragon with overwhelming power!!
“No wonder he’s Galar’s battle legend…”
Ji Shiyin’s expression turned grave: “This aged Battle Dragon still possesses champion-level strength!”
“But Teacher Lu has Sylveon, right?” Klara asked.
Mustard muttered inwardly: “You seem to want Master to lose…”
“Sylveon’s Hyper Voice… may be ineffective against the Dragalisk. It depends on its ability,” Ji Shiyin said.
The Dragalisk’s ability is one of Dustproof, Soundproof, or Bulletproof — each extremely practical!
For Teacher Lu, that could counter his sandstorm strategy, Perish Song tactic, or render Blastoise’s Aura Sphere and Haunter’s Shadow Ball useless!
Lu Ye’s swapped-in Pokémon was the large, muscular Arcanine.
A two-meter-tall figure, confronting the pseudo-legend Dragalisk, its aura matched, not diminished one bit!
“Battle Dragon?” Lu Ye raised an eyebrow and immediately recalled Arcanine, tossing out another Poké Ball.
Intimidate triggered already, so sending out the type-advantage Sylveon would be the better choice!
Master Ma seemed to return to his youthful arena spirit, grinning:
“Dragalisk — Boomburst!!”
“Roar!!”
The Dragalisk’s scales clanged, releasing a hurricane-like powerful sound wave, a pillar of wind sweeping toward Lu Ye’s swapped-in Pokémon, the force shaking the entire field!
Everyone present stared in horror.
After all, the Dragalisk was Master Ma’s long-time partner, its Boomburst’s power undoubted!
“No dragon move… did Master Ma read that Lu Ye would switch to Sylveon?”
“Keeping distance from Sylveon was wise!”
The Boomburst struck as Sylveon appeared, the sound wave blasting Sylveon back half a step, making it scowl.
Then Sylveon glared fiercely at the Dragalisk.
"Bu-bii! (〝▼皿▼)”
You’d better be ready!
"Bu-bii! (〝▼皿▼)”
Master Ma’s face turned serious as he watched Sylveon’s ribbons radiate a dazzling white light, illuminating the entire arena in an instant!
“Use Dazzling Gleam!” Lu Ye commanded.
“Bu-bii!!” The light orb at Sylveon’s bow rose toward the sky.
People in the stands shielded their eyes from the glare, astonished.
Though Dazzling Gleam isn’t powered by Fairy Aura, this Dazzling Gleam was brighter than sunlight and covered the whole arena!
The Dragalisk might even be taken out in one hit!
When the light faded, everyone stared in shock.
On the field, Master Ma’s face was solemn, and a Steel Crowned Corviknight appeared, hovering midair before him.
“That was close…” Master Ma muttered with relief.
At the last second, he swapped out the Dragalisk and had Corviknight absorb the Dazzling Gleam!
Corviknight’s feathers were as hard as steel, jet-black overall, pupils crimson, wings beating as it hovered.
Now Corviknight’s steel feathers bore scorch marks, and its wingbeats kicked up a howling draft, creating a tailwind!
With tailwind support, Master Ma’s team’s speed and threat level would rise further!
At the same time, a Shadow Ball thrown from Sylveon’s bow exploded on Corviknight’s body!
Boom!!
“Grii!!”
Corviknight plummeted, barely flapping, wings glittering with the metallic sheen of Steel Wing, then dove low toward Sylveon!
Sizzle!
‘Shadow Ball!’ Lu Ye sensed. Another switch would cost too much;
taking Corviknight out was the best option!
“Bu-bii…” Sylveon gritted its teeth, its white body cut with a bloodline, and then it unleashed a ferocious Shadow Ball!
“Corviknight, Taunt!” Master Ma yelled.
At the last moment, Corviknight shot red beams from its eyes, hitting Sylveon.
Then the Shadow Ball detonated with a thunderous crash, raising dust across the arena.
Corviknight collapsed!
“Taunt…” Lu Ye lifted an eyebrow.
“In that case, your Sylveon’s unique boosting move is probably out of the question.” Master Ma smiled slightly.
Master Ma had fully prepared for Sylveon’s Geomancy!
In just minutes of back-and-forth switching, Klara and Mustard watched breathlessly.
They saw Corviknight fall from the sky and Mustard sucked in a breath:
“Master’s Corviknight… really can’t hold long against Sylveon, huh.”
Klara couldn’t hide her smile.
If Teacher Lu defeated Master and advanced… the signed trainer card would be worth even more!
“Is it 4 to 3?” Champion Shangren asked with folded arms.
“Master Ma still has tailwind support… Teacher Lu is in a rough spot.” Ji Shiyin frowned.
On the field, Master Ma stood with hands behind his back, eyes closed listening to the wind.
After a while he opened his eyes, his aura even stronger than before!
“Bu-bii…” Sylveon sneered.
Pfft, pompous!
But Teacher Lu’s face hardened.
Among Master Ma’s partners, the Dragalisk was one of his mainstays,
but his true ace was still that legendary Pokémon — Urshifu, Master Ma’s Fighting-type!
“Tsk… the rules only restrict challengers’ legendaries, not the examiner’s!” Lu Ye clicked his tongue.
Master Ma waved his nunchucks and tossed a Poké Ball:
“Go — Urshifu!!”
A wind passed over the arena, and a black bear stood resolute.
Its fur drooped on both sides of its face, mostly black, with wrists wrapped like white bandages, lifting one knee — a yin-yang balance in black and white.
It assumed the ‘golden-rooster-stand’ pose of Tai Chi, seeming like a calm lake and like a rushing torrent at once.
Urshifu — the Continuous Strike Style!!
“Rooh…”
Urshifu raised a knee and looked at Sylveon.
Master Ma fixed his gaze sharply: “Please teach me!”
Then Urshifu tore forward like a whirlwind, closing in at lightning speed on Sylveon, its fists churning like water, ‘bam bam bam’ exploding across Sylveon’s body!
Water-flow continuous strikes!!
“Ah-da!” Master Ma echoed Urshifu’s movements, brandishing his nunchucks and making a bizarre battle cry.
Urshifu channeled martial arts essence into the fight, forming its signature trait — Invisible Fist.
Invisible Fist bypasses Protect-like moves and always finds the opening to land strikes!
With its change moves taunted… and unable to speed up, Sylveon couldn’t match Urshifu’s tempo.
In a short moment, Sylveon wore multiple wounds!
Outside the field, Champion Shangren’s voice went hoarse: “That… must be Master Ma’s Water-Flow Continuous Strikes.”
President Tang spoke in a low voice: “Even after retirement for years, he still retains champion caliber — this is the battle legend!”
None of Teacher Lu’s team could match Urshifu’s speed under tailwind, not even Haunter.
However.
There was one Pokémon that also excelled at fighting, could resist water twice over, and could endure the Water-Flow Continuous Strikes!
A red beam — Lu Ye recalled Sylveon and hurled a Dive Ball, shouting:
“Please, Blastoise!”
Thud!
Blastoise landed on the arena, pushed up its sunglasses, and stared at Urshifu.
“Ka-may…ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise’s expression was grave.
This fight… could be life-threatening…
But called into action, I will try to fulfill your request!