novelraw Chapter 745: When Will You Become the Donghua Champion, Teacher Lu?
Chapter 745: When Will You Become the Donghua Champion, Teacher Lu?
Master Ma’s fighting secrets?
Lu Ye looked into Master Ma’s deep, smiling eyes, and in his mind two Urshifu images surfaced.
The Single-Strike Secret embodies the belief in a one-hit kill, its signature move a straight-line, decisive attack.
The Multi-Strike Secret flows like a river that is sometimes turbulent and sometimes calm, never stopping, unleashing continuous strikes on the opponent.
Both secrets share one trait — they always hit critical points!
This is the unique secret of Master Ma’s school.
A-Si’s school also has similar secrets. In the special episode, Green’s secret, “True Sight Breakthrough,” let Fighting-type moves hit Ghost-types and made Pokémon more likely to land critical hits. It was praised as the “blade that severs invisible enemies.”
Martial artists in the Pokémon world even invented moves like “Iaijutsu Slash” and “Swift Return”… more dangerous than Pokémon themselves!
Teacher Lu cleared his throat.
In his mind combined the Single-Strike and Multi-Strike Secrets embodied in Sirfetch’d.A one-hit-kill Meteor Assault, a lightning-fast string of Close Combats.
Add in “always hits critical points”… these two secrets fit Ducklett perfectly!
Feeling the commemorative Poké Ball at his waist lightly shake.
A small smile tugged at Teacher Lu’s mouth.
There’s only one Fighting-type in the team…
Even if you don’t volunteer, I’ll fight for you, Duck!
Besides, Champion Shangren’s Pupitar is four-times weak to it.
Strengthening Ducklett before the finals not only pushes it to champion level, it also serves as a finals trump card — a win-win!
“I have no objections, Master Ma. Let Urshifu give the Coaching. I’ll observe and learn as well,” Lu Ye said with a smile.
“Have you decided which Pokémon?” Master Ma asked with hands behind his back, smiling.
“Mm… since this is a style that rose to fame in Galar, of course we should choose a representative Galar Pokémon,” Lu Ye said.
The Ducklett inside the commemorative ball belatedly sensed something amiss.
“Gah…(°ー°〃)”
Galar’s… representative Pokémon…
Right, it must be Mega Blastoise, for sure!
“I understand your meaning,” Master Ma smiled. “We think the same, old man and I…”
Dan Emperor’s Charizard hadn’t learned the two Urshifu Secrets.
And Mustard and Klara respectively specialized in Psychic and Poison.
Master Ma wanted his fighting tradition to continue, and with the influence of this match, he became determined to teach the secrets.
When Lu Ye agreed to learn, Master Ma smiled and continued, “It will be that Sirfetch’d, right?”
“Gah?” Sirfetch’d looked bewildered.
Lu Ye nodded: “Ducklett, you’ll be in Master Ma’s care for a while!”
As Galar’s representative, of course it’s the evolution of Farfetch’d — Sirfetch’d!
Not only a Fighting-type, but the Sword and Shield features complement Single-Strike and Multi-Strike styles… there’s no Pokémon more suitable than Ducklett!
Seeing Lu Ye and Master Ma shake hands warmly.
Sirfetch’d had no escape, and deflated inside.
“Gah!!(´థ౪థ)σ”
Why does it always fall on me~
Lu Ye looked up at the sky, imagination running wild.
A martial-arts duck… just the thought makes the mouth water for its flesh!
Ahem… I mean, its power is admirable!
****
The fifth stage of Victory Road concluded.
When the match video was released that night, it caused a sensation across the leagues!
The former battle legend Master Ma hadn’t appeared in public competition for a long time.
His attendance as an examiner underscored the difficulty and prestige of Donghua Road.
By popular consensus, even retired and past his prime, Master Ma still had champion strength, perhaps enough to claim a seat among the Eight Masters at the World Championships.
Facing him was the surging, steamrolling challenger, Teacher Lu!
Normally, if Master Ma held back a bit, Teacher Lu would have no problem clearing the stage.
But in this match, Master Ma undeniably displayed champion-level strength, even sending out the legendary Pokémon — Urshifu!
Clearly, Master Ma had been stirred by Teacher Lu’s fighting spirit and went all out!
In such a peak clash, Blastoise entered and brazenly reversed the situation, even showcasing a “low-HP Torrent”!
The audience wore shocked expressions, their worldviews shattered.
“So this thing has gears like a manual car, second gear, third gear?”
“What does Turtwig even have up its sleeve!”
In the final exchange.
Urshifu’s ki-infused punch and Mega Blastoise’s Mega Launcher-powered Aura Sphere collided with a thunderous crash.
The visuals looked like a blockbuster, the whole screen filled with frantic chat.
“Holy crap, the turtle!!”
“You call that Urshifu?”
“I know this move, Shell Break Blastoise, output comparable to Kyogre!”
Teacher Lu’s Blastoise still hadn’t learned one finishing technique.
That was Shell Break.
Shell Break massively boosts Attack, Special Attack, and Speed — one of Blastoise’s signature moves, with a buff comparable to Geomancy.
But the trade-off is reduced Defense and Special Defense, a huge risk.
That’s why Turtwig never learned Shell Break.
Lu Ye thought: if it can’t activate Shell Break actively, then do it passively.
Shell scratched = I’m near death = Shell Break, Torrent full activation!!
Lu Ye decided to teach Turtwig Shell Break in the next intra-team match.
Until then, he would train with Ducklett until it mastered both Secrets at an entry level.
Far away in Galar, when Dan Emperor heard Master Ma had lost, he seemed surprised.
But upon learning Teacher Lu was the one who defeated him, that surprise kindled into a burning gaze.
Dan Emperor smiled to the staff: “Next year is the new World Championships —”
“All league champions will attend as seeded players.”
Dan Emperor’s eyes were cold yet smiling.
I look forward to that day, Teacher Lu!
Three days remained until the final match.
The location was the main venue of Victory Road.
On the grand stage with tens of thousands of spectators, Lu Ye and Champion Shangren would wage a full 6v6 showdown!
Champion Shangren was already preparing.
Though he possessed no special gimmicks and his moves were orthodox, he still carried champion strength and pride!
Mediocrity is not incompetence, pride is not arrogance — this was Champion Shangren’s trainer creed!
With the final approaching, the whole Victory Road buzzed with heat and anticipation.
Spectators from other regions crossed oceans and traveled great distances to watch the final live.
The spectacle rivaled, even surpassed, the Quartz Conference and the Gongmen City All-Star Tournament!
Lu Ye stayed in the professional training area, sitting on a bench, staring at the center of the field.
Two Urshifu stood in the arena, respective auras of Dark and Water rolling off them, hemming in Sirfetch’d in the middle.
“Gah…(⊙x⊙;
)” Sirfetch’d was boxed by two godlike beasts, frozen stiff.
I don’t dare say a word~
“Is this a Single-Strike Urshifu?” Lu Ye asked in surprise.
Master Ma nodded and said: “He was my partner when I was young… but these days the old man here is better at Multi-Strike.”
An old veteran’s stamina and strength aren’t what they used to be, but his technique is more refined, his experience wiser.
Lu Ye nodded lightly and recognized the two Urshifu’s moves —
Coaching!
Through Coaching Sirfetch’d’s actions, they transmitted the Single-Strike and Multi-Strike Secrets, integrating both into the techniques.
“Roar!!”
The Single-Strike Urshifu looked fierce, like a cruel, strict master.
Don’t slack off, keep training!
Sirfetch’d, spear in hand, began to run slowly.
“Roar-um…”
The Multi-Strike Urshifu furrowed his brow slightly, calm yet equally stern.
Your Close Combat performance is too slow, again!
Sirfetch’d jabbed the target with its leek like lightning, tears welling up.
“Gah…(´థ౪థ)σ”
This is too hard for me~~
Oddly, even sandwiched between two god beasts, Sirfetch’d’s spirit hadn’t waned.
Lu Ye nodded inwardly.
After all, at the Hall of Origin, Sirfetch’d had swung its blade at Arceus!
“Gah!”
Sweating profusely, Sirfetch’d’s expression grew distant yet sharper.
The Multi-Strike Urshifu blinked in surprise, staring at Sirfetch’d, suddenly realizing he could not read it at all!
Sirfetch’d was covered in flaws.
Compared to the flawless Blastoise, Urshifu could easily find Ducklett’s weaknesses.
Yet precisely for that reason, Urshifu dared not jump to conclusions… like how a dopey Psyduck can erupt with terrifying Psychic power when it has a headache!
During the break.
Master Ma rose and smiled: “Alright, you can rest a bit now.”
Lu Ye channeled Aura into Sirfetch’d’s body, but it still looked dazed.
“Are you heatstroked?” Lu Ye asked with concern.
“Gah…”
Sirfetch’d shook its head and stared at the sky in a daze.
Being coached simultaneously by two god beasts…
This scene… somehow looks familiar…
……
In the chat group.
“Anyone taking the ship to Victory Road?”
Marshal puffed his cigar: “There’s space on the Waterflow!”
“I’ll go!” Ash signed up.
This championship-level clash cannot be missed!
“I’m going too!” Alice said. “But I’ll fly from Floccesy City, hehe…”
Marshal sighed: “Kalos is too far, Waterflow can’t get there. Baby Ash, figure it out yourself!”
“If you don’t mind, you can take Devon Corporation’s flight,” Steven said with a smile. “They opened a dedicated route to Victory Road.”
“Fantastic!” Bonnie cheered.
“Science opens the future,” Clemont murmured.
Flint scratched his head.
He wanted to go watch and learn as well.
But Cynthia Big Sister had already departed, and he wouldn’t intrude on her and Teacher Lu’s private time.
Though rough on the surface, the Fire-type Elite Four member Flint was thoughtful.
The key was… Flint did not want another entry in Teacher Lu’s notebook!
“I’ll come cheer!” A-Jin said.
Teacher Lu politely declined: “No, thank you.”
A-Jin: ???
Lance said calmly: “I can’t go, but I will watch the livestream.”
If Teacher Lu becomes the Donghua Champion,
next year’s World Championships might add a formidable competitor!
“From lineup analysis… Teacher Lu has a high chance of winning.”
Lucian pushed up his glasses coolly: “Of course, Shangren is not to be underestimated… he’s a well-rounded veteran.”
Low social intelligence: no specialty.
High social intelligence: well-rounded ability.
Cheren, also a tactical player, nodded:
“Yes, I analyzed Champion Shangren’s roster. Talonflame controls speed, Pupitar has huge damage potential.”
As for Teacher Lu’s roster…
Cheren, nicknamed the “Human Pokédex,” showed a complicated expression.
It’s not that he hasn’t analyzed it, it’s that it’s impossible to analyze!
Green fell into thought.
The Donghua champion match…
In a year, Lu Ye’s team that started from zero had, as expected, stepped onto the champion stage.
In Green’s cold gaze, a trace of pride and fighting spirit hid within.
I admit his strength… as I admit Dan Emperor and Red!
Ash, A-Jin and others in the group said they’d come to the finals.
Cynthia would also arrive at Victory Road tonight.
Meanwhile, the two elders far away in Alola took the ferry back;
Professor Oak at Mo University had received Lu Ye’s invitation to watch —
to witness the battle for the Donghua championship!
****
Raven City, amusement park.
The Ferris wheel ticket seller rested her cheek on her palm, bored.
“Today… that green-haired handsome guy didn’t come…”
High above the clouds, N sat on Zekrom’s back, his deep gaze fixed on the horizon.
He traveled to Donghua as a student and decided to quietly observe Teacher Lu’s battle.
Hoenn region, Green Shade Town.
Manchong packed his bag, waved to his parents with a bright smile, and boarded his Magnemite.
A year ago the weak, insecure green-haired boy had grown into an excellent trainer.
He still loved Pokémon;
more than base stats, he trusted the bonds between them.
Kalos, Miare City.
Professor Sycamore looked at the gray-haired boy before him and smiled:
“From Sinnoh… you must be Paul? Teacher Lu has talked about you.”
Paul’s deadfish eyes brightened faintly;
he nodded silently and then said:
“I want to know… what is the bond of Mega Evolution. Please.”
Galar, Motostoke.
The seriously ill child, John, had been discharged and recovered.
“Hey, did you hear? Today Teacher Lu’s championship match is on!” a friend cheered excitedly.
John smiled shyly, a small Starly perched on his shoulder — his starter Pokémon.
“Mm! I wrote Teacher Lu a postcard… I hope he becomes champion!”
The postcard crossed oceans and seas.
On the envelope a crooked Haunter drawn in crayon tugged its eyelid and stuck out its tongue.
Teacher Lu opened the letter, took out the postcard, and stared at it for a moment.
“Bu-bii…” Sylveon lay in Lu Ye’s arms and glanced up at its trainer.
Lu Ye’s face wore a gratified, somewhat speechless smile.
“Chaji duyi…”
Togepi and Victini each held a controller on the couch, rocking in time with the on-screen racers.
“Gah…(›´ω`‹)”
Sirfetch’d lay on the carpet fatigued, its head full of the day’s training.
“Bangii…(￣～￣)”
Pupitar crunched a diamond with a “kala” cry.
In this month Pupitar had eaten a massive amount of minerals… it had built up the energy to unleash a single Precipice Blades!
Lu Ye glanced back at his little crew at home and smiled helplessly.
Originally… he feared life-threatening danger, then worried about the cost, and now he worried the little ones would get hurt.
But battles were inevitable…
Because Pokémon had supported him all the way, the trainer must likewise repay their expectations.
Lu Ye continued reading fan letters.
Besides John’s letter, many fans had commented.
“I love Teacher Lu’s Pokémon — Haunter, Sylveon, Togepi… each one is adorable.”
“I’m your student. Thank you for being my guide on the trainer path…”
“When will you be the Donghua Champion, Teacher Lu?”
Lu Ye slowly rose, pressed a button, held the enlarged Poké Ball in his palm, eyes narrowing.
Today is the day!
……