Chapter 97: Chapter 97
Xiangling: "I object to the real-name system!"
Within a second, this barrage floated across the live broadcast screen.
Hu Tao's forehead tightened with veins, her almond-shaped eyes glaring fiercely at the live broadcast camera:
"Guoba launcher, what do you mean by that?"
This nickname was something Takumi had mentioned occasionally, and Hu Tao had secretly remembered it.
Xiangling: "You lost to me last time!"
Hu Tao's face twitched:
"Hehe, that baby-level battle wasn't a serious Pokémon competition."
Xiangling: "Actually, there are records and videos in the arena! You can't deny it, you have a losing record!"
Hu Tao's face gradually darkened:
"You're really trying to make trouble for me, huh?"
Xiangling: "Let me tell you, Hu Tao, if you want to be the number one Pokémon Master in this group, you have to defeat me first and get past this chef!"
Hu Tao was so angry that she shouted at the live camera:
"Very well!"
"You chose this! You've run headlong into my Hall Master's dump truck!"
"My Gabite will make you regret this! You think you can keep provoking me like this without seeing its power? Do you dare to come over now for a competition?"
Xiangling: "I'm already on my way! If I defeat you, I'll be the provisional number one in this group for combat power! (Hands on hips)"
Hu Tao was so angry that her nostrils almost steamed. She probably didn't expect that her best friend, with whom she'd faced dangers and shared life-and-death moments, would be the first one to destroy her stage.
This feeling... was so embarrassing!
Takumi was enjoying the drama.
In the live broadcast room, the group of friends were also enjoying the show.
Indeed, it was undeniable that the Gabite Hu Tao cultivated herself, aside from the Blissey, Gengar, and ancient Baltoy that appeared today, was the undisputed number one in combat power in the group.
After evolution, Pokémon combat abilities are significantly improved!
Childe: "...Very good. If I have the chance, I'll bring Alolan Vulpix over to watch the battle!"
Yanfei: "Hey, I just left, and something so interesting happened? Let's turn back now!"
Keqing: "I'm patrolling the nearby blocks; it's about time to wrap things up."
Ningguang: "There's nothing much going on at the Jade Chamber today."
Ganyu: "...Working overtime. (Qilin horns drooped a little)"
Beidou: "I just led the team out of the ecological zone... We all agreed to come and watch the battle!"
Eula: "We're in Mondstadt. I want to watch the battle too—what should I do?"
Diluc: "I want to watch the battle +1."
Jean: "Hu Tao and Xiangling, the two elders of this group, right? Their Pokémon are high-level, and they themselves are very experienced. A Pokémon battle between them will definitely be exciting..."
Mona (Administrator): "I just received a message from Manager Takumi. To all Mondstadt residents: if you want to watch the match, please arrive at the Mondstadt branch within half an hour, apply for membership cards in an orderly manner, and enter the arena in an orderly manner!"
Once this administrator announcement was issued, all personnel from Mondstadt immediately disappeared from the chat. It was estimated they either dropped their work or rushed back from outside the city, no longer bothering with the live chat.
Takumi saw the number of online viewers steadily decreasing.
He asked Meloetta to end the live broadcast, then smiled at Hu Tao, who had been authorized to draw:
"Good luck."
Hu Tao was so angry that she couldn't vent it. Her face was gloomy, her expression like a dark cloud.
Tap! She clicked the screen with her finger.
The Pokémon's shadow flashed quickly and froze after a few seconds.
A picture of a Pokémon appeared.
Bellsprout!
Takumi exclaimed: "It's pretty good—a Grass/Poison type. The final evolution has two branches: either Vileplume, continuing the Grass/Poison type, or the purely Grass-type Bellossom."
In the original series, Erika, the Gym Leader of Celadon City in the Kanto region, had a Vileplume among her main Pokémon.
This was enough to demonstrate Vileplume's status among Grass-types!
After all, Erika, as a Gym Leader specializing in Grass-types, had a team entirely made up of them.
"No way—"
"I just want Dragon-types! Dragon Master!"
Hu Tao muttered in annoyance and continued to tap the screen.
Beep! The picture of the second Pokémon appeared:
Shroomish!
Without waiting for Takumi's introduction, Hu Tao continued tapping with a blank expression.
The third Pokémon:
Cherubi.
This time, Hu Tao didn't immediately proceed with the next draw. Instead, she raised her head and exchanged a silent gaze with Takumi.
Hu Tao: What's going on?
Takumi: I don't know...
Hu Tao: Why is it all Grass, Grass, Grass? All Grass-types?
Takumi: Well, maybe you're just too green.
Hu Tao touched the top of her head. Her Taigua hat was still there. She breathed a sigh of relief. At least nothing inexplicable appeared—a hat made of grass or something.
"I swear..."
"Let's see if your fourth draw is any better!"
Hu Tao was already livid, so she simply stopped pretending. "Grass-types, leave me alone... Dragon-types, come on already!"
Beep! The result of the fourth draw was:
Sunkern!
The green theme of the frame on the Pokédex was enough to explain everything.
Hu Tao took half a step back, then shouted in disbelief:
"Ahhhhhhh~~"
"Is today my unlucky day?!"
Seeing Hu Tao, an eccentric and spirited girl, unable to contain herself, Takumi wanted to laugh but didn't dare.
He feared that if he laughed, Hu Tao would immediately lose her cool and run off, which would ruin the exciting showdown everyone had prepared for. They had all dropped their activities to rush over.
However, just at the crucial moment, Xiangling appeared.
"Clang!"
"Chef Xiangling is here!"
Guoba followed behind her, the Poké Ball hanging from her waist rattling.
Moreover, Xiangling handed a food box to Takumi, like a gift:
"Manager Takumi,"
"These are some of my signature dishes, including 'Three Fresh Delicacies', 'Crystal Shrimp', and 'Chicken with Fragrant Chili Peppers'. These were the famous dishes I used to beat Yanxiao and win the cooking competition! Just a token of my gratitude."
"In recent days, my Scyther has been watching Lurantis train Eevee at the research institute, and occasionally receiving pointers from Lurantis... Its progress has been rapid!"
Takumi nodded secretly.
The girls at Wanmin Restaurant had high emotional intelligence.
The fact that Scyther could watch and learn under the Champion Lurantis must have been because Takumi, the owner of the research institute, had allowed it. Otherwise, Lurantis wasn't the most tolerant of Pokémon—it could have easily sent Scyther flying for trying to steal its techniques.
Then, Xiangling caught sight of Hu Tao's sulking face.
She also saw the green frame in Hu Tao's Pokédex...
"Pfft—"
She laughed heartily.
"What's this?"
"Last week was all Bug-types."
"Could it be that this week it's all Grass-types? Which draw is this?"
Xiangling deliberately imitated Hu Tao's evil smile and moved closer, teasing her.
Damn it!
Pushing Xiangling's face away, Hu Tao was furious:
"Just you wait!"
"I'll pull a legendary Pokémon and show you!"
"Ah—"
With an angry roar, she initiated her final, fifth draw.
Seeing a group of eggs on the Pokédex picture, Xiangling was shocked and counted them carefully:
"There are so many eggs. Let me count... six in total? Are there cracks on the eggshells?"
"The expressions are all different—one is smiling, four are angry, and one is sad..."
Hu Tao was beyond words.
Six eggs... each one cracked... they didn't even look like a proper Pokémon.
Even as fruit, they looked inferior at first glance!
"How on earth is this a Pokémon?"
"Still a Grass-type! Another Grass-type!"
"Manager Takumi, tell me—what does this group of eggs have to do with Grass-types?! I'm losing my mind..."
Seeing that Hu Tao was about to lose her temper, Takumi figured it was time to explain, so he cleared his throat and spoke softly but firmly:
"This Pokémon is Exeggcute."
"Grass/Psychic type."
"Though there are six of them, they share a telepathic connection—almost like six eggs in one!"
He paused and smiled at Hu Tao:
"Congratulations, Hu Tao."
"In fact, you did draw a Dragon-type..."
Hu Tao calmed down instantly: "???"
Big eyes, staring at Takumi for a moment.
"Hey, Exeggcute's evolved form is Exeggutor."
"Under normal circumstances,"
"Exeggutor has Grass/Psychic attributes."
"But didn't Childe's Alolan Vulpix demonstrate the Alola regional form?"
Upon hearing this, Hu Tao's face immediately glowed with a bright smile.
Her ability to switch emotions so quickly left Xiangling speechless.
Hu Tao stepped forward, grabbed Takumi's hands excitedly, and asked loudly:
"So, the Alolan form of Exeggutor is a Grass/Dragon type?"
Seeing Takumi nod positively with a smile on his face, Hu Tao cheered and jumped for joy:
"This Hall Master's second Dragon-type—got it!!"