Pokémon: When the World Changed

Chapter 604 599: Absolute Strength

"Defense and attack. Thanks to the foundation it built since it was small. Rhyperior's advantages in these two aspects are at the very top even within the professional level!"

Seeing Rhyperior withstand Machamp's attacks using only its body, a smile appeared on Ethan's face.

Since it had been a Rhyhorn, it had constantly trained its body through the strengthening method based on the move Smack Down, continuously stimulating the hidden Rhyperior genes within it.

Now that Rhydon had evolved into Rhyperior, all that accumulation exploded at once.

After fully adapting to its new body, its physical condition had reached an extremely astonishing level.

"Begin the counterattack! Use Rock Wrecker Hammer!"

When the side effect of the Rock Wrecker move disappeared, Ethan gave the order.

Boom!

In the next instant, Rhyperior moved.

Its arms, heavy as mountains, rose, and its muscles began to swell rapidly.

Rock-type energy wrapped around its arms, releasing a terrifying fluctuation of power.

But what surprised the audience was that this time it did not fire the Rock Wrecker move from the holes in its hands.

Instead, it raised both arms and brutally slammed them down toward Machamp.

Machamp's expression immediately changed, extending its four arms to block the attack.

Boom!

A terrifying force exploded instantly.

Even Machamp, famous for its enormous strength, saw its body sink under the impact of Rhyperior's attack. The ground beneath its feet cracked, and a cloud of dust scattered in all directions.

"What terrifying strength!"

"The physical condition of this Rhyperior is absurd!"

The spectators couldn't help exclaiming.

In terms of strength and defense, this Rhyperior was simply monstrous.

"Not even Machamp can withstand that attack?"

Even the trainers in the competitors' area had their pupils shrink.

That arm strike was far too exaggerated!

"Rock Wrecker Hammer?"

"It looks like another attack with power equal to Giga Impact..."

Lucas couldn't help the twitch at the corner of his eye.

Could the Rock Wrecker move be used like this?

"He did it. By imitating the usage method of Smack Down. Rhyperior directly applied the power of Rock Wrecker onto its arms."

"The power of this move even surpasses the normally fired Rock Wrecker!"

Seeing the power of the Rock Wrecker Hammer, Ethan smiled.

Thanks to its body training since it was young, Rhyperior's affinity with Rock-type energy was extremely high.

That was why he had devised this technique: channeling the power of the Rock Wrecker move into its arms.

Additionally, it combined the mechanics of the move Hammer Arm, but in terms of power, it was far superior.

"Machamp has lost the ability to battle. The winner of this match is Ethan."

At that moment, the referee raised the flag.

"Incredible!"

"That Machamp was defeated with a single blow!"

Some spectators began to gasp in cold air.

One blow to defeat Hitmonchan.

One blow to defeat Machamp.

This Rhyperior was absurdly strong.

After a brief silence, the stadium erupted into cheers.

...

"You can't fight this Rhyperior in close combat. Strength, defense, weight advantage, and that Rock Wrecker Hammer... with all that combined, in close combat it almost has no rivals at the same level."

"To face it, you have to focus on speed or long-range attacks. Its weight strengthens its attack and defense, but it also amplifies its disadvantage in speed."

In the competitors' area, the trainers were already analyzing countermeasures.

Almost all of them reached the same conclusion.

Looking back at the field, some even felt pity for Jhon.

Sending a Fighting-type Pokémon specialized in close combat against Rhyperior... was asking for trouble.

Of course, it wasn't completely his fault either.

Who would have imagined that a Fighting-type Pokémon would lose so miserably in hand-to-hand combat?

In theory, Fighting-type had the advantage.

The result had left everyone stunned.

...

At the back of the stands, more than ten people were watching Ethan with interest.

"That guy is Ethan?"

"Yes. He was the Rookie of the Year two editions ago. And he's also a top-tier Pokémon Researcher."

One of the young men spoke with a serious expression.

As a trainer they didn't know exactly how far he had reached, but in the academic world he was a peak figure.

"So it's him... This kid is really strong. What a pity he's only 20 years old, two years younger than us. If he had two more years, he might really have a spot for the World Championship."

The world youth tournament was limited to ages 18–22.

At 20 years old, Ethan was clearly at a disadvantage compared to other geniuses.

Two years of difference was not a small thing.

...

"Rhyperior, are your arms okay?"

After the battle, Ethan took it to recover.

"Rhyypperrior!"

Rhyperior waved its arms, indicating it was fine.

"I'm glad. But the power of Rock Wrecker and Rock Wrecker Hammer is enormous... although the side effects are as well."

If they didn't solve that problem, Rhyperior would only have the power of a single decisive strike.

If it failed to defeat the opponent in one attack, the counteroffensive would come afterward.

Although its physical defense was monstrous, even resisting Fighting-type moves with advantage.

But if the opponent used special attacks, especially Water or Grass types with quadruple effectiveness... the situation would be very dangerous.

...

The early rounds advanced quickly.

In the afternoon, a new round began.

The large panel spun again, displaying the new matchups.

Ethan's match would be the third.

And his opponent surprised him.

In the competitors' area, a young man with green hair was also looking at the screen.

"You could say we're old rivals. Tyler Grant, from the Pokémon Island Adventure Club."

Ethan smiled as he remembered their previous encounter.

If his Cacturne hadn't prepared the Root Domain in advance and mastered the automatically tracking Magical Roots, he might not have defeated that Grovyle.

Soon both of them stepped onto Field Number 3.

Neither had imagined that they would meet again on such a big stage.

"This time I'll get my revenge."

Tyler clenched his fists.

After losing to Ethan, he realized his shortcomings.

He joined his family's adventurer team and spent two years exploring Secret Kingdoms.

His strength underwent an astonishing transformation.

And recently, he had passed the professional Pokémon Hunter exam thanks to his survival experience.

Now, on this grand stage, it was the perfect moment to completely defeat his former rival.

"The battle begins now."

The screen spun again to decide the first turn.

"I have the initiative?"

"Then I'm counting on you, Rhyperior."

Ethan released it once again.

"Rhyperior has appeared again!"

The audience became excited once more.

Many were seeing it for the first time.

Especially trainers who owned Rhydon, who watched carefully hoping to discover the secret of its evolution.

"Rhyperior again?"

"Knowing that my ace is Sceptile, you still choose it?"

"Aren't you underestimating me too much?"

Tyler showed anger.

And he released his ace: Sceptile.

"It's Sceptile!"

"With its speed and the Grass-type advantage against Rhyperior, it has a big advantage."

Some trainers, aware of Rhyperior's weakness, frowned.

Meanwhile, Ethan narrowed his eyes.

If he had chosen Rhyperior even knowing that his opponent's ace was Sceptile... it was because he had his own reasons.

(End of Chapter)