Pokemon: Scientist From One Piece

"So, how about this move, kid?"

Giovanni waved his hand lightly, not bothering to call out the move's name.

But Nidoking already understood.

Years of partnership had allowed it to grasp its master's intentions from even the subtlest movements.

The next moment, the sand surged like waves, rising up from both sides as if forming two massive hands, attempting to crush Umbreon in the center.

Earth Power!

Ground-type moves often had a large area of effect, making them difficult to evade.

However—

"Umbreon!"

Hirito flicked his index finger upward.

Umbreon jumped, leaping into the air.

As long as it was airborne, most Ground-type moves wouldn't be able to hit it.

Ash had already proven this strategy multiple times in the anime.

"Indeed," Giovanni acknowledged, watching Umbreon ascend. "A non-Flying-type Pokémon can escape most Ground-type moves by taking to the air."

But he smirked.

"However, kid, Pokémon without natural flight have severely limited maneuverability once airborne."

As a Ground-type specialist, Giovanni was well aware of this flaw.

The instant Umbreon left the ground, Nidoking's mouth opened wide.

A light-orange energy sphere gathered at the center—

Like a Tailed Beast Bomb charging before impact.

Aura Sphere!

A Fighting-type attack with an immense power of 120—

And though its accuracy was only 70%, Umbreon was falling in mid-air—a sitting duck.

At this range, there was no chance of missing.

"Fire."

Giovanni's calm command sealed the move.

Whoosh—

The sheer friction between the projectile and the air made the attack roar like a sonic boom.

Even though Nidoking lacked STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) for this move, a direct hit would leave Umbreon unable to fight!

"Substitute!"

At Hirito's command, a surge of energy split from within Umbreon's body.

A perfect copy formed in front of her—

A sacrificial Substitute, created at the cost of her own stamina.

Boom!

The Aura Sphere smashed into the clone, erupting into a massive explosion.

The resulting shockwave sent Umbreon flying backward, tumbling through the sky like a broken kite.

"Thunder Punch."

Giovanni didn't let up.

Nidoking locked onto Umbreon's falling trajectory, charged its fist with electricity, and positioned itself below.

Like an athlete waiting to spike a volleyball, Nidoking stood ready.

If Umbreon crashed into its Thunder Punch, the match was over.

But—

"Use Dark Pulse—with all your strength!"

At Hirito's command, Umbreon opened her mouth wide, unleashing a spiraling wave of darkness—

Not toward Nidoking—

But behind her.

Whoosh!

The recoil from Dark Pulse acted like a thruster, pushing Umbreon in the opposite direction at the last second.

Nidoking's Thunder Punch whiffed, missing by mere inches.

"It can be used like that?"

Giovanni's eyes widened slightly in amusement and admiration.

That kind of thinking was rare.

"Feint Attack!"

Using the momentum from Dark Pulse, Umbreon flipped in the air, landing on Nidoking's shoulder.

With all her strength, she delivered a sharp kick to the side of Nidoking's head.

But—

Nidoking reacted just in time, tilting its head slightly.

The kick landed on its thick forehead instead.

Despite the impact, Nidoking simply grinned, revealing a cruel smile.

With one swift movement, it grabbed Umbreon, twisting its body, and slammed her into the sand.

"Oops," Giovanni raised an eyebrow.

"Nidoking accidentally got serious."

Looking at Hirito, he continued:

"Your commands are precise, almost as if you calculated everything."

"But it's a shame—your partner isn't able to keep up with you."

His words carried neither malice nor mockery—just pure observation.

"Alright, I understand your strength now. This battle doesn't need to continue."

He gestured for Nidoking to stop.

After all, Giovanni hadn't proposed this match to test Umbreon.

His true interest lay in Hirito's potential.

Now that he had his answer, there was no need to drag it out.

Nidoking started to release its grip—

But then—

It paused.

Something was wrong.

Nidoking looked down.

Despite her injuries, Umbreon's paws were still digging into its wrist, her fangs biting deep into its flesh.

Her crimson eyes burned with determination

A look that refused to give in.

"This… this little bastard!?"

Nidoking finally saw her as a real opponent.

Not as a weaker Pokémon—

But as an equal.

"Too beautiful."

Hirito's voice was filled with pure admiration.

"That look… it's the look of someone who refuses to lose."

Giovanni smiled slightly, his eyes glimmering with nostalgia.

That expression—

It reminded him of the day his Weedle evolved into Beedrill.

The same unwavering resolve.

The same fighting spirit.

Translated into human language, it meant:

"I want to fight for him!"

Giovanni exhaled deeply.

"Then I'll return the favor, little one."

"For a warrior like you, the greatest honor I can give—"

"—is to defeat you with everything I have!"

He put aside his recent frustrations, his missing son, his hidden agenda.

For this one battle, he just wanted to fight seriously.

"Take it down, Poison Jab!"

A dark-purple venom gathered on Nidoking's right arm, forming a lethal, poisonous blade—

And then—

"Dark Pulse!"

Umbreon gathered her last ounce of strength, unleashing another spiraling wave of darkness.

The two attacks collided.

And then—

Everything went black.

The last thing Umbreon felt—

Was the familiar sensation of warm arms catching her.

Umbreon didn't know how long she had been asleep.

She struggled to open her eyes, her vision blurred.

Slowly, the world came into focus.

Unfamiliar ceiling.

Unfamiliar bed.

Unfamiliar room.

She glanced down—

Her body was wrapped in bandages.

Memories of her final moments on the battlefield resurfaced.

"Did I… lose?"

"How long has it been?"

She forced herself up, despite the pain.

Then, looking out the window, she saw—

Hirito and Giovanni, standing under the starlit sky.

For a moment, she wanted to jump out and rush to her master.

But then—

Giovanni spoke.

"I checked. Your Eevee was with that old woman for over seven years."

Hearing this, Umbreon froze in place.

The joy in her heart vanished, replaced by shock.

"So what?" Hirito's voice was indifferent.

Giovanni's next words cut deep—

"The best growth period for a Pokémon is 0 to 3 years old.

"After five years, it's basically over."

End of Chapter