It is quite comfortable to observe animals and fish behind solid iron bars and tempered glass in places like zoos and aquariums. While Xia Huna and his companions were also in a state of separation, their location made the situation far from comfortable, instead feeling like a prickle on the back.
To escape this prickling sensation and allow everyone more rest, Xia Huna decided to take a risk and have Rotom cause some trouble, or perhaps conduct an experiment. As he had mentioned before, there were many ways to counter moves like Double Powder Whirlwind if one were to use coordination.
Xia Huna stood up and asked, "Everyone, does anyone have a Pokémon that knows the move Rain Dance?"
As soon as he spoke, Meng Liuying, standing nearby, handed him a Poké Ball. "Use this one."
Xia Huna took the Poké Ball. "Sister Ying, I truly can't believe you have every kind of Pokémon, can you?"
Yu Longdu walked over to Meng Liuying. "Let me tell you, just like I am the new generation's strongest trainer in the league, Liu Ying is the universally acknowledged strongest support of our generation. There's no strategy you can imagine that Liu Ying can't cooperate with."
Xia Huna stroked his chin, looking at Yu Longdu, and asked with absolute suspicion, "No, A'du, from what position are you saying that?"
Yu Tingyun chuckled, "Yeah, brother, what right do you have to call yourself the new generation's strongest in front of Boss Xia?"
Yu Longdu felt his dignity somewhat damaged by his own sister's interjection, but Yu Longdu was no ordinary person. Without changing his expression, he retorted, "Xia Huna isn't officially part of the search officer's roster at league headquarters; he's always been an unsalaried staff member. I, on the official payroll, say I'm the strongest of the younger generation, who agrees, and who objects?"
Seeing Yu Longdu's demeanor of "I'm not targeting anyone, but everyone here is trash," Xia Huna asked, "So, do you call Meng Tianya 'brother' or 'uncle'?"
Yu Longdu stomped his foot. "Of course, brother! Why should he be a generation older than me?"
Xia Huna clapped his hands. "Sister Ying, go back and tell Meng Tianya that Yu Longdu is confident he can beat him."
Yu Longdu said, "Let's talk about the number one support. There's no surprise there."
Although Yu Longdu wanted to change the subject, Meng Liuying didn't seem very cooperative. "Xia Huna, don't listen to his nonsense. I can't guarantee I can cooperate with your wild tactics in every situation. Besides, wouldn't Xiao Yu be the most suitable support for you?"
Shen Yu blushed upon hearing this and didn't refute, but Yu Longdu found himself in a more difficult position. He was just trying to show off a little. You three came and continuously undermined me; don't I have any dignity? Seeing Yu Longdu's expression shift from pale to red, Xia Huna decided to drop the matter. It would truly be a sin if something unfortunate happened.
He then summoned the Pokémon Meng Liuying had given him. Looking at the small creature floating before him, Xia Huna said, "Castform, this Pokémon does know Rain Dance, but considering its trainer's reputation, isn't this just a Weather Ball with Rain Dance, Hail, and Sunny Day?"
Although Xia Huna asked a question, his tone implied he already knew the answer. Meng Liuying gave him a thumbs-up. "As expected of the 'Ghost of Tactics,' you saw through my strategy at a glance."
Xia Huna smiled, ignoring the nickname "Ghost of Tactics," and looked at the weather-making machine before him. "Let's go, Castform, we have work to do."
Xia Huna brought Castform to the wall and looked at the temporary fortifications made by the Pokémon outside. "Damn it, I should have made it lower earlier. Looking at the setup of these fortifications, how am I supposed to launch an attack from here? People truly lack foresight."
As he spoke, Meng Liuying handed him another Poké Ball. "Can it use Teleport?"
Xia Huna nodded, took the Poké Ball from Meng Liuying, and with Rotom, he teleported out directly. Yu Longdu quickly climbed onto Charizard to provide backup.
Xia Huna, who had teleported outside, immediately fell into a circle of Pokémon. He blinked, feeling extremely panicked: *Holy crap, I forgot to use Rain Dance first before coming out.*
Rain Dance was indeed a move that could take effect quickly, but no matter how fast, it still required a process. In this brief moment, Xia Huna could have been torn to shreds by the Pokémon present.
Fortunately, Yu Longdu, who was in the sky, coordinated in time. Charizard unleashed a Flamethrower at the Pokémon on the ground. Xia Huna also used a Shedinja to attract some fire, thus successfully allowing Castform to initiate Rain Dance. Xia Huna, holding a Sitrus Berry that could cure paralysis, shouted to Rotom, "Rotom, use Thunderbolt!"
Rotom spun its body, emitting Thunderbolt. Xia Huna felt a tingling sensation accompanied by crackling and buzzing sounds spread throughout his body. Fortunately, Xia Huna had already placed the hand holding the Sitrus Berry near the mouth of the Natural Gift-capable Natu he was holding in his arms. As the paralysis began to spread, he immediately pressed the berry onto Natu's mouth.
The little Natu, with its face smeared with the Sitrus Berry, aggrievedly used Teleport under Xia Huna's command, taking Xia Huna back to the gathering point. Yu Longdu had already started rushing back when Xia Huna called for Teleport, completely neglecting that Shedinja and Rotom had not been teleported and were still in their original locations.
Of course, the decisive difference between Shedinja and Rotom was that Shedinja was Xia Huna's combat power, and with only one HP left, it was often used by Xia Huna as a shield. Therefore, in terms of danger perception and self-preservation in dangerous situations, Shedinja far surpassed other Pokémon, almost catching up to the absolute main force, Greninja, who was of ninja origin. The moment Xia Huna teleported away, Shedinja sensed something was wrong and flew desperately towards the gathering point. Rotom, however, was different. Rotom was treated like a mascot in Xia Huna's Pokédex and rarely fought. This Rotom, having finally participated in a battle, was so excited seeing the fallen Pokémon around that it was almost caught in the line of fire.
Rotom, crackling all the way back, came before Xia Huna and complained, "Hey, we're not doing this, Rotom! How could you leave me behind, Rotom?"
"Can you blame me? It's your own fault. You couldn't get on board, and you weren't vigilant enough."
Rotom never won against Xia Huna in an argument, and this time was no exception. After a brief spat with Xia Huna, it went to the side. Meng Liuying, after cleaning Natu's mouth, opened her backpack and took out a box containing various kinds of Poffins. "Alright, Natu, don't be upset. Let's eat some Poffins and cheer up."
Meng Liuying had a reason to be able to calmly feed Natu. Because of Xia Huna's Thunderbolt combined with Rain Dance strategy, which shone brightly, the trainers had also spontaneously developed new tactics. If Thunderbolt could be paired with water, couldn't Ice Beam also be paired with water? Couldn't powders like Stun Spore also be paired with water?
Under the cover of the gloomy weather, the Pokémon flew in groups, carrying their trainers and Pokémon to launch a second attack on the opposing Pokémon. The opposing Pokémon, having been hit with a strong control move by the humans, needed a longer rest time, which gave Meng Liuying the opportunity to feed Natu.
After feeding Natu, Meng Liuying took out various items from her backpack and set up a temporary tent in the middle of the gathering point, with Blissey acting as a nurse inside the tent. Xia Huna looked at the Pokémon surrounding Meng Liuying and thought of a question: We say that trainers have all sorts of styles, and there are trainers who specialize in support, such as the nurses in various Pokémon Centers. In a way, they follow the principles of support trainers. However, as a search officer, Meng Liuying couldn't completely follow the support path like the nurses; she must have self-preservation abilities. So, on which Pokémon should her self-preservation abilities be focused?
Ditto was too much of a gamble, and Castform's Weather Ball couldn't be used as a catch-all. Blissey could never be trained into an offensive powerhouse. After analyzing the movesets, Natu and Gothitelle's moves were also leaning towards support. What was her core offensive power?
Xia Huna was pondering Meng Liuying's situation when Yu Longdu approached, looking for something to do. "What's wrong? You've set your sights on Liu Ying again? Chrysanthemums and peonies each have their own beauty. If you like her, pursue her. You and Shen Yu aren't married yet, are you? Besides, even if you get married, you can always get divorced."
Xia Huna turned his head. "What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think I won't destroy my own city walls before the battle?"
Yu Longdu chuckled. "Look, I was just joking. Don't take it seriously."
Although Yu Longdu explained, and everyone knew he was joking, it didn't mean no one would use this excuse to deal with him. For example, Yu Tingyun and Shen Yu, who had been standing nearby, approached with murderous intent, ready to demand an explanation.
"So, Xia Xia was corrupted by you."
Yu Tingyun held back Shen Yu, who was itching to move. "I'll do it myself. I'll clean up my own family."
Looking at Yu Tingyun, who was smiling with a hint of malice, Yu Longdu turned to run. However, he hadn't run a few steps before he was tripped by a Diglett that appeared out of nowhere. Before he could get up, the attacks from other Pokémon arrived. Yu Longdu was pinned to the spot, unable to move, and then it was Yu Tingyun's turn.
Watching the Pokémon finish their work and return to the tent, Xia Huna sighed. "Perhaps, and I'm just saying perhaps, the core output of this strongest support is overwhelming force, maybe."