Chapter 484: Water Battle! VS Tough Mask!
In the TV series, there have been many meaningless competitions like 'Riding Tournaments' and 'All-Around Contests'.
One of Gold's proudest achievements is being the champion of Johto's All-Around Contest.
It may seem worthless... but it actually demonstrates Gold's dominance in unofficial competitions.
Looking at how Ash can't win league championships but keeps winning amateur tournaments... he's quite similar to Gold in that regard.
After the opening ceremony of the 'Water Speed Race', the trainers sent out their Pokémon to prepare at the starting line.
Lu Ye overheard some trainers discussing:
"If we can interfere with each other... doesn't that just make it a water battle?"
"Pretty much, but you can use 'Agility' to sneak ahead while others are battling."
"Don't worry, I'm very confident... holy shit, isn't that Teacher Lu?!"
Lu Ye coughed awkwardly: "You two keep chatting, don't mind me." The two trainers exchanged glances with strange expressions.
As expected of Teacher Lu, nicknamed 'Baby Cup Killer'!
In casual tournaments like this, essentially Baby Cup level competitions, Teacher Lu's presence is guaranteed!
Through eye contact, the two trainers communicated internally:
"I'm surrendering, do whatever you want."
"I initiated the surrender first."
On the branching water tracks, Water-type Pokémon like Golduck, Basculin, and Seaking surfaced, ready for action.
Lu Ye wondered if this might upset the Lake Guardians.
However, the three Lake Guardians all have pure, innocent childlike personalities.
Events like fishing competitions seem more like celebratory activities for the Lake Guardians.
The referee raised his flag with a whistle in his mouth: "Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Lu Ye looked around and noticed all other participants staring at him.
Gishin, known as 'Tough Mask', shirtless and in the same heat as Lu Ye, laughed enthusiastically:
"No one will laugh if you swim slowly! Just enjoy the competition!"
Then, Gishin dramatically threw a Dive Ball and roared:
"Go, Gyarados!"
The Dive Ball opened mid-air, shooting out white light that materialized into an enormous silhouette.
Everyone looked up, their pupils reflecting the terrifying figure, stunned speechless.
"You're using THAT for a speed race?"
"This was never about racing - he plans to knock out all other competitors!"
"Hahaha, I told you already!"
Gishin crossed his muscular arms and laughed boisterously: "Interference is allowed! You can all team up against me!"
"ROAR—!"
As Gishin laughed, Gyarados reared its head and let out an ear-splitting roar.
With its terrifying appearance and 'Intimidate' ability, Gyarados instantly sapped the competitive spirit from most Pokémon!
Ash and Buizel actually stepped forward instead of retreating, shouting:
"Great! I wanted to challenge Mr. Gishin to a water battle anyway!"
"Buizel, I choose you!"
Buizel had yellow fur with a floatation sac around its neck and a forked tail that worked like a propeller in water.
Lu Ye's mouth twitched: "Isn't that just a water monkey?!"
"Oh?" Gishin glanced at the determined Ash and grinned, "I won't go easy on you, kid!"
Suddenly, gasps erupted around them as Gishin looked around.
The other participants wore expressions of fear, confusion, and disbelief...
A powerful gust swept past, creating ripples across the water surface.
The Water-type Pokémon on the track trembled, some even diving underwater.
"Roar..." Gyarados' cry caught in its throat as it looked down fearfully at the approaching figure.
"Kame! ヾ(⌐■_■)"
Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses and steadily waded into the water.
Then it assumed a quadrupedal stance, ready to race.
Dead silence fell. The crowd wanted to laugh but found themselves unable.
Gishin stared blankly: "You're racing with... a turtle?"
"You'll understand once we try."
Lu Ye grinned, showing his white teeth.
The next moment, the starting gun fired and all Pokémon surged forward!
"We can see Golduck from Lane 3 taking an early lead!"
"Oh no! Sharpedo from Lane 2 used 'Crunch' on Golduck! Golduck is down for the count!!"
In F1 racing, cars crashing spectacularly is a common sight.
Now the water race had incorporated no-holds-barred elements, creating utter chaos!
"Basculin, use Agility! Let's take the lead!"
"Not so fast! Sharpedo, keep it locked down!"
Some trainers focused on hindering opponents while others purely boosted speed.
Watching the intense competition, Gishin grinned and roared: "Gyarados, Dragon Dance!"
"ROAR—!"
The fearsome Gyarados shook off its fear, rearing up high.
Its wild, violent spinning created raging whirlpools that sucked in nearby Pokémon!
"Kame... ヾ(⌐■_■)"
Concerned about possible underwater mines,
Blastoise remained motionless at the starting line in its ready position.
Boosted by Dragon Dance, Gyarados dove underwater before bursting forth with incredible momentum toward the finish!
Fear appeared in the other trainers' eyes.
"There's no stopping that thing!"
"Water racing... no, water battles are Gym Leader Gishin's specialty!"
Amid the chaos, a Buizel leaped from the water, hopping continuously to keep pace with the rapidly swimming Gyarados!
"Buizel?" Gishin looked surprised before grinning, "Not bad, kid!"
"I'm Ash, here to earn the Fen Badge and challenge the Lily of the Valley Conference! Remember that!"
Ash grinned, clenching his fists and shouting: "Buizel, Aqua Jet!"
Instantly, Buizel shot from the water encased in a watery aura that transformed into a surging current, leaving a white wake as its speed skyrocketed!
"Nice! Now I'll get serious too!"
Gishin laughed heartily: "Gyarados, Aqua Tail!"
"ROAR—!"
To everyone's shock, Gyarados leaped high from the water.
Time seemed to slow as its massive body blotted out the sky.
Then it came crashing down, tail smashing the water surface.
BOOM!!
Water pillars erupted like thunder, creating a massive whirlpool.
Buizel struggled to swim free but got dragged into the vortex regardless.
"Dammit..." Ash gritted his teeth.
As Gyarados neared the finish, Gishin crossed his arms and laughed:
"Hah, the championship is mine."
"ROAR—!" Gyarados echoed with a mocking cry, slowing down from move lag.
Blastoise's sunglasses reflected the approaching Gyarados.
"Kame... ヾ(⌐■_■)"
Confirming no underwater mines were present,
Turtle's eyes gleamed with determination.
The other trainers looked around in confusion: "Why is it suddenly windy?"
"Doesn't this wind feel... strange?"
Aura-generated gusts skimmed the lake, creating watery arrows.
Everyone stared blankly at Blastoise, still motionless at the start.
Lu Ye slowly raised his right hand.
Snap—
With a finger snap, Lu Ye commanded: "Rear propulsion, use—"
"Hydro Pump!"
BOOM!!
The water around Blastoise depressed as massive pillars erupted skyward.
Then Blastoise retracted into its shell, adjusting cannon angles.
Two tremendous water jets smashed into the water's surface with a 'BOOM'!
The incredible thrust launched the shell airborne with thunderous roars from the water jets!
Blastoise literally freaking flew!!
Trainers on shore looked up, unable to suppress their swearing.
"Holy shit holy shit!!"
"Did that Blastoise just use Fly!??"
"Hydro Pump for flight?! I think Teacher Lu's moves are illegal!!"
Gishin's jaw dropped as he stared at the airborne shell.
The spinning shell's water jets paused briefly as it arced gracefully through the air.
BOOM!!
The shell smashed through the water surface, using Hydro Pump's thrust to skim across like a white streak, rapidly closing on Gyarados!
"Catapult start!?"
"Is Teacher Lu even playing fair!?"
"I was dumb to think Teacher Lu would go easy in a Baby Cup!"
"This isn't going easy - this is freaking war!!"
Gyarados stiffened, mechanically turning its head to see the approaching Blastoise.
In that moment, Gyarados felt deep terror, its body frozen!
"Stop it, Gyarados!"
Realizing the crisis, Gishin raised his arms and shouted: "Use Aqua Tail!!"
At this speed, Blastoise would definitely overtake them!
The only option was to suppress it in battle, using the Dragon Dance-boosted move!
"ROAR—!!"
Gyarados reared up, roaring as its tail gathered raging water.
Then it swung down mightily at the incoming shell!
BOOM!!
The Aqua Tail connected with the shell's back.
The water erupted with deafening force as the audience held their breath.
"D-did it work?"
"Nothing could withstand that power, right?"
Time seemed to freeze.
"Roar..."
Gyarados kept its tail on Blastoise's shell, letting out a disbelieving growl.
That shell... wasn't damaged at all, even...
Even freaking polished to a reflective shine!?
"Kame?" Turtle peeked out, looking curiously up at Gyarados.
The race wasn't over... why did it stop swimming?
On shore, Lu Ye looked at the stunned Gishin and mused:
"Guess we'll have to settle this with a proper water battle?"
Gishin turned blankly: "Meaning?"
Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
Although he'd tested Little Blue's flying skills...
With Turtle's propulsion force... no one could ride on its back!
Meaning Turtle only gained temporary gliding ability...
Teacher Lu still couldn't fly!
"It means..."
Lu Ye sighed deeply.
Only the prize, a Water Stone (scratched out)... decorative stone,
Could soothe Teacher Lu's wounded heart!
"Blastoise, Ice Punch!!"
"Kame!"
The nearby water froze as Blastoise stood on an ice floe, looking up at the massive Gyarados.
Ice crystals fell as Blastoise's right fist formed sharp ice, swinging toward Gyarados!
"Bring it on!!"
Gishin snapped back to reality, fired up as he roared:
"Gyarados, Outrage!!"
"ROAR—!!"
Under the crowd's fearful gazes, Gyarados' eyes turned crimson, its body glowing red as it charged with terrifying momentum!
Ice Punch met Outrage in a collision that unleashed powerful shockwaves!!
"ROAR!!" Gyarados' head fins and scales frosted over, covered in wounds yet still raging as its tail kept striking!
"Kame..."
Blastoise swung its left fist.
The impact created air currents, making water pillars erupt around them!
BOOM!!
Water crashed down, creating ringing ears.
Ash shielded himself as Buizel surfaced, both looking toward the finish line.
As mist cleared, the audience saw the figure crossing first.
Behind it, Gyarados slowly sank underwater.
Blastoise casually swam past the finish ribbon.
Instantly, the shore erupted in cheers!!
"The champion of this Water Speed Race has been decided!"
The announcer declared:
"It's Teacher Lu and his partner Blastoise!!"
Amid the cheers, Gishin removed his mask, staring blankly at the finish.
He revealed an ordinary middle-aged man's face.
His expression showed disappointment, emotion, and post-battle exhaustion.
He replaced the mask, becoming 'Tough Mask' again, and extended a hand to Lu Ye with a laugh:
"Congratulations, Teacher Lu!"
Lu Ye shook his hand, understanding Gishin's feelings.
In the anime, Pastoria's wetlands were disappearing, endangering the wild Pokémon there.
While some treat environmentalism as profit opportunities,
Gishin genuinely works to protect the wetlands and its Pokémon...
"The champion prize is money and a Water Stone, right?" Lu Ye asked.
Gishin blinked: "Yes, quite a sum... about three boxing matches' worth for me."
"Donate the money to the Wetland Conservation Association."
Lu Ye smiled: "But I'll take the Water Stone... Turtle fought hard for it."
Gishin stood stunned, his chest burning with emotion. The tough man found himself choked up.
Finally, he grasped Lu Ye's hands firmly and said solemnly:
"I'll use your name to help those endangered Pokémon..."
He couldn't think of better repayment.
Pastoria was poor—even its Gym Leader needed boxing matches for income...
Suddenly, Gishin slapped his forehead and rummaged through his pockets.
"Teacher Lu, take this!"
"What is it?"
Lu Ye looked at his palm.
[Fen Badge: Symbolizing lush wetlands surrounding the city, proof of challenging Pastoria Gym. (Green waters and mountains are true treasures.)]
The unusually sincere description left Lu Ye speechless.
But... wasn't this his fourth Sinnoh Gym Badge?
Only Melisa, Lily, Roark's father Drayden, and the Fourth Hokage lookalike Volkner remained...
Lu Ye shook his head, consoling himself:
For now, focus on the research summit.
Getting badges isn't a big deal... probably.
Amid ongoing cheers, the mask-wearing, philosophically imposing Gishin raised Lu Ye's hand high.
"I declare this Water Speed Race's champion—Trainer Lu Ye!!"
After the award ceremony, Lu Ye waved the newly won Water Stone before Blastoise.
"How about this—we'll put it in your tank to save water changes!" Lu Ye joked.
"Kame..."
Blastoise's eyes followed the stone.
After aura-scanning to confirm it wasn't a tracker or bomb, it nodded firmly.
Ash followed excitedly: "Teacher Lu! Mr. Gishin agreed to my Gym challenge!"
Lu Ye paused.
Now I understand why Ash's Sinnoh Gym challenges went so smoothly...
Turns out Gym Leaders understand social cues and when to go easy!
But... having Ash handle it saves me from QR code scanning.
Lu Ye nodded, coughing: "Good luck with your challenge!"
After a day of events, Teacher Lu gained much.
Plenty of 'free items', plus discovering Turtle's new Hydro Pump technique.
The [Fen Badge] was unexpected... but fine.
Since Teacher Lu needed to return as a Mikuri Cup judge that evening,
Dinner was quick before checking on Ducklett's egg at the hotel.
"Quack~!" 'Mama Duck' nodded at Lu Ye.
Lu Ye smiled: "Keep it up! I'll make Lansa Berry Puffs!"
Hearing this, the gray egg wobbled slightly, surprising both Ducklett and Lu Ye.
Looks like this little one's already a foodie?
"My Pokémon all share this trait."
Lu Ye looked skyward.
After all... even I can't resist eating my own Pokéblocks!