“Today I’ll introduce everyone to this Pokémon… Alolan Shiftry!”

On the screen, the Shiftry resembled an orange-yellow sandcastle;

its eyes and mouth looked like windows on the fortress, and a sand shovel stuck upside-down on its head.

Teacher Lu said seriously, “First, a reminder: Shiftry is Ghost-type, extremely dangerous, with hunting habits that absorb life from other creatures.”

“On Alolan beaches, if you see a mysterious red sand shovel, do not, under any circumstances, be tempted to yank it out. If humans or Pokémon pull out the shovel, they’ll awaken the sleeping Shiftry and immediately be controlled by it!”

Listening to Teacher Lu’s earnest field briefing, the viewers in the chat didn’t mock him.

“I’m from Alola;

Teacher Lu is absolutely right. If you see a red sand shovel on the beach, think twice!”

“It looks like a sand sculpture, who knew it was so vicious…”

“Suggestion for Teacher Lu: go to Alola and take samples next time—identify the Pokémon firsthand!”

Seeing that viewer’s comment, Teacher Lu blinked.

Going to the beach to collect samples?

That actually sounded doable.

If he ever had a chance to vacation in Alola, he could film this new segment while he was there.

“Back to our battle tactics.”

Teacher Lu continued, “Shiftry has a signature ability called ‘Harden in Water.’ Its effect: when hit by Water-type moves, its Defense rises dramatically.”

“Shiftry is a Ghost/Ground dual-type. Because its Ground typing is obvious, many trainers instinctively send out Water Pokémon when they encounter Shiftry, which inadvertently increases Shiftry’s threat. So when you face a Shiftry, don’t panic—recite the type chart in your head once and use a common Grass-type Pokémon.”

The chat exploded for a moment.

“Learned something new!”

“So the beginner trainer mantra is the type chart, lol”

“I’m too scared to order takeout now… these are real survival tips!”

Far away in Alola, it was shocking that such a dangerous Pokémon existed.

Many trainers who had never left their region felt a thrill and were glad they clicked into this stream.

“Useless” wilderness knowledge increased… but who could guarantee it would remain useless?

Viewers grew more curious: what tactics could Teacher Lu pull off with such a strange Pokémon as Shiftry?

“What we’ll use is exactly the ability ‘Harden in Water.’”

Teacher Lu explained, “When hit by Water moves, Shiftry’s Defense soars. If this Shiftry is holding a Weakness Policy, both Special Attack and Attack will also rise significantly.”

“Combine that with successive attacks like Water Shuriken;

within one turn, Shiftry’s Defense can be boosted to four times its normal value, and its offensive stats will be greatly amplified.”

“Besides the signature ability, Shiftry also has a signature move called ‘Sand Gather,’ essentially a Ground-type Recover—when it gets damaged, it can restore itself to full health!”

The livestream fell quiet for a beat.

“No way, that’s dirty!”

“Onix’s physical attack would be at ten thousand… sorry, got carried away.”

“What if Water Shuriken kills Shiftry outright?”

“Good question!” Teacher Lu praised. “To avoid that, we need a second Pokémon—Arcanine Pup.”

“Only Greninja, Ninjask… and the ever-versatile Arcanine Pup can learn Water Shuriken. Ninjask has its merits, but to avoid a critical hit one-shotting Shiftry… let’s go with Arcanine Pup!”

The chat flooded with laughter.

With Teacher Lu’s track record, that one-hit play was a real possibility!

On screen, beside Shiftry stood an Arcanine Pup with a vacant gaze, holding its tail like a paintbrush.

Teacher Lu said, “Arcanine Pup’s Water Shuriken triggers Shiftry’s Weakness Policy and ability, then uses Follow Me to create an opening for the teammate.”

“This is how a weak Pokémon, with the right tactical pairing, forms a combo!”

The chat spiked again.

“Calling this ‘weak’ now?”

“What kind of fiendish strategy is this!”

“Like I said, after activation Shiftry’s Attack and Special Attack are 200% of original, and Defense is 400%.”

Teacher Lu continued, “There’s a move called Nasty Plot that similarly raises one’s own stats.”

“For the third slot, bring a Pokémon that learns Nasty Plot—preferably a fast user. I recommend Espeon equipped with Helping Hand for explosive power. If you don’t have Espeon, you can substitute Psyduck.”

The chat chimed in: “If you don’t have Psyduck, use Psyduck instead.”

“If you don’t have it at all, you might as well stop watching.”

“Is this tactic even legit?”

“Because it’s five-on-four or six-on-four.” Teacher Lu said, “For the fourth slot, pick a tailwind or support like Togekiss.”

After assembling the team, Teacher Lu hit the match button.

“Inviting our first volunteer!”

……

Alola’s eastern island: Ula’Ula Island.

As the largest island in Alola, Ula’Ula’s guardian deity is a horned bovine Tapu, and the island’s monarch is Murdane.

Miare City, Miare Library.

This library held Ula’Ula Island’s richest collection: rows of bookshelves ringed the room, with ladders leading to the upper stacks.

At four in the morning, all was silent.

The library glowed faintly with candlelight spirits;

a purple-haired girl sat on a high shelf reading.

Her shiny Alolan Grimer wore a bowtie and rustled as it used its paws to hand a book to the purple-haired girl.

“Thanks, little Grimer~”

Acerola propped her chin on her hand, pursed her lips, and smiled. “What time is it now?”

Grimer handed over her phone.

Acerola took the phone and stretched. “Only four… I can still watch a bit more!”

This nocturnal girl had a special affinity for Ghost-type Pokémon and often attracted their affection.

Under Grimer’s disguise was the true ghost—a specter similar to the Gastly of Maiden Cove or the mansion ghosts of Hundred-Year Forest.

When Ghost-type Pokémon die, they become ghosts—either passing to the spirit world or lingering in the mortal plane.

Acerola rubbed her eyes and tapped the glowing screen to refresh the trainers’ forum feed.

The stream that popped up was the one that had just gone live and quickly climbed the popularity charts.

“Miare City’s stream… there’s an eight-hour time difference from here.”

Acerola mumbled and tapped;

the screen roared with Howl.

“It’s decided—Shiftry!!”

Acerola, the headphone user, shivered but grew curious.

As a Ghost specialist, she of course recognized Alola’s distinctive Ghost Pokémon, Shiftry.

She found Shiftry adorable and often helped lost Shiftry find their missing sand shovels.

“Harden in Water paired with Water Shuriken?”

Acerola pursed her lips;

her eyes sparkled. “Sounds really useful, lol”

Years ago, Ash’s self-made Counter Shield had already been adopted by others in the Masters Tournament, yet it still made Melisa gasp in admiration.

Maybe some trainer somewhere had already developed the Harden-in-Water tactic, but teaching it live brings a different kind of meaning—spreading the idea.

Acerola cupped her cheeks and watched intently, murmuring:

“It’s Teacher Lu… people talk about him a lot…”

The hero who’d saved Twinleaf City and repelled Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon.

A trainer of that caliber hosting a tutorial livestream—his popularity was unsurprising.

On screen.

Trainers collided midair, sparks lighting up the arena.

[Has Teacher Lu eaten today?] VS [Crown Tundra Research Team]

“Are all the Crown Tundra trainers here?”

“That’s the region rumored to have new forms of the Legendary Birds.”

“Up there is a science team mastermind;

I followed his account!”

Lu Ye blinked.

Crown Tundra?

Is this a Pokémon: Battle DLC update?!

If the opponent pulls out a Regieleki, even Deoxys wouldn’t match its speed!

Bamboo Lan quietly said, “The Crown Tundra research team’s recent findings have been outstanding;

they won several awards at the Scientific Summit.”

Lu Ye nodded.

In Crown Tundra, the Galarian forms of the Legendary Birds, the dragon and electric Colossal Beasts, and the Reigning King that drove two horses all gathered.

The backstory wasn’t exceptional: scientific surveys and beast captures. The Reigning King was notable.

In ancient times, the ruler of Galar had been the Reigning King.

As for what happened to ancient Sinnoh—that’s for Arceus the game to reveal;

Teacher Lu wasn’t clairvoyant.

Squinting, he saw the opponent’s trainer card: a middle-aged man with a beard who looked eighty percent like Chairman Rose.

Captain of the Crown Tundra research team and Steel-type Champion—Piony.

Why is Piony a champion? Because in Galar, the value of the champion title before Dan Emperor’s generation was low.

Master Dojo dominated 13 Galar leagues;

after his retirement, Piony finally claimed the title.

The trainer card showed a younger photo of him laughing heartily with his daughter “Summer” Shacoya on his shoulder.

Lu Ye thought, “This guy’s a doting dad.”

Summer hit her rebellious phase and leaned toward a dark, flashy style—Piony sighed at that.

On-screen, Piony wore an orange research uniform and strode onto the field.

Clang!

Both teams appeared.

Piony: [Aggron, Persian, Bronzong, Copperajah]

Teacher Lu: [Shiftry, Arcanine Pup, Espeon, Gastrodon]

“Go, Shiftry! Arcanine Pup!” Lu Ye commanded.

Elsewhere, wind and snow raged outside;

Piony sat bored in the research tent, stroking his beard and mumbling:

“Teacher Lu… I think I’ve heard that name before.”

He’d heard rumors he was a genius like the Dan Emperor, popular in Galar.

But still.

What can a Shiftry actually do?!

“Bronzong, Trick Room—” Piony barked. “Persian, Fake Out!”

Persian’s fur was as hard as steel, its Hidden Ability Steelworker granting a rare team-wide boost to Steel-type moves.

“Meow!!”

Persian charged Arcanine Pup and clapped its paws together inches from the Pup’s face.

But Arcanine Pup swung its paint-dipped tail;

a vivid green Protect barrier sprang up and shoved Persian back.

Meanwhile,

a big question-mark lit across Shiftry’s forehead, its expression vacant;

Amnesia drastically raised its Special Defense!

A layer of Trick Room enveloped the field.

Bronzong was withdrawn;

Aggron, roaring and armored like metal, was sent out.

At the same moment, Piony stroked his chin and stared oddly at Arcanine Pup.

Honestly, Pokémon like that rarely made it to official fields.

And Piony didn’t think Arcanine Pup could do much under Trick Room!

“Arcanine Pup, Water Shuriken.”

Lu Ye said in passing, “Water Shuriken has higher priority;

even under Trick Room where slower Pokémon act first, Arcanine Pup—originally the later mover—can strike first!”

Arcanine Pup swung its paint-laden tail;

three watery shurikens formed and sliced through the wind!

Water Shuriken?!

Piony blinked.

This shouldn’t do damage… wait—the shurikens target his teammate, Shiftry!

Before he could think further, Piony roared, “Aggron, Ice Punch at Shiftry!”

Thud! Thud!

Aggron stepped forward like a rolling mountain;

its steel helmeted eyes flashed, and its iron fist glinted with freezing cold!

They closed the distance.

Water Shuriken struck Shiftry;

an energy membrane shattered—Weakness Policy activated!

At the same time, Harden in Water triggered: Shiftry’s body expanded in concentric rings, its sand gleaming metallic;

a wall of sand like a sigh rose before Aggron!

Aggron reared and slammed out Ice Punch, the force detonating!

The attack struck true!

However, Shiftry’s Defense—boosted fourfold—stood immutable, opening its maw in what looked like mockery.

Piony froze.

Water Shuriken fully stacked Shiftry’s defenses!?

“This is real sand-scraping!”

“Ice Punch feels like tickling it!”

But Piony’s despair did not end there.

Shiftry was now an impassable sighing wall.

When Trick Room ended and Espeon switched in, the ruby on its forehead glowed;

Nasty Plot triggered, its fur taking on a metallic sheen!

Helping Hand, empowered by the boosted stats, launched a dazzling beam that struck the half-health Aggron and, with a rumble, knocked it out outright!

“Such a combo?”

“Impossible to prepare for!”

The score settled at 4–1.

While the viewers marveled and learned the dirty trick, Teacher Lu casually pulled out another system.

For the second match, the opponent was still Piony.

Piony stared at the team on the other side and widened his eyes.

“Clefairy and Dusknoir?”

What bizarre lineup was this?

Teacher Lu said, “Clefairy’s ability is Strongman, which greatly boosts its Attack. Dusknoir’s ability Wandering Spirit swaps abilities when it is hit by a contact move.”

“The point of this system is for Clefairy to use Drain Punch to transfer Strongman to Dusknoir at the same time triggering Weakness Policy, allowing Dusknoir to deal explosive damage!”

Acerola listened, puzzled.

Two consecutive attackers, both Ghost-type Pokémon—she never imagined such a tactic existed.

She had thought of the Shiftry Harden-in-Water tactic herself.

But Dusknoir swapping an ability to gain Strongman? She’d never heard of that!

“Worth trying…”

Acerola cupped her face, forming a wry smile. “Feels like it would work great!”

Both tactics were more entertainment-style than serious systems like Trick Room or Perish Song.

Still, viewers unlocked new knowledge.

“I’m learning too much!”

“Wait—is that it? Two tactics and we’re done?”

“To be honest, it’s thanks to trainers like Teacher Lu that new tactics keep getting discovered. Weak Pokémon won’t be buried… that’s the romance of Pokémon!”

“What does ‘Champion’s Road’ in the title mean anyway?”

“That’s what I’m about to say…” Lu Ye paused.

Actually, challenging the Champion’s Road is troublesome, but unavoidable.

Because…

If you want to propose to the Sinnoh Champion, you need a respectable title…

That was part of Teacher Lu’s thinking.

“I’ve decided.”

Lu Ye announced, “I’ll enter next month’s Champion’s Road in Donghua and see how far I can go.”

The livestream quieted.

Everyone had imagined Teacher Lu challenging the Champion’s Road.

But when he actually announced it, emotions froze for a moment.

Suddenly,

a tidal wave of comments flooded the chat!

“ohhhh!!”

“When is the Donghua Championship, Teacher Lu!”

“Lu Bao, my superhero!!”

Lu Ye smiled faintly at the chat.

A long-unheard notification sounded in his ear.

[Ding! Quest ‘Champion’s Road’ activated!]

[Quest Objective: Secure at least a seat among the Elite Four on Champion’s Road.]

[Quest Reward: Random Rare Berry*3, Luxury Ball*1 (Elite Four);

Random Rare Berry*5, Master Ball*1 (Champion).]

Lu Ye blinked.

It resurrected at just this moment…

Lu Ye thought, “Do these berries ripen reliably?”

[?]

……