The effect of the No Guard ability is that all moves used by both sides will always hit, which is a very powerful ability. When paired with some high-power but hard-to-hit moves, it is on par with Machop’s other ability, Guts.
However, for Lin Fan, the No Guard ability was much more troublesome than Guts, because in a guaranteed hit situation, Weedle’s fragile body could absolutely not trade blows with Machop.
While he was thinking, Machop had already rushed towards Weedle.
However, since it wasn't the No Guard ability, Weedle, which was already good at speed, also bounced to the side and used Splash, easily dodging Machop's Bullet Punch, leaving only a small punch mark on the ground.
“It can actually dodge Bullet Punch, what a fast reaction speed.”
Su Ling looked at this scene in surprise, her eyes blinked, and quickly became serious.
“Machop, use Focus Energy!”
Machop on the field took a deep breath, its muscles suddenly tensed, its gaze was sharp, its mind was incredibly focused, and in its eyes looking at Weedle, it seemed to have completely seen through all of the latter's movements.
“What fast Focus Energy speed, is this Machop exceptionally talented?”
Lin Fan looked at Machop, who had successfully used Focus Energy, in some surprise, muttering to himself.
“Focus Energy is one of our martial arts gym’s signature moves, and also one of the important moves for Fighting-type Pokémon. Under my special teaching method, Machop, who was already quite proficient in Focus Energy, naturally improved even further.”
Su Wu explained from the side, a smile on his face, clearly very confident in his martial arts gym’s teaching ability and special heritage.
“I see.” Lin Fan nodded slightly. Pokémon like Machop have a high talent for Focus Energy and can easily master it. On this basis, using the martial arts gym’s special Focus Energy method, it’s not surprising that it can use Focus Energy so quickly.
“After Weedle evolves into Beedrill, it will also need to rely on the Focus Energy move. Perhaps I can come and learn a trick or two then.”
Lin Fan thought to himself, and the command from his mouth did not stop.
“Weedle, continue to use String Shot!”
Weedle currently only masters two moves: String Shot and Poison Sting, and the Poison Sting move has not mastered a long-range attack method, it can only use the needle on its head or behind it to perform the Poison Sting move up close.
But if it’s a close-combat fight, Weedle will find it difficult to gain an advantage against Machop, which is known for its strength. It can only slowly weaken Machop’s speed with String Shot.
Facing Weedle’s Silk Thread, Machop was very disdainful, easily jumping to avoid the Silk Thread, and also took the opportunity to approach Weedle, its hands already emitting the unique glow of Bullet Punch, ready to strike.
“Being arrogant comes at a price.”
Lin Fan clearly saw Machop’s disdainful expression and smiled slightly.
“Weedle, spin around and spread Silk Thread around yourself!”
Upon hearing this, Weedle quickly spun its body, and the Silk Thread from its mouth also rotated with its movements, constantly waving in the air like a whip, forming a net, just waiting for Machop to enter it.
This was Lin Fan learning Ash’s move usage technique from his previous life—Counter Shield, which is a very practical move.
Machop’s expression quickly changed, and it frantically jumped around, trying to avoid Weedle’s Silk Thread, but it was still touched on the ankle by a strand of Silk Thread, and then was entangled by countless strands of Silk Thread, its speed significantly slowed.
Su Ling’s delicate brows furrowed, but she still calmly commanded: “Machop, don’t panic, just slowly approach Weedle. As long as you can hit it, victory is still ours!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Fan chuckled softly, without refuting, and just continued to command: “Weedle, use your speed to distance yourself from Machop, continue to use String Shot, this time targeting Machop’s wrist, to reduce Machop’s punching speed.”
Su Wu, who was beside him, looked at Lin Fan with some surprise, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
Although this was a very simple tactic, it was not simple for a rookie Trainer, especially to be able to be so calm, not choosing to pursue the advantage, able to clearly realize the strengths and weaknesses of both sides, and constantly expand his own strengths and weaken the opponent’s strengths until he was confident of a decisive blow.
Even he himself only realized how much a Trainer’s mindset affects battles after countless failures in his twenties, then painstakingly reflecting and secluding himself for several months.
Talented excellent Pokémon are external things that can be acquired; an excellent mindset is a Trainer’s greatest weapon.
Silently praising him in his heart, Su Wu continued to watch the battle on the field.
However, in his heart, the outcome had already been revealed.
On the field, Weedle constantly used its speed advantage to kite Machop, its seven abdominal legs running quickly, and constantly spitting out Silk Thread to entangle Machop.
Machop became increasingly anxious, especially when Su Ling on the sidelines could not provide effective commands, Machop was completely led by the nose by Weedle.
To save energy consumption, Machop no longer used Bullet Punch, but simply used its arm strength to tear off the Silk Thread entanglement, which also made Lin Fan frown slightly.
He had always believed that Silk Thread was very important to Weedle, even after evolving into Beedrill. It could effectively reduce the enemy’s speed and was one of the few crowd control moves for Bug-type Pokémon.
However, it seemed that the quality of Weedle’s Silk Thread was really not good. It seemed that he would have to find a way to improve the toughness of the Silk Thread later.
While Lin Fan was thinking, the situation on the field changed again.
Due to being unable to get close to Weedle for a long time, Machop had already become extremely anxious. Although Su Ling tried her best to calm Machop down, it was useless.
If you defend for too long, you will eventually make a mistake. In this situation, Machop finally got caught off guard, and both of its arms were entangled by Weedle’s Silk Thread, and its punching speed gradually slowed down.
It is well known that speed is strength, and the slowing of punching speed also means a decrease in the power of Machop’s Bullet Punch.
Looking at Machop trying to tear off the Silk Thread, Lin Fan’s mouth curved into a slight smile: “It’s time. Weedle, use Poison Sting!”
Upon hearing this, Weedle unhesitatingly arched its body, and after an extremely brief charge, it rushed towards Machop like an arrow leaving the bow, the needle on its head shimmering with a rich cold light.
Seeing this, Su Ling, who was originally a little anxious, suddenly felt a shock: “The opportunity is here! Machop, full power Bullet Punch!”
Machop, who could no longer hold back its anger, gave up trying to tear the Silk Thread, its eyes flashing with intense rage, the white light in its hands shining to the extreme, and it fiercely swung towards Weedle.
Did they think Weedle could compete with Machop in strength after entangling Machop with Silk Thread? They underestimated Machop too much!
In Su Ling’s confident gaze, Weedle and Machop collided violently, emitting a dull thud of flesh.
Bang!
After the collision, Weedle performed a graceful backflip and landed perfectly, while Machop stumbled back a few steps, clutching its fist, its face full of bewilderment.
Huh?
Su Ling widened her eyes, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her red lips slightly parted, completely unable to believe what had just happened.
“Was it an illusion? Weedle, repelled Machop head-on?!”