Chapter 27: So, you're treating me like Team Rocket now?

"Hello, hello? Moshi moshi? Aloha? Can you hear me?"

The classic, rare four-language opening immediately energized the audience already waiting in the stream.

"Great, it’s Teacher Shui! The flight I’ve been waiting for all day can finally take off!"
"Ahhhhh, you’re so bold, Master!"
"Classic battle-cry opener. If I pull out a Golden Baron, will you explode?"
"Speak! Where did you go when you took leave yesterday?"
"Update, update, update! Can the streamer hurry up and release the second half of Arceus: Genesis?"
"I never watch this kind of content, but this is actually really good. I’ll allow you one more day off to finish the next episode."
"One day off? Half a day! I want to see the update as soon as I wake up!"
"..."

With the drama between Iono and Raihan having subsided, the stream, now free of trolls, returned to its usual lively atmosphere. Although he certainly wasn’t earning as much as he was during that period, Xia Chi still preferred this current state of streaming.

"Taking leave yesterday? Of course, I was out fooling around at the Jynx Club. Did you think I was editing videos?"

"Want to see the update when you wake up? No problem. I’ll find a Hypno to hypnotize you for a month; you’ll definitely see the update when you wake up."

While bantering with the chat, Xia Chi launched *Pokémon: Road to Champion*.

"Today’s program is, as always, climbing the ranks for our Admirals."

The recent surge in popularity had successfully converted many passersby into fans, and Xia Chi had gained two more Admirals. Unless there were special circumstances, the stream’s content was dedicated to helping them climb the ladder. Generally, fans willing to pay for an Admiral subscription were well-off, and the quality of their accounts was very high.

However, the account belonging to the Admiral named "Kanto’s Number One Romantic" was ridiculously high-quality. Apart from the Legendary Pokémon not included in the Pokédex, he was missing nothing, and all stats and EVs were top-tier—completely maxed out. It was clear he had spent a fortune. Of course, the rank of "Kanto’s Number One Romantic" wasn't low either; he was a high-ranked player in the Ultra Ball tier. But regardless of whether it was high-ranked or top-tier play, Xia Chi wasn't intimidated in the slightest.

Just as he was preparing to build his team and start dominating, the account owner sent a paid message worth 1,000.

"Teacher Shui, can I designate a specific Pokémon?"

Xia Chi readily agreed: "Of course, feel free to request one!"

Trainers having a favorite Pokémon or wanting to learn a specific playstyle was perfectly normal.

Such a reasonable request from a fan was something Xia Chi, as a streamer who doted on his audience, would naturally not refuse. Then, "Kanto’s Number One Romantic" sent a paid bullet comment.

"Really, streamer? I want to see Psyduck!"

Xia Chi: "..."

"Come on, man. You’re at the Ultra Ball tier, the second-highest after Master Ball. Don’t you want your rank anymore? You’re really bringing out a Psyduck?"

He thought that since the guy subscribed as an Admiral, he’d be a loyal fan, but it turned out that once the mask was off, he was just another troll who loved to watch the world burn.

Xia Chi responded with a deadpan expression: "Buddy, are you trying to treat me like Team Rocket?"

But there was no choice; he had given his word. Amidst the schadenfreude and laughter in the chat, he had to start brainstorming a team composition.

***

Psyduck was the epitome of a "baby Pokémon" with no practical use. Although Misty’s Psyduck could unleash terrifying psychic power after a migraine attack, that was an individual case and couldn't be equated to the game. Moreover, unlike Trapinch, which was naturally slow but high-attack, or Pachirisu, which was packed with support moves, Psyduck was incredibly mediocre in both stats and move pool.

Building a strong team was impossible; he had to find another way, perhaps by resorting to some "dirty" tactics...

As soon as "dirty" was mentioned, Xia Chi grew excited. With his brain whirring, he quickly devised a theoretically viable strategy. Throughout the process of selecting Pokémon and moves, the screen was filled with confused question marks. A small number of passersby who didn't know Xia Chi, or trolls looking to stir up trouble, continued to post skeptical comments.

Xia Chi remained silent, quickly constructing the team for the 6-choose-3 single battle—Garchomp, Dudunsparce, Blaziken, Whimsicott, Grimmsnarl... and that yellow, duck-like creature with a vacant, goofy look on its face.

Pokémon battle enthusiasts from his past life could tell at a glance: this was just a Blaziken Speed Boost Baton Pass team! Whimsicott or Grimmsnarl would set up screens first, then let Blaziken use its Ability [Speed Boost] and the move [Swords Dance] to drastically increase its speed and attack, before using [Baton Pass] to transfer the buffs to Garchomp for a sweep. The inclusion of Dudunsparce and Psyduck, however, seemed nonsensical.

To the eyes of most viewers in this world, this was yet another bizarre lineup that made no sense, consisting mostly of obscure Pokémon, save for Garchomp and Blaziken. Oh wait—after Xia Chi successfully shook up the ranked ladder, more and more players had started to value support-oriented status moves. The usage rate of Whimsicott and Grimmsnarl, with their [Prankster] ability, was no longer particularly low.

Regardless, Xia Chi didn't care about the audience's reaction. After finalizing the lineup, he pressed the "Matchmaking" button.

The queue time during prime time was still fast. The next second, the "Match Found" text appeared on the screen.

*Kanto’s Number One Romantic* VS *Women Only Affect the Speed at Which I Throw Poké Balls!*

Good grief, that was some peak "Sigma Male" energy. Before the battle even started, his "Romantic Internet God" ID felt like it had already lost half the battle. Of course, Xia Chi only dared to grumble about that in his head.

He glanced at the opponent's lineup: Torkoal, Venusaur, Charizard, Chandelure, Arcanine, and Incineroar. It was a standard, popular "Violent Sun" team, complete with the Incineroar that had become extremely popular under Xia Chi’s influence.

Xia Chi didn't hesitate and selected Grimmsnarl, Blaziken, and Garchomp. Although the fact that Psyduck didn't make the cut left those looking for a laugh somewhat disappointed, Xia Chi’s "Baton Pass" strategy quickly captured their attention.

Grimmsnarl set up dual screens and then lay down to wait for defeat. Torkoal, having taken down Grimmsnarl, grew confident and continued to blast fire at the incoming Blaziken. Just when everyone expected an intense exchange, Blaziken played it safe. After a [Swords Dance], it used [Protect] to stall for time. The opponent didn't think much of it, letting Torkoal continue to blast Fire-type moves under the sunlight. Even as a Fire-type, Blaziken—shielded by [Light Screen]—couldn't hold out forever, and its health bar dropped rapidly.

Just as the opponent thought victory was in hand, the god-tier move to turn the tide appeared: [Baton Pass]!

Having used [Swords Dance] three times and with [Speed Boost] active for at least half a minute, Blaziken transferred all its buffs to Garchomp before its last sliver of health vanished.

The tide of battle turned instantly.

Earthquake! Dragon Claw! Rock Slide!

Without the influence of Trick Room or other interference, Garchomp, inheriting the terrifying buffs from Blaziken, turned into a bulldozer, knocking them out one by one. Torkoal, Charizard, and even the incredibly durable Venusaur couldn't withstand a single hit.

The first match, secured!