The Ice and Water-type Cloyster had a slight type advantage.
Charizard's Fire and Flying-type moves wouldn't deal extra or reduced damage to Cloyster. However, Cloyster's Water-type moves would deal double damage to Charizard.
Given how much training Kuzan and Charlotte had invested in these first partners, it was clear they wouldn't rely solely on basic moves. Both Pokémon likely had moves that could deliver "super-effective" hits.
"Dragon Breath!"
Charlotte made the first move. Charizard's greatest assets in battle were its speed and special attack, and failing to use these effectively would leave it with few chances to strike, especially against a physical defense tank like Cloyster.
This time, Charizard used a straightforward move rather than a jutsu or ninjutsu technique. Charizard only had Fire Chakra, which limited its ability to combine its Fire Chakra with other moves; any ninjutsu techniques it performed would simply be Fire-type, which didn't necessarily boost its power compared to Dragon-type moves.
"Ice Beam."
Kuzan calmly issued his command. Against Dragon-type moves, Ice was one of the best counters aside from Fairy.
Dodging was hardly feasible for Cloyster due to its low speed and clumsy movements. Usually, it would either counter with a stronger move or retreat into its shell to endure the attack.
With Charizard and Cloyster being on relatively equal levels, Ice Beam successfully blocked Dragon Breath, neutralizing the move.
"Brick Break!"
The Fighting-type move could deal double damage to Cloyster. However, most Fighting-type moves were physical, and Charizard struggled with mastering the rare special Fighting moves.
"Iron Defense."
Although called Iron Defense, this move actually involved the Iron Defense skill combined with Rokushiki's Tekkai and Armament Haki. Cloyster's already impressive physical defense became even sturdier against Charizard's Fighting-type moves.
Smack!
A crisp sound echoed as Charizard struck and then flew back into the air, while Cloyster peeked out with a sly grin. The attack had barely scratched Cloyster; even a Fire-type special move would have been more effective.
"A-rank Fire Release: Swirling Devastation!"
The combined ninjutsu of Great Fire Annihilation and Fire Spin created a technique with slightly enhanced damage and a large area of effect, typically used in team battles.
"Hydro Cannon."
When facing a Fire move, a Water move was the natural choice. With the advantage of type, the power of Hydro Cannon could even counter a Fire-boosted ninjutsu.
"Air Slash!"
Charlotte was starting to feel frustrated, as every move seemed to be countered. She considered using Glaceon but quickly dismissed the idea.
A pure Ice-type Pokémon like Glaceon had little chance against Cloyster, especially at a lower level. Charizard was her only hope for victory; if Charizard lost, the match would be over.
"Light Screen."
Cloyster had no specific way to counter Flying-type moves. However, knowing Cloyster's weakness to special attacks, Kuzan had it learn Light Screen to reduce incoming special damage. For the next few turns, Charizard's special attacks would be weakened.
But for now, Cloyster had to endure this hit from Air Slash.
"Tch."
Cloyster made a disdainful sound after taking the hit, looking slightly annoyed yet still unbothered by Charizard's presence.
"Roar!"
This taunting pushed Charizard's temper over the edge. It was already hot-headed, and now it was being mocked openly.
"Toxic Spikes and Spikes."
Kuzan shifted strategies, setting up hazards for the next Pokémon, Glaceon. Countless poisonous and spiked hazards were scattered across the field, posing a constant threat for Glaceon once it entered, forcing it to avoid stepping on them as much as possible.
"Heat Wave!"
Charlotte wasn't about to let Kuzan set up without retaliation, so she commanded Charizard to unleash its move.
"Waterfall."
This time, Kuzan opted to go on the offensive. A towering wave rose beneath Cloyster, carrying it toward Charizard in the air.
The hot, reddish wind from Heat Wave barely affected the massive wave, only raising its temperature slightly. Charizard, unable to fly away in time, was hit head-on by the descending waterfall, taking significant damage.
An overwhelming sense of helplessness filled Charlotte as she faced that stubborn shell. Armament Haki and Light Screen's presence greatly diminished her one advantage in special attacks.
While Fighting, Rock, Grass, and Electric moves could counter Cloyster, Charizard either lacked special moves of those types or had physical moves that would be severely weakened against Cloyster's defenses.
Cloyster struggled to reach Charizard in the air but could inflict massive damage when it did. Meanwhile, Charizard had no effective way to deal with Cloyster's defenses, and even its weaker hits were mostly neutralized.
It was as if the battle were mirroring the fights between shinobi and the mighty warriors of the One Piece world.
Charlotte desperately searched for an opening, but none seemed effective. In the end, Charizard was defeated, and Cloyster, though somewhat drained, still had plenty of health left.
When Glaceon entered the field, it was immediately damaged and poisoned. Kuzan quickly recalled Cloyster, sending Glalie out to take an Ice Beam as a trade-off.
Against Glaceon, Glalie —more agile in the air—was the better choice.
Eventually, Glalie defeated Glaceon, granting Kuzan victory in this quarterfinal match.
Thus, the top four were decided, marking the birth of the Four Emperors.
Boa Hancock.
Brook.
Hannyabal.
Kuzan.
Among these powerful competitors, who would claim the championship remained uncertain.
But based on past identities, it seemed that pirates would first battle among themselves, followed by an internal navy duel, and finally, a showdown between pirate and navy.
"Speaking of..."
Charlotte recalled her Pokémon and felt a nostalgic twinge as she remembered an old tale she once read as a child.
"During the first Battle Tournament a century ago, there was a brilliant, fleeting genius girl among the top eight contestants. She swept through the tournament with a team of rare Pokémon, advancing until she faced the Ice Emperor, Kuzan. However, she was ultimately stopped by that 'Dragon Slayer' Cloyster. Afterward, she disappeared from the tournament scene, possibly settling down."
"So, that fleeting genius girl was me, huh… Haha."
Charlotte chuckled, amused by the revelation.
The outcome had been destined all along; her presence didn't change history but fulfilled it. She was always meant to appear here in the tournament.
With these thoughts, Charlotte left the arena, intending to return to her accommodations and gather her belongings.
The tournament was over, and it was time to return to her own time.
At the inn.
"Hmph! When I get back, I'll reenter the One Piece Pokémon Battle Tournament. This time, I'll at least make it to the knockout rounds!"
Charlotte muttered to herself, boosting her confidence as she packed up.
"With that strength, you're only barely making it into the knockouts now? Even in the lower ranks?"
A voice suddenly spoke up, startling Charlotte.
"First Hokage! Don't sneak up on people like that!"
Charlotte turned, puffing up her cheeks in annoyance before replying, "Everyone later on was really strong. Almost all knockout round contenders had mastered Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, or Dynamax techniques. Forbidden jutsu, dojutsu, sword techniques, Devil Fruit powers, and magic were all commonplace. Even in the lower leagues, a rookie trainer like me, with just a year of traveling, could only make it to the group stages."
"I see…"
Dak opened his mouth, surprised at how much the Pokémon world had evolved in a century.
Forbidden jutsu, sword techniques, and Devil Fruit powers aside, there were even dojutsu and magic? Dark couldn't help but wonder if someone had done something strange with a Gardevoir or…
The thought made him shudder, and he stopped his musings.
If human-Pokémon unions became a trend, Dak wouldn't interfere but wouldn't support it either; he'd simply let things take their course.
"First Hokage, will you send me back?"
"Of course, in a couple of days. After the tournament ends, I'll have Dialga open a time portal."
Dak nodded.
In this era, only Dialga could send Charlotte back a hundred years to the future, though a certain Time Fruit user, if they existed, might also have the power.
Of course, he and Dialga couldn't go along.
Perhaps one day he'd be interested enough to visit the future and test the League Champions, but not right now.
First, he had to check on the situation in the shinobi world.
Second, he feared causing a commotion by suddenly appearing, considering his apparent fame in the future.
"Yay, two extra days to enjoy—and I get to meet the legendary 'God of Time!'"
(End of Chapter)
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