Chapter 116: Teacher, Times Have Changed (Fourth Update)

Huh...

Zhao Jie looked at Teacher Ji Zhanhui with great surprise. He truly had not expected the teacher to pull such a move on him.

Isn't this just showing off?

Looking at the students around him, none of whom even had a Mature-level Digimon, he really didn't want to engage in this kind of posturing. Imagine a high school student running over to an elementary school to show off by asking, "Do you know linear geometry?"

It was low, far too low.

However, since Teacher Ji Zhanhui had already spoken, it wouldn't be right to refuse him outright. It was a real headache.

"Teacher, what kind of match do you have in mind?"

Zhao Jie thought for a moment; if he refused, the impact would likely be quite poor, so he ultimately agreed.

"The students' Digimon are all still at the Rookie level, so let's not evolve. How about we just spar at the Rookie level? Let them see just how insignificant their own Rookie-level Digimon are."

Ji Zhanhui looked at Zhao Jie with a smile. At his feet, his Gizamon was curiously observing the two newcomers. These two had somewhat eccentric minds; one loved playing video games, and the other’s hobby was binge-watching TV shows. Could there be any hobbies more absurd than that?

Zhao Jie nodded. Rookie versus Rookie was fine; compared to Mature level, this school training ground was indeed better suited for a spar at the Rookie stage.

"Fine, then Agumon, you go!"

Some Digimon might look like Rookies on the surface but were actually Mature level, like Gatomon. Since it was a Rookie-level battle, Zhao Jie could only send out Agumon.

Once Zhao Jie agreed, the entire area was cleared to create a large open space, leaving only Agumon and Gizamon in the center. The rest of the people and Digimon retreated to the sidelines, looking forward to the start of the battle.

"Who do you think will win?"

"Teacher Ji Zhanhui, surely. He's a veteran Tamer. Even if it's just the Rookie level, we've all seen the strength of that Gizamon."

"Not necessarily. Zhao Jie is the rising star of Shashi City; Agumon's strength is also very formidable."

"I also think it's Teacher Ji Zhanhui, because..."

The students gathered in small groups, whispering about the upcoming fight. Some students believed Zhao Jie's Agumon might win, but more were betting on Ji Zhanhui's Gizamon.

Soon, the surroundings grew quiet, for the battle had begun!

"Gizamon, give the Agumon opposite us a good lesson. Let it know how powerful you are."

"Ha."

Gizamon nodded, and under the watchful eyes of Zhao Jie and Agumon, the creature suddenly vanished!

It wasn't a true disappearance, but rather, it had blended perfectly into the surrounding environment. At the same time, Gizamon's stealth ability was so proficient that it simply looked as if it had vanished.

"Agumon!"

Without needing Zhao Jie to say anything more, Agumon began to move rapidly. Its feet flashed across the ground, never staying in one spot for more than three seconds.

"Give the teacher some face. Pretend you haven't discovered it, keep running, and wait for the Gizamon to attack!"

Through the Digital Rune, Zhao Jie's voice echoed in Agumon's mind.

"Alright!"

Agumon nodded nonchalantly. It had been prepared to blast Gizamon out with a Pepper Breath, but instead, it let its body drift lightly past where Gizamon was hiding.

*A perfect chance!*

Gizamon's eyes, hidden within the sand and dirt, lit up. A small swamp formed under Agumon's feet, attempting to drag it down.

"Sand Spray!"

A massive gust of sand and dirt erupted from the ground, striking toward Agumon. The attack was launched suddenly; if it had been any other Digimon, it might have been trapped, but Agumon had detected it long ago.

The moment Gizamon moved, flames erupted from Agumon's mouth. With a loud *bang*, the attack hit the swamp beneath its feet, and using the recoil, Agumon lightly vaulted to the side.

*Bang!*

Without even using a Small Flame, Agumon appeared directly beside Gizamon. One claw reached out and lifted the creature into the air.

"What are you doing?"

Gizamon’s eyes widened. Something was wrong—this script was all wrong! Shouldn't it have easily defeated the Agumon before it? Why was it the one being grabbed now?

"Sand."

Under Agumon’s gaze, the Gizamon in its hand dissolved into a handful of sand.

"Ha."

Gizamon reappeared a short distance away. Its expression turned serious. Controlling the surrounding sand with its digital energy, it formed a small sandstorm and swept it toward Agumon.

"That's enough."

Zhao Jie's voice echoed in Agumon's mind. There was no need to continue the fight. This sandstorm was likely Gizamon's most powerful move; he had allowed Gizamon to showcase its skills, so it was time to end the match.

"Whoosh!"

Under the gaze of everyone and every Digimon present, Agumon did not dodge or avoid, its yellow body instead accelerating.

*Bang!*

The crowd saw the small sandstorm dissipate into flying dust. Agumon, looking like a true god dominating the sandstorm, appeared instantly beside Gizamon once more.

*Slap!*

A crisp sound echoed through the training room, and then they saw Gizamon fly off like a cannonball.

*Thud!*

Finally, it landed heavily on the ground.

"Lost... it lost?"

Looking at the Gizamon collapsed on the floor, not to mention the students, even Ji Zhanhui was momentarily dazed. The battle had ended much faster than they had imagined. From their perspective, Agumon had just run around for a bit, then Gizamon launched an attack, and after that, Gizamon was completely dominated.

Wait...

Liu Cheng looked at Agumon, a spark of realization flashing in his mind. Could it be that Agumon had discovered Gizamon all along? Was all that running just to stall for time? That’s why, as soon as Gizamon emerged, it was cleanly and efficiently taken down!

"Ahem, not bad, not bad. Did you all see that? That is what a true Rookie-level Digimon battle looks like. What your Digimon do isn't a battle—it's a turn-based game."

*Turn-based game?*

*Even in a turn-based game, you're supposed to get one turn each! Teacher, you didn't even get a single turn; you just got beaten to a pulp.*

At that moment, they really wanted to say to their teacher: *Teacher, the times have changed.*

Of course, no one dared to say it out loud. The Gizamon, which looked like it was no match for Agumon, was usually an expert at knocking out their Digimon with a single punch.

"It was just luck, Teacher, pure luck. Gizamon was completely countered by Agumon."

"Mm, yes, ahem, that's right, it was quite a counter."

"Alright, our training officially begins now!"

Ji Zhanhui took the opportunity to back down and stopped dwelling on the topic; today was quite a blow to his ego. Others might not have been able to tell, but he saw it clearly: the strength of this Agumon was far greater than that of his Gizamon. To have cultivated an Agumon to this level in less than a year—he could only sum it up in two words: monster.

PS: Posting for the fourth time, requesting recommendations. BlackAgumon says: "Vote quickly, or I'll be your teammate in every game you play!"