A young man with a spiky, light brown hairstyle and a handsome face that carried a trace of arrogance stood tall. He wore a black short-sleeved shirt with purple long pants, his entire presence exuding a strong aura of sharp, confident energy.
Blue Oak! The very first Champion in the entire Pokémon game franchise!
If you've played the original Pokémon games from childhood, you could never forget him—
That very first rival… the professor's grandson… your final opponent!
When you enter the path to challenge the Elite Four, defeating Lorelei, Bruno, Agatha, and finally Lance…
Lance will tell you that someone has already beaten the four of them before you and become the new Champion!
And if you truly want to claim victory, you must defeat him.
Yes—that person is Blue! The very first Pokémon League Champion in the entire franchise!
Also known as the shortest-reigning Champion in history—
After all, he hadn't even warmed the seat before getting dethroned.
There have been many protagonists and rivals throughout the Pokémon series, but the duo that left the deepest impression will always be Red and Blue, those two classic rivals.
Blue was the Champion and final boss of Generation I.
In the Gold and Silver series, he returned as the Gym Leader of Viridian City and continued to appear in later games as well.
As for Red, after defeating Blue and becoming Champion, he gave up the title to pursue more intense training—climbing alone to the summit of Mt. Silver.
He also became the final hidden boss in Gold and Silver.
Yes, this pair of rivals are truly timeless legends.
Even outside their original games, they often appear as guests in other series as well.
"So it really is Blue, huh?"
Lucas looked at the proud, sharp-eyed young man in front of him, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled into a smile.
What a pleasant surprise!
There are actually three versions of Blue:
The top-tier prodigy who became Champion within a year in the games.
The arrogant but less-gifted anime counterpart, Gary Oak, who was eventually humbled and became a researcher.
The calm and composed Pokémon breeder Blue in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
Aside from the anime version, both the game and manga versions of Blue are absolute geniuses.
After all, the Blue from Pokémon Adventures was originally based on the game's Blue.
And the young man before him—his aura didn't lie. That wild, untamed energy could only belong to Blue or Gary.
Lucas could clearly sense that distinct presence of a strong-willed Champion level trainer!
"If he's already a Champion, then that means he didn't just start his journey."
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. There was no doubt that Blue was a top-tier genius. Becoming Champion in just one year was no joke.
But no matter how talented someone was, there had to be a limit. It was only February now—new Trainers had barely set out just over a month ago.
Becoming a Champion in just over a month? What is he, a god?
But then again, Lucas recalled that he hadn't heard anything about Blue at last year's Indigo League Conference.
Which meant Blue must have been in seclusion, training intensely, and hadn't participated at all.
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At this moment, in the battle arena—
Standing across from Blue was a mature man in a luxurious black suit: Giovanni Sakaki, the Viridian Gym Leader.
Standing beside the arena was a beautiful, purple-haired woman in an office-lady uniform—Giovanni's secretary, Matori.
"Long time no see, Gym Leader Giovanni."
Blue wore a proud grin on his handsome face as he spoke to Giovanni.
He knew Giovanni. During his year of intense training, he had challenged him before.
"Indeed, it's been a while. So you're planning to enter this year's Indigo League?"
Giovanni smiled politely.
"That's right. After a year of training, I've carefully selected the Pokémon that best suit me. This year, I, Blue, will take the championship!"
Blue's smirk deepened as he lifted his chin arrogantly, radiating overwhelming confidence and pride.
He had always been like this—a person with extraordinary talent. He was the grandson of Professor Oak.
Since childhood, Blue had followed Professor Oak around, absorbing Pokémon knowledge day in and day out.
His dream was simple and pure:
He, Blue, would become the world's greatest Trainer!
And it was that pure, unwavering dream that had carried him this far.
"Tch~ What a cocky kid."
Hearing Blue's words, Karen couldn't help but click her tongue. This kind of young person who knew no fear—how utterly reckless.
But still… why did that arrogant attitude seem so familiar?
Karen glanced at Lucas. Yep… there was a resemblance.
"Haha, looks like this year's Indigo League will be quite the spectacle. So, are you here today to challenge me for a badge?"
Giovanni remained composed despite Blue's brashness. His deep voice was magnetic, and he still wore his signature gentlemanly smile.
Because he knew—Blue wasn't being arrogant.
He'd met Blue last year when the boy had only just started his journey.
Giovanni had only ever used one word to describe Blue:
Monster.
Yes—a monster. The word "genius" no longer sufficed to describe this proud young man.
As the Gym Leader of Viridian City, Giovanni had seen many talented Trainers—
But never had he met someone as terrifyingly gifted as Blue.
When Blue challenged him last year, he was still Elite Four level.
Now, just a year later, he had already become Champion-tier!
A single year! That's all it took to reach Champion level!
His understanding of Pokémon, battle strategies, flexible tactics, and training speed—
Blue was elite in all areas, with no weaknesses.
And the most terrifying part was—
Last year, Giovanni had met three of these kinds of monsters!
Yes—three of them!
Besides Blue, there was another boy from the same hometown—
And the third one…
Giovanni's gaze turned toward Lucas, who had just stepped into the arena.
His smile deepened slightly as he gave him a slight nod.
"Yes. I didn't defeat you last year. That remains one of my few regrets. So, this year, my first badge must come from the Viridian Gym."
Blue pulled out a Poké Ball.
He had been waiting here for days to challenge Giovanni.
But Giovanni had been away for some time recently, so Blue had no choice but to wait.
Because of that delay, that annoying Red had already pulled ahead in his journey.
"I apologize. During my recent travels, my main team suffered various injuries. If you want to challenge me now, I can only use my secondary lineup."
Giovanni spoke with a bit of regret in his mature tone.
Naturally, he wouldn't use his main team to fight every challenger.
He usually relied on a standard roster for Gym battles.
"If it's not your main team, then this Gym battle won't be much of a challenge."
Blue frowned. He was arrogant, but he had principles.
He wanted to defeat Giovanni at full strength.
Fighting a second-rate lineup? That was just insulting.
"Tsk, Then I'll come back tomorrow."
Blue clicked his tongue in annoyance and recalled his Poké Ball.
But since Giovanni said his main team was still recovering, he had no choice.
"If you don't mind, I can have someone else battle you on my behalf. If you win, it will still count as defeating me."
Just as Giovanni expected, Blue was indeed ready to walk away.
So he offered a different proposal, his eyes gleaming.
"Oh? Gym Leader Giovanni, you do realize that an average Trainer isn't a match for me."
Blue raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He was only interested in strong opponents.
The only Gym Leader in Kanto who could still spark his interest was Giovanni himself.
If Giovanni tossed out some random weakling, Blue wouldn't even bother wasting his time.
"Hehe~ Don't worry. A Trainer as outstanding as you deserves to face someone equally exceptional."
Giovanni's smile deepened, his tone meaningful.
And as he spoke, his eyes turned to Lucas.
Only monsters can face monsters.
That was what Giovanni had told Matori not long ago.
It was also his firm belief.
Blue and the other boy, Red, were both true monsters.
But Team Rocket had their own monster—Lucas Blackthorn.
"Interesting."
Blue's eyes lit up with curiosity as he looked at Lucas.
Clearly, Giovanni was referring to him.
Lucas: "…."
He'd just been enjoying the show, and suddenly he'd been dragged into the middle of it?
He had actually been quite looking forward to watching the match between Giovanni and Blue…
Standing beside him, Marnie and the others also blinked in surprise.
"Uncle Giovanni, don't you think this is a little unfair?"
Lucas glanced at Blue, then at Giovanni, and chuckled.
"Blue is a true genius, and so are you, Lucas. I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about."
Giovanni replied gently.
Outwardly, he always maintained the image of a refined, stable, and outstanding businessman.
"Lucas, is it? Interested in having a battle with me?"
Blue's expression perked up, and he took the initiative to challenge Lucas.
His instincts told him—this boy's strength was formidable.
It was a sudden, inexplicable feeling, but also completely natural.
"Tsk tsk, What a novel-like development. Lucas, he's asking you directly. Are you going to say no?"
Karen smiled brightly, clearly enjoying the situation.
Someone challenging Lucas? She was all for it!
Not that she thought he'd lose—she just enjoyed seeing someone try to ruffle his feathers.
Lucas usually looked down on weak Trainers, so it was funny seeing a cocky rookie latch onto him.
"Well, since things are already like this… let's have some fun."
Lucas shrugged. He wasn't going to say no.
Especially since the opponent was Blue—he was quite interested himself.
"I hope you don't disappoint me. I've actually got a bit of hope riding on this."
Blue looked at Lucas as he walked over to the center of the arena and spoke with a smirk, holding his Poké Ball tightly.
"Likewise. I hope you don't bore me to sleep."
Lucas smiled lightly and fired back without hesitation.
Blue raised an eyebrow, his Poké Ball spinning faster and faster in his hand.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Among his peers, other than that annoying Red, no one had ever made his heart race like this.
Was this… excitement?
Blue's eyes sparkled as he looked at Lucas.
He was genuinely excited.
Matori adjusted her glasses and stepped forward with a small flag in hand.
"We now begin the Viridian Gym Battle! Acting Gym Leader Lucas will battle Blue from Pallet Town! The rules are 3 vs 3!"
"The first to have all three of their Pokémon lose the ability to fight will be considered defeated!"
"Let the battle begin!"
With that, Matori stepped back and focused intently on both Trainers.
She knew full well—Blue was a once-in-a-generation genius.
And Lucas… was another monstrous talent.
A clash between two monsters—
Even she couldn't help but be excited.
"It's not quite a standard Gym challenge… but since I'm the acting Gym Leader, I'll go first."
(End of Chapter)