"Hmm?"
When Yozora so readily agreed to Gary's battle request, Professor Oak couldn't help but glance at him, doubt flickering in his eyes.
For years now, Yozora had been working under him as an assistant. The boy had long since become a Pokémon researcher in his own right, displaying astonishing talent and insight in academia.
In Oak's view, Yozora was already an outstanding Pokémon researcher.
And yet…
Even Gary knew the basics of Pokémon type matchups.
There was no reason Yozora wouldn't know—this was the foundation of the foundation!
Just what is that boy thinking?
With this question lingering in his mind, Professor Oak decided to watch the battle himself. "All right then, I'll be the referee for this match. Come on, let's head to the arena in the backyard."
Yozora and Gary both nodded and followed him outside.
Soon, the two young trainers stood across from each other, taking their stances.
"Go, Squirtle! This is your first battle—give it your all!" Gary kissed his Poké Ball with a flourish, then tossed it out.
"Squirtle, squirt!"
With a flash of light, a small Squirtle appeared on the field.
Most starter Pokémon were newly hatched and still small, with relatively low levels.
In this world, Pokémon were classified into tiers of strength: Rookie, Junior, Senior, Elite, Gym Leader Level, Elite Four Level, Champion Level, Pseudo-Legendary, Tier-3 Legendary, Tier-2 Legendary, Tier-1 Legendary, and Creator God.
Rookie, Junior, and Senior all belonged to the category of ordinary Pokémon.
Only upon reaching Elite did a Pokémon truly step onto the path of strength.
From there, every level forward became far more difficult.
And beyond Elite, each stage was further divided into four phases: early, mid, high, and peak.
Pokémon: Squirtle
Type: Water
Level: Rookie
Potential: Elite Four
"Elite Four potential?!"
Yozora's heart skipped when he scanned Squirtle's data.
No wonder the original story depicted this Squirtle as able to rival Ash's Charizard. Its natural talent and potential were indeed extraordinary.
Potential was tied to a Pokémon's innate talent and bloodline—it represented their ultimate limit.
Even with a lifetime of effort, most Pokémon could only go as far as their potential allowed.
This was the cruelest reality of this world: some Pokémon were born exceptional, while others were doomed to be ordinary.
Of course, there were rare encounters, special abilities, or miraculous treasures that could reshape a Pokémon's body and spirit, improving their aptitude and raising their potential.
"Gary's Squirtle has Elite Four potential… and Red's Bulbasaur probably isn't far behind."
"In the end, my Charmander really is the weakest of the three…"
Yozora smiled faintly, unconcerned.
Because he had the system—the power to defy fate for his Pokémon!
He remembered his Beedrill had originally only possessed Gym Leader potential.
But once Yozora granted it a second Ability—Huge Power—its potential skyrocketed to Champion level in an instant.
With the system, anything was possible.
His goal was clear: to become the strongest in the world!
"Come out, Charmander!" Yozora sent out his partner.
With both sides ready, Professor Oak nodded. "Then… begin the battle!"
"Squirtle, use Tackle!" Gary called out confidently.
"Charmander, use Tackle as well!" Yozora ordered without hesitation.
The two Pokémon charged forward, colliding hard in the middle of the field.
Neither gained the upper hand. Both staggered back, having taken equal damage.
"Hah! Yozora, did you think I meant to win with Tackle? How naïve!"
Gary laughed triumphantly. "Tackle was only to close the distance. The real finisher is this! Squirtle, use Water Gun!"
Gary knew what he was doing. If he had ordered Water Gun from the start, Charmander might have dodged.
But after closing in with Tackle, the hit rate of Water Gun was greatly increased.
Water beat Fire—double damage. A direct hit could easily decide the battle!
Unfortunately for him, every move had already been accounted for in Yozora's mind.
"Don't be afraid, Charmander! Charge in with Tackle!" Yozora commanded with a confident smile.
"What? He's insane—making Charmander take a Water Gun head-on?"
Gary froze, then sneered.
Yozora, you really disappoint me. I used to think too highly of you. You don't even understand the most basic rule: Water beats Fire.
With a sharp hiss, Squirtle's Water Gun splashed straight into Charmander's face.
But…
Instead of writhing in pain, Charmander's expression didn't change.
In fact, it almost looked… comfortable.
"Eh?!"
Gary, Professor Oak, and even Squirtle were stunned.
What was going on?
This Charmander… wasn't afraid of water?!
That was impossible!
And while they were still reeling, Charmander rammed into Squirtle with a devastating shoulder charge, knocking it back hard.
"Press the attack! Use Scratch!" Yozora barked.
Charmander lunged forward, claws flashing, and slashed Squirtle across the head.
Taking two heavy blows in quick succession, the poor turtle's vision swam. Its legs wobbled, then it collapsed unconscious.
"Squirtle!" Gary rushed forward in disbelief, scooping his Pokémon into his arms.
"Well done, Charmander."
Yozora crouched down, gently patting his partner's head and showering it with praise.
At the same time, his system harvested Squirtle's Ability—Torrent.
Torrent: When in danger, a Pokémon's Water-type moves become significantly stronger.
Not a bad Ability at all. Collecting a variety of Abilities meant more combinations—and more possibilities in the future.
"This boy…"
As the battle ended, Professor Oak gazed intently at Yozora and his Charmander.
There was no doubt now—this Charmander truly wasn't afraid of water. At the very least, it could withstand Water-type moves of the same level without issue.
As a titan of the Pokémon academic world, Oak knew full well there were many Pokémon born with unique, extraordinary traits.
A Charmander unafraid of water was shocking, yes—but not impossible.
What mattered more was Yozora himself.
Did he know all along? Did he already realize Charmander had this unusual trait?
"Remarkable… I must have underestimated him. Perhaps he, like those rumored gifted individuals, possesses some special ability to see through a Pokémon's hidden talents."
Professor Oak couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
(End of Chapter)