Inside Viridian Gym, Ash and Giovanni were enveloped by a golden light that formed a protective barrier, tightly isolating them from the people outside.
Even Pikachu's full-force strike had no effect on the barrier, Ash rubbed the surface of the barrier with his palm to carefully feel its strength.
After a moment, he lowered his hand and faced Giovanni: "You really went all out, huh. This thing must be a rare treasure; you used it on me just like that?"
The strength of this barrier was such that even if he used all his power, he probably couldn't break it. Keep in mind, his power now had reached Divine Domain Level! If even this level of power couldn't break it, its sturdiness is beyond imagination.
Earlier, Giovanni explained this contract, and basically, despite many restrictions, once it takes effect, not even a deity could stop the contract until it is completed.
The stakes offered by both parties cannot differ too much; if they do, the contract can't be established. As the instigator of the contract, his stakes can be relatively less; even so, he bet half of Team Rocket as stakes.
A huge bet, accompanied by a unique, Creator God powered item, all for the sake of obtaining him, does he really have such value?
"Your potential is something I have never seen before. Not even Leon, the world champion whom the league hails as unparalleled, compares to your potential once you grow. Therefore, no matter the cost, obtaining you is worth it."
"Aren't you afraid that all you wager might go to waste? If I win, all your efforts will be just illusions."
"Hahaha, if you have what it takes, then win, and I'll disband half of Team Rocket. What does it matter!" Giovanni laughed heartily at Ash's words, as if he had heard an extremely amusing joke.
Giovanni's confidence is not without reason; Ash's exhibited power can touch Elite Peak Level, possibly Champion Level initial at most, but nowhere near his main force's level.
Even in a six against one, Ash might not have a chance. But being cautious and wanting to set a trap, Giovanni proposed a two against two, half Gym Leader, half Chief approach.
Ash indeed fell into the trap. He likely wouldn't have thought his casual promise would turn into a forcibly executed reality.
"Ash, choose the lowest level Elite Level Pokemon first; this way, even if Giovanni uses his main force, you can still maintain hope of winning in a two against one situation!" Gary reminded Ash from outside the barrier.
In a two against one scenario, if Giovanni uses a Champion Level initial Pokemon, there would still be a chance; however, anything above Champion Level initial… then even with all Ash's efforts, victory would be impossible.
Gary is unsure about Ash's actual strength, but it's only been about ten days since their Cinnabar Island trip.
Back on Cinnabar Island, Ash couldn't even handle Elite Peak Level Pokemon. Even if he has grown, he might barely manage against Elite Peak Level Pokemon now.
Therefore, if Giovanni uses anything above Champion Level initial Pokemon, the victory is nearly guaranteed. Hopefully, Giovanni wouldn't be shameless enough to use above Champion Level initial Pokemon against a newly debuted boy.
"Don't worry, I've got this… Speaking of which, this barrier perfectly blocks the spread of battle aftershocks, so you won't be in any danger."
"Thinking about your companions' safety at a time like this? Do you really think you can beat me?" Giovanni waved his hand, and Mewtwo floated back to his side.
Cloaked in machinery, Mewtwo's expression couldn't be seen, but ever since Giovanni started talking, it hadn't spoken a word, perhaps still pondering what Ash meant.
"Of course, I will win, and decisively. Giovanni, if you get knocked out by battle aftershocks during the fight, wouldn't that mean you've lost?"
The golden barrier isolated the arena from the world; no shockwaves would escape, but Giovanni and Ash were inside with no protective measures, so the battle aftershocks could affect them.
If Giovanni were to get accidentally hit by a shockwave or move and faint or get severely injured, wouldn't that mean Ash has won the fight?
"So this is your plan? I know you're a Special Ability User, you do have an advantage in this area, but don't naively think I don't have protection prepared." With that said, a deep blue shield appeared in front of Giovanni.
This shield, formed by superpower, radiated an overwhelming force; Ash could feel the intense energy belonging to Mewtwo.
This was a barrier made using Mewtwo's energy; probably, ordinary Champion Level attacks wouldn't be able to break it.
This was Giovanni's confidence.
"Well then, let's start the choice of fate. For the first Pokemon, the challenge difficulty is yours to choose. Will you heed Oak's grandson's advice and choose the weakest level for your challenge? That way, you could indeed manage two Pokemon against my next one, but even in two against one, you would still have no chance of winning."