[Name: Gyarados]
[Gender: Male]
[Nature: Lonely]
[Type: Water/Flying]
[Ability: Moxie]
[Base Stats Total: 540]
[Level: Intermediate (Peak Stage)]
[Pokémon Potential: Champion level]
[Known Moves: Tackle (Mastery), Leer (Proficiency), Bite (Proficiency), Ice Fang (Proficiency), Crunch (Basic), Waterfall (Basic), Brine (Basic)...]
[Description: Gyarados, the Atrocious Pokémon, the evolved form of Magikarp. The destructive beam it fires from its mouth can incinerate anything…]
...
"Ding~ Triggered Quest: Capture Gyarados and help it transform into a true dragon!!"
"Legend says: when a fish leaps through the Dragon Gate, it can become a dragon!!"
"But a Magikarp that merely leaps from a waterfall can only become a 'pseudo-dragon'—Gyarados!!"
"Becoming a dragon has always been the ultimate destiny of every Magikarp. Feed Gyarados the Uo Uo no Mi and help it become a true dragon!!"
"Young man, let the world witness the sight of Gyarados ascending and becoming a dragon!!"
"Quest Rewards: Pokémon Potential Capsule ×1, Ice Punch Skill Card ×1......."
As Aaron finished reviewing Gyarados's status panel, the system's impassioned voice rang in his ears.
Another quest had been triggered!!
Very nice!!
When Aaron saw Gyarados's attributes, his eyes lit up.
It was actually a Gyarados with Champion level potential!!
He was overjoyed. Although Gyarados had a base stat total of 540—meaning its potential was bound to be high—normally it would at least reach Gym Leader level, and at best Champion-Class.
But who would have thought there was a Gyarados here whose potential actually reached Champion level!?
If Instructor Zane and the others found out, they'd be absolutely devastated.
A Pokémon with such massive potential had been living right under their noses all this time, and they never even realized it.
Too bad they couldn't see a Pokémon's potential.
Once again, Aaron had stumbled onto an incredible find, and he felt absolutely thrilled.
Talk about perfect timing!
He had only just obtained the Uo Uo no Mi Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Devil Fruit, and now he'd already encountered a Gyarados!
Could it be that he really was the legendary protagonist!?
Aaron smugly entertained the thought.
What pleased him even more was that this Gyarados had the Hidden Ability Moxie. For most people, Intimidate might be more practical.
But for a cheater like him, Moxie was clearly the better fit.
"If a Magikarp eats the Uo Uo no Mi Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon Devil Fruit… could it really become a true dragon!?"
Aaron pondered quietly as he looked at the quest issued by the system.
At that moment, Gyarados was already growing restless.
"ROOOAAARR—!!"
Gyarados let out a thunderous roar and swooped low through the air, charging straight toward Aaron's grilled fish.
"Frogadier—use Smack Down! Knock Gyarados out of the air!!"
Aaron issued the command without hesitation.
A Pokémon like Gyarados actually having the Flying-type left him rather speechless.
Frogadier's strongest move, Rasengan, was Flying-type. Its other moves were Water- and Fighting-type, both resisted by Gyarados.
Only Smack Down could effectively counter it—and force it to the ground.
"Kshh—"
Frogadier immediately picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it viciously at Gyarados.
"BANG..."
A loud impact echoed as Gyarados's massive body was slammed down onto the ground, letting out a pained roar.
Move: Smack Down. Base power: 50...
With Frogadier's Protean Ability, the power increased to 75!!
Add in the 2× type effectiveness against Gyarados—150 total power!!
This was no joke at all…
"ROAR..."
Gyarados threw its huge jaws open and blasted out a jet of water.
Move: Brine!! Base power: 65...
"Frogadier—use Quick Attack to dodge!!"
"And then use Smack Down again!!"
Aaron's voice rang out once more.
Frogadier's figure turned into a flash of lightning, neatly evading the Brine attack. In the next instant, it appeared on Gyarados's other side, another stone smashing heavily into its body.
"ROAR—!!"
The battered Gyarados hadn't even managed to steady itself before being sent tumbling again. It lay sprawled on the ground, its aura weak and unstable—a far cry from the fierce presence it had shown when it first appeared.
"Frogadier… finish it with Rasengan."
Aaron seized the opening and ordered the decisive blow.
Frogadier formed a Rasengan and slammed it into Gyarados's body.
Gyarados was knocked out, its eyes spinning as it collapsed—
like a helpless fish on the chopping block!!
"Go… Poké Ball!!"
Aaron pulled out a Poké Ball and threw it.
"Click~"
The Poké Ball flashed, then fell silent with a crisp sound.
Without any suspense at all,
Gyarados was successfully captured by Aaron.
He walked over and picked up Gyarados's Poké Ball.
"Aaron… that was insane!!"
"Boss Frog is so cool!!!"
"So awesome, so awesome!!"
Seeing Aaron take down and capture Gyarados, the three roommates immediately rushed over to shower him with flattery.
Admiration was practically spilling out of Max's eyes.
At this point, he had been completely conquered by Aaron!!
"Congratulations, Aaron… you've captured another powerful Pokémon. This Gyarados has at least Gym-Leader level potential, right!?"
"No, no, no… I'd say at the very least, Champion-Class level!!"
"Yeah, yeah, that makes sense, that makes sense!!"
Hugo and Adrian chimed in with their congratulations.
Aaron smiled faintly when he heard them.
Gym-Leader level!?
Champion-Class level!?
Your perspective is way too small, classmates~
This was a Gyarados with Champion-level potential!!
Of course, Aaron didn't bother arguing with them. He simply smiled.
"Hmph… I think it's at least Champion-level potential!!"
"Come on—it's Aaron. Of course it has to be Champion-level!!"
Max spoke up confidently from the side.
That left Aaron genuinely stunned.
Wasn't this guy all muscle and no brain!?
How did he suddenly become so perceptive all of a sudden!?
"Champion level potential!?"
"How is that even possible… Pokémon with Champion level potential are incredibly rare. There's no way one would appear in a military-controlled forest like this."
"Exactly… even though Gyarados has high base stats, reaching Champion level potential is extremely uncommon..."
Hugo and Adrian shook their heads repeatedly, clearly unconvinced.
...