In that moment, everyone present was utterly stunned.
Shock filled their eyes. Their thoughts went blank.
Even Major Grant and the school principals—who had already released their Pokémon—stood frozen in place, as if the words were stuck in their throats. Not a single sound came out. Their faces were etched with disbelief.
The aura radiating from the man shrouded in black mist—
there was no doubt about it.
He possessed Gym Leader–level strength.
But what had they just witnessed!?
A high school student's Pokémon had actually cleaved a Gym Leader–level expert's ultimate move clean in half!?
This had to be some kind of sick joke…
What did you think that attack was—something you could just slice apart so casually!?
...
Just as everyone was still reeling in shock, the Rasenshuriken—like a reaper's scythe—continued onward after cleaving through the Shadow Ball, shooting straight toward the black-mist-shrouded man in midair.
SHRRRRK—!!
A screech rang out, as if space itself were being torn apart.
Greninja's strongest technique—the Rasenshuriken—completely engulfed him.
"AAAAAGH—!!"
A bloodcurdling scream ripped through the air.
He felt his body being torn apart piece by piece, every trace of him swallowed by that terrifying force.
In the end, not even a fragment remained.
His body was reduced to dust, scattered to the winds…
From his domineering arrival to his utter annihilation, only 1.5 seconds had passed.
A fearsome Gym Leader–level powerhouse—erased as swiftly as he had appeared.
If not for the six powerful Gengar still hovering in the air, no one would have believed such a person had ever existed…
…
For a brief moment, the entire Pokémon Battle Arena fell into a strange, deathly silence. Not a sound could be heard.
Someone swallowed hard, breaking the stillness. Sharp breaths were drawn one after another.
The first to recover was Major Grant. Forcing down the shock in his heart, he barked orders:
"Everyone—immediately eliminate the invading Pokémon!"
"Protect the students!!"
"Blastoise—Water Pulse!"
"Golduck—Psychic!"
...
As Grant's commands rang out, everyone snapped back to their senses and released their Pokémon. Some rushed to shield the terrified, stunned students below, while others unleashed full-force attacks on the six Gengar in the air.
Though leaderless, the Gengar were still Gym Leader–level threats. Even so, under the combined assault of Major Grant and the seven principals' Pokémon, they were swiftly wiped out.
Only then did the attack finally come to an end.
Major Grant personally led a unit of soldiers to secure the area and deal with the aftermath. Looking at the Pokémon Battle Arena—now reduced to rubble by the explosions—his expression was grim.
He had never imagined that a terrorist attack of this scale could occur.
There was no denying it—this was his failure.
Within a military base under his command, the enemy had infiltrated undetected, nearly costing the lives of Sealine's most talented students. The consequences would have been unimaginable.
Just thinking about it sent cold sweat pouring down his back, soaking through his clothes.
Fortunately, the attack resulted in only fifteen injured students. No one had died.
And the one who had stopped this impending bloodbath—was merely a third-year high school student.
At that thought, Grant's gaze shifted to the black Greninja… then finally settled on the slender figure standing behind it.
A strange light flickered deep within his eyes as he murmured softly:
"That kid… he'll be a Champion one day.…"
...
At that moment, Aaron—panting heavily—walked over to Frog Boss and said softly to Greninja,
"Are you okay… Greninja?"
Greninja's Tailed Beast Cloak and Sage Mode faded away, revealing its original form.
Its body wavered before it sank to one knee, breathing heavily.
That terrifying attack had drained every last ounce of its strength. Now, even standing was a struggle.
Hearing Aaron's voice, Greninja let out a low croak, as if reassuring him that it was fine.
"You've worked hard… Greninja."
Aaron's eyes reddened slightly as he gently held it and whispered.
"Grenin…"
Greninja gave a faint shake of its head, then slowly closed its eyes and drifted into sleep. It was simply too exhausted.
But it didn't matter.
As long as its master was safe.
That was enough.
"Sleep," Aaron whispered, holding Greninja tightly.
Above them, the dark clouds gradually dispersed. Sunlight broke through, gentle and warm, bathing both of them in a soft golden glow.
In that moment, it felt as though time itself had come to a standstill.
One man.
One Pokémon.
...