Because Greninja was still some distance from Muk, the pervert was absolutely certain it wouldn't make it in time to stop the attack.
Wild laughter burst from his mouth.
"Hahaha… die!!"
"You worthless trash!!"
What he failed to notice was the faint black frog emblem flickering across Muk's body—like a mark left by the Grim Reaper to claim a life.
"Greninja… finish it."
"Flying Thunder God Technique… Ice Punch."
Aaron's voice rang out cold and merciless, like a verdict delivered from the depths of hell.
The pervert's body went rigid. His eyes flew wide—
Before he could even comprehend what was happening, Greninja had vanished.
In the next instant, it reappeared beside Muk.
A fist blazing with bone-chilling frost crashed down without hesitation.
"Muk—!!"
Boom!!!
Muk let out a shrill cry as its body was blasted backward once more, a thick layer of ice spreading rapidly across its surface.
It slammed into the ground—
And didn't move again.
Just like Seviper, it was finished.
Rest in pieces.
...
"T-This… how is this possible?!"
The pervert's voice cracked into a shrill, strained scream.
Twenty meters—
and it crossed that distance in a blink!?
How the hell did it just appear beside Muk?!
In that instant, his entire worldview began to collapse.
"This has to be a dream!!"
"Yeah, yeah… I'm still dreaming—hahaha!!"
He muttered to himself, laughing hysterically.
Aaron shook his head and let out a faint sigh.
"Flying Thunder God Technique. Once he marks you, it's over."
Just then, a sharp cry pierced the sky.
Aaron looked up and saw several dark silhouettes rapidly approaching from the distance.
The alarm had clearly been heard.
The soldiers stationed at the Pokémon Reserve had arrived.
"Retreat—Poison Guy!!"
Seeing this, Ice Phoenix's eyes flashed with frustration. She clenched her teeth, released a Flying-type Pokémon, leapt onto its back, and shouted to the pervert.
Poison Guy finally snapped out of his daze. In a panic, he grabbed a Poké Ball, intending to flee.
But would Aaron let him escape?
"Greninja… Water Shuriken."
"Capture him."
A Water Shuriken shot out instantly, knocking the Poké Ball from Poison Guy's hand.
In the next instant, Greninja flashed forward and seized both of his arms, pinning him in place.
"Ah—!"
"Let me go!!"
"Or I'll kill you!!"
"You little brat—remember this! I'll kill you… I swear I'll kill you!!"
Poison Guy thrashed wildly like a rabid animal, his bloodshot eyes blazing with vicious hatred as he screamed at Aaron.
In the distance, Ice Phoenix saw that he had been captured.
Without hesitation, she turned her Flying-type Pokémon and took off.
Before vanishing into the sky, she cast one final, lingering glance at Aaron—as if carving his face into her memory.
Her flawless mission record… shattered today by a mere kid.
"I'll remember you."
Then she was gone.
…
Moments later, the military forces arrived in full.
Several Elite-level soldiers swooped in on massive Pidgeot.
The commanding officer leapt down from his mount, surveyed the chaotic battlefield, glanced briefly at Aaron, and then fixed his gaze on the captured man bearing the "L" insignia.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He had already pieced together most of what had happened.
"Sir, another Pokémon Hunter fled in that direction."
Aaron stepped forward and pointed toward the route Ice Phoenix had taken.
"You three—pursue immediately."
The officer gave a sharp nod and issued the order without hesitation.
"Yes, sir!"
The three soldiers snapped a salute, remounted their Pidgeot, and shot off in pursuit.
The officer then turned back to Aaron, his gaze settling on the uniform of Sealine Academy.
"Young man… what are you doing here?"
"Captain, it's like this…"
The soldier from the earlier checkpoint stepped forward and quickly explained the situation.
"I see… So you're Aaron—the top trainee Zane's been bragging about?"
A look of pleasant surprise crossed the captain's face. He stepped forward and gave Aaron a firm pat on the shoulder, grinning.
"Chea— I mean, yes, I trained at Zane's camp."
Aaron almost blurted out "cheap Zane," but caught himself at the last second, answering a little awkwardly.
"Hahaha! I thought he was just running his mouth in front of me, going on and on about how impressive you were. I didn't believe a word of it!"
"But after seeing you take down a Lone Fang Hunter today? Now I believe him."
"You've got a bright future ahead of you, kid."
It was obvious the captain had a good relationship with Zane. He looked at Aaron with genuine admiration.
Aaron could only wave his hands modestly in response.
...