A colossal surge of energy roared outward like a raging river, sweeping across everything in its path. The aftershocks were even more violent than before. Nearby trees were snapped clean in half, debris shot in all directions, and dust filled the sky, like a missile had just detonated...
As the energy gradually faded, a fierce wind blew the dust away, revealing the scene at the center of the explosion before them.
What came into view was a massive crater, like the impact site of a meteor.
Inside the crater...
A golden figure stood proudly, eyes half-lidded and indifferent, like a cold and arrogant ninja.
At the very center, Vespiquen lay charred black, severely injured and completely unable to continue fighting.
"This... how is this possible!?"
Grub staggered to his feet, covered in dirt and dust. The moment he saw the scene before him, his mind went blank. His eyes were filled with shock as he muttered in disbelief,
"Impossible..."
"This is absolutely impossible..."
"How could an Elite-level Greninja defeat my late-stage Gym Leader Vespiquen in a single move!?"
Grub roared in disbelief, his eyes wide as he stared at Aaron, who remained calm and composed, as if everything was under his control.
Meanwhile, he himself felt like nothing more than a clown.
This was the complete opposite of what Grub had imagined. Aaron should have been the one raging. He should have been the one standing above everything, in total control...
This overwhelming contrast nearly made Grub collapse on the spot.
He refused to believe that a mere high school student could be this absurdly powerful. It was downright monstrous.
At this point, Grub no longer dared to underestimate Aaron. His face twisted with rage as he shouted,
"You brat... go die!!"
"Today, I will kill you!"
His eyes burned with killing intent. Rage and humiliation had completely clouded his judgment. Only by killing Aaron could he reclaim his dignity.
Grub took out four Poké Balls, preparing to release them all at once to completely eliminate Aaron.
Earlier, he had sent out his Pokémon one by one because of his pride. As a Gym Leader-level trainer, did he really need to go all out against a high school student?
That would have been a joke.
But now, he didn't care about any of that anymore. He just wanted Aaron dead.
But would Aaron give him that chance?
"Greninja... Water Shuriken!"
"Second Stage, Flying Thunder God Technique!"
"End it..."
Aaron spoke coldly.
"Grenin..."
Greninja instantly hurled several Water Shuriken marked with Flying Thunder God seals. They shot forward at high speed and pierced straight through Grub's arms.
"AAAH!!"
Grub screamed in agony. Blood poured from his hands as the Poké Balls slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.
Enduring the intense pain, he tried to pick them up again.
But at that moment...
Swish...
Space rippled slightly, and the golden figure appeared right in front of him.
Looking down from above, Greninja radiated an overwhelming pressure that forced Grub to his knees instantly. Sweat poured down his face as terror filled his eyes.
"Gulp..."
Grub swallowed hard, his entire body trembling as he looked at the terrifying Greninja in its Tailed Beast Sage Mode.
"Don't kill me..."
"If you kill me, Dr. Kain won't let you go."
"Dr. Kain has already discovered your Beedrill. With his personality, he'll definitely want it no matter what..."
Grub had completely calmed down now. All he wanted was to survive.
"Dr. Kain?"
"Is he the leader of your Hive Organization?"
Aaron had already walked up to him and asked calmly.
"No, no... he's the chief scientist of our Hive Organization."
Grub replied nervously.
"Oh... don't worry. I won't kill you."
Aaron glanced at him and said slowly.
Grub was instantly overjoyed.
Hahaha... this kid is still too naive. He fell right for it.
Damn it... once I get back, I'll ask Dr. Kain for a modified Pokémon and come back for revenge, hahaha...
Grub laughed wildly in his heart, already planning his revenge.
Thud...
A dull sound rang out.
Grub suddenly felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck and screamed,
"AAAH!"
"It hurts so much!"
"What are you doing!?"
Aaron looked a bit awkward as he said,
"Sorry... it's my first time. Not very experienced."
"Don't worry... I'll definitely knock you out this time."
He raised his hand and struck again.
Thud...
"AAAH!"
Thud, thud, thud...
"AAAH!!"
"Waaah... stop hitting me, I'm begging you!"
"Just kill me already, don't torture me like this..."
"Give me one more try, I can do it this time!"
Thud, thud, thud...
"AAAH..."
Finally, after Aaron was drenched in sweat, Grub's neck had swollen into a huge lump, and he passed out.
Whether he fainted from the blows or the pain...
Didn't matter.
What mattered was, he was out.
Aaron wiped the sweat from his forehead, nodded in satisfaction, then took out his phone.
He dialed Champion Brutus and asked him to send someone to take Grub away. Maybe the league pokemon could extract some useful information about the Hive Organization from him.
...