With Mienshao's defeat, the Fighting Arena fell completely silent.
Everyone stared in disbelief, their mouths hanging open wide enough to fit an entire hot dog.
"…"
Even Kenny, the host who could usually talk nonstop, looked like someone had grabbed him by the throat. Not a single word came out.
Several seconds passed before Kenny finally snapped back to himself and raised the microphone, his voice trembling slightly.
"This is unbelievable…"
"Mienshao is unable to battle!"
"The winner is…"
"Contestant Aaron!"
For that final line, Kenny practically shoved the microphone into his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs.
His voice tore through the arena.
In the next instant, the entire venue erupted.
Cheers, screams, applause, and excited roars crashed together like a tidal wave.
Twenty thousand voices rang out at once, loud enough to shake the whole arena.
Even the people outside the Fighting Arena were startled, wondering what kind of madness had broken out inside.
…
In the stands, the spectators were flushed with excitement as they shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Aaron! Infernape! I want to have your monkey babies! Or your babies! Honestly, either works!"
"He's too strong! A Pokémon at the early Gym level actually made it to the finals of the Fighting Tournament. That's insane!"
"Aaron, I love you! Come to my place! I'll take very good care of you!"
"Pfft. Shameless much? Have you looked in a mirror lately? Aaron, sweetheart, come to my house. My husband isn't home."
"All of you, back off! Aaron is mine. I'll share Infernape with you, but anyone who tries to steal Aaron is getting slapped!"
"Where are the haters now? Why did they all go quiet? What happened to all that monk bootlicking?"
"Heh heh… I used to be a hater, but I've changed sides. I'm an Aaron fan now!"
"Hmph. At least you came to your senses. Send me fifty bucks and prove your loyalty!"
"Send you my ass! I'm the real fan here. Aaron is mine!"
"Holy shit, the haters are defecting! Girls, get to work. Roast them!"
…
Aaron and Infernape's overwhelming strength had won over every spectator in the arena.
Aaron's calm, precise commands and Infernape's terrifying combat power had become the highlights of the match.
More importantly, Aaron was still young, and he was handsome on top of that. His future was wide open.
How could anyone not love an idol like that?
Winners were cheered.
Losers were forgotten.
By now, almost no one was still speaking up for Rocco.
That was reality.
…
On the battlefield, Rocco had already braced himself for this, but the crushing gap between them still nearly swallowed him whole.
Seeing the entire audience cheer for Aaron only made anger and jealousy surge through his chest.
"That applause… those cheers… they should have been mine!"
"It's all because of that damned brat…"
"Just you wait. I'll kill you!"
Rocco's eyes were bloodshot as he glared fiercely at Aaron from across the battlefield, the hatred in his gaze almost tangible.
"Infer…"
A sharp look flashed through Infernape's eyes. Flames surged from its body and swept toward Rocco without warning.
The sudden burst of fire scared Rocco out of his wits.
"Ahhh!"
He let out a terrified scream, fell to the ground, and scrambled backward in a panic.
"That's enough, Infernape. He's just a clown."
Aaron smiled as he stopped Infernape. He knew Infernape was only scaring Rocco on purpose.
He had also noticed the intense hostility Rocco was directing at him.
But Aaron did not care at all.
A clown like that could come at him if he dared.
He just had to be ready to get crushed.
"I hope you know when to stop…"
"Otherwise, don't blame me for what happens."
Aaron's eyes turned cold as he muttered to himself.
With the match over, Aaron and Infernape stepped down from the battlefield.
…
When the little ones saw Aaron win the match, they immediately jumped up in excitement, letting out one childish cheer after another.
Eden's eyes shimmered with tears as she said happily, "Aaron… you have to keep winning!"
…
In the rest area, Aaron had Infernape cancel Super Saiyan mode, then patiently sprayed healing medicine onto its injuries.
He stroked Infernape's flaming head and said, "Infernape… you did great."
"Your stamina recovery is incredible, but you still got hurt in that fight. Stay still and let me treat you."
The flames on Infernape's body did not burn people it trusted. Instead, they felt surprisingly comfortable to touch.
It was like touching a soft, fluffy cloud.
Warm, light, and pleasant.
Infernape looked like it was enjoying itself. It clearly liked Aaron's touch.
It narrowed its eyes and let out a soft cry.
"Infer…"
As if saying, I'm fine!
Seeing Infernape act like that, warmth flickered through Aaron's eyes.
He gently patted Infernape on the head and said, "Stay in top condition. We still have one final battle later."
"And I have a feeling… this fight won't be easy."
A black figure flashed through Aaron's mind.
During the match, he had kept sensing something from the Mystery Contestant.
An aura that felt both unfamiliar and strangely familiar.
It left Aaron deeply confused.
It was as if he had sensed that disgusting presence somewhere before.
Almost as if it did not belong to this world.
"Infernape!"
Infernape patted Aaron on the shoulder, proudly raised its head, and comforted him.
It seemed to be saying,
"Don't worry, Aaron. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."
Aaron rolled his eyes.
Seriously, who was raising whom here?
…