Light crackled through the air. The combined power of Water and Electricity exceeded even Lin Yu's wildest expectations.
Rolling Quilava, wrapped in Flame Wheel, blazed like a spinning fire meteor.
Its power looked overwhelming.
But…
Forming a bird from Water energy was one thing.
Why was there lightning flickering inside the bird?
What kind of move was this?!
The crowd was stunned.
Was this a Water-type attack… or an Electric-type?
Zhong Yue frowned, shocked by Frogadier's absurd talent.
He'd seen plenty of strange things — even Surf-using Pikachu in certain Secret Realms.
But the power of this lightning bird… it was terrifying!
It was too late to back down. Rollout only grew stronger the longer it spun.
"KYYAAH!"
The Lightning Chidori thundered and crashed head‑on into Quilava.
The perfect fusion of Water and Electricity instantly snuffed out the flames, while lightning surged through every inch of Quilava's body.
Agony ripped it out of its roll, and it screeched in pain.
That tiny, one‑meter lightning bird held monstrous power!
When the electricity faded…
Quilava had completely fainted.
The entire arena was shocked.
Even Zhong Yue could not believe his eyes.
Quilava hadn't been with him long, but its talent was extraordinary — it had gone from Beginner to Elite Peak in just one year.
It wasn't just talent, either. It had the fiery, unyielding spirit of every Fire-type.
Against strong opponents, it could always activate Blaze through sheer will.
But now…
It couldn't even activate Blaze at all.
"What move is that?!"
"Lightning Chidori."
Lin Yu touched his nose, surprise shining in his eyes.
He'd tested the move in the Training House, but practice was nothing compared to real battle.
The effect was insane.
One move. One‑hit KO on Level‑29 Quilava.
"Incredible. You and your Frogadier actually fused Electric and Water energy — you must've worked incredibly hard!"
Zhong Yue nodded, genuine respect in his eyes.
"Challenge successful!"
The arena fell silent for two seconds…
then erupted in deafening cheers.
A few challengers had beaten Gym Leaders before.
But none had done it so easily — not with a single, one‑hit KO.
The Gym Leaders in the VIP seats stared at the young boy on stage, their expressions sharp.
Losing to a challenger wasn't shameful.
But being one‑shotted? That was humiliating.
That Frogadier…
It was absurdly strong.
Was he really just a first‑year high school student?
"I'm feeling the pressure now…" the Aqua Gym Leader muttered, troubled.
It was bizarre.
A Water‑type Frogadier using Electric moves?
That meant it could beat his Pokémon too.
"What about you? Can you stop him?" the Aqua Gym Leader asked the Flora Gym Leader.
"…What if Lin Yu's strongest Pokémon isn't even this Frogadier?"
The Flora Gym Leader was young — only 23 or 24 — yet already a Gym Leader.
His talent spoke for itself. And he knew more about Lin Yu than the others.
"Oh?" the Aqua Gym Leader asked in surprise. "What is it, then?"
"A Charmeleon…"
"Yikes… you're screwed too."
"Wonderful! Lin Yu has won his first challenge! Who will he challenge next? Let's find out!"
The commentator's voice had barely faded when two Gym Leaders broke into a cold sweat.
Lin Yu didn't overthink it.
Charmeleon was nearly Gym‑level now — it could fight even Gym‑tier opponents.
He simply chose the Aqua Gym next.
"Excellent! Lin Yu has chosen the Aqua Gym!"
"Which Pokémon will he use?!"
"It's Kirlia! Just as we thought — Lin Yu's Ralts has evolved into Kirlia!"
"And our Gym Leader sends out…"
Ten seconds later.
"One‑shot?!"
Poliwhirl had just been sent onto the field…
and already had swirl eyes.
Everyone watching was frozen.
A few months ago, this Pokémon had been just a Ralts, far less impressive than Charmeleon.
And now it could condense Psychic power into a storm?!
And one‑shot a near‑Gym‑tier Poliwhirl?!
A surreal, absurd feeling washed over the crowd.
How was this possible? How long had it even been?
"Lin Yu does it again! One‑hit KO against Poliwhirl! He's on fire, showing no mercy to the Gym Leader!"
"Can the Flora Gym Leader survive even one move from Lin Yu's Charmeleon?!"
You're the one embarrassing the Gym Leaders, Lin Yu thought, exasperated.
Was he trying to get Lin Yu hated?
Still, the commentary blew the arena's energy sky‑high.
Before, even successful challengers had struggled.
None had fought like they were just testing new moves.
But he had to admit —
it felt amazing.
On some level, the crowd saw themselves in the challenger, not the Gym Leaders.
That's why viewership had dropped earlier: too many losses.
But now?
Lin Yu had turned the tables, and they were loving it.
"I'm actually sweating now!"
All the pressure was on the final Gym Leader.
"Sister Xue, can you fight in my place?" he whispered to the Frost Gym Leader.
Auntie Xue watched, fascinated. She was more and more impressed with the boy who'd come so far.
But his growth speed was terrifying.
She decided:
she had to let Xue Nai's Pokémon take the Frost Secret Realm inheritance early.
Otherwise, the girl would only grow more anxious.
As a mother, she knew how stubborn and competitive her daughter was.
If she couldn't even keep up with Lin Yu's shadow…
she'd quietly give up.
Perfect — she could send them both together, and give them a chance to bond!
"He chose you. And with the way the crowd's reacting — you want headlines saying the Shuimu Flora Gym Leader chickened out?"
Auntie Xue smiled and refused.
"Fine."
He stared at Lin Yu waiting on stage and sighed.
Which Pokémon should he send to save face?
He'd have to use a Gym‑tier one, at least.
But using a Gym‑tier Pokémon…
even if he won, it would be a cheap victory.