"A Level 50 Primeape?"
Looking at the Primeape standing before him, a full twelve levels higher than Pupitar, Red rubbed his temples.
"Good thing it's still stuck at the threshold of Gym Leader level. If it had already broken through, I wouldn't even bother fighting it."
He looked toward Pupitar.
"How's your condition?"
Pupitar nodded.
Its fighting spirit was still blazing.
Back when it was a Larvitar, it had consumed the most resources in the team and possessed the highest potential.
Yet because of its personality, the slow growth rate of a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and various other reasons, it had never truly had a chance to shine.
But today—
Today was the day it would wash away its past frustrations.
So Pupitar would not retreat.
No matter what, it had to win.
Red reached out and patted Pupitar's head.
"Alright."
"I'm leaving it to you."
As his hand touched Pupitar, streams of green Viridian Power flowed into its body.
Its injuries rapidly healed.
Its fatigue vanished.
The exhaustion accumulated from nine consecutive battles disappeared in an instant, restoring Pupitar to peak condition.
Since Pupitar wanted so badly to prove itself, Red naturally intended to support it with everything he had.
Besides, the challenge rules had never forbidden special abilities.
Meanwhile, while most spectators failed to notice Pupitar's sudden recovery, there was no way it could escape the eyes of Agatha and Bruno.
"This kid..."
"Is that Viridian Power?"
"Senior Agatha, and here you were keeping secrets from me."
Bruno burst into laughter.
Agatha herself was momentarily stunned.
Because contrary to what Bruno thought, this was the first time even she had learned that Red possessed Viridian Power.
Still, neither she nor Bruno considered it particularly shocking.
After all, Lance himself possessed the same ability.
"Senior Agatha, who do you think will win?"
In the past, faced with a twelve-level difference and a type disadvantage, Agatha would've laughed at anyone claiming Pupitar could win.
Yet looking at the current battlefield—
Looking at Red's Pupitar—
She found herself unconsciously leaning toward Red's side.
"No matter how this battle ends, from today onward, the name Red will be deeply engraved into the minds of this generation of trainers."
"Whether sharing an era with someone like him is a blessing or a curse... I truly don't know."
Agatha looked toward the gathered Gym Leaders below.
Many of these Gym Leaders weren't inheritors of family Gyms like Red.
Many had once been League Conference Champions.
After challenging the Elite Four and falling short, the League would often recruit them.
Depending on their wishes and abilities, they might become Gym Leaders in smaller cities, join the International Police, or pursue other League careers.
Of course, some simply chose to continue traveling.
In many ways, the annual League Conference was equivalent to a national college entrance examination.
And these Champions had all been the top scorers of their respective years.
The sandstorm gathered once more.
Pupitar vanished into it in an instant, leaving Primeape alone to eat sand.
Red understood that while Pupitar's armor possessed durability comparable to a pseudo-Elite Four Pokémon, that didn't mean it could outmuscle Primeape directly.
Using another Dragon Dance first was the correct choice.
Watching Pupitar freely boost itself within the sandstorm, Primeape became so furious it nearly jumped out of its skin.
In its rage, it threw punch after punch.
None of them connected.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Pupitar completed two additional Dragon Dances.
Attack +3.
Speed +3.
Just as Pupitar prepared to boost again, Primeape finally remembered its trainer's instructions.
A golden light flashed through its eyes.
"Mind Reader!"
Using the move's effect, Primeape finally managed to track Pupitar's movements inside the sandstorm.
Raising its hand, it brought down a vicious Brick Break.
Pupitar showed no intention of retreating.
It charged head-on with Double-Edge.
The spectators held their breath.
Would the near-Gym Leader-level Primeape be stronger?
Or would the +3 Attack Pupitar prevail?
The collision resembled a meteor strike.
A powerful shockwave erupted outward.
The gust was so intense it nearly dispersed the sandstorm itself.
The sheer force of the clash was evident to everyone present.
Then—
A crisp cracking sound echoed across the battlefield.
Everyone immediately noticed it.
A crack had appeared on Pupitar's head.
Seeing this, Joy Xue covered her mouth in shock.
Even Sabrina's normally calm face showed a trace of panic.
Is Pupitar going to lose?
As more cracking sounds emerged, Red remained completely calm.
In fact, he looked delighted.
"Just as I thought."
"The manual Reiji sent really does accelerate Pupitar's shedding process after being improved."
The moment he finished speaking—
The crack spread across Pupitar's entire body.
Then its shell exploded outward.
A brand-new Pupitar emerged.
After shedding, its body had grown even larger.
Its size was now approaching that of some smaller Tyranitar.
Looking at its new body and harder armor, Pupitar's emotions surged.
Its level had also risen.
Level 39.
Seeing the situation unfold, Red already knew the answer.
Today's battle was over.
Pupitar would win.
Meanwhile, after exchanging blows with Pupitar, Primeape stared at its own trembling fist in disbelief.
Just how hard is that armor?
After a fierce battle, the exhausted Pupitar stood beside the fallen Primeape.
Its weary eyes blazed with excitement.
As applause thundered from all directions, Pupitar had finally proven itself.
It was no longer the Pokémon that ate the most while contributing the least.
From now on—
It was one of the pillars supporting the entire team.
"Primeape is unable to battle!"
"Red and Pupitar are victorious!"
"The first Gym Leader to clear the entire challenge!"
"His reward points will be doubled!"
"Let's congratulate Gym Leader Red once more!"
Red personally stepped onto the battlefield.
Looking at the battered, exhausted Pupitar standing before him, he smiled.
"Pupitar."
"You were incredible today."
Another round of thunderous applause filled the arena.
After the battles ended, in a small forest not far from the Indigo Plateau—
Sabrina leaned against a tree.
Her usually icy expression had long since been replaced by a rosy blush.
"Y-You... what are you trying to do?"
"I'll call for help!"
Red grinned.
"What are you saying, little beauty?"
"Even if you scream your lungs out, nobody's coming to save you."
"Besides, you already agreed to this during the match."
"I'm only here to collect on your promise."
"Surely the great Psychic Queen isn't going back on her word?"
Hearing his words, Sabrina slowly closed her eyes...
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