"Ampharos! Use Focus Blast!"
Under Lt. Surge's command, a brownish-yellow sphere of Fighting-type energy gathered in Ampharos's hands.
It hurled the Focus Blast directly at Excadrill!
Faced with a Fighting-type move boasting a base power of 120, even Excadrill became cautious.
If that attack landed, it would be severely injured instantly.
With a roar, Excadrill brought its claws together into a drill shape and used Drill Run.
Relying on its superior piercing power, it successfully broke through the Focus Blast.
But just as Excadrill relaxed—
Ampharos immediately followed up with a Dragon Pulse.
Although Dragon Pulse wasn't especially powerful, its speed was enough to disrupt Excadrill's offensive momentum.
And for a fast-attacking sandstorm sweeper like Excadrill, once it lost its sandstorm support, lacked a trainer's guidance, and got caught by a special-attacking artillery Pokémon with a higher level—
The outcome was obvious.
Dragon Pulse.
Signal Beam.
Focus Blast.
A dazzling barrage of attacks rained down like a bullet hell and completely engulfed Excadrill.
"That Ampharos may have come from who-knows-where, but its strength and battle instincts are genuinely excellent."
Standing by the railing, Red couldn't help commenting.
Just then, Xiaowen hesitated before quietly speaking.
"Red... maybe we should just forget about this year's competition."
"That shameless guy borrowed a Pokémon from somewhere. There's no need for us to fight him head-on."
"With your talent and strength, you'll become one of the Eight Gym Leaders in a couple of years anyway..."
At that moment, Claire leaned closer and whispered:
"Gym Leader Red, if you really want to win, the Dragon Clan can help."
"If he can shamelessly borrow a Pokémon, then so can we."
"As long as you say the word, forget Gym Leader-level Pokémon—even Elite Four-level wild dragons exist in Dragon's Den."
Looking at the worried expressions on both women's faces, Red smiled.
"When have I ever done something without confidence?"
"And avoid his edge?"
"He's not worthy of that."
"Even if his brother came personally, I wouldn't be afraid."
As he spoke, Red casually weighed Mewtwo's Poké Ball in his hand.
A moment later, he shook his head.
Though Mewtwo would probably save me if I were in danger, getting him to help me win a tournament is another matter entirely.
Then he looked at Claire and Xiaowen.
"Let's go."
"There's nothing worth watching here anymore."
After Red left the arena, Lt. Surge remained at the center of the battlefield, basking in the adoration of the crowd like the brightest star in the sky.
"Red?"
"Nothing special!"
"From now on, Kanto will have only one shining star!"
"Me! Lt. Surge!"
Unfortunately for him, while he was enjoying the praise, he completely failed to notice that all of the truly important League figures had already left.
Just as Red, Claire, and Xiaowen were heading off to watch Ash's matches, an elderly woman emerged from the shadows of a nearby forest.
Her posture was slightly hunched.
A cane supported her steps.
She wore a purple combat uniform.
It was none other than Agatha, the League's most senior Elite Four member.
Looking at Red, Agatha's expression remained calm.
Yet there was still a trace of awkwardness in her eyes.
Finally, she spoke.
"Red."
"I can tell you've done a lot of Pokémon research."
"But your goal is still to become the strongest trainer."
"Unlike that old fool Oak, who spent half his life hiding in a laboratory."
Red blinked.
This was strange.
Normally, Agatha wasn't the type to beat around the bush.
Just as he was wondering what she was trying to say—
"Senior Agatha wants to take you as her disciple."
"She's just too embarrassed to say it."
A voice suddenly interrupted.
The ground nearby exploded open.
A gigantic Onix emerged, carrying a muscular man atop its head.
The person who had exposed Agatha's intentions in a single sentence was none other than Bruno.
After having her thoughts laid bare, Agatha shot him a vicious glare.
Bruno ignored it completely.
Although Agatha had greater seniority, they were still equals.
And the fact that Bruno had shown up here at all meant one thing:
He also wanted Red as a disciple.
"Red!"
"A real man should build a body of steel like mine!"
"Hmph."
"That's because your brain is made of muscle."
Agatha immediately fired back.
"Red clearly isn't suited to your style."
"Becoming your disciple would be a waste."
Bruno laughed.
"And he's suited to yours?"
"Come on, Senior Agatha."
...
Watching two Elite Four members nearly come to blows over recruiting a disciple, Claire and Xiaowen felt completely dazed.
"What... is happening?"
"The two Elite Four members are practically fighting over him..."
Even Red felt a headache coming on.
The problem wasn't that they weren't strong.
Both were incredibly powerful Elite Four members.
The issue was that neither of their battle styles really suited him.
"Please, Seniors."
"Stop arguing."
"After these tournaments are over, I'd still like to seek guidance from both of you."
Agatha and Bruno both understood that if they kept sabotaging each other, neither of them would ever get a disciple.
So they each took a step back.
"Red," Agatha said, "after the Eight Masters competition is over, come find me. I'll show you the true charm of a Ghost-type army."
Bruno immediately shook his head.
"No, no, no."
"Kid, come to my dojo instead."
"I'll teach you that Fighting-types are the most perfect Pokémon in the world!"
The two Elite Four members snorted at each other.
Then they departed using their own methods.
Leaving behind only Red—and the still-stunned Claire and Xiaowen.
"Come on."
"Let's continue watching the matches."
Just then, Joy Xue finally arrived, accompanied by Latias.
She looked at Red with a gentle smile.
"Gym Leader Red, may I come along as well?"
"But the Gym Leader competition isn't over yet. Is it really okay for you to leave?"
Joy Xue waved her hand dismissively.
"It's fine."
"After you left, there wasn't any point in watching anymore."
Even Red couldn't help smiling at that.
"Alright."
"Then let's go watch Ash and the others together."
Not far behind them stood Sabrina, who had arrived somewhat later.
There was a faint trace of resentment in her expression.
But in the end, she turned around and left.
Sabrina knew Red would come looking for her.
That confidence came naturally to her.
And truthfully—
She had every reason to be confident.
◇ You can read 60+ chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/ElaraVance1
✨ Bonus Chapter Goals ✨
10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter