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Chris, having changed his clothes, took six Poké Balls that had been inspected by the World Pokémon Contest organizing committee. He stood at the exit of the Green Valley gymnasium's tunnel, awaiting his turn.
This was no longer the open-air battlefield where Chris and Master Keaton had battled each other previously. Chris had specifically commissioned the construction of an indoor battle arena—a massive stadium capable of accommodating 2,000 spectators. It was equipped with an elite-level defensive energy shield to ensure audience safety, a feature that had cost Chris 100 million Pokédollars.
Now, the 2,000-seat venue was filled to capacity.
As Chris emerged from the athlete's tunnel, a wave of thunderous cheers assaulted his ears from all directions, crashing against his eardrums like ocean waves. The cacophony of sound was so overwhelming that for an instant, Chris felt as though he'd gone deaf.
But that sensation was fleeting.
Beyond the distant roar, Chris could clearly hear what spectators along both sides of the aisle were shouting to him.
"Chris! Come on! Destroy those island country devils!"
"Chris, you're the best!"
"Chris! I love you! I want to have your baby!"
Chris glanced at the person who had proclaimed their desire to bear his child.
Chris's walking pace suddenly accelerated.
Stepping into the challenger's position on the battlefield, Chris quickly spotted his Rival—a young man with middle-parted hair wearing an immaculate suit. In the man's eyes, Chris found the answer to his earlier question.
How dare this man challenge him?
Because ignorance had gifted him with boundless courage!
Koizumi Erlang's eyes gleamed with covetousness and excitement. He coveted these cheers, thrilled at the prospect of winning them for himself by defeating the Rival who stood before him.
So he now looked at Chris as if gazing upon prey.
It was an almost taunting look.
For dealing with this type of person, Chris's approach was straightforward: no words necessary, just defeat him soundly.
Chris turned his attention to the referee, who wasn't from the gym but rather a member of the World Pokémon Contest Organizing Committee.
After confirming that both Trainers were in position, the referee immediately began announcing the match rules.
"The match about to begin is part of the Ultra Ball division of the World Pokémon Contest. Chris from China will face Koizumi Erlang from Japan. The rules are as follows: each Trainer will use four Pokémon from their team of six. When all four Pokémon on either side lose their ability to battle, the match will be over!"
"Now, please send out your Pokémon simultaneously!" The referee raised a green flag as the signal.
Chris and Koizumi Erlang each removed a Poké Ball from their belts, nodded to one another, and then threw them skyward in unison.
Silver light flashed as two Pokémon materialized on the field.
Koizumi's first Pokémon was Emboar.
Its enormous, bulky body was surrounded by raging flames, with black smoke and sparks emerging from the massive pig's nostrils. It was evident that this Emboar had been exceptionally well-raised!
The Pokémon Chris sent out was Steelix!
Red flame patterns adorned its black body, making its already ferocious face appear even more intimidating!
With the appearance of the Shiny Steelix, exclamations erupted throughout the auditorium.
"Another Shiny Pokémon?"
"Wow! First a Shiny Gardevoir, then Hariyama, Gyarados, and recently a Growlithe. Now there's a Steelix too! Chris, are you assembling an entire team of Shiny Pokémon for the World Pokémon Contest?"
"Chris isn't just a star anymore—he's the Shiny God!"
"Nobody stop me—I need a front-facing photo of the Shiny God to put above my bed starting tonight!"
"Believe in Chris, encounter Shinies!"
Koizumi Erlang gazed at the Shiny Steelix with a touch of envy, but his expression remained disdainful. "So what if it's a Shiny Pokémon? What Trainers pursue is strength. No matter how good-looking a Pokémon is, it's meaningless if it's weak!"
Chris maintained an expressionless face. He had foreseen this reaction—with each new Shiny Pokémon he revealed, people would grow increasingly surprised, until eventually... they'd become numb to it.
The referee extended his hand, confirming that both Pokémon and Trainers were ready, and promptly announced, "Let the battle begin!"
"Emboar, use Fire Pledge!" Koizumi Erlang was eager to strike first.
Emboar versus Steelix—he held the type advantage from the outset.
Not only did Emboar's Fighting-type moves threaten Steelix, but its Fire-type attacks were super effective as well. Koizumi felt confident: one powerful move should be enough!
"Dragon Tail," Chris commanded, showing no intention of holding back.
Both Trainers issued their commands simultaneously. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝗂𝗋𝖾⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥
Emboar lunged forward and slammed its fist into the ground. Instantly, a pillar of fire erupted from the impact point, surging skyward.
This was just the beginning.
From the initial fire pillar, additional columns of flame burst from the ground every ten centimeters, rapidly extending toward Steelix.
But before the Fire Pledge could reach Steelix, the Steelix had already twisted its body and swung its massive tail with tremendous force.
The Shiny Steelix's tail resembled a giant sword—a blade that only a titan could wield!
This image inexplicably reminded Chris of a description commonly used in novels:
A blade without equal, a skill with no master!
The black tail, embellished with crimson flame patterns, appeared to cut through the air with a stream of fire as it swung. But now, it wasn't just fire—the massive appendage was enveloped in dark green Dragon-type energy, the power wrapping around the tail like an aura as it slashed toward Emboar.
"Close Combat!" Koizumi Erlang commanded without a hint of fear.
Emboar expelled black smoke from its nostrils, raised its fist, and punched directly at the enormous tail-sword bearing down upon it!
A resounding "CLANG" echoed throughout the arena.
Violent black smoke rose like a volcanic eruption. The entire ground shook as haze, dust, and debris filled the air.
Simultaneously, the pillars of fire from Fire Pledge were abruptly severed, advancing no further.
Everyone watched intently, eager to see the outcome of this powerful collision.
Steelix withdrew its tail while the smoke gradually dispersed.
When the haze finally cleared completely, Emboar's form was revealed. It lay sprawled on the scorched ground, with a massive, visible gash surrounded by spider web-like cracks that extended a full three meters in all directions!
Without question, Emboar had lost its ability to battle.
"Emboar is unable to battle! Steelix wins!" the referee announced.
Chris regarded Koizumi Erlang with an expressionless face and called out loudly, "Next one!"