Victorious, Pidgeotto circled proudly in the sky before swooping down toward Yozora.
"Well done, Pidgeotto."
Yozora extended his arm, letting it perch there, and with his other hand, he gently stroked its feathers.
His Pidgeotto was larger than average, weighing nearly thirty-eight kilograms. At this moment, Yozora could fully feel its weight pressing on his arm, filling his heart with quiet emotion.
The match had ended. After casting one last glance at Ryūnan, Yozora prepared to leave the field.
"Wait! I want another battle!"
He had barely turned when Ryūnan's voice rang out behind him.
Yozora looked back. Ryūnan spoke as though it were only natural:
"My Dratini had already fought nineteen straight battles. It was both mentally and physically exhausted, far from its peak condition. For you to defeat it isn't honorable at all. Of course we must battle again!"
Yozora smiled faintly, not surprised.
Ryūnan had been chasing a perfect twenty-win streak, only to stumble at the final step. How could he possibly accept that? Yozora understood the frustration. Very well then—he would crush him once more.
In truth, Yozora considered Ryūnan to be a worthy opponent. To engage in battles at such a high level of skill was precisely what he had been seeking all along.
"No problem. So, how do you want to battle?" Yozora released Pidgeotto back into the air, asking with an easy smile.
"How?"
Ryūnan smirked coldly. "Of course, we'll continue from before. A two-on-two. I've already lost once… but if I can win the next two matches, then overall the victory will still be mine!"
Yozora: "…"
He stared at Ryūnan, speechless. The spectators, shocked at this sudden twist, soon broke into laughter.
This Ryūnan… his obsession with winning was a bit too much. Even now, all he could think about was that twentieth win!
"Go, Arcanine!"
Without waiting for Yozora's reply, Ryūnan hurled a Poké Ball.
A flash of white light, and a majestic Arcanine appeared on the battlefield.
"It's an Arcanine! Truly worthy of the Blackthorn Clan—every move they make is extraordinary!" The crowd gasped in awe.
Yozora's gaze sharpened as he focused on the Pokémon before him—
[Pokémon]: Arcanine
[Type]: Fire
[Rank]: Senior High Tier
[Potential]: Senior
[Notes]: An Arcanine at its peak, boasting impressive strength—but with nearly all of its potential already spent.
Arcanine, the evolved form of Growlithe.
Unlike most, it couldn't evolve naturally, requiring a Fire Stone instead.
Pokémon like Growlithe, Eevee, Ponyta, Nidorino, and Nidorina—all unable to evolve without stones—were always favorites among the wealthy heirs.
Why? Because there was no need for long, careful training. One stone, instant evolution, and immediate power.
Of course, they scorned using inferior stones that couldn't unlock true potential. For them, only medium-grade stones would do—expensive, but a fast path to strength.
In this world, the truly powerful or highly promising Pokémon lurked deep within forests and valleys. Without significant fighting power, trainers could never even reach them, let alone capture them.
Thus, raising a "second team" through fast evolution wasn't foolish—it was a practical strategy. Use that squad for expeditions, secure resources, and eventually obtain rare, high-potential Pokémon for the "first team." Those would then be trained with care into mainstays and even aces.
Ryūnan's Arcanine was one such product—Senior potential, now already at its limit. A bought-and-raised powerhouse. But undeniably, its strength was real.
In the original anime, Gary Oak himself had relied on Nidoking and Arcanine in his early days—proof of the same principle.
Don't ask why. The answer was simple: speed. Rapid growth.
Yozora didn't look down on the approach. Truthfully, if he hadn't possessed his system's advantage, and if he too had been a wealthy heir, he might have done the exact same thing.
Because it worked. And in this world, results mattered.
But with his system, Yozora had no need to take shortcuts.
"Return, Pidgeotto."
Against a high-tier Fire-type, Pidgeotto would be at too great a disadvantage. Yozora recalled it, sending another Pokémon out instead.
"Rooar!"
A towering Kangaskhan appeared, its massive frame radiating power.
"What? A Kangaskhan? How can a rookie trainer possibly control such a Pokémon?!"
The crowd erupted in shock. Some even cried out in disbelief.
Indeed—Arcanine was rare, but Kangaskhan was equally so. Both were considered extremely rare and exceptionally powerful species.
"My goodness… Kangaskhan versus Arcanine. And both trainers are supposed to be rookies? This is insane!"
"Tell me about it! I've been traveling for years, and forget owning one—even seeing a Kangaskhan or Arcanine is rare!"
"Scary. Must be the power of money…"
"Exactly… Ryūnan's heritage is obvious, but that boy with the Kangaskhan… His clothes are plain, yet his bearing is calm and refined. He's no ordinary person either."
"…"
The stage was set: Kangaskhan versus Arcanine.
The entire audience was stunned by the sight. Many were seasoned trainers themselves, even Senior level, but few could boast such a dazzling matchup.
"I misjudged him." Ryūnan's eyes narrowed as he studied Yozora. "This boy may look young, but his foundation runs deep."
He had already realized: Yozora's Kangaskhan was also Senior High Tier.
In other words, in terms of raw level, his Arcanine had no advantage at all.
"Hmph. Even so, I'll be the one to win!" Ryūnan sneered with confidence. He had absolute faith in his command ability.
"Run, Arcanine—use Flamethrower!"
The second battle began with his roar.
"Arrooo!"
Arcanine let out a fierce cry, dashing forward as flames gushed from its maw toward Kangaskhan.
"Jump up and dodge! Use Body Slam!" Yozora commanded.
With a mighty leap, Kangaskhan soared into the air.
The fire passed harmlessly beneath it, and then its colossal body descended like a falling mountain—aimed straight at Arcanine.
End of Chapter