"Hahaha, well deserved!"
"Pokémon are our best companions, not tools for profit!"
"A trainer grows alongside their Pokémon, and only then can they forge a true bond that makes them inseparable comrades! Those kinds of methods that exploit legal loopholes are just asking for trouble!"
Seeing Brent Holloway being taken away by the Pokémon Hunters, Hailey Blake smiled with joy.
Although things like Pokémon rentals couldn't be directly interfered with, there was always a special connection between a Pokémon and its trainer. Precisely, that weak bond between Brent Holloway and Ursaring was one of the reasons for its loss of control.
And upon hearing Hailey Blake's slightly sarcastic words, the members of the Pokémon Island Adventure Club didn't know how to respond.
"Let's go!"
Ryan Grant's expression was absolutely unpleasant. He snorted coldly and left the stadium with the club members, all of them with their heads hung low.
"This..."
"Is the battle over?"
The audience throughout the stadium watched in bewilderment as Brent Holloway was escorted away by the hunters in charge of public order. Everyone was a little stunned.
"Does the end of the battle mean that...?"
"That Ethan Black guy actually defeated all the members of the Pokémon Island Adventure Club by himself!?"
Once they processed it, the entire stadium fell into a deathly silence, followed by a great collective gasp.
Defeating ten members all by himself! That had never happened before in the history of the Ironvale City Pokémon Club Tournament!
"Cacnea, good job."
Seeing the situation, Ethan Black also curved his lips slightly with a smile.
"Cac~ cac~!"
Hearing Ethan Black's praise, Cacnea emerged from the sandy ground and sat down on the floor, exhausted.
Although it hadn't spent much physical energy in the battles, the sustained mental strain and constant use of roots had left it completely drained. Its mental energy had been exhausted.
Seeing this, Ethan Black quickly jumped onto the battlefield and, smiling, offered it a bottle of nutrient juice.
"Ursaring has lost the right to compete. This battle goes to Cacnea."
"And since all ten members of the Pokémon Island Adventure Club have been defeated, the winner of the Ironvale City Pokémon Club Tournament is... the Pokémon Nightstar Club!"
With the announcer's words, the crowd snapped back to reality. After a brief moment of astonishment, a thunderous ovation erupted throughout the stadium.
"Incredible! Ethan, you're the best!"
Hearing the victory announcement, Hailey Blake jumped with excitement, quickly ran onto the field, and enthusiastically hugged Ethan Black.
"Cac~ cac~!"
But to everyone's surprise, at that moment Ethan Black was holding Cacnea in his arms...
So in the next instant...
...
Pokémon Center of Ironvale City.
"Are you okay?"
Ethan Black looked amusedly at Hailey Blake, who had a bandage on her chest.
"Hmph! None of your business!"
Hailey Blake blushed slightly.
"Well, as long as you're okay."
Ethan Black covered his mouth to laugh. Hailey Blake seemed rather interesting to him.
"Hmph! Don't think that just because you helped our Pokémon Nightstar Club win, I'll see you differently."
"If you hadn't been there, I could've won too!"
Hailey Blake looked at Ethan Black, who was still laughing, with her face turning even redder.
"Hailey, are you okay?"
Just then, her older sister Rachel Blake arrived, after finishing the club's matters.
"What could happen to me? I just got pricked a little by one of Cacnea's spines, with a couple of Heal Pulse I'll be perfectly fine."
Hailey Blake patted her chest and smiled.
"Ethan Black, thank you very much this time."
"You raised Cacnea really well. Even I was surprised!"
Rachel Blake let out a relieved sigh and then smiled at Ethan Black.
"Yes, honestly, I was surprised too. It's just that Cacnea has incredible talent."
Ethan Black smiled faintly, but didn't fully accept the compliment.
"That's true. Among its species, that talent is extraordinary. Those endlessly growing roots and the control it has over them are exceptional gifts."
"But your skill as a trainer is also excellent. Developing and making use of a Pokémon's innate talent is exactly what a trainer should do."
Rachel Blake nodded approvingly. The more she looked at Ethan Black, the more she liked him.
"Ah, right. As I promised, after the tournament I'd give you the Water-type Pokémon Breeding Notes."
After chatting for a bit, Rachel Blake remembered something and handed him a notebook she had already prepared.
"Water-type Pokémon Breeding Notes!"
Seeing it, Ethan Black's eyes lit up. He carefully received the notebook and immediately began leafing through it.
When he opened it, he saw beautiful handwriting, clearly written by Rachel Blake. It flowed like clear water: simply gorgeous.
Gently brushing his fingers over the characters, Ethan Black turned the pages and soon found a large number of methods for raising Water-type Pokémon.
And in the central part of the notebook... he saw the specific techniques for raising the Shellder family! He couldn't help but look at Rachel Blake with surprise and joy.
"Didn't disappoint you, did I?"
"At the time, to better raise the Water-type Pokémon I had, I researched and compiled many techniques, and now... they're all yours."
Seeing the surprised expression on Ethan Black's face, Rachel Blake nodded in satisfaction.
"This gift is truly very valuable!"
"If you ever need my help, don't hesitate to ask."
Rachel Blake fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "Hmph, I'm glad you understand."
"In fact, it's very simple. Now that our Pokémon Nightstar Club has earned the right to represent Ironvale City in the National Pokémon Club Tournament..."
"I want you to continue representing us."
Rachel Blake nodded in satisfaction and voiced her request.
"To represent the Pokémon Nightstar Club in the National Pokémon Club Tournament!"
Ethan Black thought about it for a moment and then nodded right away.
For him it was no problem. On the contrary, participating in major tournaments would help him accumulate valuable battle experience. It was all gain.
"Perfect, then it's decided."
"Ah, and this Pokémon breeding notebook is also for you."
Rachel Blake relaxed upon seeing that Ethan Black accepted, and then took out another notebook to hand him.
"What's this...?"
"Xatu Breeding Notes!"
Ethan Black was surprised as he glanced at the notebook.
(End of chapter)