Besides being a professor, Kukui had another identity—
The undefeated boss of the Royal Dome…
The Masked Royal himself!
He had kept this secret completely hidden.
Even Professor Burnet—whom he liked and who adored the Masked Royal—
He still refused to reveal it to her!
Why?
Well…
because Kukui was a "low-key" guy.
But now?
The Heavenly Tally had disclosed his entire team to the world.
Anyone with half a brain would make connections.
And even if they didn't—
The moment his battle footage played, everyone would know.
And another thing—
When the hell did he "catch" Tapu Koko?!
That was the Guardian Deity of an island!
How could it possibly be caught?!
This was going too far!!
While Kukui struggled to contain his excited-but-nosy students…
The rest of the world had already begun discussing the wagers.
"On paper… Ash's got two legends, and Professor Kukui only has one.
And he has the Legendary-Slayer Pikachu!
Shouldn't Ash have the advantage?"
"Heh…
You clearly haven't understood the Tally's patterns yet.
Think—who did the prelude focus on?
And how did the previous battles end?"
"You mean…"
"…"
Everywhere, discussions exploded.
Even Champions and Elites jumped into the betting chat.
[Lance: I think… this round, Professor Kukui wins.]
[Steven: Same here.
Anyone fooled by Ash's two legendary Pokémon is walking straight into Tally's trap.]
[Alder: And how so?]
[Professor Oak: Let me explain.
I know Alola's Pokémon fairly well.
Aside from Pikachu, all of Ash's team are Alolan species.]
[Oak: I won't comment on Naganadel and Melmetal just yet.
But the others: Rowlet — first stage.
Torracat — second stage.
Lycanroc — comparable to a mid-tier regional canine.]
[Oak: Meanwhile, Kukui has Incineroar, Empoleon, Venusaur — ALL final evolutions of starters.
Lucario — a top-tier fighter.
And a divine-mandate Tapu Koko.]
[Oak: Even if Ash has two legendary-tier Pokémon…
His chances aren't high.]
Professor Oak's analysis was merciless.
From any angle—
Kukui was a near-complete counter.
This was going to be a battle of gods, literally—
But Ash… didn't look favored.
And the most crucial point—
[Diantha: Didn't you notice?
Every time the Tally shows a prelude, the one in the preview wins.
Be it Pikachu or Charizard.]
[Lance: I've noticed it too!
That means the featured Tapu Koko is definitely the winner!
"Mortal vs. God"—it must refer to Kukui fighting Ash's legends!
As for Tapu Koko?
Ash won't beat it.]
[Leon: Lance, you're starting again.]
[Lorelei: Lance, you're starting again.]
[Cynthia: Lance, you're starting again.]
[Lance: Damn it!!
This time I'm right for sure!
Just you all wait—this bet is MINE!]
Lance was furious.
Everyone was mocking him.
Previously, he had predicted Ash would lose every single time—
And Ash somehow kept winning.
But THIS TIME—
He, Dragon Master Lance,
had 100% absolute confidence that Ash would lose.
Forget the two legendaries—
He had fought Kukui before.
At full power, Kukui was only slightly weaker than him.
And now Kukui had…
a divine-mandate legendary.
Who on Ash's team could beat Tapu Koko?
Pikachu?
Melmetal?
Yeah right.
Winning against a deity?
Not a chance.
Meanwhile, at Team Rocket HQ—
"Boss, this brat Ash is definitely losing this time!"
"Yeah, boss!
A divine-mandate Pokémon—Ash can't win!"
Proton and Ariana spoke confidently beside Giovanni.
If anyone saw Team Rocket HQ right now, they'd be stunned—
Giovanni and all four Executives were gathered around a big screen…
betting.
"No need for you to tell me," Giovanni said sharply.
"I have personally felt the power of a divine Pokémon."
As he said that, he recalled Mewtwo's overwhelming power.
Mewtwo, lacking divine authority, was already close to a tier-two god.
The strength of a divine-mandate Pokémon?
Monstrous.
Giovanni slammed all 600 of his points on Kukui.
He didn't care about the points—
He cared that he, Giovanni of Team Rocket,
had never won a single wager.
It was humiliating.
This time—
He was winning.
Gary stared gloomily at the screen.
Who should he bet on…?
Without the Champions' analysis, he would've picked Ash easily.
But now…
"Forget it.
If I don't bet on you, you'll have zero supporters.
That'd be too embarrassing."
He sighed—
And placed his bet on Ash.
In Kalos, in Vaniville Town—
"Ash…
You're going to win.
Because… you're Ash."
Serena whispered softly—
And placed all nine million of her points onto Ash.
Yes—
nine million.
That was how far she'd ridden the Ash-stocks train.
She didn't need points for anything else—
So she just kept compounding her wins:
2000 → 60,000 → 600,000 → 9,000,000.
The Serena Stock Market Queen.
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