Qi Jun had conceded so that his opponent wouldn't be able to keep stacking enhancement buffs.
But why did the other side also surrender?
The reason was simple. The moment Qi Jun admitted defeat, the opposing team instantly realized that their plan had been exposed—and that the next person they would likely face was Oliver himself.
They knew all too well how terrifying Oliver's Garchomp was. To prevent a worst-case scenario—where they wouldn't even get the chance to pass the Baton before being wiped out—they decisively ordered the freshly sent-out Politoed to use Baton Pass immediately, then jumped straight off the stage to concede.
This scene left most of the audience completely dumbfounded.
However, a sharp-eyed few noticed something unusual.
Zhang Zhixing didn't know much about Pokémon battles, but the Rongcheng Gym Leader, Ling Qi, who stood beside him, nodded slightly.
"Not a bad tactical retreat," Ling Qi said. "Rongcheng No. 1 High responded quickly as well. Both sides have promising youngsters."
Zhang Zhixing asked curiously, "Gym Leader Ling, is there some hidden meaning behind this?"
Ling Qi briefly explained the tactical exchange between the two teams. Only then did everyone around them finally understand. Zhang Zhixing was so delighted that he slapped his thigh repeatedly.
After all, these talented youths were part of his political achievements as well—the better they performed, the more impressive his record would look.
Oliver had originally planned to let every team member get a chance to fight, but now it seemed that he had no choice but to step in himself.
When Meng Ming saw Oliver entering the field, he immediately realized the same thing. If he didn't come up now and allowed Oliver to defeat the next Baton Pass recipient first, the strategy would collapse before the baton ever reached him.
So Meng Ming also stepped onto the stage early.
The audience had expected the captains' duel to happen at the very end—but to their surprise, it had become a king-versus-king showdown far sooner than anticipated.
Both sides released their Pokémon, took their positions, and bowed.
Meng Ming glanced at his Blaziken. It clenched its fists and rolled its shoulders, radiating explosive power.
"Even if the Baton Pass chain didn't reach its final stage," Meng Ming said seriously,
"don't think you'll win this easily!"
"Then let's try," Oliver replied calmly.
At the referee's signal, both Pokémon charged forward at the same time.
In that moment, they wanted nothing more than a pure, close-quarters fight—
fist against flesh, blow against blow.
Garchomp struck first, Dragon Claw forming from condensed energy and tearing through the air toward Blaziken.
Blaziken answered without hesitation—one arm blazing with Fire Punch, the other executing Double Chop, bringing both down toward Garchomp's head.
Oliver's Garchomp did not dare underestimate the attack. With Blaziken's power already amplified, taking that hit head-on would be disastrous.
Garchomp stepped forward instead, twisting its body as its tail—charged with draconic force—swept out violently.
Blaziken grit its teeth. Even knowing it would be struck by Dragon Tail, it forced its way in and slammed a punch straight into Garchomp's chest.
This was personal.
This was the Pokémon that had defeated it—twice.
Garchomp was knocked back several steps. The impact point on its chest was scorched black, throbbing with pain.
Blaziken wasn't spared either. The Dragon Tail smashed into its waist, sending it skidding backward several meters.
Back and forth they went—each exchange brutal, every strike heavy.
The sheer physicality of the battle had the crowd roaring in excitement.
Before long, both Pokémon were covered in wounds, yet neither showed the slightest hesitation.
Their eyes burned with determination.
After two rounds of power enhancement, Blaziken's raw strength had begun to edge past Garchomp's.
But in coordination, balance, and reaction speed, Garchomp still held the advantage.
"Sand Tomb—then Dig!" Oliver commanded.
Garchomp immediately pulled back and activated the move beneath Blaziken's feet.
Meng Ming's pupils shrank.
That move again.
He had lost to it once already.
But after days of careful analysis, did Oliver really think he'd fall for the same trick again?
"I've found the answer this time!" Meng Ming shouted.
"Blaziken—Bounce!"
Blaziken's powerful legs exploded with force as it leapt skyward. Flames engulfed its right leg as it descended like a meteor.
Bounce combined with Blaze Kick!
With gravity-enhanced acceleration and two high-impact moves stacked together, the power behind this kick was enough to shatter the Sand Tomb entirely.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed across the arena. Sand flew everywhere as the Sand Tomb collapsed.
A massive crater formed in the battlefield, its edges charred black by intense heat.
As the dust settled—
Blaziken knelt in the crater, breathing heavily, then slowly stood upright.
That kick had been overwhelming.
There was no way Garchomp could have endured it… right?
Suddenly—
A sharp sound ripped through the air.
And Meng Ming's frantic shout followed.
"Blaziken—watch your back!"
Under normal conditions, Blaziken could've dodged easily.
But after that attack, it was completely exhausted—and it had already suffered serious injuries.
There was no escaping it now.
Crunch.
Fangs sank deep into flesh as Garchomp bit down hard on Blaziken's shoulder.
"Cha—mo!!"
Blaziken screamed once before losing consciousness.
Garchomp staggered to the edge of the stage and unceremoniously hurled Blaziken out of the arena.
The crowd fell silent for a split second—then erupted.
This savage, almost primal way of fighting sent a shock straight through everyone watching.
The host quickly announced,
"Blaziken has lost the ability to battle! Garchomp wins!"
The stadium exploded with cheers and applause.
Garchomp bared its blood-stained fangs and roared toward the sky, proclaiming itself the ultimate victor.
Meng Ming collapsed onto the ground, eyes unfocused.
"…Lost again… Why couldn't even that attack defeat it…?"
Rongcheng No. 2 High had only one participant left.
Garchomp was already at its limit—but Oliver's team still had three untouched members.
The remaining match ended swiftly.
The host raised his voice:
"Ladies and gentlemen! The champion of this Southwest Inter-High Tournament is—
Rongcheng No. 1 High School!"
At the same moment, a cold system notification echoed in Oliver's mind.
"Successfully obtained first place in the Southwest Inter-High Tournament."
"Completion Rating: Perfect."
"Rewards acquired:"
– Key Stone ×1
– Mysterious Pokémon Egg ×1
– Special Ability: Aura Power (Wave Guidance)"
Far away, in a ruined area on the outskirts of the city—
Collapsed walls and shattered ground told the story of a fierce battle that had just ended.
Mu Xue sat casually atop a massive chunk of rubble, watching the tournament livestream on her phone.
After weeks of cleanup, the Genesis Society's influence within the Xia Nation had been completely eradicated.
This place was their final hideout.
When she saw Blaziken defeated by Garchomp, Mu Xue smiled faintly, turned off her phone, stretched lazily, and said,
"Hurry up and finish cleaning. I'm going home."
Below her, the investigators in charge of arrests and cleanup stood at attention and replied in unison:
"Yes!"
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage