Chapter 336 - VS Sapphire
Maybe the League tweaked the matchmaking algorithm, because for Asahi's sixth match, he finally got an opponent who didn't forfeit immediately.
Standing on the battlefield was a young girl, staring at Asahi with burning intensity.
Sabrina blinked in surprise. Someone not scared of Asahi?
Asahi looked closely, and her figure gradually overlapped with someone in his memory...
"Sapphire?" he asked.
The girl froze. "You know me?"
"I heard Professor Birch mention you. Didn't expect to meet you here."
Ruby and Sapphire—protagonists of the Hoenn Special Edition.
After the crisis with Groudon and Kyogre, Asahi had considered recruiting them into the International Police. But Ruby's father, Norman, had been worried for his safety, and the plan was shelved.
Who would've thought he'd run into Sapphire here?
"You know my dad? Well, even if you do, I'm not going easy on you!" Sapphire clenched her fists, flashing two sharp canines with a serious face.
"Go easy...?"
Asahi gave her a strange look. He'd thought she was brave for challenging a strong opponent, but now…
"You didn't watch the opening ceremony, did you?"
"Opening ceremony? What's that?"
Her clueless expression made both Asahi and Sabrina understand at once.
She hadn't seen anything.
[Psychic Idol: Asahi, you're not seriously gonna bully an unknowing rookie, are you?]
[Gardevoir #1 Fan: It's a fair fight! Don't make him sound like a villain.]
While the two chatted mentally, Sapphire frowned. Something told her they were having a private conversation behind her back...
"Are we battling or not?" she asked, holding her Poké Ball. "My Rotom-Cam's already here!"
Asahi snapped out of it and looked to the sky. Sure enough, the Rotom drone had arrived.
Though it seemed to recognize Asahi from earlier—after his complaint at HQ—it floated nervously at a distance.
Asahi shrugged at Sabrina, as if to say: She insisted.
"Battle? Of course."
He picked up the Eevee that had been chilling on his shoulder, ready to spectate—and casually tossed it onto the field.
"Vee?"
Eevee blinked in confusion.
Sapphire eyed both Asahi and his shoulder-Eevee. Having spent years assisting Professor Birch in field research, she immediately sensed something off.
Weird. It was just an Eevee… So why did her instincts scream danger?
After a moment's thought, she decided to trust those instincts that had saved her many times in the wild—Go all in.
She pulled a Poké Ball from her waist and tossed it.
Boom!
A heavy thud echoed as a 120kg Lairon crashed onto the field, clad in silver armor.
Its blue eyes stared at Eevee—not with hostility, but curiosity.
If it could talk, it would probably be saying: This is my opponent?
Eevee noticed Lairon staring and called out.
But her voice had zero intimidation—more like she was trying to be cute, thanks to spending too much time around Asahi.
To Sapphire, this Eevee didn't look like she could fight at all. She was small, soft-voiced—harmless.
"Let's get started!" Sapphire was raring to go.
Up above, the Rotom drone didn't immediately announce the battle start. Instead, it glanced at Asahi—awaiting permission.
Asahi: "..."
Okay, I filed a complaint earlier, sure. But this is a bit much…
Now's not the time, though.
He looked at the determined Sapphire and smiled.
"Alright, let's begin."
[Ding! Recording activated. Both Trainers may now commence battle. This match will be uploaded to the World Championship database and will count toward your ranking.]
As soon as the words left the Rotom-Drone's speakers, Sapphire made her move.
A seasoned survivalist from the wilds, Sapphire understood better than most that in a battle, the first strike could be the key to victory.
"Lairon, use Headlong Rush!"
At her command, Lairon thundered into action. Its four steel-plated legs pounded the ground as it charged forward like a tank, aiming straight for Eevee.
Weighing over 120 kilograms and clad in heavy silver armor, Lairon could turn solid rock to rubble with a single charge.
"Not bad," Asahi commented calmly, watching the incoming attack. "If that Lairon evolves into a full-fledged Aggron, it could give Gary's Aggron a run for its money."
Sabrina raised her brows in surprise.
Knowing Asahi well, she recognized that this kind of compliment—especially when mentioning Gary—was high praise coming from him.
Eevee, seeing Asahi remain still and silent, understood. She was free to handle this on her own.
And so, to Sapphire's amazement, her charging Lairon faced an utterly unbothered Eevee—who yawned like she hadn't even fully woken up.
Then, before anyone could react—
Lairon's legs gave out mid-sprint.
Its massive body, previously galloping with terrifying force, suddenly lost balance and crashed to the ground, skidding across the battlefield and carving a deep gouge into the terrain.
It came to a stop just inches in front of Eevee.
Lairon didn't get back up.
Even as Eevee casually stepped onto its head and bounced playfully on its body, Lairon stayed down, completely unconscious.
"Lairon…?" Sapphire's voice trembled in disbelief.
What had just happened?
Why had her Lairon suddenly collapsed mid-charge?
A calm voice answered her.
"Curious?" Asahi asked, smiling.
Sapphire turned to him, stunned.
"It was a Yawn," he said. "My Eevee used Yawn."
Realization dawned on her.
The stumble, the collapse—it all made sense now. Her Lairon had been put to sleep mid-sprint by Eevee's Yawn attack.
But still…
"Why did it take effect so fast?"
Asahi stroked his chin, as if pondering deeply. "Maybe my Eevee is just... a little bit strong?"
Sabrina rolled her eyes hard enough to sprain something.
He's showing off again… and getting away with it.