Yozora knew that facing a Pokémon like Hitmonchan was anything but easy.
Its incredible physical stamina, the devastating strength gained from multiple Power-Up Punches, the blinding speed at high velocity, and the combat awareness honed through countless battles…
Tsk, tsk, tsk…
For a moment, Yozora felt an unbearable pressure weighing down on him. When he glanced at Master Tyron again, in his daze it was as though he saw a golden giant. A terrifying aura surged over him like a tidal wave, nearly suffocating him.
"Terrifying… what a terrifying opponent…" Just one look at Master Tyron was enough to make Yozora instinctively step back half a pace, his heart trembling with fear.
This man was too strong. Stronger than Lt. Surge by countless times.
"Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch!" Just as Yozora reeled from shock, Master Tyron gave his next command.
Not another Power-Up Punch—this time, it was Mach Punch.
After two consecutive boosts, Hitmonchan's power was overwhelming, already comparable to a Commander-tier Pokémon at its peak.
That power was more than enough to deal serious damage to Charmeleon.
Now, Tyron chose Mach Punch. The move's speed was lightning-fast. Bang, bang, bang! Hitmonchan darted in, fists flying. In just one second, it struck six times, leaving trails of crimson afterimages that pounded against Charmeleon's face.
Six punches in a second. Though not as fast as Beedrill's dozen stingers in a single instant, for a Pokémon of Hitmonchan's level, the destructive force was terrifying.
"Rooaar!"
Charmeleon howled in pain as it was knocked back, claws scraping a deep furrow in the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Charmeleon!" Yozora cried out, his heart burning with unwillingness.
Forget Master Tyron—what mattered was the fact that he was being crushed by an opponent far above his level. That frustration gnawed at him.
The bond between Trainer and Pokémon pulsed.
In that instant, the fire of Yozora's indignant will reached into Charmeleon's heart. Charmeleon roared with fury, entering a state of complete frenzy.
Fwoosh!
The flames on its tail erupted, swelling to five times their normal size, surging into a massive blue inferno.
It was Blaze.
The intensity of Yozora's defiance resonated with Charmeleon, igniting its fighting spirit and awakening the full force of its Blaze ability.
The fire of life surged within it.
As flames were the driving core of Charmeleon's being, its life force blazing to the limit caused its entire body to surge with newfound strength—power, speed, endurance, all soaring at once.
And above all, its firepower skyrocketed.
"Don't worry about it, Hitmonchan—keep using Mach Punch!" Tyron ordered calmly.
"Really, you think we're not worth worrying about…?"
Yozora's eyes sharpened. In this moment, he could feel Charmeleon's overwhelming strength, its reliability burning bright. He made his choice without hesitation."Charmeleon, meet it head-on with Fire Punch!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The two Pokémon traded blows at blinding speed.
Hitmonchan unleashed six punches in a second, crimson fist afterimages flashing in the air.
Charmeleon matched it blow for blow, six fiery punches in a second. Each blazing fist slammed into the red afterimages, colliding with explosive force.
But—
Charmeleon's fire-infused fists carried far greater power. One by one, they shattered Hitmonchan's afterimages, finally landing solidly on its body.
After the fierce exchange, Hitmonchan was hurled back, flames clinging to its body. It skidded across the ground in a shower of sparks, the scene dazzling yet brutal.
Not only was it heavily injured, it was also inflicted with a burn! From this moment on, every second would gnaw at its stamina, its body seared by Charmeleon's fire.
Hitmonchan grimaced, its face twisted in agony, gasping like an ox.
Once Blaze had ignited, Charmeleon's combat power spiked drastically. Just one clash had nearly broken Hitmonchan.
"Not only a firm foundation, but limitless potential as well…" Master Tyron's voice carried genuine admiration. At this moment, his eyes on Charmeleon were like those of a craftsman beholding a flawless, priceless gem.
With his discerning gaze, Tyron saw it clearly—Charmeleon's potential was boundless.
And it was true.
Charmeleon possessed the potential of a Tier 3 Legendary, capable of growing to that level. This potential was even beyond what Master Tyron had imagined.
"Charmeleon, Flamethrower!" Seizing the advantage, Yozora pressed forward.
A torrent of flame roared forth. But Tyron remained as immovable as a mountain, calmly commanding, "Evade at full speed."
With a blur, Hitmonchan vanished into a streak of red light, dodging the Flamethrower by a hair.
"Don't let it escape! Cut it off!" Yozora barked. In the next instant, Charmeleon's speed erupted. Like a gale, it moved to block Hitmonchan's path.
It raised its head high, eyes glaring down with cold arrogance. Standing a full head taller than Hitmonchan, with its fierce, savage visage, Charmeleon's presence alone shattered the fighter's iron will.
Sweat poured down Hitmonchan's face. Terror seized its heart, its body locking up—unable to move at all.
"The finishing blow—Fire Blast!"
Boom! A blazing, kanji-shaped inferno erupted from Charmeleon's jaws, slamming directly into Hitmonchan and blasting it to the ground.
The battle was over.
Charmeleon had defeated Hitmonchan.
And with that, Yozora had triumphed over Master Tyron, successfully conquering the Taige Gym.
Of course, Yozora knew that Tyron had not revealed his true strength…
After all, what Gym Leader ever did? If every Gym Leader used their full power, fielding Pokémon at Gym Leader-level or higher, how many Trainers could ever hope to win a badge?
"Young man, your name is Yozora, isn't it? Excellent. It has been a long time since I've seen such a talented youth." Master Tyron spoke with rare praise, leaving his four disciples utterly dumbfounded.
When their master addressed them, it was always "fools" this and "idiots" that.
But now, he was calling Yozora an outstanding young man?
Unbelievable.
Their hearts twisted with jealousy and frustration, and their eyes toward Yozora brimmed with envy and resentment.
"Take it. This is yours—the Boxing Badge." Tyron took out a red badge and handed it to Yozora.
In his hand, Yozora saw that the Boxing Badge truly lived up to its name—it was a miniature crimson boxing glove. Simple, but fascinating.
As Yozora put away the badge, his collection rose to five. Just three more stood between him and the eight badges needed to enter the Indigo League.
"Master Tyron, my Charmeleon and I plan to enter the upcoming Fighting Tournament here in town, two weeks from now. Please… we humbly ask for your guidance." Yozora bowed his head.
"You and your Charmeleon are already very strong," Tyron replied, closing his eyes, his tone faint and detached.
"But the Fighting Tournament is not the same as a Pokémon battle. In martial combat, you still know nothing at all. Allow me to teach you…"
(End of Chapter)