Chapter 95 Zuvoki Steven!
After Steven finished speaking, the referee stared blankly ahead, his eyes wide, unable to believe what he had just heard. Zuvoki Steven?!
Wasn't that the Hoenn League Champion?!
The referee's face turned pale, and he didn't know what to say for a moment.
Compared to Lance's reputation in the Kanto Region, Steven's reputation in the Hoenn Region was much greater, known as the strongest trainer in Hoenn, while Lance was merely one of the Kanto Elite Four.
There was a certain difference in their status, although Lance was now the Johto League Champion, so their status was essentially the same, but this was Kanto.
"Mr. Steven, I wonder if it would be possible..."
The referee followed Steven all the way, stammering that he wanted Steven's autograph, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
After all, this was a champion, and the Hoenn Region champion at that.
His autograph would definitely be valuable if sold, at least more valuable than those of the Elite Four like Lance.
Who would have thought that Steven, the Hoenn League Champion, would appear in the Macha Gym?
Even if he told everyone, no one would believe him.
"Okay... I'll sign one for you after I meet the Gym Leader."
Daigo walked towards the arena, his interest in the small gym growing stronger.
The Pokédex displayed information about the gym, with the most discrepancies being the Gym Leader's strength and the types of Pokémon used—a wide variety, even Caterpie was mentioned.
Naturally, Daigo was interested in challenging such an interesting gym.
He hadn't challenged a gym in a long time, not even a Hoenn League gym; he'd only visited to check it out, not challenge it.
Lately, he'd been busy with archaeology, investigating ruins in the Hoenn Region, and hadn't had a proper competition to relax. This gym competition might be a good opportunity to unwind.
"Gym Leader, there's a challenger outside, looks like the Hoenn League Champion."
The receptionist, panting heavily, came running up, still breathless.
Bai Yu raised an eyebrow, a newfound interest forming in his mind .
The Hoenn League Champion? Daigo hadn't relinquished his champion position yet, still holding the title.
However, it seemed a bit too much of a coincidence that the Hoenn League Champion would travel all the way to Kanto and then coincidentally challenge his own gym.
Bai Yu considered it and gave up the idea. After all, Golden Airport was near Marsh City.
Following the Pokédex, it was normal, and besides, after Marsh City, after passing two more cities, they would reach the Indigo Plateau.
It wouldn't take more than a day to walk from Viridian Forest, to the left of Viridian City, to see the entire Indigo Plateau. No one would expect Team Rocket's headquarters to be located near the Indigo Plateau, or for the Team Rocket leader to become the Viridian Gym Leader.
"A Champion? I wonder what he's doing here,"
Sabrina said with some worry. A Champion-level trainer suddenly appearing at a gym
was unlikely to be anything good, especially since the opponent was from the Hoenn Region.
It was separated from Kanto by a stretch of sea; even by plane, it would take some time.
"Since he's a challenger, even if he's a Champion, I should deal with him normally,"
Bai Yu thought seriously for a moment, and ultimately abandoned the idea.
He hadn't caused any trouble; the other guy was probably on his way to the Indigo Plateau and just happened to pass by.
What was the point of thinking so much?
Besides…
he'd already seen that guy's strength in the games.
He didn't even know if the guy had Mega Evolution in real life.
"Are you the Gym Leader of Macha City?"
Steven looked at Bai Yu with interest. Such a young Gym Leader was a rare sight.
The Kanto League was indeed full of talent.
"Bai Yu, Gym Leader of Macha Gym, may I ask what brings Champion Steven here?"
Bai Yu also wanted to know Steven's purpose.
"I came by chance to witness the strength of the Kanto Gyms. Would Gym Leader Bai Yu be willing to demonstrate?"
Steven's tone was full of confidence. Unlike Shigeru and Blue-Green, he was already the League Champion, and confidence was not his forte.
"I wonder if the Champion wishes to participate in a Gym Battle or a Team Battle?"
Bai Yu became more interested. Compared to Steven in the games
, the Steven before him was much more confident. No wonder he had dominated Hoenn in such a short time.
Even after so many generations, he was still a character appearing in the anime; he certainly possessed a certain charm, unlike Lance.
Lance was inherently violent and arrogant, while Steven had absolute confidence in his own strength.
Their personalities were worlds apart.
This is also the line that Daigo later uttered in the anime and games.
He constantly used the words "strongest" and "most powerful."
This is similar to Blue-Green before he suffered his defeat.
After all, Blue-Green's classic line was, "I am the strongest in the world!"
"Oh?"
"Then let's have a team match. I also want to see the strength of the Kanto Gym from all angles."
Daigo showed some interest. A team match? He hadn't participated in a team match in a long time. Even his team match against the Hoenn Elite Four was several years ago, when he had just embarked on his journey to become the League Champion.
The Hoenn League is different from Kanto and Sinnoh. The gap between the Elite Four and the Champion is larger than expected, and the Hoenn Elite Four's desire to challenge is also somewhat weaker.
"A team match?"
"The match I most want to participate in, besides Shigeru."
Bai Yu smiled, but his heart was in turmoil.
How big is the gap between his strength and the Champion now? Even Bai Yu himself couldn't give an accurate answer.
Having battled Steven in the game for a month, during which he practically completed the entire Alola Region, his Toxapex and Gengar had improved significantly, and his own main team had also grown considerably.
Even Bai Yu himself wasn't sure how to approach the Champion.
However…
since it was a battle, he naturally wanted to fight at the highest level. Thinking this, Bai Yu threw his Poké Balls into his system space, then carried all his main Pokémon with him.
"Referee, since this is a team competition, just briefly announce the rules."
"This match doesn't require badges as stakes."
Bai Yu looked at the referee not far away and said calmly.
Steven didn't need the Kanto League badge to fight him.
This match could be considered a friendly exchange, only the opponent was the Champion.
"Alright!"
"Then let's begin the match."
"Hoenn League Champion Steven against Marsh City Gym Leader Bai Yu."
"Each side is limited to six Pokémon. Both sides may freely choose their starting lineups and may switch Pokémon during the match. The match ends when one side's Pokémon are all unable to battle."
"Battle begins!"
After announcing the rules, the referee walked towards the sidelines.
He quickly found a seat nearby, eager to witness the champion's prowess.
"I wonder if the Gym Leader will win."
The receptionist didn't stay at the front desk but went to watch from the stands.
She didn't want to miss such a rare match.
"Champion Steven should win, after all, he's a champion." The referee favored Steven, after all, Steven was a champion.
A champion and a gym leader are not on the same level.
The referee had never heard of a gym leader whose strength rivaled a champion.
Even gym leaders comparable to the Elite Four are extremely rare.
"Ferrothorn, it's yours."
Bai Yu threw his Poké Ball without hesitation.
A white flash appeared, and the oddly shaped Ferrothorn appeared on the field.
"Ferrothorn? A Pokémon from the Unova Region."
Steven knew Steel-type Pokémon inside and out, and Ferrothorn was also a Steel-type.
He knew Ferrothorn's information without even needing the Pokédex.
After all, Steven was an expert in using Steel-type Pokémon.
He especially favored Steel and Rock-type Pokémon, and all the Pokémon he used had these two types.
"Since it's Ferrothorn, you go."
Steven hadn't brought many Pokémon with him this time; he wanted to see Bai Yu's Pokémon skills.
A flash of white light, and a massive body appeared on the field. Its four powerful legs gleamed with a silvery-white sheen, and its handsome appearance made it a top choice for many Steel-type trainers. This was
Steven's absolute mainstay.
Shiny Metagross.
He chose Shiny Metagross for his first match.
Steven had absolute confidence in his abilities, and Metagross, capable of Fighting-type moves, was also a formidable opponent against Steel-type Pokémon.
"Shiny Metagross."
Sabrina took out her Pokédex and scanned the Metagross before her.
Only the National Pokédex could scan for information about Metagross, and of course, Steven's information could also be found through the Pokédex. Descriptions of Shiny Metagross's moves were available on the Hoenn League website.
'Ding~ Metagross, Steel/Psychic type, found in Hoenn and surrounding regions.'
Characteristics: Clear Body Moves: Hammer, Psychic, Bullet Punch, Psychic Hammer, Electromagnetic Levitation, Cannon, Tackle, Psychic, Scary Face, Comet Punch, Iron Defense, Agility, Hyper Beam, Explosion, Sharpen, Protect, Aerial Ace, Swift, Freezing Wind…
Description: Steven's main Pokémon, extremely powerful, possessing four brains and intelligence like a supercomputer.
Sabrina looked at the dazzling array of move descriptions. Shiny Metagross had learned many moves, almost mastering every move imaginable, offering a lot of room for maneuver, and its strength was much greater than expected.
"Is this the Hoenn Champion?"
Another uninvited guest appeared in the stands.
A spiky-haired Qinglv, who had already left Macha City, returned at this moment. He had just remembered something he wanted to discuss with Bai Yu, but who would have thought he would meet the Hoenn Champion here. The person
who can stand at the highest point of a region is naturally not to be underestimated.'
Qinglv also wanted to see what stage Bai Yu's strength was at.
He had heard Xiao Shi mention Bai Yu more than once; Xiao Shi had even lost to Bai Yu once recently, and quite decisively. In
a four-on-four battle, he only managed to defeat Bai Yu's Ferrothorn and see Bai Yu's second Pokémon; he had never seen the rest of Bai Yu's Pokémon.
Qinglv knew Xiao Shi quite well; each defeat would make him stronger, especially with a talented trainer by his side.
Traveling together would only make them stronger, and Qinglv didn't want his younger brother to lose to Akatsuki's younger brother, Ash.
On the field.
"I've encountered Champion Steven's main Pokémon right from the start."
"I'm truly honored."
Bai Yu looked at the Shiny Metagross, its aura much stronger than in the games.
However, he didn't see any Mega Stone. Could it be that Steven hadn't obtained a Mega Stone yet? "
Probably not... The records mention that Mega Evolution Stones have appeared in the Hoenn Region. After all, all three starter Pokémon in Hoenn can Mega Evolve, and even the location of the Mega Key Stone is in Hoenn.
"Let's try it first."
"Champion's strength."
Bai Yu smiled. Daigo
has a Pokémon that can clear entry hazards, but... even if Daigo uses the opponent's Pokémon, Bai Yu still wants to annoy Daigo first.
Who told Daigo to send out Skarmory to throw entry hazards first when they battled in the game?
And he even secretly used Mega Evolution, almost making Bai Yu lose that match.
"Ferrothorn, use Stealth Rock!"
Ferrothorn shook its body, and a red light flashed in its eyes.
Some rocks quickly fell from the air and sank into the ground, only small spikes showing.
Metagross was suspended in the air, so those spikes didn't have much of an effect.
"Stealth Rock? Every Pokémon that appears is affected by the terrain."
As a Champion, Daigo had seen this kind of move before.
Some Rock-type and Ground-type trainers use this method to gain an advantage.
Those trainers were all quite strong and had considerable understanding of their own Pokémon.
It seemed the Gym Leader before them was no ordinary opponent.
"Metagross, Comet Punch!"
Metagross raised its limbs, its entire body curling up into a sphere, radiating a silvery-white light.
The light continuously swirled around Metagross, which spiraled rapidly in the air before bursting forth as a blue streak of light. It was a
Steel-type Comet Punch.
An attack like a comet, it had a chance to boost its own attack in battle.
"Iron Defense." Bai Yu frowned.
The Comet Punch was much faster than expected. A silvery-white light surged from Ferrothorn's body, covering it completely, and the Comet Punch struck.
The powerful impact sent Ferrothorn flying, while Metagross continued to accelerate, hurtling towards the sky and crashing violently into the ceiling.
Boom! A violent explosion followed, and a plume of black smoke covered the entire arena.
A ray of sunlight shone into the field, and some stone dust slowly fell into the field.
No one expected Metagross to unleash such power; it truly lives up to its reputation as the strongest player in the Hoenn League, Steven Stone.
"Interesting! Hahaha! Interesting, is this what they call a champion?!"
"One day, I, the great one, will utterly defeat you high and mighty champions, and let the world know who is the strongest in the world!"
Azure had emerged from the shadows, a familiar arrogant expression on his lips; he had once again adopted his domineering demeanor.
Only in front of Gary would Azure show the tenderness he displays towards family.
It's a bit late, sorry!
Almost an hour late, I got a little engrossed in studying the plot.
I watched several of Steven's matches and also glanced at the special episode.
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(End of Chapter)