"Mm, not bad. Your combat power has already reached a respectable level."
Looking at the battlefield Gyarados had created, Leon nodded in satisfaction.
This training wasn't truly meant for the one-month sparring match with Vigoroth. In Leon's eyes, that agreement was nothing more than a friendly internal bout. The real purpose was to strengthen Gyarados overall.
Thud. Thud.
Two Poké Balls were thrown, recalling the two Ursaring. Leon picked them up and stored them away.
The system interface displayed:
Battle Points +32 +30
These Ursaring were stronger than average, which explained the higher rewards.
After finishing up, Leon treated Gyarados' wounds. Once that was done, man and Pokémon continued searching for their next opponent.
Several hours later, a dense mass of Water-type energy surged upward, spreading into the sky. Under its influence, a steady drizzle began to fall.
Drip… drip…
Within the rain, Gyarados faced a Persian.
"Meow—!"
Persian lowered its body, claws pressed forward, tail raised high. Its shrill cry echoed as it suddenly vanished, turning into a blur.
In the next instant, it reappeared directly in front of Gyarados.
Sharp claws flashed, tearing through scales and flesh. Blood splashed as the attack landed cleanly.
"ROAR—!"
Water surged violently, enclosing both combatants. Persian tried to retreat—but it was too late.
Gyarados grinned viciously. With water amplifying its power, the raging currents froze instantly, transforming the surrounding flood into a towering pillar of ice.
BOOM—
The ice shattered from within. Persian was blasted backward, heavily injured, and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"There's another one. Be careful."
Leon's warning reached Gyarados just in time.
It turned its head, eyes locking onto a new presence.
A Pinsir had crept closer, watching from the side.
Name: Pinsir (Male)Type: BugAbility: Mold BreakerPotential: Gym-levelLevel: 37Moves: Vice Grip, Focus Energy, Bind, Seismic Toss, Harden, Payback, Brick Break, X-Scissor, Cut, Double Team, Protect, Thief, Vital Throw, Stone Edge
The system data showed that this Pinsir's energy level was nine levels higher than Gyarados'.
After days of training, Gyarados had reached Level 28.
"ROAR—!"
Gyarados attacked immediately.
Despite the level gap, its condition was excellent after defeating Persian. The pain from its wounds only fueled its ferocity.
"So… a real opponent at last," Gyarados roared inwardly."Now I can go all out."
Its eyes reddened as it activated Outrage, drawing out every ounce of power in its body.
Dark clouds gathered overhead. The rain intensified.
Gyarados struck first, its tail crashing down with a massive wave.
Pinsir crossed its arms to block, then beat its wings and shifted position, countering with Brick Break, landing a solid hit on Gyarados.
Gyarados coiled, trying to trap it and follow up with a crushing bite—but Pinsir evaded swiftly.
Water surged again. A Whirlpool formed.
Sensing danger, Pinsir forced its way backward, smashing through the rotating current with brute strength. It took two full charges to break free.
Gyarados' crimson eyes narrowed.
The raging water froze instantly. Spinning ice spears sealed off Pinsir's escape route.
Several strikes landed in succession, smashing into its wings and knocking it out of the air.
Seeing the opening, Gyarados' mouth glowed with starlike light.
The next moment—
Hyper Beam.
BOOM—
A violent explosion erupted, smoke billowing into the air.
Gyarados remained in place, forced into brief recovery.
From the smoke, a battered Pinsir emerged, barely maintaining flight, its aura noticeably weakened.
Seeing Gyarados' bloodshot eyes and frenzied state, Pinsir hesitated—then chose to retreat.
Wild Pokémon understood better than anyone how dangerous severe injuries could be.
This fight was no longer worth it.
"ROAR—!"
But Gyarados refused to let it go.
It charged again, and the two clashed once more, locked in brutal combat.
Leon watched quietly from a distance, offering occasional guidance.
After a long, thunderous exchange—
The outcome was decided.
Gyarados won.
It had defeated Pinsir despite a nine-level gap.
But victory came at a cost—Gyarados was barely standing.
"Heh… I won."
It laughed through the pain, only to hiss as the movement pulled at its wounds.
If I can take down an opponent like this, it thought proudly,then Vigoroth will be easy.
Though Leon always reminded it that Vigoroth was a partner, not an enemy, Gyarados still intended to defeat it.
The position of number one under Leon was not negotiable.
Leon treated Gyarados' injuries, fed it generously, and let it rest before recalling it into its Poké Ball.
It wasn't fit for more battles today.
Leon turned back toward the city.
He took out an off-road motorcycle, twisted the throttle, and sped through the forest.
Psychic movement was efficient but exhausting. For ordinary travel, machinery was better.
VROOOOM—
The motorcycle roared forward, wind whipping the trees and grass on both sides.
From a nearby thicket, two heads emerged.
"Hey… that looks like a kid. Pretty young."
The shorter man spoke quietly.
"He walked right into this. Let's do it—no one's around."
The taller man frowned, hesitating.
"What are you scared of? Together, we can escape even an elite-level Pokémon. You think we can't handle a rookie? His mask got blown aside—I saw his face. Just a kid."
They hadn't scored anything in a long time. This opportunity was too good to pass up.
"…Fine. Let's do it."
The taller man's eyes hardened.
"That's more like it."
Leon was riding smoothly when his expression suddenly changed.
A sharp whistling sound tore through the air.
Several attacks slammed into the road ahead, blocking his path.
BANG—BANG—BANG—
Blades of compressed air struck the ground.
"Hahaha!"
Two figures emerged from the forest, faces concealed, laughing as they approached.