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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_439_en
Chapter 439
Chapter 434: Your Incineroar Has a Promising Future
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
“Referee, I forfeit.”
The voice wasn’t loud, and the tone was very calm, yet it plunged the entire stadium of over ten thousand people into a terrifying silence, as if they had just heard something unbelievable.
The next second, the entire stadium erupted. Cries of dissatisfaction roared, nearly overturning the venue.
We were just getting to the good part, and you're forfeiting now?
“Ahem… Contestant Red, are you sure you didn’t misspeak?”
The Referee was stunned and subconsciously asked again.
You have an overwhelming advantage right now. The Masked Man is what you'd call an Incineroar specialist, but the three Pokémon he’s shown so far are definitely no match for that muscle-bound mosquito. Even if his remaining two are on the same level of strength as Incineroar, it would likely be very difficult for him to win. And you’re forfeiting?
Has the Indigo League Conference Champion's Trophy lost its appeal?
“I’m sure.”
Red just waved his hand dismissively. The battle intent that had just been stirred in his eyes had completely faded, returning to a calm, lazy demeanor.
His Dratini had had enough fighting in this tournament. If he continued by sending out Buzzwole, it could probably beat the remaining four Pokémon with its eyes closed, aside from that Island Guardian. There was no substance in it.
An Ultra Beast is not a Legendary Pokémon. If you were to classify it strictly by strength, it’s probably one level higher than a regular Pokémon, and one level lower than a lesser Legendary.
Besides, this Buzzwole of his had been left in Blue’s care ever since he caught it and had never even been trained. For it to appear with combat power equal to an Elite Four-level Incineroar, Red was quite satisfied.
As for the Island Guardian, he had already bested one before, so he didn’t have much interest now.
And Red’s other veteran Pokémon… eh, they probably couldn’t be bothered to come out for this kind of child’s play.
A battle is either between evenly matched opponents or a comeback story where one turns the tables against a massive disadvantage through their own strategy. But the current Masked Man could no longer satisfy him, so Red naturally became listless.
As for the dissatisfaction of the surrounding audience…
He didn't know them. If they were unhappy, so be it.
“Contestant Red, why?!”
On the other side, the expression under the Masked Man’s mask was one of utter astonishment.
He had to admit, his opponent was stronger than him. Much stronger.
Incineroar was already his ace. And while the Island Guardian in his Poké Ball was his trump card, it wasn't actually his Pokémon; it had just followed him out of boredom from the countryside to the big city for a look around.
Its strength was considerably greater than Incineroar’s, but their rapport wasn’t high, so the actual combat power it could display would only be slightly stronger than Incineroar’s.
If the fight continued, the Masked Man felt his chances of winning were basically zero.
But he had never expected his opponent to forfeit.
In an instant, the hollow victory, the regret of being unable to battle a formidable foe, and the bitterness that his ace had already been defeated by his opponent—a storm of conflicting emotions flooded his mind, leaving the Masked Man with a complex taste in his mouth.
“Just continue on your path. I’m not a participant, merely a bystander.”
Red gave a faint smile, his cryptic words causing the Masked Man to slowly form a question mark in his mind.
Red then turned around, ignoring the disgruntled voices from all sides, and controlled Ash's body to slowly exit the arena.
“Oh, right. That power from Ash’s Metapod before is called the Ultimate Realm.” Halfway off the field, as if he had suddenly remembered something, Red turned back and spoke.
“When you walk a path to its very end, that is the so-called Ultimate. You should now be just about ready to explore this new direction.”
He had the air of a master bestowing his teachings. Although his opponent looked much younger than him, the profound, grandmaster-like light in Red's eyes, vast as an ocean filled with stars, commanded the Masked Man’s full attention. He quickly focused his mind and listened with utmost seriousness.
In the Kanto Region, the skill level of lower-to-mid-tier trainers was abysmal, but his Alola Region was different—the top, middle, and bottom tiers were all abysmal. Thus, he had never heard any experts from his hometown discuss anything about an Ultimate Realm.
“Hmm, your Incineroar’s path to the Ultimate Realm… hard to say. Its power isn't weak, its imposing might isn't weak, it isn't weak in any aspect. But to put it another way, it isn't particularly strong in any aspect either. To find a single path to step into the Ultimate Realm will be as difficult as using Fly.”
At this, Red couldn’t help but frown.
Generally, choosing one’s most proficient aspect as the path to the Ultimate Realm was the easiest way to enter it. For example, his Pikachu’s Ultimate Lightning was because its electricity was incredibly powerful to begin with.
Or Green’s Arcanine, with its Ultimate Speed and Ultimate Burst Power, because it was inherently skilled in speed and burst power.
Of course, this was relatively easy, not actually easy.
But for a well-rounded Pokémon like Incineroar, it was undoubtedly the most difficult type to enter the Ultimate Realm with.
“Senior, I understand.”
The Masked Man, however, bowed deeply to Red, a bright light flashing in his eyes, as if he had already found that path to the Ultimate Realm.
He who is skilled is the master. As a Pokémon Professor, he naturally understood this principle. Although he was much older than Red, he still addressed him as "Senior."
Seeing this, Red’s lips curved into a smile. He gave a casual wave, turned his head, and slowly walked away.
“That Incineroar… it has a promising future ahead of it…”
To be honest, he really admired the Masked Man.
A fierce and powerful trainer, whose dream was not to become stronger himself, but simply to allow all the future generations in his hometown to enjoy the fun of battle. On a remote island with absolutely no League history, he had single-handedly established a Pokémon League.
“I hope we can speak face-to-face next time, Professor Kukui.”
“Hey, hey, hey! I just bought three tubs of popcorn, and you’re telling me the fight’s off?!”
In the audience stands, Blue, holding three plus-sized tubs of popcorn that blocked her face, joined the chorus of disgruntled voices upon hearing Red's forfeit from below.
“That’s Brother Red for you. I thought of ten thousand ways to crush the Masked Man, but forfeiting was something I never could have imagined. As expected, my own level isn't high enough yet.”
Beside her, Brock stroked his chin, his eyes glinting.
“Aww, what a shame! I won’t get to touch Brother Red’s trophy!”
Misty, at his side, also shook her head in disappointment.
Sitting next to Blue, Ash casually took a plus-sized tub of popcorn and stuffed a handful into his mouth.
The battle was indeed brilliant, using equal power to defeat that terrifying Incineroar while remaining at almost full health.
But one battle is hardly enough to get you through a meal!
However, Ash quickly came to terms with it. After all, Brother Red had said before that reaching the Top Four was enough.
“Without a match against Green, Brother Red probably wasn’t feeling it, huh…”
Seeing Blue still muttering and grumbling beside him, on the verge of raising a flag in protest, Ash grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into her mouth.
The first battle of the Indigo League Conference’s Top Four had come to an abrupt end in a way no one could have possibly predicted.
***
Far away.
Alola Region, Aether Foundation base, in a certain private room.
A middle-aged man dressed entirely in a white uniform was crossing his legs, his face flushed as he stared intently at the television, his breathing ragged.
(end of chapter)
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander
“Referee, I forfeit.”
The voice wasn’t loud, and the tone was very calm, yet it plunged the entire stadium of over ten thousand people into a terrifying silence, as if they had just heard something unbelievable.
The next second, the entire stadium erupted. Cries of dissatisfaction roared, nearly overturning the venue.
We were just getting to the good part, and you're forfeiting now?
“Ahem… Contestant Red, are you sure you didn’t misspeak?”
The Referee was stunned and subconsciously asked again.
You have an overwhelming advantage right now. The Masked Man is what you'd call an Incineroar specialist, but the three Pokémon he’s shown so far are definitely no match for that muscle-bound mosquito. Even if his remaining two are on the same level of strength as Incineroar, it would likely be very difficult for him to win. And you’re forfeiting?
Has the Indigo League Conference Champion's Trophy lost its appeal?
“I’m sure.”
Red just waved his hand dismissively. The battle intent that had just been stirred in his eyes had completely faded, returning to a calm, lazy demeanor.
His Dratini had had enough fighting in this tournament. If he continued by sending out Buzzwole, it could probably beat the remaining four Pokémon with its eyes closed, aside from that Island Guardian. There was no substance in it.
An Ultra Beast is not a Legendary Pokémon. If you were to classify it strictly by strength, it’s probably one level higher than a regular Pokémon, and one level lower than a lesser Legendary.
Besides, this Buzzwole of his had been left in Blue’s care ever since he caught it and had never even been trained. For it to appear with combat power equal to an Elite Four-level Incineroar, Red was quite satisfied.
As for the Island Guardian, he had already bested one before, so he didn’t have much interest now.
And Red’s other veteran Pokémon… eh, they probably couldn’t be bothered to come out for this kind of child’s play.
A battle is either between evenly matched opponents or a comeback story where one turns the tables against a massive disadvantage through their own strategy. But the current Masked Man could no longer satisfy him, so Red naturally became listless.
As for the dissatisfaction of the surrounding audience…
He didn't know them. If they were unhappy, so be it.
“Contestant Red, why?!”
On the other side, the expression under the Masked Man’s mask was one of utter astonishment.
He had to admit, his opponent was stronger than him. Much stronger.
Incineroar was already his ace. And while the Island Guardian in his Poké Ball was his trump card, it wasn't actually his Pokémon; it had just followed him out of boredom from the countryside to the big city for a look around.
Its strength was considerably greater than Incineroar’s, but their rapport wasn’t high, so the actual combat power it could display would only be slightly stronger than Incineroar’s.
If the fight continued, the Masked Man felt his chances of winning were basically zero.
But he had never expected his opponent to forfeit.
In an instant, the hollow victory, the regret of being unable to battle a formidable foe, and the bitterness that his ace had already been defeated by his opponent—a storm of conflicting emotions flooded his mind, leaving the Masked Man with a complex taste in his mouth.
“Just continue on your path. I’m not a participant, merely a bystander.”
Red gave a faint smile, his cryptic words causing the Masked Man to slowly form a question mark in his mind.
Red then turned around, ignoring the disgruntled voices from all sides, and controlled Ash's body to slowly exit the arena.
“Oh, right. That power from Ash’s Metapod before is called the Ultimate Realm.” Halfway off the field, as if he had suddenly remembered something, Red turned back and spoke.
“When you walk a path to its very end, that is the so-called Ultimate. You should now be just about ready to explore this new direction.”
He had the air of a master bestowing his teachings. Although his opponent looked much younger than him, the profound, grandmaster-like light in Red's eyes, vast as an ocean filled with stars, commanded the Masked Man’s full attention. He quickly focused his mind and listened with utmost seriousness.
In the Kanto Region, the skill level of lower-to-mid-tier trainers was abysmal, but his Alola Region was different—the top, middle, and bottom tiers were all abysmal. Thus, he had never heard any experts from his hometown discuss anything about an Ultimate Realm.
“Hmm, your Incineroar’s path to the Ultimate Realm… hard to say. Its power isn't weak, its imposing might isn't weak, it isn't weak in any aspect. But to put it another way, it isn't particularly strong in any aspect either. To find a single path to step into the Ultimate Realm will be as difficult as using Fly.”
At this, Red couldn’t help but frown.
Generally, choosing one’s most proficient aspect as the path to the Ultimate Realm was the easiest way to enter it. For example, his Pikachu’s Ultimate Lightning was because its electricity was incredibly powerful to begin with.
Or Green’s Arcanine, with its Ultimate Speed and Ultimate Burst Power, because it was inherently skilled in speed and burst power.
Of course, this was relatively easy, not actually easy.
But for a well-rounded Pokémon like Incineroar, it was undoubtedly the most difficult type to enter the Ultimate Realm with.
“Senior, I understand.”
The Masked Man, however, bowed deeply to Red, a bright light flashing in his eyes, as if he had already found that path to the Ultimate Realm.
He who is skilled is the master. As a Pokémon Professor, he naturally understood this principle. Although he was much older than Red, he still addressed him as "Senior."
Seeing this, Red’s lips curved into a smile. He gave a casual wave, turned his head, and slowly walked away.
“That Incineroar… it has a promising future ahead of it…”
To be honest, he really admired the Masked Man.
A fierce and powerful trainer, whose dream was not to become stronger himself, but simply to allow all the future generations in his hometown to enjoy the fun of battle. On a remote island with absolutely no League history, he had single-handedly established a Pokémon League.
“I hope we can speak face-to-face next time, Professor Kukui.”
“Hey, hey, hey! I just bought three tubs of popcorn, and you’re telling me the fight’s off?!”
In the audience stands, Blue, holding three plus-sized tubs of popcorn that blocked her face, joined the chorus of disgruntled voices upon hearing Red's forfeit from below.
“That’s Brother Red for you. I thought of ten thousand ways to crush the Masked Man, but forfeiting was something I never could have imagined. As expected, my own level isn't high enough yet.”
Beside her, Brock stroked his chin, his eyes glinting.
“Aww, what a shame! I won’t get to touch Brother Red’s trophy!”
Misty, at his side, also shook her head in disappointment.
Sitting next to Blue, Ash casually took a plus-sized tub of popcorn and stuffed a handful into his mouth.
The battle was indeed brilliant, using equal power to defeat that terrifying Incineroar while remaining at almost full health.
But one battle is hardly enough to get you through a meal!
However, Ash quickly came to terms with it. After all, Brother Red had said before that reaching the Top Four was enough.
“Without a match against Green, Brother Red probably wasn’t feeling it, huh…”
Seeing Blue still muttering and grumbling beside him, on the verge of raising a flag in protest, Ash grabbed a handful of popcorn and stuffed it into her mouth.
The first battle of the Indigo League Conference’s Top Four had come to an abrupt end in a way no one could have possibly predicted.
***
Far away.
Alola Region, Aether Foundation base, in a certain private room.
A middle-aged man dressed entirely in a white uniform was crossing his legs, his face flushed as he stared intently at the television, his breathing ragged.
(end of chapter)
