"Next, Synchronization!"
In the next second, Nathan immediately activated Synchronization and pushed the Viridian Power to its maximum.
Normally, using a move similar to Luffy's Gear Second technique — which greatly boosts speed and power — would severely deplete one's lifespan. For Pangoro, it would have been even worse.
However, with Synchronization activated, it was different.
The Viridian Power would immediately provide healing energy to Pangoro.
Under such circumstances, Pangoro would only feel fatigued but suffer no fundamental damage.
Of course, this was also largely due to Pangoro's naturally robust Pokémon physique.
If it had been an ordinary person or even a less durable Pokémon, they might have dropped dead on the spot from the strain!
Regardless, after Pangoro entered Gear Second mode, steam began to billow from around its body!
Originally, it could only block Raichu's major moves, but now, Pangoro leaped into the air and instantly vanished from sight!
…
"You brat, just how many bizarre techniques do you still have up your sleeve?!"
Seeing this, Winston completely lost his composure, shouting in frustration.
He had thought that Shave was Pangoro's signature move, and after swallowing the energy orb and suffering Raichu's Thunder-Fire combo, Pangoro would be heavily injured.
But now...?
???
Three big question marks perfectly captured Winston's mood at that moment.
Wasn't swallowing the energy orb supposed to only enhance Pangoro's strength and constitution?
What was with this ghostly speed?!
"What a shame! My personal belief is that the only martial arts that cannot be broken is speed!"
Still maintaining Synchronization, Nathan said with a faint smile on his face.
What? Volcarona?
That was different — a mobile artillery unit didn't need speed.
For Volcarona, more was better, bigger was beautiful!
As long as its flames were powerful enough, it would be an invincible sun.
Whether enemies could even approach would be a problem for them!
"Tch, what bull— speed isn't everything! Raichu, Thunder-Fire Combination at full power!!"
Face twisted slightly, Winston seemed to be out of options.
He had no choice.
Perhaps in terms of trainer experience, Winston was a match for or even better than Nathan.
After all, he hadn't lived all those years in vain; the Thunder-Fire Combination move was proof of that.
However, his experience was useless against Nathan's endless stream of imaginative, out-of-the-box techniques!
Aside from letting Raichu unleash its full potential, Winston had no other options.
"Rai~chu!!"
Raichu roared, its body resembling a massive bomb —
One side blazing with fire, the other side crackling with lightning.
The two forces merged, radiating outward in a devastating 360-degree blast with no blind spots!
"It's over. End it, Pangoro."
Seeing this, Nathan shook his head.
Maybe such an attack could counter Pangoro's speed, but Winston overlooked one problem —
Raichu's power was too dispersed in this state!
In the next instant, Pangoro's figure appeared high in the sky, steam trailing behind.
It then dived straight towards Raichu, spinning its body rapidly to repel the surrounding thunder and fire.
Finally, with a heavy impact, Raichu crashed to the ground.
Witnessing this scene, both Winston and the spectators had the same thought —
Pangoro was truly the perfect name for this Pokémon!
(TN: Pangoro Chinese name is Rogue Panda)
Speed, strength, stamina —
It seemed to have maxed out every attribute!
Especially under Gear Second, Pangoro was more thug-like than a real thug!
It was like a street ruffian who had gained education —
No longer collecting protection fees, but instead disguising itself as a suave, civilized villain!
"Bring out your last Pokémon!"
Canceling Gear Second and Synchronization, Nathan said with a slight smile.He smiled so handsomely that many female fans screamed.
But Winston?
Right now, he just wanted to smash that smug, handsome face with the sole of his shoe!
This damn brat! What do you mean by 'last Pokémon'?!
Yet when Winston touched the Poké Ball at his waist, his expression stiffened.
Should he use his last Elite-tier Pokémon for a final gamble, or just switch to a weaker one and concede?
If he chose the former, both sides would be badly hurt —
Or worse, he might end up completely crushed.
If he chose the latter, he'd only lose some face.
Compared to risking the exposure of his ace Pokémon's abilities, the second option was clearly more cost-effective!
Thus, Winston quietly swapped out his Poké Ball.
Just like Nathan had done earlier —
Except Nathan had switched from strong to stronger, while Winston switched from strong to weaker.
In the end, Winston sent out a Fearow.
Although a decent fighter at the Gym level, facing Pangoro, it didn't even last three moves.
Amidst boos from the crowd, Winston left the field.
Perhaps he still had a chance to fight Nathan again in the national tournament.
But here, in the Magic City Division —
There was no such destiny.
A sad story indeed.
After leaving the battle arena, Nathan noticed that Cecil, that seductive woman, was together with Evelyn and Zoe.
When Cecil saw him, her beautiful eyes turned slightly cold, and her soft, charming voice rang in his ear:
"As expected of a genius. Winston is a tough opponent, yet against you, he didn't even dare bring out his ace."
Seeing the mature allure radiating from Cecil, Nathan just rolled his eyes and said:
"Enough already. Seems like you finished your battle pretty early too, right?"
Truthfully, compared to Gym Leader Serene — a truly mature beauty —
Cecil still had a hint of youthful inexperience.
But that only made her mature charm even more enticing.
Still, Nathan was completely unmoved, even a little amused.
"Tch, what a heartless guy."
Rolling her eyes, Cecil stretched lazily before sauntering away like a cat.
Originally, she had wanted to flirt with him a bit, maybe even pry out the secret of Mega Evolution.
Unfortunately, Nathan was far more alert — even overly cautious — than she had expected.
Meanwhile, Evelyn and Zoe, who had been used as tools without realizing it, looked somewhat disappointed seeing Cecil leave.
"I still wanted to ask her which face masks are best before bed,"
Zoe grumbled, stuck between idol worship and seeking skincare advice.
"No mask will make much difference. Let's just get going."
Shaking his head, Nathan said simply and walked out of the subdivision.
…
Now that he had reached the top four, he only needed to fight one match per day.
The rest of the time was used for ranking battles among the top 8 and top 32 competitors.
And matches above the top four were less about all-out battles —
They were more like friendly sparring.
After all, no one wanted to expose all their ace Pokémon's secrets before the national tournament.
If they did, their chances at the championship would be ruined.
Thus, the intensity of matches among the top four could actually be lower than during the Trial Tournament.
Returning to the hotel, Nathan continued studying Pokéblocks.
At the same time, he tried adding things to Charmander's egg —
Hoping that soon Volcarona wouldn't have to guard it 24/7.
However, the next morning, he was awakened by a strange sound.
Crack after crack appeared across the egg's shell, far earlier than he had expected.
"Crack... crack..."
The sound grew louder and louder until finally —
A large hole burst open in the egg.
A small red Pokémon, noticeably smaller than an average Charmander, crawled out.
"So that's it... It's because of Volcarona's influence!"
Feeling the warm, comfortable temperature around him, Nathan instantly realized what had happened.
Looking down, he saw the newborn Charmander crawling toward him —
Its innocent little eyes filled with affection and longing.
Once upon a time, the newborn Larvesta had looked just like this.
Nathan had spent half a month clumsily learning how to care for it.
"Hello, little one. Welcome to this world."
Unable to resist, Nathan gently cupped the baby Charmander in his hands, smiling warmly.
No one could resist the charm of a newborn Pokémon —
Except for Muk.
(TN: Muk Slander)