Chapter 275: So… Who’s Gonna Challenge Me?

Meanwhile, in a far corner of the final battlefield—

"Thank you, everyone."

Officer Jenny nodded to the gathered Gym Leaders.

"You're too kind, Officer Jenny. As Gym Leaders, it is our duty to stand against evil like Team Rocket," said 'Giovanni' with a deep, magnetic voice and a polite smile.

"Now that Team Rocket's been dealt with, Kanto will finally know peace."

"Spoken like a true veteran, Giovanni! What wisdom!" Liza praised him with admiration.

"No kidding! Giovanni just captured a whole squad of Rocket members! He's the strongest Gym Leader in Kanto for a reason!" chuckled Chuck, clearly impressed.

"..." Nearby, Sabrina's closed eyes twitched slightly.

She could barely hold it in.

Of course he was sweeping through grunts like nothing—Petrel was using the boss's secondary team, which was full-on Champion-level! These poor Rocket grunts didn't stand a chance—they were basically Bug Catchers in comparison.

"You flatter me. The real rising star is Dylan—Kanto's new strongest Gym Leader. It's wonderful to see the next generation shine," 'Giovanni' said with a humble tone, face full of "modesty."

Sabrina's face didn't change, but she was internally screaming.

Giovanni was laying it on thick now.

"Dylan's rise has been meteoric, no doubt, but Giovanni, you've been the backbone of Kanto for years. Without your intervention, Zinnia may never have been pushed back," Officer Jenny added with a smile.

Sabrina's eyelid twitched again.

It was true—Zinnia had been going toe-to-toe with Steven and Wallace in a heated, evenly matched battle… until 'Giovanni' jumped in.

With his sudden "third-party intervention," Zinnia was finally forced to retreat. Even as she fled, she couldn't figure out why a fifth Champion-level trainer had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. She was sure the League had only called in four external champions!

Sabrina had kept her cold mask the whole time. Liza and the others, meanwhile, were practically cheering "Giovanni-senpai is amazing!"

Good thing she was already known for being emotionless—so no one questioned her expression.

As for 'Giovanni,' he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the praise. Turns out, pretending to fight Team Rocket was surprisingly fun.

Yes, Petrel was fully committed to the boss's orders: play the part flawlessly and steal all the credit!

Now that he'd helped Steven and Wallace "defeat" a Champion-level foe, the glory was definitely big enough.

Boss Giovanni would be proud! Apollo, Lance, Koga? Just losers doing prison time.

He, Petrel, was the boss's most loyal, most capable executive!

"Miss Mio, what's the situation at the main battlefield?" Liza asked, concerned.

Team Rocket had mostly been routed, but the central battle—where the top brass was—wasn't over yet.

"Don't worry. Champion Steven and Mr. Wallace have already arrived. Lorelei has also driven off Karen, and Gym Leader Dylan has reached the main battlefield. Aizen and Giovanni won't be able to do much longer," said Officer Jenny.

She didn't mention the one downside: Zinnia and Karen had escaped capture. That part was… not great.

…

Back on the main battlefield—

"Alright. You two retreat."

Aizen received confirmation that Zinnia and Karen had withdrawn. They'd done everything they could—but this was the end.

After all, they weren't Dylan or Giovanni. Holding their own against multiple Champions? That was a little too much.

"Giovanni, looks like it's just the two of us now."

Aizen chuckled softly, glancing toward the man across the field.

"Never thought the Kanto League would come down on Team Rocket this hard."

Giovanni had already ceased his battle with Red. Despite Red's Charizard X being strong, it was still clearly outclassed by Giovanni's Mega Beedrill.

Even after a short scuffle, Charizard X was already battered and bruised.

"To wipe out Team Rocket… they actually mobilized eleven Champions. Hah… should I be flattered?"

He scanned the battlefield—seven Champions already here. Add in Steven, Lorelei, and two others still on their way…

The Kanto League had brought in eleven Champion-level trainers for this operation.

That lineup was absurd.

And speaking of which—here came Steven and Wallace on an Aerodactyl.

They landed quietly and stood beside Dylan, Cynthia, and the others, surrounding Aizen and Giovanni.

"Hmph. Scared now, are you, rat?" Lance crossed his arms, his sharp face cold and merciless.

"Scared? Come now, Champion Lance," Aizen chuckled.

"Aizen, Giovanni—surrender. With your power, is it worth fighting to the bitter end?" Agatha said, voice raspy but calm.

Lorelei and Bruno were also on their way.

With Dylan on their side, and ten other Champions already present, Agatha felt victory was assured.

"You haven't won yet," Giovanni said quietly.

"Still clinging to hope? Guess we'll just have to beat it out of you," Lance snapped coldly.

Agatha turned her eyes to Dylan.

"Dylan."

"Granny Agatha?" Dylan looked over.

"Could I trouble you to handle Giovanni?" she asked softly.

"But Granny, Aizen's the real threat. He still has a Rayquaza," Dylan replied, frowning slightly.

True—between Aizen and Giovanni, Aizen was the more dangerous one. Especially since he had a Rayquaza.

"I know. But compared to Aizen, we cannot let Giovanni escape. Even for you, taking down Aizen will take time, won't it?"

Agatha had her reasons. She'd already received word from Officer Jenny that most of Team Rocket's grunts were captured.

But both Zinnia and Karen—two key Champion-level figures—had gotten away.

The entire reason they'd deployed so many Champions was to stop these four high-level threats.

Now two were gone. They had to capture at least one of the remaining two. Especially Giovanni.

He was the source of Kanto's darkness.

"But can you all handle Aizen?" Dylan asked.

"Don't worry. No matter how strong he is, he's still just one man," Agatha replied, confident in their numbers.

"Alright. I'll take Giovanni down quickly." Dylan nodded.

"Then I leave it to you."

Agatha explained the plan. Lance and the others all agreed—she was right. They couldn't let all four escape.

Even if Team Rocket's base was destroyed, it would still feel like failure.

"You done talking?" Aizen asked lazily, glancing around as Lorelei and Bruno arrived.

Perfect. Everyone was here.

"Hmph. Arrogant to the end," Blue muttered.

"Terapagos. Reshiram."

Dylan stepped forward, summoning Terapagos and Reshiram.

"Hyda~!"

Terapagos chirped brightly as gemstone-like light flared around it—its Terastal form appearing in an instant.

"So that's the mythical 'Treasure of Zero'?" Geeta's eyes sparkled. The legendary treasure hidden in Area Zero—so the stories were true.

"Mewtwo. Beedrill."

Giovanni's tone was serious now. Mewtwo and Mega Beedrill stepped in front of him.

"Just make it look good. Don't hit too hard," Dylan reminded Terapagos and Reshiram telepathically.

"Got it!" they replied instantly.

"Oh? So Dylan's going after Giovanni?" Aizen chuckled, surprised.

He'd expected to battle Dylan himself in some epic mirror match.

"No, Aizen. We respect you. It's because you're so strong…" Agatha gave a raspy chuckle.

"But even you can't stand against ten Champions."

That was the logic. Dylan could handle Giovanni. And the rest of them? They could handle Aizen.

"Oh?"

Aizen glanced around at the ten Champions gathered.

Red, Blue, Cynthia, Steven—they were all top-tier trainers. Though Red and Blue weren't quite at their peak yet.

Cynthia and Steven's ace Pokémon were also still recovering. Their strength wasn't at 100%.

Lance, however—Lance was a powerhouse. His team could even go toe-to-toe with a lower-tier Legendary.

Still…

"Heh… that's all?" Aizen laughed softly.

"What did you say?" Lorelei narrowed her eyes. Was he mocking them?

"Shall I be clearer? Then listen up," Aizen said, his expression shifting. The polite mask vanished.

"You're all strong, no doubt… but—"

He slowly took off his black-rimmed glasses and tossed them aside. Then he slicked back his brown hair, revealing a sharp, confident expression.

Cynthia, Steven, and Wallace all blinked in confusion.

"Rayquaza."

Aizen opened a Poké Ball.

ROAR!!

A thunderous dragon's cry echoed across the city. A dark, shimmering serpent descended from the skies—Black Rayquaza, looming over the field.

"T-That's Rayquaza?!" everyone stiffened.

Blue's face spasmed. This guy… actually had a Rayquaza?!

"Wait! Wasn't Aizen's Rayquaza green before?" Steven said, startled.

Wallace, too, stared in confusion. The one Aizen caught had been the weakest of the Rayquaza trio, right? So why was it suddenly shiny now?

But the pressure this one gave off—wasn't quite as overwhelming as that terrifying shiny Mega Rayquaza from before…

Wallace was baffled. Did it change colors?! Had he ever heard of that? Was it dyed??

Cynthia and Steven didn't have any answers either.

"Rayquaza. Mega evolve," Aizen said softly.

ROAR!!

Rayquaza tilted its head back and let out a deafening roar. Light flared around its body.

Mega Evolution—Rayquaza!

After acquiring Rayquaza, Dylan had sent it into his growth simulation and taught it Dragon Ascent—allowing Mega Evolution.

Brilliant light engulfed the dragon. When it faded, Mega Rayquaza hovered in the sky—its body radiant with divine power.

Even Koraidon behind Dylan looked up in awe, eyes sparkling.

So this was Fourth Bro! Incredible pressure!

"It really is Mega Rayquaza…"

Wallace was stunned. How the hell were they supposed to win now?

The battlefield fell silent.

"You know, everyone…" Aizen brushed dust from his coat and looked calmly at the gathered Champions.

"Whether it's one speck of dust or two—doesn't really make a difference, does it?"

Lance and the others scowled. What did that mean?! Was he calling them dust?

Wallace's expression was weird. This was the second time Dylan had used that line on him. Last time, he'd gotten mad.

This time… not so much.

"AIZEN!!!"

Blue roared. He still had his pride. He wasn't going to stand being mocked like this!

"Shh. Listen."

Aizen made a silencing gesture and smiled faintly at them.

"I'm actually a very tolerant guy. So how about it?"

"As challengers, I'll allow you to try."

"You may challenge me… and my Mega Rayquaza. Anyone?"

ROOOAR!!

Mega Rayquaza roared, its battle cry echoing across the city.

Dragon Grandpa's ready to solo TEN today!!