Chapter 203: A Dignified Overpowering Victory

"Ron, you must be extra careful in the next battle. Don't let your current winning streak make you underestimate your opponents."

"Anyone who has made it this far has proven their strength. A single careless mistake, and you could lose the match."

Before the seventh round began, Ron saw a message from Lily.

Since she had spoken up for him last time, Ron hadn't refused her friend request when she added him. Over the past few days, they had grown familiar enough to consider each other friends. However, Ron had keenly noticed that Lily harbored ulterior motives toward him.

For someone like Lily—who by legal standards would face a minimum of three years and a maximum of the death penalty—no matter how attractive she was in terms of personality or appearance, Ron wouldn't even consider her.

Besides, he felt like a clay Buddha crossing a river—his own fate was uncertain, let alone involving someone else. Thus, Ron deliberately acted oblivious to Lily's feelings, pretending not to understand her hints, hoping she would eventually give up.

What Ron failed to notice was that Machamp had somehow acquired a book titled How to Teach a Dense Guy to Understand Love.

Leaving the Pokémon Center, Ron headed toward the battle arena.

With the possibility of League interference in the next two battles, Ron would remain extremely vigilant, even without Lily's warning.

Moreover, the fact that he had been forced to release his Pokémon first for two consecutive rounds made Ron even more suspicious.

Previously, his opponents had always been the ones to send out their Pokémon first. Now, it seemed as if they were trying to lull him into a false sense of security.

As the familiar cheers erupted, Ron stepped onto the battlefield. His opponent for the seventh round, Gier, soon emerged from the challenger's tunnel.

"Go, Gardevoir!"

Seeing Ron release his first Pokémon, Gier's lips curled into a smirk.

Though he couldn't win the championship himself, he could still take down the highly acclaimed Ron. Just imagining it filled him with excitement.

His goal was clear—to utterly crush Ron and drag him through the dirt!

"Go, Gengar!"

As a Ghost- and Poison-type Pokémon, Gengar was both strong against and weak to Gardevoir.

However, due to the move Taunt, some of Gardevoir's abilities and tactics were restricted, giving Gengar an advantage.

Not to mention, Gier's Gengar was three levels higher than Gardevoir, giving it an even greater upper hand.

"Gardevoir, Shave—Illusory Shift!"

Perhaps because he was convinced of his imminent victory, Gier had no intention of concealing his emotions. The moment Ron engaged him, he could tell immediately—this was someone sent by the League.

Since that was the case, Ron had no intention of holding back. He would crush them with overwhelming force.

Instead of relying on his usual battlefield-switching strategies, Ron commanded Gardevoir to use Shave and Teleport-derived techniques.

With the two moves combined, Gardevoir flickered like a phantom, rapidly closing in on Gengar.

"Gengar, use Night Shade! Spread it out and locate Gardevoir!"

Gier's voice rang out as a dark mist spread in all directions.

A shadow flickered past, and Gardevoir appeared near Gengar.

"Gardevoir, Hypnosis! Future Sight!"

Through telepathic connection, Ron swiftly issued commands to Gardevoir.

At such a close range, Gengar had no way to dodge the Hypnosis and immediately fell into sleep.

With Future Sight set in motion, Gardevoir promptly used Hypnosis again to ensure that Gengar wouldn't wake up due to Gier's shouting.

These Pokémon had been specifically assigned to Gier after being trained by the League. He could command them in battle, but using the bond between trainer and Pokémon to wake Gengar from Hypnosis was unrealistic.

After securing Gengar's slumber, Ron instructed Gardevoir to use Dream Eater.

The intense pain jolted Gengar awake, only to be struck by the impending Future Sight attack.

Seizing the opportunity, Gardevoir put Gengar back to sleep with Hypnosis.

Repeating this cycle, Gardevoir used Psychic and Psyshock alongside Future Sight, eliminating Gengar completely.

Since the tournament had begun, Ron had concealed Gardevoir's use of Shave, Hypnosis, and Dream Eater. Now, in their first appearance, they rendered Gengar utterly helpless.

"Come back, Gardevoir! Your turn, Nidoking!"

After taking down Gengar, Ron didn't wait for Gier to switch Pokémon. Instead, he proactively sent out his second Pokémon, openly signaling that he had already seen through Gier's strategy and would defeat him in a straightforward battle.

Seeing Gengar, Ron had already deduced the League's plan—they were sending stronger Pokémon with type advantages to counter his team.

"This is beyond unfair!"

Fuming, Gier released his second Pokémon—Golduck, level 47, with the Swift Swim ability.

If it successfully used Rain Dance, Swift Swim would activate, allowing Golduck to outspeed Nidoking and exploit its type advantage.

"Golduck, use Rain Dance!"

"Nidoking, Shave—Thunder Kirin!"

As the two commands echoed, Golduck initiated Rain Dance, but Nidoking's bulky frame had already vanished in a blur.

Electricity crackled as a thunderous Kirin materialized in the sky, streaking toward Golduck.

The moment Nidoking closed in, it swung its arm, sending the Kirin plummeting downward. The savage lightning engulfed Golduck completely.

At that moment, Nidoking's stance resembled a certain infamous Uchiha.

"Nidoking, Thunder Kirin Barrage!"

Combining Thunderbolt and Thunder, a series of Kirin-shaped lightning strikes rained down. Golduck was eliminated in seconds.

"Come back, Nidoking! Now, it's your turn, Bellossom!"

Just like before, Ron switched Pokémon before Gier could react.

To Gier, Ron's calm gaze felt like pure mockery.

Reluctantly recalling his Golduck, Gier sent out Arcanine.

What should have been his dominating victory was now a series of humiliating defeats. The plan was for both sides to switch Pokémon simultaneously, yet Gier felt like a mere puppet, being led by Ron the entire time.

"Bellossom, maximum firepower—One-Sword Style: Finger Pistol—Venomous Bloom!"

Hearing Ron's command, Bellossom immediately understood and used Shave to vanish from its spot.

"Arcanine, use Extreme Speed with Flame Charge!"

Boosted by Extreme Speed, Arcanine also disappeared in a fiery flash.

The third round had begun!

-----

Want to read ahead of schedule? 

Join here for advance chapters: patreon.com / madbot635