Chapter 266: Unveiling One’s Edge

"Persian, Finger Pistol: Shadow Claw Execution!"

At Ron's command, Persian darted forward from the deck with blinding speed.

The slick ice beneath its paws did nothing to hinder its movement. With a swift flash of its claws, two Crawdaunt collapsed under its razor-sharp strike.

The gap between a quasi-Elite Four Pokémon and a Mid Elite was laid bare in this moment.

With the Team Aqua's offensive momentarily subdued, Persian halted before the ship, observing their next move in eerie silence.

Gardevoir extended its psychic influence, enveloping the entire battlefield while relaying real-time information to Ron through telepathy.

"A quasi-Elite Four Pokémon we didn't account for? Keep attacking! Stall them—I'm on my way!"

Inside the submarine, Panier, half-shrouded in shadow, ended the call and stepped out toward the oceanic battlefield.

On the frozen waters, the Team Aqua resumed their assault—one quasi-Elite Four Pokémon alone was not enough to halt their advance.

Crawdaunt and Ludicolo surged forward in unison, with a few Swampert charging at their flanks.

Further back, a Walrein battalion prepared long-range attacks, while the skies belonged to flocks of Pelipper.

Beneath the icy surface, ominous shadows darted through the water—Sharpedo, the vicious Water/Dark predators, prowled, awaiting their moment to strike.

Having executed countless operations like this before, the Team Aqua moved with practiced efficiency.

"Everyone, engage! Swampert, stand with Persian and hold the line!"

"Wait, Captain!" Ron interjected as the ship's captain was about to send Swampert onto the ice. "Take Swampert and head to the stern—another quasi-Elite Four trainer from the Team Aqua is waiting there. Leave this battlefield to me."

As he spoke, Ron released Nidoking.

"...Understood. I leave it to you. But rest assured—our reinforcements will arrive soon."

Having witnessed the power of Gardevoir firsthand, the captain did not hesitate. With a brief order to his crew to follow Ron's lead, he hurried toward the stern, Swampert at his side.

"Persian, Shave—Instant Step! Target the quasi-Elite Four's Swampert!"

"You're up too, Bellossom—One-Sword Style: Finger Pistol—Venomous Bloom!"

"Nidoking, Finger Pistol: False Darkness—provide cover fire!"

Having recently advanced to High Elite, Nidoking had finally mastered Flying Finger Pistol.

With exceptional control over his abilities, Nidoking seamlessly integrated Flying Finger Pistol into his arsenal of techniques.

But Nidoking's mastery extended beyond skillset alone—it amplified the sheer power of his moves.

Unlike most Pokémon, he could execute techniques with precise, flawless control, making him superior even without Sheer Force or Life Orb enhancements.

And when combined with Sheer Force, Life Orb, and Flying Finger Pistol's momentum—Nidoking's Finger Pistol: False Darkness could rival even newly promoted quasi-Elite Four Pokémon.

A flash of condensed lightning streaked across the battlefield—like a thunder spear piercing through the skies—impaling a High Elite Pelipper in an instant.

Its lifeless body tumbled from the sky, crashing onto the icy battlefield below.

Simultaneously, a sword flash cut through the ranks. The Crawdaunt and Ludicolo attempting to flank Persian gasped in shock as dark purple flowers bloomed across their chests. The blossoms slowly siphoned their life energy, spreading in full bloom as their vitality drained away.

"Swampert, Rock Slide—bury Persian in the sea!"

As a Water/Ground-type Pokémon, Swampert excelled not only in Water techniques but also Ground and Rock attacks.

With Rock Slide as its core move, enhanced by Stone Edge and Mud Bomb, the impending assault rained down like a true landslide, crashing toward Persian.

"Persian, Shave—Instant Step! Finger Pistol: Blink Slash!"

Earlier, Shave—Instant Step had already closed the distance between Persian and Swampert. Now, executing it once more, Persian appeared directly before Swampert in a blur.

In the next instant, Finger Pistol: Blink Slash struck.

Before Swampert could even register the pain, Persian had already passed through, reappearing behind it.

A heartbeat later, Swampert's body erupted in a spray of crimson, fresh wounds tearing open as it let out a pained roar.

"Impossible?!"

The Swampert's trainer cried out in disbelief as he watched his Pokémon reduced to a bloodied mess in mere seconds.

"Finish it, Persian—Finger Pistol: Shadow Claw Execution!"

Ron paid no attention to the stunned Team Aqua member, preparing to end Swampert once and for all.

If there were no Elite Four-level trainers among them, Ron wouldn't mind leaving every last Team Aqua grunt here.

As for whether Team Aqua would hunt him down later—he didn't care. After all, before they could exact revenge, they'd have to find him first.

"Swampert, use Protect!"

The Team Aqua grunt barely had time to process Persian's unnatural speed before desperately ordering his Pokémon to defend itself.

The other Team Aqua members sprang into action, commanding their Pokémon to provide ranged support.

After witnessing Persian's speed firsthand, none of them had the confidence to send their Pokémon into direct combat.

"Bellossom, One-Sword Style: Finger Pistol—Verdant Shroud!"

A storm of vibrant green leaves danced through the air—deadly blades that, paradoxically, exuded an aura of life.

As the leaves settled, the bodies of several fallen Pelipper, Walrein, and Clawitzer lay motionless on the ground.

Like a fading swordsman, Bellossom slowly let the glowing Leaf Blades in its hands dissipate.

"W-What just happened!?"

"How did my Pokémon get taken down in an instant!?"

Just as before, when they had witnessed Persian's blinding speed, the Team Aqua grunts were once again awed—this time by Bellossom's ruthless precision.

On the other hand, the sailors aboard the ship had already recognized Ron. And when they recalled the rumors surrounding him, their confidence surged.

With no further obstacles in his way, Persian relentlessly unleashed Finger Pistol: Shadow Claw Execution upon Swampert.

Within the emerald glow of Protect, Swampert could only see streaks of slashing claws—Persian itself was nowhere in sight.

A shattering sound rang out. The next moment, before Swampert could conjure another Protect, cold, glistening claws slashed across its throat.

A whirlwind of claw strikes followed, then Persian swiftly disengaged, leaping back with its bloodstained claws, escaping the circle of Team Aqua grunts.

Seeing their strongest quasi-Elite Four Pokémon slain, the sailors aboard the ship wasted no time, commanding their Pokémon to launch a counterattack, determined to crush Team Aqua in one fell swoop.

"Counterattack! Now!"

Ignoring his heartbreak, the Swampert's trainer sent out another High Elite-level Pokémon and charged forward to lead the assault.

"Call your Pokémon back! The enemy still has reinforcements waiting!"

Realizing the danger, Ron quickly ordered the sailors to halt their attack. Persian and Bellossom also refrained from advancing, instead using Shave—Instant Step to retreat toward the ship.

Having witnessed Ron's strength firsthand, the sailors immediately commanded their Pokémon to fall back and focus on defense.

As if to confirm Ron's warning, a powerful Elite Four-level presence surged from behind the remaining Team Aqua members.

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