Chapter 109: The Final Outcome

Inside Rota Gym, Klein ignored Koko's presence and focused on the battlefield, jotting down notes in his evaluation report.

One thing was clear—Shirley's lack of fundamental knowledge was undeniable.

Regardless of how she tried to justify it, the fact remained: Queen Ilene had warned her about the Contrary ability, yet Shirley's pride blinded her to the truth.

Tapping his pen against the notebook, Klein glanced at Queen Ilene.

"Even if she didn't recognize Serperior's Hidden Ability, she should have at least been cautious after seeing two consecutive Leaf Storms."

Ilene sighed, wiping sweat from her forehead—clearly, she was invested in the match. Unlike Shirley, the queen possessed a broad knowledge of Pokémon battles.

However, Klein's critique remained merciless.

"Underestimating an opponent simply because they seem inexperienced—that arrogance was Shirley's greatest mistake."

Hearing their conversation, Koko felt lightheaded.

"Wait… so using Leaf Storm twice in a row wasn't a blunder? It was actually… a deadly strategy?"

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Serperior's Leaf Storm raged like a violent hurricane.

The swirling emerald-green vortex intensified, its power growing rather than diminishing.

The Contrary Ability had fully activated.

Instead of lowering Special Attack, every Leaf Storm only made Serperior stronger.

Its energy surged as it unleashed wave after wave of destruction, overwhelming Lucario in a relentless barrage of razor-sharp leaves.

Serperior's majestic form remained unshaken, exuding an aura of cold arrogance—a queen surveying her battlefield.

In stark contrast to Emboar's straightforward brute strength, Serperior was a tactical predator, and Lucario could feel the pressure closing in.

Suddenly, tiny flames flickered amid the storm of leaves, singeing Lucario's fur.

Shirley's expression darkened.

"Why are the leaves burning?!"

Watching from the sidelines, Klein sighed in disappointment.

"Her reaction is far too slow."

Ilene, on the other hand, immediately slammed her hand on the table.

"That's Hidden Power—Fire! Have you still not realized?!"

Her sharp reprimand made Shirley's face stiffen.

For years, she had held power over Rota's Royal Academy, with even the queen treating her respectfully.

Yet now, in front of everyone, she was being scolded like a child.

She clenched her fists in frustration.

Meanwhile, Rosa's Serperior pressed the attack.

Having used Leaf Storm twice, its Special Attack had skyrocketed.

Now, even a simple Hidden Power (Fire) was terrifyingly potent.

A blazing storm of fiery leaves erupted toward Lucario, forcing it to desperately retreat.

But Serperior refused to let it escape.

It glided forward at breakneck speed, its whip-like tail coiling like a viper preparing to strike.

Lucario hastily charged an Aura Sphere, hoping to break through the storm—

But in an instant, Serperior's tail lashed out, striking with devastating precision!

The impact sent Lucario staggering—

And in that very moment, the fiery storm consumed it.

BOOM!

With a powerful eruption of flame, Lucario was engulfed in fire and razor-sharp leaves.

As the inferno cleared, Lucario collapsed to the ground—completely motionless.

It was over.

Serperior remained standing, its head held high, eyes gleaming with absolute dominance.

For her, this was never a question of "if"—only "when."

Shirley stared in disbelief.

"Impossible!"

Koko sighed in resignation.

She raised her hand.

"Battle over. The winner is Rosa!"

Rosa let out a cheerful laugh, embracing Serperior.

She had done it.

She had won her first Gym Badge in years.

As Klein stood up, his sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement outside the window.

A small pink figure darted past.

Mew.

Meanwhile, on Moro Island…

Over the past few days, the Team Malice faction had expanded from 30 members to over 50, mostly recruiting local thugs and outcasts.

The people of Moro Island—once opposed to their presence—now gradually accepted them.

Why?

Because under Team Malice's rule, the island's economy was improving.

There was just one problem.

Every Team Malice member was required to wear a mask.

Ordinary grunts wore Rattata masks.

High-ranking officers—the Three Generals—wore Machamp masks.

And standing before Naga now…

A Squirtle mask and a Bulbasaur mask.

Naga picked up the Squirtle mask, twirling it in his fingers.

"So it really was you who made that Pikachu mask back then."

Unlike Naga, who found the whole thing absurd, Blake reclined lazily, gazing at the massive stone statue in front of them.

"Wearing masks adds to the mystery. The unknown is what makes people afraid."

The statue was a new project Blake had ordered his followers to build—a monument of himself.

Naga's eye twitched.

"You're really making them carve your face into a giant rock?"

Blake grinned.

"Of course. But that's just the first step."

"First, we build the statue."

"Then, we surround it with elaborate traps."

"Finally, we kill off everyone who worked on it."

He said it so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Naga sighed.

"You really are a terrifying bastard."

Blake shrugged, unfazed.

Picking up a pen, he scribbled down new plans in his notebook.

"That's why I need you here, Naga."

He flashed a calm yet chilling smile.

"If you weren't keeping me in check, I might've destroyed the world by now."

(End of Chapter)