Chapter 136: The Master's Trial

Chapter 136: The Master's Trial

Another one down.

Under Kaito's furious scolding, the arrogant apprentice from the previous match received double the punishment. His face was a mask of utter humiliation as he left the training floor.

When a Hitmontop entered the arena next, an interested expression crossed Giovanni's face.

The owner of this Hitmontop appeared far steadier than his predecessors. "I'm telling you now," he stated firmly, "your cheap tricks won't work on my Hitmontop!" He threw his arm forward. "Gyro Ball!"

The Pokémon began to spin, a blur of motion. As Giovanni gave the silent command for another Poison Sting, the furiously spinning Hitmontop became a defensive vortex, its limbs deflecting every single toxic needle. The Toxic Spikes on the ground were rendered useless against a creature attacking from its head.

A wave of relief and hope washed over the watching apprentices. "Alright!" one of them whispered.

Kaito mercilessly crushed their optimism. "This is only his first Pokémon."

His words hung in the air as Giovanni raised a hand, recalling Nidorino. With a flick of his wrist, he sent out his next choice.

Machoke appeared with a guttural roar.

"Overpower it," Giovanni commanded, his voice flat as he folded his arms.

Machoke roared again, its muscles bulging as it unleashed its terrifying strength. Its massive, fan-like palms slammed down on the spinning Hitmontop. The sound of slapping flesh and grunts of effort filled the dojo as the spinning Pokémon was forcibly brought to a halt.

"Seismic Toss."

As its momentum died, a look of pure terror filled Hitmontop's eyes. Machoke grinned ferociously, grabbing its ankle and using the last of the creature's rotational force to its advantage. With a grunt of exertion, it heaved the Pokémon over its head in a perfect, brutal back throw.

BOOM!

The sturdy floorboards cracked and splintered under the impact. Hitmontop was slammed directly into the collapsed ground, its eyes spinning as consciousness fled.

Machoke clapped the dust from its hands, its gaze sweeping across the stunned apprentices. Its eyes paused for a fraction of a second on a face that was both unfamiliar and achingly familiar, then it quickly looked away.

Kaito glanced at the raw, reddened skin on Machoke's palms from the friction of stopping the Gyro Ball. He addressed Giovanni, a note of genuine praise in his voice. "Not bad. This is the Fighting-type you mentioned. It is well-trained. It possesses a strong will and a deep desire to become stronger."

Machoke looked at Kaito, a hint of apprehension in its eyes. It could sense the formidable power the man possessed.

"Yes," Giovanni confirmed, not bothering to hide it.

Kaito's eyes flicked to the remaining Poké Balls on Giovanni's belt. "According to the order you've sent them out, this Machoke is only your second strongest. It seems I have underestimated you."

The Poké Ball containing Nidorino shook slightly, clearly disagreeing with Kaito's ranking. Giovanni patted it, silencing the protest, and nodded. "Indeed."

"In that case, there is no need for the rest of my students to battle you. They would lose." Kaito waved his hand, dismissing the two remaining, unwilling apprentices. He then fixed his gaze on Giovanni. "You have successfully qualified to challenge me. This is your first gym challenge, is it not?"

"It is," Giovanni confirmed.

"Good," Kaito mused, a flicker of disappointment on his face at the thought of having to hold back. Restricted by the rules, he turned to an older apprentice. "Tad, go to my quarters. Bring my second team's Poké Balls to the battle arena."

"Yes, Master!" the apprentice replied, quickly departing.

Kaito no longer saw Giovanni as just another challenger— a boy this young with such power had a limitless future. His calm demeanor and palpable aura spoke of a powerful background. "Let us go. We will move to the main arena."

Giovanni did not recall Machoke, letting it walk beside him as he followed Kaito and the throng of students. All the while, Machoke kept stealing subtle glances toward the young boy, Kenji.

Coincidentally, Kenji was discussing the battle with his companions.

"He's so strong! He beat all our seniors."

"Look at that Machoke... its arm is as thick as my waist. It's terrifying."

"Don't be scared," Kenji said, his voice firm with a resolve that belied his age. "As long as we work hard enough, that kind of strength isn't impossible to reach."

Giovanni allowed himself a slight, private smile. Kenji, was it? It seemed the boy is doing well. Like Katsu, he was cheerful, hardworking, and possessed an unbreakable spirit.

Giovanni placed a hand on Machoke's shoulder, feeling the fervent energy radiating from it. "Discipline," he murmured.

Machoke immediately retracted its gaze, falling into obedient lockstep at Giovanni's side.

The Saffron City battle arena was not a modern facility capable of shifting terrain. It was a simple, outdoor dirt field. By the time they arrived, Tad was already there, holding a tray with Kaito's second set of Poké Balls.

Though there were six, their power levels would be varied. Even at the Gym-Leader level, resources were finite; they had to be concentrated on one's primary team. Only a trainer with the kind of backing Giovanni possessed could afford to cultivate so many Pokémon to such a high level.

Kaito set one of the Poké Balls aside and stood opposite Giovanni. "Your Nidorino has little stamina left. In the interest of fairness, I will use only five Pokémon."

Giovanni nodded. He would not be overconfident when facing a master, but he would not refuse an advantage, either.

"The rules are simple," Kaito declared. "One-on-one. No switching Pokémon mid-battle. A loss is a loss. The last one standing wins."

Giovanni indicated his acceptance.

Kaito casually tossed a Poké Ball. "Since you have chosen to lead with Machoke, it is only fitting I do the same."

A flash of white light revealed a Machoke with a more robust physique, its muscles more defined, its aura calmer and more focused. Its power was greater, already touching the threshold of the Senior Level.

As a Gym Leader's primary Pokémon of its species, its fighting technique would be far superior to Giovanni's.

The only advantage Giovanni's Machoke possessed was the fragment of a Flame Orb tied to its belt, a catalyst to activate its Guts ability.

It might just be enough to narrow the gap.

It might just give it a chance to fight.