Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 97: Gardevoir: When Can I Turn Into a Human?

Canton Province's Provincial Gym – Rockwall Gym.

As an economically advanced region, Canton Province boasted numerous provincial gyms.

At this very moment, a one-sided battle was underway in Rockwall Gym!

The fierce-looking Nidoking was now lying on the ground, its eyes spinning with stars.

Standing opposite it was a sleek, black Greninja, holding a Water Shuriken with an air of unrivaled coolness.

Finally, the Water Shuriken disintegrated into scattered fragments of energy, dissipating into the air.

Greninja had just taken Nidoking out with a single Water Shuriken.

Hikaru stood on the platform, looking exasperated.

Even after evolving, Greninja's penchant for showing off hadn't changed one bit.

As expected, the audience below was completely captivated by Greninja's performance.

Some were even staring, mouths wide open as if they could fit a whole egg inside.

"Is he really a student from Shuimu City? This is the third challenger like him—he's so strong!"

Across from him, the Gym Leader, Herock, was a burly man with a beard, wearing only a tank top.

Herock looked slightly troubled.

Currently, the National High School League qualifiers were in full swing, and high school students from across the country were in a frenzy, eager to participate.

The National High School League, as the largest competition for high school students, wasn't open to everyone.

Even for the preliminary rounds, challengers needed to have at least eight city-level gym badges and three provincial gym badges, signifying their experience with Gym-level and Elite-level Pokémon.

This Nidoking, despite being only at the mid-Gym level, was already considered a daunting opponent by most high school challengers.

Yet now, it had been defeated by three different challengers, each with a single move, at different times of the day.

And all three challengers were from the same place.

This was absurd.

At this rate, did Herock even have a reputation as a Gym Leader anymore?

Though helpless, he still needed to follow protocol for the challenge.

"The Gym Challenge is 2v2. Trainer, will you switch Pokémon?" the referee asked.

"Ribbit!" (No need!)

Greninja turned its gaze toward Hikaru.

After all, with the audience watching, switching out would mean fewer opportunities to show off.

Hikaru sighed helplessly.

"No switch."

In truth, Hikaru had planned to let Lucario take this round.

Without the benefit of Kaio-ken, it would've been a great opportunity for Lucario to hone its skills.

Moreover, since the Gym Leader specialized in Rock-types, it would've been a good matchup.

But since Greninja was so eager, Hikaru decided to let it stay.

In the audience, one newly arrived challenger began to question aloud.

"Something doesn't seem right—this Gym Leader seems really easy to beat, doesn't he?"

Currently, many high schoolers were traveling between cities for training, thanks to the buzz surrounding the National High School League.

This not only broadened the horizons of the younger generation but also boosted local economies.

"Yeah, didn't I hear that the last time, this Nidoking was one-shotted by a Delphox using Mystical Fire?"

"Right, and before that, it was a super-strong Arcanine that took it down in one move!"

Standing on the platform, Herock's face darkened at these comments.

It seemed he needed to up the difficulty—no more easy wins for anyone after this challenger!

"Ah, what am I thinking? I'm just a local. The Pokémon the Gym Leader sends out are at least mid-Gym level..."

"Go, Dugtrio!"

Herock sent out a Level 39 Dugtrio as his second Pokémon.

This was a calculated decision.

As a Master-level Trainer, Herock could easily see that Greninja wasn't just at the Gym level—it was already a Lord-level Pokémon(40~49 Level).

And not just any Lord-level, but a particularly formidable one.

Its power was entirely capable of competing in the Provincial High School League and securing first place, granting direct entry to the National High School League.

Was it even necessary for a Pokémon like this to challenge a provincial gym?

It was outrageous.

He chose Dugtrio simply for its ability to use Dig, hoping to buy some time and avoid another humiliating defeat.

"Dig!"

But would such a strategy work against Hikaru?

Absolutely not.

With his now-enhanced Aura Force, Hikaru could see Dugtrio's every move beneath the ground.

"Ribbit!"

Receiving the mental signal from Hikaru, Greninja smirked.

With a swift leap, it positioned itself directly above Dugtrio's predicted path.

The Water-style Rasengan, resembling a molten sphere, burned a hole straight through the rocky terrain.

Below, Dugtrio froze, wide-eyed, as the energy sphere hovered ominously above.

The Rasengan morphed into a Water Shuriken, slashing down with tremendous force.

When the dust settled, Dugtrio lay unconscious in the crater, its eyes replaced by swirls.

"Dugtrio is unable to battle! Greninja wins! Gym Leader Herock has no remaining Pokémon. Challenger Hikaru is the winner!"

The referee quickly announced the results.

Herock silently recalled Dugtrio, wearing a complicated expression.

This Greninja even had incredible detection abilities...

Still, protocol had to be followed.

"Challenger Hikaru, this badge represents your victory at Rockwall Gym. Best of luck in the National High School League!"

After receiving the badge, Hikaru left without looking back, Greninja and a human-shaped Latias following closely behind.

The remaining challengers in the Gym snapped out of their stupor, eagerly signing up for their turns.

"Herock Gym Leader! I'd like to challenge you!"

"Me too!"

Herock's face darkened.

He glanced at his remaining Pokémon.

Should he send out his Level 40 Crustle?

"Fine, fine. One at a time. Don't rush..."

---

Outside the Gym.

Hikaru was deeply focused on his plans for the National High School League qualifiers.

He needed to challenge a series of gyms to earn enough badges.

This was also a great opportunity for Lucario and Larvitar to gain battle experience—something both Pokémon desperately needed.

Especially Larvitar.

It needed more battles to grow.

"Got it, Greninja?"

"Ribbit..." (Understood.)

"All right, your stage will be the National League. I'm counting on you."

After convincing Greninja, Hikaru returned it to its Poké Ball.

He then opened his map and searched for nearby locations.

Before long, he found the city's Treasure Bureau.

"Come on, Latias. Let's see if we can find any Psychic-type treasures in this city."

"Okay!" Latias cheerfully agreed.

In this regard, Latias had a clear advantage.

She could transform into her human form and accompany Hikaru anywhere.

Meanwhile, Gardevoir—who had now reached Lord level—watched enviously from the sidelines.

"When will I get to turn into a human?" she sighed to herself.

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To Be Continued...

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