The US Association's current ace in the hole, publicly known as a Sacred Swordsman, was none other than Keldeo, a Legendary Pokémon that had formed strong bonds quite early on.
In terms of power, a Top Guardian God.
As for its ability, Justified.
Therefore, upon sensing the malicious aura emanating from Gengar, Keldeo immediately knew that such a vile Pokémon must not get its hooves on the sword.
Originally, the Sacred Swordsman's team comprised three Legendary Pokémon: Goupaluweng, Dalegiong, and Piligiweng, all of whom were famous for their sword Moves. Keldeo, their Disciple, though powerful, was still not a match for its mentors.
However, when it came to principles, Keldeo detested evil just as much as the other Sacred Swordsmen.
It once admired Fang Yuan's strength greatly, but its opinion of him took a nosedive the moment Gengar was released.
Looking again at the Decayed Sword, it was even more resolute in its decision not to let such a weapon fall into Fang Yuan's hands.
Although it hadn't shared this with anyone, Keldeo also surmised the origin of the Decayed Sword. Its mentors, the Sacred Swordsmen, had once sought out and challenged Zacian, the King of Swords, greatly admiring its strength. If the sword did have an owner, then in Keldeo's heart, it unquestionably belonged to that legendary hero.
After all, there were only so many sword-wielding Pokémon; guessing its master was easy.
Such a hero's sword obviously couldn't end up in the hands of the wicked. Of course, it too was participating in the God Battles to vie for that sword, initially with a try-and-see attitude, but now, it had a steadfast reason not to lose.
Its mentors hadn't yet arrived... The responsibility of ensuring the sword didn't fall into the wrong hands thus fell upon it.
"I challenge you," Keldeo said assertively.
President Apollo was startled and responded, "But the opponent is a Ghost Type, you know..."
"No problem, I have Wave Guide," Keldeo countered.
"Right."
Though they were also eager to have Keldeo join the fray for the Reality Mirror... with the Legendary Pokémon revived from the meteorite on their side, they should be plenty prepared.
Let Keldeo have its way then, with its strength... it should be able to...
President Apollo looked at Gengar below and suddenly felt uncertain.
How infuriating, he'd been intimidated by Fang Yuan.
The US Association, challenge confirmed!
Once the challenge was affirmed, all cameras turned towards the Prepared War Zone of the U.S.
"Damn, Old Rice is actually making a move."
At this moment, as stirrings emerged from the American preparation zone, many Trainers watched with a spectator mentality.
A significant opponent had finally appeared.
"America..." When the Trainers in the China Preparation Zone saw the US Association stepping in to compete, they once again glanced at the Legends Resources.
Is this resource that important?
......
It was President Apollo from the Mi Country Association who personally descended with Keldeo.
President Apollo, clad in a black suit and stern as ever, came down and looked seriously at Doctor Fang Yuan opposite him.
He loathed the fact that such a Researcher was not from America and had always wanted to persuade Fang Yuan to take American citizenship, offering numerous exceptional terms after the World Championships. Fang Yuan, however, hadn't even deigned to acknowledge him, let alone reply, which made President Apollo record many grievances in his little notebook.
If it weren't for the knowledge of how vital Fang Yuan was and that neither Hua Nation nor the Alliance would allow anything to happen to him, the US Association could scarcely watch as Fang Yuan and the Trainer Domain of China continued to grow.
It was all Gura's fault; why did he have to provoke the China Team without cause?
"That Pokémon is..."
"Keldeo, a member of the legendary Holy Swordsman Team, Rotom!!!"
Countless eyes fixed on the Pokémon accompanying the President of the Mi Country Association. Following a quick search by drone Rotom, it began a serious introduction.
Keldeo resembled a young horse, with a cream-colored body and an unusually large head, its most distinctive feature being a horn sharp like a blade.
"The Holy Swordsman refers to a team of three Legendary Pokémon famous for their sword Moves. According to records from the Secret Location, they frequently appear wherever disasters occur, safeguarding the peace of the world. As for Keldeo, it's the youngest member of the Holy Swordsman Team, the Disciple of the three Legendary Sacred Swordsmen!!! Also a Pokémon of legend!!! Rotom!!"
The elated drone Rotom scrutinized the Holy Swordsman, exclaiming, "Another never-before-seen Legendary Pokémon Rotom, database update, database update!!"
The Legendary Sacred Swordsman!
The US Association had somehow managed to secure such a Pokémon.
When the title was announced, the crowd immediately understood why the US Association was vying for the Decayed Sword.
Could this sword be related to the Sacred Swordsman??!
Thoughts rushed through people's minds.
Then, their hearts stirred with excitement.
China vs. America... Now, it was time for the two most capable and significant Trainer Associations to compete. It remained to be seen if either side would go all out for this particular resource.
If they were to clash head-on, there would surely be a spectacle to witness.
"Doctor Fang Yuan, unfortunately, we cannot relinquish this resource without a fight," President Apollo stated.
"A hero's sword must never fall into the hands of wrongdoers," Keldeo said gravely, its gaze fixed on Gengar.
Fang Yuan, Gengar: ??
Fang Yuan looked at Gengar. A malicious Pokémon?
He felt utterly helpless; it did seem somewhat fitting, and he couldn't object.
"But speaking of which, shouldn't the Sacred Swordsmen be busy guarding world peace instead of partaking in competitions like this?" Fang Yuan said in jest, glancing at Keldeo. The three elder predecessors of the Sacred Swordsman likely hadn't descended yet, but here was this little one who had arrived in advance, and had been lured by the US Association.