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After seeing Erika off at the port, Kai didn't linger in Littleroot Town for long.
With Misty now at his side, the two of them set out once more this time heading toward Petalburg City.
In just a few short days, Kai had already traveled this road back and forth multiple times. By now, he was more familiar with the surrounding terrain than many native Trainers of the Hoenn region.
As they crossed the open plains, Misty looked around with unconcealed curiosity. Just like when Kai had first arrived in Hoenn, everything felt fresh and exciting to her.
After a while, though, she began to notice something.
Aside from the occasional unfamiliar Pokémon, Hoenn wasn't all that different from Kanto or Johto.
Mountains were still mountains.
Trees were still trees.
Once the novelty faded, Misty relaxed and fell into step beside him. They chatted casually as they walked, her mood light and energetic.
At one point, Kai asked about Ash.
Misty thought for a moment before replying, "Before I left, I heard he was getting ready to head out again too. He should reach Hoenn tomorrow or the day after. But this time, he left all his Pokémon at Professor Oak's lab and is traveling with just Pikachu."
That didn't surprise Kai.
No matter where Ash went, Sinnoh, Kalos, or anywhere else, he always followed that same pattern. Traveling light with only Pikachu at his side.
For a moment, Kai's thoughts drifted back to Erika.
Earlier, when she returned to Kanto, he had entrusted Celebi to her care and asked her to keep it safe at the Celadon Gym.
Just like how he had once entrusted the Legendary Birds to Sabrina, it wasn't just about safety it was also an emotional bond.
Under Erika's careful care, Celebi would be well fed and surrounded by familiar greenery inside the Gym's greenhouse. It would be far more peaceful than constantly journeying on the road.
Even if Celebi wasn't by his side, Kai could still retrieve it anytime through transfer. As for traveling together again… that would have to wait.
After passing Oldale Town, Kai estimated that Petalburg Gym Leader Norman likely still hadn't returned yet. Rather than wait around, he chose an alternate route toward Rustboro City.
Compared to the previous road, this path was longer and far more remote but the scenery was new, which helped keep travel fatigue at bay.
Not long after passing through a nameless village, they reached a fork in the road shaped like a wide "Y."
And right there, standing boldly in the grassy field beside it, was a massive billboard.
It was impossible to ignore.
Anyone passing by would be drawn to it at once.
Kai stopped and lifted his head to read the bold lettering aloud.
"Home of the World's Strongest Pokémon — Straight Ahead!"
"The world's strongest Pokémon!?" Misty's eyebrows shot up instantly. As someone who had grown up in a Gym family herself, that shameless boast rubbed her the wrong way. "That Gym Leader sure talks big! I'd like to see what Pokémon dares to call itself the strongest!"
After all, Kai, who had already claimed two League championships and commanded Legendary Pokémon like the Legendary Birds and Suicune, had never once made such a claim.
So what kind of confidence could a no-name Gym in a remote village possibly have?
Seeing how fired up she had become, Kai couldn't help but smile slightly.
Still, he was curious too.
He genuinely wanted to see what kind of Pokémon could bear such a title.
Since they shared the same thought, the two of them left the main road and followed the smaller path toward the village.
Before they even reached the gate of the large walled courtyard ahead, a young boy about ten years old suddenly came running out, clutching his Pokémon and crying as he fled.
That sight made Kai and Misty exchange startled looks.
What just happened?
Was there really some terrifyingly powerful Pokémon inside that had beaten a Challenger to tears?
They stepped into the courtyard and immediately spotted a small building at the back. In front of it lay an open-air battle arena.
At the Trainer's command area, a Pelipper stood beside a middle-aged man wearing a flashy gold championship belt. He had a square build, short buzzed hair, and looked to be in his mid-thirties.
He was walking back toward the building when he suddenly heard their footsteps.
Turning around, he looked straight at them.
"Oh?" He sized them up lazily before grinning. "More Challengers? Today's been busier than usual."
With her hands on her hips, Misty called out, "This is the place that claims to have the 'world's strongest Pokémon,' right!?"
"That's right," the man replied casually. "Name's Anthony. I'm the Gym Leader here. And this Pelipper beside me this is the undisputed strongest Pokémon in the world!"
Kai and Misty both shifted their gaze to the Pelipper.
Kai had battled one not long ago during his time at the Devon Corporation, so he was fairly familiar with the species. But no matter how he examined it, this one seemed completely ordinary.
Misty stared at it suspiciously as well.
She had seen far too many powerful Pokémon, including actual Legendaries, for this to impress her.
No matter how she looked at it, this Pelipper didn't seem remotely worthy of being called "the strongest."
And this so-called Gym didn't even resemble an official League Gym it felt more like a privately run challenge house.
Even so, Misty spoke up without hesitation.
"Perfect. We're here to challenge you. Do you accept?"
With Misty around, Kai always found his usual style shifting just a little.
This lively, outspoken girl never backed down from any situation aside from her fear of Bug-type Pokémon.
"Of course I accept!" Anthony laughed loudly. "I just finished a match, but I barely broke a sweat. I'm still in top shape. So who's going first?"
With that kind of confidence and considering how a Challenger had just fled in tears it was obvious he had absolute faith in his own strength.
Misty and Kai exchanged a glance.
Then she stepped forward without hesitation.
"This kind of opponent doesn't even need Kai to step in. I'll be your opponent first!"
Seeing that his Challenger was just a teenage girl, Anthony merely shrugged and returned with his Pelipper to the Trainer's command area.
With a smirk, he said, "Well then, don't blame me if my Pelipper makes you cry!"
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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