"Jolteon, huh?" Yozora nodded slightly. This Jolteon's level wasn't bad at all—it had already reached the peak of the Senior tier, likely Hime's ace Pokémon.
In truth, for a Rookie Trainer like Hime, having an ace Pokémon at that level was already quite impressive.
"Jolteon, use Thunderbolt!"
As the match began, Hime took the initiative. Having lost two battles in a row, she was clearly growing restless.
But her Jolteon showed no signs of panic. Standing firmly atop a floating platform, it was as steady as a mountain. Sparks danced across its body, surging like writhing thunder-serpents before lashing downward with terrifying force toward the Magikarp in the pool.
Magikarp had no way to dodge.
Even if it dove underwater, electricity conducted through water. The Thunderbolt would still pierce the pool and strike it mercilessly.
That was why Yozora gave no order to evade—there was no need.
"Boom!" Crackling thunder exploded over Magikarp's body, amplified by the water's conductivity. The electricity was overwhelming.
And yet—
Magikarp stood bathed in violent arcs of lightning, showing no hint of pain. Its face remained calm, as if it didn't feel a thing.
"Huh?! What's going on? Jolteon's Thunderbolt had no effect?!" The announcer's voice broke in astonishment.
The stadium erupted instantly. Countless spectators cried out in disbelief.
What kind of Magikarp was this? It wasn't afraid of electricity?!
Hime's eyes went wide, rounder than bells. Her face froze with shock and disbelief.
She had no idea—
Yozora's Magikarp possessed the Volt Absorb ability. Though Jolteon's level was high, making complete immunity impossible, Volt Absorb drastically weakened the Thunderbolt's power. Only a sliver of damage actually landed.
And with Magikarp's tempered endurance and unyielding willpower, that minor damage was negligible.
Yozora's lips curved into a faint smile. He countered instantly:"Charge in, Magikarp—Tackle!"
"Gugugu!"
The enormous Golden Magikarp split the water with a tremendous surge, darting toward Jolteon at blistering speed.
Magikarp might be mocked as weak, but in water, it was surprisingly swift.
And Yozora's Golden Magikarp, despite its massive size, was even faster—more agile than any ordinary Magikarp.
Unfortunately, its opponent was Jolteon, the so-called "Yellow Lightning"—a Pokémon famed for speed.
"Dodge it, Jolteon!" Hime commanded with confidence.
A flash of gold streaked across the field—Jolteon leapt to another platform, narrowly avoiding Magikarp's devastating strike.
"Boom!" A thunderous crash followed.
The platform Jolteon had just vacated shattered into splinters under Magikarp's impact.
"Hmph. My Jolteon is lightning-fast. Compared to it, your Magikarp is still far too clumsy." Arms crossed, Hime smirked proudly at Yozora.
"So fast! Truly worthy of the name Yellow Lightning—Jolteon's speed is incredible!" the announcer cried.
In the stands, many spectators who favored Yozora began to worry. Their hearts had leaned toward him and his Golden Magikarp. But watching Jolteon effortlessly evade attacks that could have decided the match filled them with regret.
Even Ash and Misty sighed.
"What a pity… such a pity. If that Magikarp had landed its strike, it could have one-shot Jolteon!" they lamented.
But Brock only smiled faintly, having glimpsed Yozora's true strategy.
Meanwhile, Yozora pressed on with relentless offense. Yet each successive attack from Magikarp was dodged with ease by Jolteon.
Hime's smirk grew wider with every escape. But slowly, it stiffened… until it froze over, replaced by an icy expression.
Because—
The water arena had only five platforms.
And now, four had been smashed to pieces by Magikarp's charges.
Jolteon was stranded on the last remaining platform. It was safe for the moment, but clearly uneasy.
Its eyes flicked nervously around, as though searching for a new perch.
But there was none. The arena held only water—and for Jolteon, that meant nowhere else to stand.
Jolteon could swim, yes—but only just enough to avoid drowning.
In water, it would lose all its speed and agility.
And then, Magikarp would dominate it completely.
"Oh my, this is bad! Only one platform remains! Jolteon has no retreat left!" the announcer shouted.
The crowd roared in excitement.
Those who supported Yozora and Magikarp especially erupted with cheers and applause.
"Amazing! So that was the plan all along—destroy the battlefield!" Ash and Misty exclaimed, their eyes shining.
On the opposite side, Hime's expression darkened.
No way out?
Yes, just as the announcer said—Jolteon had nowhere left to run.
Then, there was only one path left: fight to the bitter end!
At that moment, Yozora called another command. "Magikarp, Tackle once more!"
"Then let's settle this, Jolteon—Thunder!" Hime roared through gritted teeth.
"BOOM!!!"
Two ultimate attacks clashed head-on.
Magikarp's body lit with electricity, pain twisting its features. But even so, it plowed straight through, slamming Jolteon and hurling it off the platform.
A double knockout!
Moments later, the storm of light faded.
Magikarp surfaced, battered and exhausted, barely able to stay afloat. Its body was scarred, stamina drained.
"Gururu…" Across the pool, Jolteon floated limply, unconscious, carried upward by the water.
"Jolteon is unable to battle! Magikarp wins!" The referee waved his red flag.
"Ohhh! Jolteon goes down in a desperate gamble! The match is over! Since Hime has no remaining Pokémon, the victor is… Yozora!" the announcer bellowed in triumph.
"WAAAAAHHHH!!!" The stadium erupted into chaos.
With a single Golden Magikarp, Yozora had swept three opponents in a row, winning a flawless victory.
At that moment, countless spectators—both in the stands and watching through their screens—etched Yozora and his Golden Magikarp deeply into memory.
And they eagerly awaited his next match.
Of course, that would not take place for a few more days.
"Haha, nice going, Yozora! Just like me—sweeping three opponents in one go!" Ash puffed up proudly from the stands.
Misty and Brock exchanged amused glances, shaking their heads with a smile.
It was true—
They couldn't deny Ash's growth.
Using a Kingler he'd barely battled with before, he had swept his opponent's entire team in his own match.
The progress he'd made, quietly but surely, was undeniable.
"But Ash, don't get cocky," Brock warned. "In the next round, the competition will only be stronger after the first elimination."
…
…
(End of Chapter)