"This… using Leafeon against Team Rocket was still pushing it a bit."
This was exactly what Nozomi had anticipated.
Although Leafeon was one of his strongest Pokémon—aside from Metagross and Onix—he hadn't had enough time to train it properly.
Its level and moves were still lagging behind.
Of course, given time, Leafeon would become stronger. After all, it had been less than half a month since Nozomi had obtained it.
So from the very beginning, Nozomi had never pinned his hopes on Leafeon.
"Leafeon, return! Metagross, use Hyper Beam!"
Nozomi shouted at Metagross.
Metagross was his true powerhouse against Team Rocket!
The moment Kaz laid eyes on Metagross, his pupils constricted. A sharp warning flashed in his mind: "No… Hyper Beam! Get out of the way!"
He immediately started directing his Pokémon.
"Aggron, Protect!"
Then, with a flash, he dove behind Aggron.
Just as his figure disappeared, Metagross, fully charged, unleashed its Hyper Beam without mercy.
The sky darkened in an instant.
It was as if the entire world had narrowed to that single destructive beam.
Wild energy tore through the air, unstoppable and relentless, shredding the swirling flames that blocked the street.
Boom!
The moment the Hyper Beam collided with the fire vortex, it shattered like a bubble.
Golbat and Magmar, caught behind the flames, were blasted away by the force, their bodies scorched and rendered unable to battle.
Aggron braced itself, arms crossed, absorbing the brunt of the beam. The searing energy turned its armored arms red-hot.
Its legs, planted firmly on the ground, were pushed backward by the sheer force.
The energy that couldn't dissipate accumulated in Aggron's arms until it reached a critical point—then exploded violently.
The shockwave shattered countless windows along the street, sending terrified citizens inside screaming.
Any Team Rocket member caught without cover was sent flying, injuries varying in severity.
Even the League inspectors across the street were affected.
Fortunately, since they weren't in the direct line of impact, their injuries were minor.
When the smoke cleared, Officer Jenny peeked out from her cover to survey the devastation.
The street was completely ruined, resembling the aftermath of a battlefield.
The only figure standing amid the wreckage was Nozomi.
Thirty meters ahead lay a defeated Aggron, its body collapsing backward, utterly incapacitated.
"Gulu…"
The League inspectors, now covered in dust from the explosion, exchanged stunned looks.
It wasn't surprising—they had never seen such overwhelming power firsthand.
Especially after learning the story behind Nozomi's resignation from his internship as an inspector—they knew the man had left under extraordinary circumstances.
"This strength… even compared to past Indigo League champions, he's not lacking at all."
"No, I think he's even stronger!"
"To be this strong yet disciplined for a mistake? There must be a conspiracy here!"
Some inspectors were already imagining a little drama: "An outstanding inspector framed and forced to resign…"
For them, it was inconceivable that such a talented trainer would voluntarily leave a Pokémon inspector role without external pressure. Surely, there was intrigue behind it.
Nozomi, however, ignored their speculations and calmly scanned the corners of the street.
"Come out. I don't believe a seasoned Team Rocket officer could be taken down with just one move."
Anyone who became a Team Rocket officer had survived countless battles. Although confident in Metagross' power, Nozomi wasn't arrogant enough to think a single Hyper Beam could take out a mid-level officer.
"You're even stronger than the intel suggested!"
Kaz rose from the shadows of the fallen Aggron, eyes fixed on Nozomi, mixing vigilance, caution, and lingering fear.
"Intel? You mean Team Rocket actually gathered info on me? I feel honored," Nozomi said with a faint smile, seemingly indifferent.
Yet inwardly, he heightened his alertness. Team Rocket had created a dossier on him—it seemed that both the organization and Giovanni valued him quite highly.
This was far from good news.
Seeing Nozomi remain unshaken, Kaz sneered.
He thought: This guy doesn't even understand how terrifying Team Rocket and Giovanni are. Trainers like him have appeared before—and without exception, they ended up under Giovanni's or senior officers' hands.
Glancing around, Kaz declared: "Looks like Team Rocket has lost today. Next time, you won't be so lucky! Team Rocket, retreat!"
But before his words even faded, a fierce gust swept in from behind.
Instinctively, he turned his head—and saw a massive metallic tail sweeping across!