[Metal Explosion]!
"Meow—"
Boom!!
Zangoose's piercing screech was drowned out by the deafening roar, and amid the silver-flashing flames, its body soared into the smoke rising skyward.
But within the thick smoke, a massive figure swiftly chased after it.
Amid the swirling dust, it seemed like a giant hand dispersed it, revealing Aggron's charge towards Zangoose. It raised both claws, the brown-red gleam turning it into a heavy hammer, smashing fiercely into the ground where Zangoose was about to land!
Boom!!
The energy blast sent Zangoose flying again, the brute force leaving a hideous crater on the ground, filled with spiderweb-like cracks.
Zangoose slammed into the wall and collapsed weakly on the ground, its eyes covered by rings.
Undoubtedly.
Aggron ended with brute force, taking away its final opponent.
"Roar—!!"
Its suppressed roar finally spread across the arena.
Inside the room.
Baimu stood up, excitedly clenching his fist.
"Won! No suspense!"
Before the competition, he had been a bit uneasy, worried whether his opponent would be too strong, but Aggron, Mawile, and Chansey, his three trusted generals, brought him the victory he desired.
How could this not make his heart surge?
Outside the battle tent.
Many people were discussing Aggron on the screen.
"How did it take Close Combat without flinching? It's so tough!"
"This Aggron is so strong!"
"Could it have been raised by Da Wu? I remember the Champion has many strong Aggron, right?"
"You're overthinking it. How could the Champion have time to participate in such a small competition in the middle of nowhere!"
They were eagerly chatting, all curious about who the Trainer of Aggron really was.
In a corner.
Two figures with large cloth bags on their backs emerged from behind the battle tent, looking thoughtfully at the screen.
"He actually has such strong Aggron and Mawile? Might as well steal them both."
"I think we could use the name of Da Wu's bred Pokémon to sell them!"
"Oh! You're getting smart!"
"Hehehe!"
"Great, to avoid any long delays, we'll act tonight. The patrolling officers on the streets are becoming more numerous."
"Yes, yes."
The two were enveloped in a puff of smoke, disappearing into the darkness.
——
On the podium.
Baimu, originally full of smiles, was now frowning.
"Stolen? All the Pokémon Eggs?"
"Y-yes."
The battle tent manager wiped the sweat from his face, bowing repeatedly in apology, "Really sorry! We didn't expect to encounter theft like this. Rest assured, we will give you a satisfying answer!
"Meanwhile, please return to the hotel to wait a bit, we will provide you with appropriate compensation..."
"No need for compensation, it's not intentional on your part."
Baimu waved his hand, his expression softening upon seeing the battle tent officials willing to take full responsibility, he didn't press them with some meaningless complaints.
"Thank you very much! Thank you very much!"
The manager bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Leaving the battle tent.
Baimu's face revealed a bit of worry, thinking the Pokémon thieves had already left, but instead, their audacity surprised him by committing the crime again.
Miss Jun Sha and her team are somewhat ineffective.
Might as well stay vigilant.
Though it's unlikely they'll steal from him, Baimu's cautious mindset suggests it's wise to leave himself a retreat in everything.
"The long-awaited Pokémon Egg is gone... I wonder if they'll give a similar egg, or simply compensate with a rare Pokémon Egg instead?"
He mused silently.