"Ariados—Poison Sting!"
"Weezing—Sludge Bomb!"
Hunter J's subordinates attacked in unison.
"Piplup—Bubble Beam!"
Dawn's command was decisive. The gushing bubbles completely blocked the Poison Sting, then continued toward the Ariados—no time to dodge.
Officer Jenny faced the poaching group with cold professionalism. Well-trained Growlithe outclassed the outwardly strong, inwardly weak Mightyena. Flamethrower knocked out one after another.
From Jenny's side, the situation favored them.
But the tall, green-haired older sister worried.
She'd sent their location to headquarters. League investigators would arrive in twenty minutes. Until then, Wade would face J—Sinnoh's strongest hunter, Elite-level—alone.
The Other Side
"Roar~"
Salamence—once called Blood-Colored Wings—fled awkwardly through the air, desperately dodging Gardevoir's concentrated Shadow Balls.
Contrary to Jenny's concern, Hunter J was at a disadvantage.
While Drapion used Knock Off to block Milotic's Water Pulse, smoke rose from the explosion. The silver-haired woman subtly tossed another Poké Ball.
Tricky.
J frowned at her battered Salamence. Special endurance training was the only reason it hadn't collapsed under that wave-like offensive.
But if I target the Trainer directly—Gardevoir's freed Psychic will lock onto me.
Defeat would come faster.
Dawn commanded Piplup's Water Gun to repel Weezing. She glanced at the other battle—
The canopy shadows twisted under falling snow. Withered leaf debris exploded.
"Brother Wade—BEHIND YOU!"
An Ariados pounced from a five-meter giant cedar. Sharp front claws glowed dark purple.
[Cross Poison] : Poisoned blade. May poison. High critical-hit ratio.
Like an ancient swordsman—dual-wielding. No—an assassin hidden in shadows, two daggers ready.
One careless moment, and the Trainer would be cleanly cut in half.
Got him!
Ariados's face twisted in sinister triumph.
The poisoned blades—cutting through fine snow—descended with unstoppable, fierce momentum.
Faster than Ariados—Wade's hidden trump card.
Master Itachi.
"Meenoh~"
[Fake Out] . Priority move. Forces flinch.
A giant hand descended from the sky—striking first, fiercely squeezing and slamming the attacking Pokémon from both sides.
"Lee—HISS!"
Cross Poison—forcefully interrupted. Ariados's eyes narrowed.
It could only watch that agile figure approach—then High Jump Kick connected. Frozen. Helpless.
An assassin is only suitable for concealment. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Detected in advance?
The sharp nature is easily broken.
Ariados flew. Meters away. Knocked down waist-thick trees along the way.
Coma.
Hunter J's face darkened.
"I underestimated you." Her voice was ice. "You're no ordinary passerby Trainer."
A contingency—thrown during explosion aftershocks. Hidden in the forest for this moment.
Ariados found the opportunity.
And failed.
She retracted her earlier words.
Not tricky.
The black-haired youth before her was a towering mountain. Frontal attacks failed. Sneak attacks failed.
This depth of powerlessness—she'd only experienced it with the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia.
No... even stronger.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Wade's voice was calm. The battle's rhythm was his.
He'd left in a hurry—only three Pokémon: Gardevoir, Milotic, Mienshao.
More than enough.
A telepathic connection.
Wade charged.
You like irregular battles?
Then let's fight.
Extreme learning ability. Special training from Senior Sister Cynthia. He knew the essence of irregular battles.
BOOM.
His clenched fist stirred fierce wind. He moved like a phantom.
Hunter J—always behind her Pokémon, avoiding Gardevoir's Psychic lock—blocked instinctively.
Parried the hook.
Missed the whip kick.
A strong gust of wind blasted her away.
Battles often end in an instant.
"Cough... cough~"
Leaves and dust flew. The silver-haired woman—embedded in a tree trunk—spat a large mouthful of blood.
Wade approached slowly.
Incredulous.
This black-haired youth—not muscular, not skilled in close combat—had charged forward. A hook. A whip kick. Caught her completely off guard.
Entry enhancement. Comprehensive physical strengthening.
He couldn't punch Machamp or kick Onix like Bruno. But ordinary Trainers? No match.
Hunter J, leader of this poaching group? Not qualified.
"Roar~"
Salamence—completely locked by Gardevoir—soared frantically, dodging extremely compressed mental blades.
Drapion watched its Trainer blasted into the tree trunk. Roared in rage.
Powerless.
Every attempt to assist was blocked by surging Hydro Pump moves.
Enraged, Drapion turned—Cross Poison falling like terrifying blades. Milotic dodged each one like a swimming dragon. Then—her tail glowed blue-purple.
[Dragon Tail] : Forces the opponent to switch out.
Head-on hit. Drapion wailed. Fell to the ground.
Unconscious.
Then—all that's left...
"Gar" "De"
Fine snow—willow catkins—drifted down.
Bathed in falling snow, Gardevoir and Milotic glowed sacred.
Salamence watched them approach.
Inexplicable palpitation surged in its heart.