Sam's evaluation had been accurate.
Janine's biggest weakness was experience.
She had grown up inside the Fuchsia Gym, rarely facing truly powerful opponents. Most challengers were weaker than her. Over time, she had unconsciously developed the habit of underestimating her rivals.
That flaw had been exposed in today's battle.
Koga remained silent for a moment.
Then he nodded slightly.
"Thank you for your assessment."
He stepped onto the opposite side of the battlefield.
"Janine has already explained the rules. I won't repeat them. Release your Pokémon."
The moment he entered battle mode, the atmosphere changed.
His presence turned cold—sharp and controlled.
So this is what a real ninja feels like in combat…
Sam hesitated briefly.
Normally, Gym Leaders revealed their Pokémon first, allowing challengers to respond strategically.
Koga did the opposite.
He forced Sam to make the first move.
Before Sam could decide—
Bang!
A burst of shadow energy erupted onto the field.
Gengar appeared on its own.
It grinned, eyes locked onto Koga.
It was excited.
"Gengar?" Koga's eyes narrowed slightly.
An Elite-level Gengar.
That was worth taking seriously.
Without further comment, Koga released his Pokémon.
"Go. Crobat."
A blur of purple wings unfolded midair.
Crobat
Type: Poison / Flying
Strength: Mid-Elite
Potential: Elite
Sam's expression sharpened.
Gengar was an assassin—fast and explosive.
Crobat was the same.
This battle would be decided in an instant.
"Shadow Ball," Sam ordered calmly.
Gengar stopped smiling.
Two fist-sized spheres of dark energy formed in its hands.
With a flick—
They launched like missiles toward Crobat.
"Fast," Koga commented lightly.
But he showed no concern.
Crobat didn't move.
It hovered midair as if frozen.
Sam narrowed his eyes.
"Be careful. It's bait."
Gengar nodded.
The Shadow Balls closed in—
Just before impact—
Crobat vanished.
The two attacks tore through nothing but afterimages.
"So fast!"
Even Sam couldn't track it with his eyes.
"Where—?!"
"Behind you!" Sam shouted.
Crobat had already circled around Gengar.
Its mouth opened wide.
Its fangs gleamed with dark purple venom.
This was no ordinary poison.
Koga's toxins were infamous.
Even a Poison-type like Gengar wouldn't withstand a direct hit easily.
"Phase out!" Sam barked.
Without hesitation, Gengar slipped into the spirit world.
Crobat's venomous bite tore through empty air.
"…Tch."
Koga clicked his tongue softly.
He had intended to end the match instantly.
Janine, watching from the side, stared in disbelief.
It was rare for her father's Crobat to attack at full speed.
And Sam—
Had reacted in time?
He's my age…
Why is he this strong?
On the field, Gengar re-emerged, breathing slightly heavier.
Traveling between dimensions consumed stamina.
It couldn't keep doing that.
This battle had to end quickly.
Fortunately—
Koga had no interest in drawn-out fights either.
Ninja philosophy was simple:
Wait. Strike. Kill. Disappear.
"Crobat," Koga said calmly, "Double Team… then Venoshock."
In an instant—
Shadows exploded across the battlefield.
Crobat multiplied.
One became four.
Four became eight.
Eight became dozens.
They surrounded Gengar from every direction.
But something was wrong.
Sam's eyes narrowed.
This wasn't an ordinary Double Team.
Normally, Double Team created visual illusions.
But Koga's Crobat—
It was weaving between real positions at extreme speed.
Every shadow seemed real.
Every shadow seemed fake.
The real Crobat darted between afterimages so fast that the battlefield became a maze of motion.
Sam clenched his fists.
This speed—
It's monstrous.
From every direction, purple venom began to gather in Crobat's mouths.
Venoshock was about to erupt.
And Gengar stood at the center—
Surrounded by killing intent.