"That's true. With your current status, it's honestly a bit overwhelming. Even though you've built everything yourself, you still have the Draconis family and the Oak family backing you. Add in your own achievements and strength, and there's really no one comparable to you."
After hearing Ash Ketchum's words, Lorelei nodded in agreement. Among the top trainers across all regions, there truly wasn't anyone who matched both his identity and power. In many ways, he stood alone at the peak.
This was also why the Kanto League's relationship with Ash could only ever be one of cooperation, sometimes even one-sided. His personal strength alone was enough to make the League wary. It wasn't that they couldn't oppose him, but the price of doing so was something they simply could not afford.
"Alright, get some rest. Tomorrow is the final."
After chatting for a while, Ash began to feel the fatigue set in. The awakening of his Rinnegan had consumed a significant amount of both mental and physical energy.
The next morning.
"Dear audience, the Whirl Cup has reached its final stage! Competing for the championship are the youngest Champion in history, Ash Ketchum, and the Kalos Elite Four member, Siebold!"
At around ten in the morning, the stadium atmosphere had reached its peak. This final battle would determine the winner of the Mystic Water, a powerful item highly sought after by Water-type trainers.
But what truly caught Ash's attention was the wand held by the woman named Maya.
"I've finally been waiting for this moment."
Standing across from Ash, Siebold's eyes burned with intense battle spirit.
"I've heard about your strength, but seeing it firsthand is still astonishing. To train Pokémon like yours… I'm truly fortunate to face you."
Ash's Water-type Pokémon were no weaker than those of specialists like Siebold. For a trainer of his caliber, encountering such an opponent was rare and exciting.
Moreover, Ash himself stood at the Champion level. If Siebold could push past his limits in this battle, he might even touch the threshold of becoming a Champion.
"I'm also looking forward to seeing the Pokémon of Kalos."
Ash nodded. He had a good impression of Siebold. His strength was undeniable, even surpassing Lorelei, and his skill in raising Pokémon was exceptional.
"This match will be a two-on-two battle. The first trainer to lose both Pokémon will be defeated. The battle begins now!"
The referee raised both flags and gave the signal.
"Croconaw!"
Ash's Poké Ball opened instantly, releasing a burst of white light. From it emerged his powerful partner from Johto.
"Just as I expected."
Seeing Croconaw, Siebold smiled slightly.
"Your Pokémon are strong, but you only have a few in each type. That makes your choices easier to predict."
With that, he threw his own Poké Ball.
A flash of light later, a unique Pokémon appeared on the field. Its massive claw, far larger than its body, immediately stood out.
It was Clawitzer, a Water-type Pokémon native to the Kalos region.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Ash has chosen Croconaw from the Johto region. This Pokémon has dominated both the preliminary and knockout rounds so far!"
"And Siebold has sent out Clawitzer from the Kalos region! While detailed data is limited, it has already demonstrated incredible strength in previous matches!"
Since Clawitzer was rarely seen outside Kalos, the commentators had very little information on it.
"Clawitzer, use Aura Sphere!"
At the very start of the match, Siebold immediately launched an attack.
Clawitzer's massive claw opened, gathering a sphere of blue energy in an instant. The Aura Sphere shot forward at high speed, racing straight toward Croconaw.
"Just as I thought… you can use a Fighting-type move like Aura Sphere. When I saw it in my grandfather's research data, I wasn't completely sure."
Looking at the incoming Aura Sphere, Ash Ketchum smiled calmly, as if the attack posed no real threat.
"Water Wall."
In an instant, a rotating barrier of water formed in front of Croconaw. The flow of the water was extremely fast, creating a dense defensive layer. Unless the attack had overwhelming power, breaking through it would be difficult.
"Boom!"
The Aura Sphere collided with the Water Wall, the two forces clashing fiercely in a brief stalemate before exploding. The barrier shattered, but Croconaw remained completely unharmed.
"Impressive. This is the first time I've seen a Water-type move used purely for defense to block Aura Sphere."
Siebold's eyes sharpened as he immediately followed up.
"Clawitzer, use Aqua Jet!"
"Here it comes."
Clawitzer's body became enveloped in a surge of water. In the next moment, it shot forward like a high-speed projectile, closing the distance in an instant and slamming into Croconaw.
"Boom!"
"Croc!"
Croconaw cried out as it was struck, sliding back slightly. However, as a fellow Water-type, the damage was limited.
"Good. If that's the case, let's show them what a true Water-type physical technique looks like."
Ash's gaze sharpened.
"Croconaw, use the Water Secret Art, Water Impact!"
His words immediately put Siebold on guard. The term "Secret Art" alone was enough to signal that this was no ordinary move.
In the audience, Lorelei and others leaned forward slightly, curious to see what kind of Water-type technique could produce a physical attack effect.
"Croc!"
Croconaw roared and fired a powerful Water Gun straight into the sky. But instead of maintaining control, it abruptly cut off the stream.
The water shot upward, then lost its cohesion, scattering into countless droplets that spread across the battlefield like rain.
For a brief moment, nothing seemed to happen.
(End of Chapter)
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