Chapter 394: The Road to the Championship! The Southeast Elite!!
Kenji walked up to the second floor, his footsteps echoing in the quiet villa.
He found his way to his bedroom, pushed the door open, and his gaze immediately
fell on the framed photo sitting on his nightstand.
He picked it up. It was the "family photo" taken during the previous New Year.
Back then, Tyranitar was still a Pupitar. Electivire was just an Electabuzz.
"One year, huh... it went by so fast," Kenji whispered to the empty room.
A year was both long and short. Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, he had
been a nobody, frantically preparing for the National College League. Now, he
was the Grand Champion of the Huaxia League, already preparing for the final
gauntlet to seize the ultimate throne.
He wiped the dust from the frame, a whirlwind of memories passing through his
mind.
A few days later, the New Year arrived.
Kenji spent the holiday with Li Heng's family. After a massive traditional
dinner, Kenji decided to uphold the tradition. He gathered his team for a new
family photo.
Beedrill, Gyarados, Arbok, Bellossom, Ninetales, Slaking, Annihilape, Serperior,
Electivire, Tyranitar, Darkrai, and the newest addition, Ditto.
Twelve legends, standing together.
Li Heng, seeing the spectacle, insisted on jumping into a photo with his own
partners too.
BOOM!!! —
In the sky above Lincheng, vibrant fireworks exploded in a kaleidoscope of
colors.
On a small hill overlooking the city, Kenji lay back against Slaking's massive,
soft belly. The ape rested its arm behind its head, serving as a living pillow
for its trainer.
"Dit-dit...!" Ditto bounced excitedly in the grass, eventually burrowing into
Ninetales's lap. Even in her human form, the fox radiated a comforting,
furnace-like warmth.
The rest of the team lounged nearby, watching the lights in the sky. For a few
hours, the world felt perfect.
A few days after the holidays, Kenji returned to Metropolis. It was time to pull
the trigger on his training plan.
[Ding!! Apply [Solo Leveling] Hex Core to Gyarados?]
"Yes!"
[Ding!! [Solo Leveling] activated!! For the next 30 days, your other 10 Pokémon
will not gain strength. All team experience will be funneled into Gyarados!]
To ensure Gyarados received the highest quality "XP," Kenji kept her training
with his most disciplined fighters: Beedrill, Arbok, and Annihilape. He
specifically sidelined Slaking (who didn't work anyway) and Ninetales (who
preferred sunbathing) from the calculation to keep the efficiency of the "hard
work" funnel at 100%.
One month passed in a blur of salt water and sweat.
With the training concluded, Kenji finally set off. His first destination was
the Southeast Branch of the Huaxia League.
His target: The Southeast Elite Four Member, Mason Chu.
The location of the Southeast Branch was strategically chosen—situated perfectly
to allow Elite-rank reinforcements to reach any major city in the sector within
minutes. Since Metropolis was the jewel of the Southeast, the branch office was
located only a few hours away.
Kenji arrived by noon. Before he could even get close to the main gate, he was
greeted by a large, reinforced sign: [RESTRICTED AREA: NO UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONNEL].
Ignoring the sign, Kenji walked toward the checkpoint.
"Halt! This is a restricted zone. Please present your credentials," a patrol
squad leader commanded, his hand hovering over a Poké Ball.
Kenji reached up and slid off his sunglasses. He pulled his League ID from his
pocket and handed it over.
"K-Kenji??! THE Kenji?!"
The squad leader's pupils shrank. He looked from the ID to the boy's face and
back again, his stoic military posture crumbling into pure shock. He took the
card with both hands, hands shaking slightly as he verified the digital
signature.
Once confirmed, he returned the ID with a crisp, respectful salute.
"Are you here to challenge Master Chu, sir?"
Kenji nodded. "That's the plan."
The leader immediately signaled one of his men. "Escort the Champion to the
inner sanctum. Don't keep Master Chu waiting!"
Kenji accepted the guide. Having a local to navigate the high-security labyrinth
was much faster than finding the way himself.
They reached the inner arena within minutes. Mason Chu was already there,
waiting.
"Master Chu! I'm Kenji. It's an honor to finally battle you," Kenji said, bowing
respectfully.
Mason Chu, dressed in a sharp military-green uniform, let out a booming laugh.
His face, usually a mask of rigid discipline, broke into a wide, friendly grin.
"The honor is mine, young man. I've been looking forward to seeing if the rumors
about you are true. Don't you dare go easy on an old man."
Kenji smiled. The mutual respect was clear. Mason led him to the massive battle
floor.
There were no crowds here. Only a handful of high-level staff members and
personal aides sat in the observers' gallery, their faces filled with
anticipation. This was a "Battle of the Titans" that very few were privileged to
see live.
"Battle... Begin!!! —"
The referee took a deep breath, raised his flags high, and snapped them down.
"Go!! Excadrill!!"
"I choose you! Ninetales!!"
Two beams of red light hit the field.
"EXCA-DRILL!!! —"
Mason's first partner slammed into the arena. It lashed out with its steel
claws, the sound of the blades cutting the air producing a sharp whistle.
On Kenji's side, the elegant, white Ninetales appeared. Its nine tails swayed
gently, and its heterochromatic eyes—one blue, one red—locked onto the steel
mole with chilling calm.
Mason's expression turned intrigued.
Kenji's roster was no longer a secret. Any trainer in Huaxia could name his
partners. Mason knew Kenji had a Ninetales, but the fox had barely seen any play
in the later stages of the Conference. Most analysts had labeled it as a
"Weather Setter" with mediocre combat stats.
Of course, "mediocre" was relative to monsters like Mega Beedrill.
Mason remembered the fox's match against Hu Ren's Garchomp. It had used a
bizarre, evasive style that had frustrated the Pseudo-Legendary for minutes. He
knew better than to treat this as a "free" first round.
Kenji looked at his partner. The Data Eye flickered to life.
[Ninetales] (4-Star) Gender: Female Level: 74 (Elite) Type: Fire Abilities:
Drought, Illusion ... Potential: S+
Kenji smirked. "Let's set the mood. Ninetales, bring the sun!"
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