The moment Kyogre appeared, Juan's mind went completely blank.
He had deliberately tried to hand over the Rain Badge earlier just to avoid fighting Legendary Pokémon. This kid had even agreed nicely, saying he wouldn't use Legendary Pokémon…
Wait a second.
Did Aiden actually say he wouldn't use Legendary Pokémon? Or did he only say he wouldn't use Rayquaza?
Damn it.
By the time Juan recalled Aiden's exact words—only promising not to use Rayquaza, never saying he wouldn't use other Legendary Pokémon—he was already utterly helpless.
This brat was truly infuriating.
Juan: "This kid Aiden has no martial ethics at all—sneaking around and ambushing an old Elite Four like me. If my disciple Wallace were here…"
"Wait, Wallace also got beaten by him. Then never mind."
Sighing inwardly, Juan felt deeply powerless. He had thought that once his disciple became the Champion of Hoenn, his own status would rise to a transcendent level.
Now it seemed… that dream was still far away.
"Ding! Whiscash's current attributes are as follows:"
Pokémon: Whiscash
Level: 60
Ability: Anticipation
Type: Water / Ground
Potential: Purple
Mega Evolution: Not unlocked
Moves: Rest, Zen Headbutt, Water Pulse, Aqua Tail, Earthquake, Future Sight…
Whiscash was also a fish Pokémon—chubby, round, and vaguely similar to Kyogre.
But seriously, who in their right mind would send it out to fight Kyogre?
The moment it clearly recognized its opponent, Whiscash instantly went limp, belly-up on the water's surface, staring straight at its Trainer with dead eyes.
There was no helping it—Anticipation was too strong. The moment it sensed danger, it knew there was absolutely no chance of winning, so it simply played dead.
"So you're telling me to fight Kyogre just because I look like it? Do you think if I look like a Legendary Pokémon, I actually am one?"
"Even if I were a Legendary Pokémon, who the hell fights a true top-tier Legendary like Kyogre? Do you think I'm Rayquaza?"
Watching Whiscash's utterly humiliating behavior, Juan's expression turned awkward as he forced a bitter smile.
"Th-This… what are we even fighting for anymore?"
On the side, Cynthia was completely stunned as well.
Seeing that Aiden possessed yet another Legendary Pokémon—Kyogre, one of Hoenn's Three Legendary Pokémon, on the same level as Rayquaza—her brain practically shut down.
"Wait… you still have another Legendary Pokémon? Something on the same level as Rayquaza?"
If Aiden had checked Cynthia's mental state at that moment, he would probably have heard something like:
"Well… actually, I have three of them. Besides Rayquaza and Kyogre, I also have Groudon."
…
"Uh… Whiscash has lost its will to fight and its ability to battle. K-Kyogre wins!"
"Since Gym Leader Juan's three Pokémon have all lost their ability to fight, the winner of this Gym battle is Challenger Aiden Flint!"
Hearing the referee's announcement, Juan finally let out a long breath.
This utterly one-sided battle was finally over.
Kyogre, on the other hand, glanced sideways at Aiden with a look that clearly said: Was it really necessary to call me out to deal with trash like this?
Why didn't you just call that big idiot Groudon instead?
Facing Kyogre's gaze, Aiden pretended not to see anything. Without hesitation, he recalled it into the Master Ball.
Then Juan took out the Rain Badge, rushed up to Aiden, and forcefully shoved it into his hand.
"You brat… so you said you wouldn't use Rayquaza, and then you used Kyogre instead, huh?"
"I'm old. I can't handle being tossed around by you young people anymore. I offered you the badge earlier and you refused, insisting on fighting. Now you've won and gotten the badge, so hurry up and leave. I need to treat my Pokémon!"
As he spoke, Juan practically started chasing Aiden out.
Seeing Juan like this, Aiden felt an inexplicable sense of guilt. Using Legendary Pokémon to bully an elderly Gym Leader did feel a bit… impolite.
After bidding Juan farewell, Aiden prepared to leave the Sootopolis Gym.
Juan really was getting old. Even though he looked well-maintained, he was still a powerhouse from the previous generation.
Better not stimulate him too much.
Otherwise, if he pulled a Whiscash and played dead, Aiden would never be able to explain himself.
After leaving the Gym, Aiden looked at the Rain Badge in his hand and placed it into his badge case.
With that, he had finally obtained the qualification to participate in the Ever Grande Conference of the Hoenn League.
Eight badges.
The Balance Badge from Petalburg Gym, the Stone Badge from Rustboro Gym, the Knuckle Badge from Dewford Gym, the Dynamo Badge from Mauville Gym, the Heat Badge from Lavaridge Gym, the Feather Badge from Fortree Gym, the Mind Badge from Mossdeep Gym, and the Rain Badge from Sootopolis Gym—All eight badges collected..
Now, there were only half a month left before the Hoenn League officially began.
During this final half month, Aiden planned to return to Littleroot Town to rest properly.
After traveling for more than half a year, it was time to go home and take a look.
"Cynthia, now that I've collected all the badges, there's still some time before the Hoenn League begins. I'm planning to head back. My hometown is Littleroot Town. Do you want to come with me?"
"Or do you plan to stay here, or return to Sinnoh?"
Hearing Aiden's words, Cynthia had countless questions she wanted to ask.
But when she thought about going to Littleroot Town… wasn't that basically going straight to his home?
Wasn't that moving way too fast?
Had their relationship already become that straightforward in Aiden's eyes?
So Cynthia hesitated.
Seeing her deep in thought and silent for a long time, Aiden couldn't help but smile helplessly.
"What's there to hesitate about? Aren't you trying to surpass me? If you come to Littleroot Town, I'll let Rayquaza be your sparring partner."
"If that's not enough, you can pick between Groudon and Kyogre."
The moment Aiden said that, Cynthia's eyes lit up.
"Deal. Let's go. Destination: Littleroot Town!"
Rayquaza, Groudon, Kyogre: "You're amazing. You're noble. You use us as tools to flirt with girls?"
…
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