Although Flint gave people the impression that he was carefree and had nothing better to do, he was famous for his overflowing sense of justice, and he did not put on the airs of an Elite Four at all.
Naturally, he had not become an Elite Four yet. Tetsuya did not even need to think to know that Flint had come here for Blaine, but after so many years, it was quite remarkable that he still remembered Tetsuya.
"How do you know me?" Tetsuya pretended not to recognize him.
Flint burst out laughing and said, "Although we didn't face each other directly back then, your battle with Caitlin really left a deep impression on us. I just forgot what your name was… Ahem! Anyway, you won't remember me either. My name is Flint!"
"Tetsuya."
"Oh, oh, right, right, your name is Tetsuya. What a boring name." Flint was extremely straightforward.
It seemed his greatest opponent had appeared. Although it was somewhat coincidental, with Blaine making such a grand spectacle of things this time, it was bound to attract some Trainers who had a deep love for Fire-type Pokémon.
"Instead of staying in Sinnoh, what are you doing coming all the way to Kanto to join in the excitement?" Tetsuya said.
"Eh…? Isn't that obvious? I'm a fanatic for Fire-type Pokémon. As a former Fire-type Elite Four member of Kanto, Blaine must have his own unique ways for raising Fire-types. Of course I came here to participate in his 'event', I absolutely have to take first place and earn the chance to have Blaine raise my Pokémon."
Flint spoke with complete confidence.
"Oh…" Tetsuya nodded and was just about to leave.
Flint seemed to remember something and asked, "Then instead of staying in Johto, what are you doing coming all the way to Kanto to join in the 'excitement'?"
Tetsuya waved his hand and said, "Same as you."
"What!? Same as me?" Flint found it unbelievable. Tetsuya was clearly Pryce's student, so he should specialize in Ice-type Pokémon. Why would he come here to participate?
Flint quickly caught up with Tetsuya and said, "Don't you use Ice-types? Why are you interested in Fire-type Pokémon?"
Tetsuya rolled his eyes at him and said, "You… you think I'm like you?"
"What do you mean by that? Damn it… Just wait. When it comes to Fire-type Pokémon, I'll definitely beat you until you're completely convinced!" Flint's fiery temper flared up, and he stomped his feet in anger.
"…"
---◓---
After waiting for three days, the time Blaine had arranged finally arrived. The location was set at the largest beach on Cinnabar Island. Tetsuya could not help feeling somewhat worried. That beach had been packed with people these past few days and was extremely crowded. How could there possibly be any space left for people like them to have Pokémon battles?
When he arrived at the beach, Tetsuya finally understood. It turned out that the entire place had been sealed off early in the morning. There was no need to think to know that Blaine had arranged it.
From this, it could be seen that regardless of whether a Gym was flourishing or declining, or whether its Gym Leader had fallen out of prominence, they still held considerable influence within their city.
This was because of power. In a world like this, a Pokémon riot could very well occur, and even coastal cities were no exception.
Just like the Tentacool riot in Acapulco many years later, which caused enormous losses to the local government.
Afterward, the local government spared no expense in applying to the League to establish a Gym in Acapulco. Naturally, the purpose was still to ensure the personal safety and property of its citizens in times of crisis.
Therefore, a Gym Leader still held a very prestigious position within a city. That was why Blaine could successfully take over this entire site. The tourist area's revenue for a single day simply could not compare with Blaine.
Everyone could only enter with their invitation card, and at the entrance, they had to register the Fire-type Pokémon they would be using. Afterward, they would receive a tag, which seemed to indicate the battle group they had been assigned to.
Tetsuya happened to run into Flint at the entrance. Fortunately, they were not in the same group.
Flint could not help glancing at Tetsuya and said, "…Don't get eliminated before you even run into me."
"Same goes for you." After saying this, Tetsuya stepped onto the beach.
Blaine had already arrived by this point, but he had not said anything and was merely watching the time in silence.
It was not until the appointed time arrived that Blaine waved his hand, and the staff completely sealed off the entrance to the tourist area.
At this point, Blaine began to speak.
"From what I can see, there are at least a hundred Trainers here. Since the time has already arrived, we won't wait any longer. I believe that all of us have their own things to attend to, so we'll prepare to begin. Today is the first selection. First will be a demonstration of Fire-type moves, and the target is the seawater."
Once Blaine finished speaking, the staff from Cinnabar Gym began calling numbers, while Blaine was responsible for keeping records.
The vastness of the ocean was common knowledge. When many Fire-type Pokémon unleashed their Fire-type moves, there was no reaction at all. At most, a couple of "hiss, hiss" sounds could be heard before the moves were swallowed by the ocean.
Then it was Flint's turn.
"Infernape, use Flamethrower, then Flame Wheel. Show them!" Flint commanded.
Hearing Flint's second command, many people found it unbelievable. After all, Fire-type Pokémon were extremely afraid of water.
Therefore, everyone before Flint had used ranged offensive moves such as Flamethrower and Ember. Flint ordering his Infernape to use a close-range move like Flame Wheel was simply baffling.
Could he possibly intend to have Infernape dive into the ocean?
Infernape immediately used Flamethrower toward the surface of the water…
Even the Flamethrower used by Flint's Infernape seemed utterly insignificant before the vast ocean, but Infernape did not stop using Flamethrower. The intense heat caused streams of water vapor to rise from the ocean's surface, gradually shrouding it.
At this moment, Infernape used Flame Wheel and charged, quickly entering the area shrouded in vapor. Infernape could be seen entering the ocean as though skipping across the water, relying solely on the instantaneous surface tension from touching the water to rebound.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Infernape accomplished something that had seemed completely impossible!
Next came Tetsuya and his Houndoom.
" 'Howl'."
Tetsuya spoke calmly, and Houndoom immediately let out a howl that echoed across the beach.
The staff from the Gym wanted to stop him immediately. After all, the move Tetsuya had just ordered Houndoom to use was not a Fire-type move.
Just as they were about to speak, Blaine stopped them. "That Howl just now… it wasn't so simple." After saying this, Blaine pointed toward the sky.
"Eh? Why is the sunlight suddenly so intense? Could it be that Houndoom?" A staffer asked in confusion.
"It has already integrated the move Sunny Day into Howl, and Sunny Day can be considered a Fire-type move." Blaine had also developed considerable interest in this Houndoom. Of course, Flint's Infernape was included as well.