"Damn System... still playing dead?"
"Where are my mission rewards?"
Standing on Charizard's back, Aaron asked the System in his mind, utterly speechless.
"What's the rush? Can't you let this System take a dump in peace!?"
After a while, the System's irritated voice rang out in Aaron's head.
"Ding~ Congratulations, you asshole, on completing the mission: Save the Ivysaur!"
"Ding~ Congratulations on receiving the rewards: Swords Dance Skill Card ×1, Pokémon Candy (Elite) ×1, Energy Cubes ×5."
Aaron: "..."
What kind of knockoff System needed bathroom breaks?
This thing had to be defective.
Still, since the rewards had been handed out, Aaron decided not to argue with it.
Aaron gave the Swords Dance Skill Card directly to Sceptile.
Right now, Sceptile was the only one without a boosting move, which really did not make sense.
Aaron had been planning to buy a Swords Dance TM for a while, but he had never found the time.
Now that the mission rewards had given him one, it was perfect.
He let Sceptile learn it.
He gave the Pokémon Candy to Frog Boss, raising Frog Boss's level to Elite Peak as well, the same level as Charizard.
The rest of his Pokémon were all at Elite Late Stage, following close behind.
"ROOOAR!"
At that moment, Charizard's cry pulled Aaron back to his senses.
Aaron focused his eyes and saw a brightly lit city not far ahead. He opened the map and checked.
They had arrived at the city known as the "City of Fighting."
Grit City!
Grit City was home to countless fighters. Here, people bonded through martial arts, and Fighting-type Pokémon were the heart of the city.
Fighting Tournaments were often held here, and the Fighting Gym was also located in this city.
This was also Brutus's hometown. He still lived here now.
The only question was whether he was currently in town.
Aaron's eyes lit up.
Such an interesting city. It would be a shame not to experience it, wouldn't it?
He could stop by and visit Brutus while he was at it.
"Charizard... let's go down!"
"We won't have to sleep out in the wild tonight."
Aaron patted Charizard's head and said happily.
"ROOOAR!"
Charizard gave a low roar, flapped its powerful wings, and quickly flew toward Grit City.
When Aaron arrived near Grit City, he recalled Charizard and walked into the bustling city.
It was already past ten at night, but the streets were still lively. Fighting-type Pokémon could be seen everywhere along the roadside.
Machamp, Machoke, Hitmonchan, Medicham, Sawk, and many others.
Most of the people on the street wore training uniforms.
The walls were covered in paintings of various fighting matches, filling the city with a strong martial atmosphere.
It truly lived up to its title as the City of Fighting.
Aaron bought a serving of oden from a street vendor, sat down at a table, and ate with satisfaction.
At that moment, a conversation at the next table caught his interest.
"Hey... the Fighting Tournament has finally started!"
"Who do you guys think will win this year's King of Fighters title?"
"It has to be Steel Bear. He was the previous tournament champion."
"Heh, heh... you haven't heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Steel Bear already broke through and became a Champion-Class Trainer, so he can't participate this time."
"After all, the Fighting Tournament only allows Gym-level Trainers and below to compete."
"That's a shame... but doesn't that mean this year's tournament will be a real battlefield?"
"Of course. I heard the champion's reward this time is a precious Pokémon held item, the Black Belt!"
"Hiss..."
"They're actually willing to offer a treasure like that? That's seriously generous!"
"We should hurry up and register. Registration closes at noon tomorrow, and the tournament starts the day after."
"Quick, quick, quick! Let's go sign up now."
...
Aaron's interest was stirred.
"Fighting Tournament?"
"The reward is the Pokémon held item, Black Belt?"
Aaron caught those two keywords, and interest surged in his heart.
"Ding~ Congratulations on triggering the mission: King of Fighters!"
"The annual Fighting Tournament is about to begin, and all eyes are on it. As the King of Show-offs, how could you miss such a perfect chance to show off?"
"Win this Fighting Tournament and obtain the title of King of Fighters to complete the mission."
"Mission Rewards: Pokémon Skill Sharing Card ×1, King of Fighters Title (Host Title)..."
Just then, the System's excited voice rang in Aaron's ears.
Aaron froze slightly.
"Pokémon Skill Sharing Card?"
"System... what does this Pokémon Skill Sharing Card do?"
Aaron could not help asking the System in his mind.
"Ding~ The Pokémon Skill Sharing Card allows a Pokémon to share one of its skills with the host, allowing the host to learn that skill!"
"Ding~ Please note: only one system-enhancement skill can take effect at a time."
"For example, Sage Mode, Super Saiyan, Haki, and similar skills. Only one system-enhancement skill can be active at once. They cannot be stacked."
...
After hearing the System's explanation, Aaron's pupils suddenly shrank.
Excitement flashed in his eyes.
This Sharing Card was incredible!
If he had Frog Boss share the Flying Thunder God Technique with him, that meant he could use Flying Thunder God too.
His personal safety would be massively improved in the future.
He could also choose Frog Boss's Sage Mode.
Snorlax's Nika Fruit.
Gyarados's Blue Dragon Fruit.
Sceptile's Wood Release.
Beedrill's Suzumebachi.
Charizard's Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.
He could choose any one of these and have it shared with him, allowing him to learn that skill.
Aaron's eyes filled with intense excitement.
"Damn it... now it's finally my turn to take off!"