When the cold girl saw Machamp, her brows furrowed slightly.
This fat guy… was stronger than expected.
The audience murmured in shock.
"Who is that fatty? That Machamp looks terrifying. Anyone know its level?"
"Hard to tell. Probably at least Level 35, right?"
"Looks like the first match will be interesting."
Even the three Indigo Academy students looked surprised.
"That fat guy should be able to test Greninja's true strength."
"He's probably not from Kanto. With that getup, we'd recognize him otherwise."
"Greninja, I'm counting on you."
Greninja was now Level 34.
Seven levels higher than when it fought Brock.
Most of that jump came thanks to the "kind" Le family.
They had practically donated experience points.
What Gu Qiu didn't know was that Deep Gray City's Le family was in chaos.
Le Liangcai — the patriarch's son — had vanished.
So had Uncle Le, one of the family's pillars.
Their bodies? Completely erased.
The only witness in the car that day had also been dealt with.
And because Le Liangcai hadn't told many people about the ambush, suspicion hadn't yet fallen on Gu Qiu.
When Greninja stepped forward, Fatty's eyes sharpened.
He casually pulled a sweet bun from his pocket and tossed it into his mouth.
He loved sweets. High-calorie ones especially.
Just like his father.
"Brother, Fatty's about to get serious."
"Bring it."
"Machamp — Bulk Up!"
Bulk Up boosted both attack and defense — a powerful setup move.
"Greninja — enter Half-Tailed Beast Mode!"
Gu Qiu didn't intend to use Sage Mode yet.
That was his trump card.
He didn't like losing.
And he hadn't planned to.
This time—
Five crimson tails erupted behind Greninja.
Its level-up had strengthened the transformation.
A violent aura radiated outward.
Visually, it was overwhelming.
"Five tails already?"
Fatty's expression grew grave.
"Even if you're stronger… Machamp won't fear you."
Machamp's Ability: Steadfast — an unyielding heart.
It would never fear a stronger opponent.
In fact, pressure only sharpened it.
"Go."
Greninja vanished.
"So fast!"
Fatty's pupils contracted.
"Machamp — trust yourself! Focus ahead!"
There was no way he could issue precise commands at this speed.
He had to trust Machamp's instincts.
"Machamp!"
Machamp centered itself.
The moment Greninja struck—
A palm shot out.
BOOM!
The air trembled.
A second strike followed instantly.
Dual Chop.
Empowered by Bulk Up, the blows were brutal.
Greninja's crimson chakra cloak extended a hand and blocked.
The ground shattered beneath them.
This was already approaching three-star Elite Trainer level combat.
"This Machamp… its battle awareness is incredible."
High level.
Excellent instincts.
Not easy to deal with.
Machamp's attack was blocked, but it flowed seamlessly into a heavy kick.
Greninja whipped a tail and leapt skyward.
Above it—
A dark sphere began condensing.
A Tailed Beast Bomb.
An S-rank technique.
Pure chakra compressed to extreme density.
In its original form, it could erase mountains.
Of course, Greninja's version wasn't that apocalyptic.
Otherwise, Cerulean Gym would cease to exist.
"What pure energy…"
The Cerulean Sisters' eyes widened.
They had never seen power like this.
"Machamp — dodge!"
Fatty sensed the danger.
A move meant nothing if it didn't land.
Machamp remained calm.
Steadfast meant no fear.
Many Pokémon faltered before overwhelming force.
Machamp did not.
It moved—
Barely.
The Tailed Beast Bomb missed.
BOOM!!!
A massive crater exploded into existence.
The Sisters' mouths twitched.
That was expensive flooring.
Very expensive.
Greninja pressed the attack immediately.
Machamp retreated steadily.
The battle entered a tense stalemate.
"Brother, pretty impressive, huh? Raising a top-tier Machamp wasn't easy."
Fatty pulled out a cake mid-fight.
Still talking.
"Very impressive."
Gu Qiu nodded sincerely.
This opponent had earned his respect.
"But it won't be enough."
"What?"
A sixth tail began to emerge.
Fatty's expression changed instantly.
"Machamp! End it now! Seismic Toss! Don't let that sixth tail fully manifest!"
Machamp's face hardened.
A heavy punch forced Greninja back momentarily.
Then—
It lunged forward.
Arms outstretched.
Preparing to seize Greninja—
And launch the decisive Seismic Toss.
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