"Is that… evolution?!"
The light of evolution was inviolable.
No attack could interrupt it — it was nature's protection for a Pokémon's transformation.
A Pokémon didn't only gain experience by defeating opponents.
Battling strong foes under immense pressure could also trigger growth.
The entire stadium erupted.
Greninja had evolved at the most critical moment.
Even the cold girl's expression shifted slightly.
"So this is why my sister said your talent was terrifying… I didn't believe it. I didn't expect you could make a Pokémon evolve mid-battle."
Evolution during combat was extremely rare.
"Zhìyě… even if you brought out your strongest Pokémon, could you win?"
The Indigo Academy trio felt shaken.
Zhìyě turned away silently.
He needed a moment.
Earlier, Greninja's performance against Fatty had already shocked him.
Back then, he could still grit his teeth and think he stood a chance.
Now?
He wasn't sure.
He wanted to say "fifty-fifty."
But remembering Gu Qiu had debuted only eleven days ago—
He couldn't.
It was humiliating.
This guy was on par with the academy's true monsters.
The evolution light faded.
Greninja stood revealed.
Sleeker.
Sharper.
Stronger.
Greninja.
"Ku-ga!"
It struck a cool pose toward Gu Qiu.
[Fourth Stage Mission Unlocked]
In the following battles, Greninja must complete all fights.
Reward: Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and mastery of all techniques in that stage.
Just as Gu Qiu expected.
Evolution triggered Stage Four.
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode would drastically increase power.
And most importantly—
It would allow techniques like Wind Release: Rasenshuriken without backlash.
Combined with Greninja's Water Shuriken…
Water Release: Rasenshuriken might even be possible.
Pokémon: Greninja
Ability: Protean
Quality: Epic
Level: 36 (Elite)
Types: Water / Dark (+ Fire, Earth, Lightning, Wind, Yang via template)
New Moves Learned:
Water ShurikenNight SlashShadow Sneak
Template Skills fully retained:
RasenganShadow CloneTailed Beast Cloak (mastered)Six-Tail ModeSage Mode (proficient)All Sage techniques
Power skyrocketed.
"Greninja!"
Ayame's eyes gleamed.
"This just got interesting."
"Dewgong — we're not losing. Full power!"
"Greninja — Sage Mode."
Green pupils.
Aura aligned with nature.
Now in evolved form—
The presence felt entirely different.
Gu Qiu even considered buying it a Hokage-style cloak.
"Aqua Jet!"
"Ice Beam!"
Sage-enhanced Ice Beam froze the incoming Aqua Jet mid-path.
A frozen water pillar formed instantly.
"Shadow Clone!"
Three Greninjas split off.
Two sprinted along the frozen path.
Each forming Rasengan.
Ayame's instincts screamed danger.
"Headbutt!"
Then—
She saw it.
Two Rasengans.
One in each hand.
Her scalp tingled.
"Smaller size… maybe it's weaker…"
"Sage Art: Rasengan Barrage!"
Left and right—
Simultaneous impact.
One collided with Headbutt.
The other struck Dewgong's abdomen directly.
BOOM!!!
Dewgong was blasted backward violently.
Ayame rushed forward.
Its belly had visibly caved in.
Thick Fat — famed for defense —
Still overwhelmed.
[Your Greninja defeated Dewgong.]
Gained 3164 EXP. Leveled up to 38!
Two levels in one fight.
Gu Qiu's heart raced.
This—
This was the thrill of battling true strength.
"Second match — Number Team wins!"
Silence blanketed the stadium.
Gu Qiu had won again.
In eleven days—
From Level 5 Froakie—
To Level 38 Greninja.
Even Champion Lance might struggle to replicate that pace.
"Gu Qiu!"
"Gu Qiu!"
The chant began somewhere—
Then spread.
Even Fatty cheered enthusiastically.
It was hard to tell whose side he was on.
"I'll go next. You've done enough."
The cold girl's voice softened.
She stepped forward.
Gu Qiu stopped her.
"Let me."
She paused.
"You're sure?"
"Trust me."
"…Alright."
She stepped back.
Her heart stirred faintly.
Trust me.
Did he consider her someone worth trusting?
Fine.
Fight freely.
If you collapse—
I'll stand for you.
"Is it really okay?" Botan whispered.
"His Greninja has already fought twice. And my sister's strength is near pseudo–Elite level…"
"He said — trust him."
Just six words.
Botan blinked.
A strange sense of camaraderie formed.
She smiled.
Her two teammates—
Were interesting indeed.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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