"Can your Greninja still continue?"
Sakura stepped forward.
The eldest of the Cerulean Sisters.
"No problem," Gu Qiu replied calmly. "I trust my Greninja."
"Ku-ga!"
Greninja was clearly fatigued.
But its fighting spirit burned fiercely.
"You two really share a strong bond," Sakura smiled gently. "But I won't go easy because of that."
"Come out — Cloyster."
The moment Cloyster appeared, the atmosphere shifted.
This wasn't just strong.
It was overwhelming.
Pokémon: Cloyster
Ability: Skill Link
Type: Water / Ice
Quality: Top-tier
Level: 51 (Pseudo–Elite Four Tier)
Moves: Icicle Spear, Razor Shell, Water Gun, Withdraw, Shell Smash, Supersonic, Aurora Beam, Leer, Ice Shard, Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Protect…
A luxurious move pool.
Rumor had it Sakura had once been an exceptional trainer.
But she abandoned the competitive path for Water Ballet.
Even so—
This Cloyster was monstrous.
Even the cold girl felt uncertain now.
"If Gu Qiu wants to win, he must finish this early," Botan whispered.
"Why?"
"That Cloyster is too strong. But my eldest sister… she doesn't enjoy battling."
Botan's voice softened.
"She was pressured the most growing up. After a certain battle five years ago… she stopped training seriously."
"So she's rusty?"
"More or less. But her battle sense is still sharp. If she finds her rhythm—Gu Qiu has no chance."
The cold girl's brows knit slightly.
"Even if he loses," she said quietly, "there's still you and me."
Botan nodded.
"Sage Mode."
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Greninja prepared.
Sakura remained calm.
Cloyster blinked slowly, as if battle felt both familiar and distant.
Sage Mode had a time limit.
Greninja couldn't maintain it much longer.
Cloyster's dual-layered shell was absurdly defensive.
Even Rasengan might not penetrate.
Gu Qiu felt the pressure.
"It's been a while since we fought, Cloyster. Do you remember your moves?"
"Cloy."
It nodded.
"Yes."
"Then start with Water Gun."
The pressure behind that Water Gun was immense.
If it landed cleanly, Greninja would suffer.
"Rasengan!"
"Hydro Pump."
Hydro Pump obliterated the Rasengan instantly.
The level gap was brutal.
A Big Ball Rasengan landed once—
Cloyster withdrew into its shell.
It was blasted backward—
But unharmed.
Gu Qiu clenched his jaw.
Sage Mode was draining fast.
If this dragged on—
He would lose.
Sakura didn't rush.
She didn't even push offense.
She understood her advantage.
Time favored her.
"Then there's only that move."
If this failed—
There would be no answer left.
Fortunately, Cloyster hadn't pressed aggressively.
That gave him the window.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Again.
"Another Rasengan?" Sakura asked gently. "Your Rasengan won't break Cloyster's shell. It'll only exhaust Greninja faster."
Gu Qiu had tried repeatedly.
Each time stronger.
Each time futile.
"This time," he said softly, "is different."
Greninja's arm rose.
Wind spiraled violently.
The air screamed.
"Sage Art — Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!"
A massive shuriken of compressed wind chakra formed overhead.
Natural energy infused.
The surrounding air distorted.
Even space felt unstable for a split second.
Sakura's pupils shrank.
That attack—
Felt lethal.
For the first time—
She felt the shadow of death.
"Cloyster, quickly—!"
Elsewhere.
Cerulean Cave.
"We managed to appease that one," someone reported to Lorelei. "But Team Rocket has grown bolder. They actually tried targeting it."
Lorelei's expression was grave.
"That's the only good news. If it truly erupted… Kanto would face catastrophe."
Then—
She paused.
"…That energy?"
She turned sharply.
"There's an enormous power fluctuation inside your Gym."
Misty's face changed instantly.
"That's not possible— Did we fall for a diversion?"
"Gyarados, move!"
Misty leapt onto her Gyarados.
They shot toward Cerulean Gym.
Lorelei narrowed her eyes.
"That doesn't feel like Team Rocket's energy…"
"…It feels familiar."
She followed at once.
Something unexpected—
Was unfolding inside Cerulean Gym.
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