By the time Corsola reacted, it had already been blasted to the edge of the arena, barely clinging to consciousness.
"So strong. So fast. So strange."
Misty frowned. That attack had come too quickly and from such a tricky angle that Corsola simply couldn't dodge.
"But it's too early to make me concede."
"Corsola, use Recover!"
Just when it looked like Corsola had lost the ability to battle, a soft glow enveloped its body, and more than half of its injuries were restored.
Gu Qiu wasn't surprised.
Misty had used this move many times before.
Recover—a powerful move that restored a Pokémon's condition.
Milotic could learn it too.
Gu Qiu made a mental note to teach Milotic Recover someday.
Combined with Tobirama's Water Release techniques, her strength would become even more formidable.
"Your Milotic is strong—but my Corsola isn't weak either."
"Corsola, use Bubble Beam!"
"Milotic, use Water Release · Hard Whirlpool Blade!"
Milotic transformed into a rushing stream of water, surging toward Corsola at high speed.
Bubble Beam was deflected away by the torrent.
As she closed in, Milotic's tail morphed into a sharp water blade and slashed downward.
Corsola refused to back down, charging forward with Tackle.
Bang!
Corsola was sent flying once again.
This time, Milotic didn't pause.
With chakra flowing through her body, both her speed and strength had increased dramatically.
Her tail flashed—
Dragon Tail!
Bang!
Corsola could no longer endure it and collapsed, completely losing the ability to battle.
[Your Milotic defeated Corsola and gained 612 EXP. Level increased to 27!]
Milotic leveled up.
And Stage Two was complete.
[Ding! Milotic defeated Corsola. Stage Two complete. Reward: Kage-level chakra, Shadow Clone Technique, explosive tag crafting method, Tobirama's monstrous strength. Aptitude upgraded to Epic-tier.]
This was probably the fastest a Pokémon had ever completed two template stages.
Gu Qiu could clearly feel Milotic's strength rise to an entirely new tier.
At this point, she could likely fight evenly against Pokémon above Level 40.
And she was only Level 27.
"In three hours, her aptitude will officially upgrade to Epic-tier."
"Doesn't that mean all four of my Pokémon are at least Epic quality?"
Gu Qiu was stunned.
Even Misty probably only had one Epic-tier Pokémon—Gyarados.
As for Lorelei, Gu Qiu guessed she had at most two.
"The winner of the second round is—Gu Qiu."
Although Lorelei was an Ice-type Elite Four member, many Ice-types were dual Water-types. She was naturally very knowledgeable about Water.
Watching the Water techniques Gu Qiu had used, disbelief flickered in her eyes.
The entire Gym fell silent.
No one spoke.
All eyes were fixed on Milotic.
Including Li Hong—who had turned to leave but was now frozen in place.
Her reaction was intense.
Now, she was beginning to understand why Lorelei had insisted so strongly on promoting Gu Qiu.
Perhaps…
This young man truly had the talent for that stage.
"Li Hong, Ye Munan—what do you think of this boy?"
Brock asked casually.
"He's alright."
"Not bad."
They were prideful people.
After saying yesterday that he wasn't good enough, there was no way they would openly praise him today.
Li Hong returned to her seat, then quickly added, as if to save face:
"I still think Zhao Yi is better. More steady."
"If Lorelei and Misty were eligible to compete this year, Kanto wouldn't lose so embarrassingly."
Brock smiled faintly.
Such pride.
…
News of Gu Qiu's Feebas evolving into Milotic spread like a storm across Kanto—and even the entire world.
Yesterday's article titled [The Spoiled Genius] had already been taken down.
The author was banned across major platforms.
After all, what benefit was there in offending a genius like Gu Qiu?
The media understood perfectly how explosive this event was.
It might even attract national research institutions.
Criticize Gu Qiu if you want.
Insult him if you must.
But don't mock Feebas anymore.
This matter had risen to another level entirely.
Journalists had sharp instincts.
And sure enough—
National research institutions contacted Professor Oak directly.
Professor Oak expressed strong interest in Gu Qiu and was reportedly already on his way to Cerulean City.
Decisive and swift.
…
"Gu Qiu, your Milotic really is astonishing."
"But for the third match, I won't hold back."
After losing the first two rounds, Misty was finally taking this seriously.
"Perfect. I'd like to test your strength too."
"Return, Milotic."
The third stage mission had not triggered.
That made sense.
Completing the third stage would grant the full Senju Tobirama template—power Milotic likely couldn't handle yet.
"You're recalling Milotic?"
Misty blinked in surprise.
"Since this is the final match, let's go all out."
"Come out—Greninja!"
Greninja was Gu Qiu's strongest Pokémon on the surface.
Even Misty's eyes ignited with battle intent at the sight of it.
Milotic was powerful, with strength far beyond her level.
But level was still a limiting factor.
At Level 27, her upper limit was around the low 40s.
Greninja was different.
He had already defeated her elder sister's pseudo-Elite Four Cloyster.
Compared to Milotic, Misty was more interested in Greninja.
"If you're using Greninja, I can't let you underestimate me."
"Come out—Kingdra!"
"What?! The Gym Leader actually sent out Kingdra?!"
Every member of the Cerulean Gym present gasped in shock.
"It's just Kingdra. Is that really so surprising?"
"You don't understand. That Kingdra is one of the Gym Leader's main Pokémon."
The Gym staff member spoke with wide eyes.
"One of her mains?"
Now the entire arena was shaken.
Misty was a top-tier Gym Leader.
How strong were her main Pokémon?
They didn't know—
But it was certain that Kingdra's strength was at least at the pseudo-Elite Four level.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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