Chapter 386: Chapter 386

“This is already no less than Master League level,” Professor Oak marveled from the stands.

“Not just on par,” Kristal said softly. “Perhaps… even capable of surpassing it.”

“And this is supposed to be the Baby Cup,” Gold muttered under his breath.

Red-haired Lorelei stood beside the railings, gazing intently at the center of the arena.

“I didn’t expect it. In just a single year, Lu Ye’s team has grown to this level.”

“Incredible training skill,” said Red quietly. “And battle command.”

Green looked back at him with a subtle glance that seemed to say, “You’re praising him and not me?”

But then again… even Green had to admit:

Lu Ye had even mastered the Secrets of the Earth, a Ground-type specialty.

“Fascinating,” murmured the brown-haired youth with folded arms, a smug grin forming.

After three rounds, the battered battlefield sank beneath the platform and a fresh standard field rose into place.

“Is there still a chance for a comeback?” Zhuo Xiong asked himself, then looked up.

If there was any hope left—then it was the trust the Island Guardians placed in him.

“I’m counting on you, Samurott!”

The blue quadrupedal sea-beast took the field, armor-like shells adorning its limbs. Its foot blades and sharp horn could slice through iron like butter.

Stoic and noble, Samurott used dual-wielding techniques. Both its Aqua Blade and Megahorn could cleave through steel.

“One of Unova’s starters?” Professor Oak nodded appreciatively. “Seems like he’s journeyed through quite a few regions.”

Gold felt a strange sense of unease—but couldn’t put a finger on it.

Something told him… this might end very quickly.

He looked back at the field—

And saw Blastoise’s silhouette emerge from a Dive Ball.

“Blastoise!ヾ(⌐■_■)” The moment it landed, waves of Aura energy erupted violently around it.

Even Lance, the Champion of Kanto, was rattled in his seat.

This is… the Blastoise that saved the Tree of Beginning?!

“So it’s Blastoise, huh.” Gold relaxed with a grin. “Looks like my gut was right again!”

Professor Oak gave him a puzzled look—

But when he turned back to the field, the two Water-type starters had already collided!

Samurott’s horn, glowing with Sacred Sword energy, charged in with a warrior’s resolve.

But Blastoise met it with a single punch—

His fist glinting with icy light.

As fist met blade, shockwaves blasted outward, ruffling the hair of front-row spectators.

The ground cracked beneath them—Zhuo Xiong’s pupils shrank.

“Rraaagh!” Samurott cried in pain.

Frost coated its horn—it was frozen! Its movements stiffened, unable to slash freely.

“Blastoise…ヾ(⌐■_■)” He casually flexed his fist.

That was close… just barely won that exchange!

He glanced down at his hand, then prudently withdrew and deployed his cannons.

Zhuo Xiong knew Sacred Sword had rattled Blastoise.

But Samurott wasn’t just a physical attacker!

With determination in his eyes, Zhuo Xiong raised his Z-Ring.

A deep blue crystal, shining like ocean water, glinted in the center.

Zoomed in by the cameras, the audience realized—

“An Alolan Z-Crystal!”

“Zhuo Xiong completed the Island Trials?!”

Here, on the grand stage of the Indigo Plateau—

Zhuo Xiong had finally revealed his trump card!

“Samurott!” He rubbed the Z-Crystal, performing the unique ritual movements that sent waves of Water-type energy rippling across the battlefield.

No one expected Zhuo Xiong to still have such a powerful play up his sleeve!

“Water Z, huh.” Red nodded. “Not bad.”

“And Teacher Lu?” Green looked toward Lu Ye.

“Probably won’t even need a trump card…” Lorelei brushed her bangs aside and sighed.

Lu Ye had watched Zhuo Xiong’s dance from beginning to end.

And for someone like Lana, a cutesy girl doing the Z-dance was fine.

A man in his thirties, dancing on live television, surrounded by millions?

Bro, are you not publicly executing yourself?

Still, Lu Ye didn’t underestimate it.

Waves of Aura surged—his own Aura boosting Blastoise again.

“Blastoise!” Lu Ye called out. “Full-power Hydro Cannon!”

“Blas-toise!!” This time, he tossed aside his sunglasses.

You could practically hear him powering up.

As the swirling Z-energy gathered around Samurott, even Blastoise began to sweat.

This was a critical moment!

Samurott opened its jaws wide, slamming a jet of water into the ground.

A tidal surge rose, forming a spiraling super whirlpool—

Grass, stone, even tile pieces were sucked into the current, roaring toward Blastoise!

Facing the towering tsunami—

Blastoise aimed his twin cannons.

Level-1 Hydro Cannons, fully charged—FIRE!

Two enormous jets erupted from his cannons, twisting into a massive water dragon.

It surged forward and smashed straight into the heart of the vortex—

As water droplets rained down across the arena, Zhuo Xiong stared in disbelief.

The Hydro Cannon kept going, slamming straight into Samurott, pinning it to the edge of the arena wall.

Samurott fainted on impact.

Then the skies cleared.

A rainbow shimmered faintly over the field.

The entire audience was stunned.

“That was a Water Z-move!!”

“And he just blasted it apart with one Hydro Cannon?!”

“Teacher Lu, we beg you—act human!”

“Blastoise…ヾ(⌐■_■)” He calmly picked up his sunglasses and exhaled deeply.

Phew! That was close…

“So much for Hydro Cannon’s accuracy issues.”

Even Lu Ye wiped his brow.

So that’s what full-power Hydro Cannon looks like…

Honestly, first time seeing it myself!

“Wait a sec… is my Blastoise’s default state a freaking Z-move?” Lu Ye stared off into space.

“Was that Hydro Pump?” Blue asked, puzzled.

“No…” She shook her head again. “My Blastoise’s Hydro Pump doesn’t hit that hard.”

“It’s Hydro Pump, alright,” Gold said, arms behind his head. “He just calls it Water Gun. And then calls Hydro Pump ‘Hydro Cannon’…”

“Only Teacher Lu would do that.”

Professor Oak silently nodded in agreement.

Honestly, this is my first time seeing a Hydro Pump like that too…

“Zhuo Xiong sends out his fifth Pokémon!”

As Lu Ye recalled Blastoise again—

The audience finally realized:

It wasn’t about stamina.

Teacher Lu is going for a clean 6–0 sweep in the Indigo League Finals!

“So this is the Teacher Lu who entered the Baby Cup!”

“Go Lu-bao! Kill for us!!”

Zhuo Xiong’s fifth Pokémon was his signature Perish Song strategy.

“Perish Song, huh…” Lu Ye narrowed his eyes. “Let’s end this quickly.”

Mismagius floated onto the field, its trio of red gems glowing ominously, ghostly eyes locked ahead.

Lu Ye didn’t even toss the Poké Ball.

He just turned and looked.

“Gengar!” “Kukya~(￣▽￣)/” Gengar floated forward and waved to the crowd.

Even for a Ghost-type, Perish Song could affect mental state.

“Perish Song!” Zhuo Xiong shouted, hoping to stall with Protect afterward.

Mismagius swayed gracefully, its husky lullaby sending chills down spines.

“You’re in charge,” Lu Ye nodded, letting Gengar take over.

“Kukya!” Gengar grinned and clenched its fists—eyes glowing blue.

The next second, Mismagius froze, its song caught in its throat.

“Doesn’t matter! Perish Song already took effect!” Zhuo Xiong yelled. “Use Imprison!”

Both Pokémon specialized in Shadow Ball and Psychic.

When blue light flickered in Mismagius’s eyes—

Gengar’s forming Shadow Ball flickered out.

But then, he teleported behind Mismagius, throwing fist after fist!

“Kukya! (σ;Д)=3⁼³₌₃⁼³₌₃”

Even with poor Attack, Ghost vs Ghost = double effectiveness.

Mismagius couldn’t handle it!

“What speed is that?!”

“I didn’t even see the movement—he just started comboing!”

“Looks like both Shadow Ball and Psychic were sealed…”

Professor Oak chuckled.

“Going physical is a last resort.”

You sure it’s a ‘last resort’?

Gengar looks like he’s having a blast!

“Block it—use Protect!”

Mismagius threw up a shield—

Only to see Gengar right at its cheek.

Then came the tongue.

A cold, slimy sensation slithered over its face.

Lu Ye looked on, troubled.

This isn’t a tactical Lick…

Can this even be broadcast?!

The Lick didn’t paralyze, but one mighty slap with his tongue KO’d the fragile Mismagius.

“Kukya!” Gengar landed, arms on hips, grinning wide.

Perish Song’s not that hard. I’ll sing it to my Trainer when I get back!

Gengar had made it look easy.

The fight was so quick, it almost didn’t feel real.

Was this really the Indigo League Finals?

Or just another Baby Cup?

Then the crowd looked up—

Only one Pokémon remained.

Zhuo Xiong gave a wry smile and tossed his last Poké Ball:

His plan had been to let Mismagius set up Trick Room—

Then let Shuckle slowly chip away.

But after such a clean loss…

All he could hope was for Shuckle to stall with Toxic and Rest and preserve a shred of dignity.

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

Originally, he just wanted Togepi to show its face.

But now… winning didn’t seem impossible?

Popping its head and limbs out of its shell, Togepi gleamed under the lights.

Togepi’s back in action!

“So cute!!” Fans squealed and nearly nosebled.

Gold watched for a while, then glanced at his own Togekiss beside him.

“Bokk?” Togekiss glared murderously. You got something to say?

“Nothing… let’s keep watching.”

Shuckle appeared equally adorable, immediately hiding inside its shell.

“Chagi~” Togepi wagged its fingers—

Crap—Zhuo Xiong winced.

If Shuckle gets locked into Encore…

It literally can’t do anything.

Zhuo Xiong looked up at Lu Ye, stunned.

He’d predicted this. That’s why he saved Togepi for last!

You’re already going for a clean sweep—

And you’re still reading me like a book?!

“Togepi, use Toxic!” Lu Ye commanded.

Poison seeped from Togepi’s spike, and Shuckle trembled as it turned deep purple.

“Follow up—Thunder Wave!”

The sheer audacity left the crowd gasping.

Togepi, pulling off stall tactics like a pro?!

“You’re unbelievable, Teacher Lu!”

Zhuo Xiong trembled and raised his hand.

He took a deep breath.

If I’m guilty… let Officer Jenny punish me.

But using Substitute + Protect + Toxic in a 6–0 match…

“Chagi?” Togepi tilted its head, confused.

In the silent stadium, the audience looked at each other.

“The winner of this year’s Indigo League…”

It wasn’t until the referee’s whistle blew—

The crowd finally came back to life.

Thunderous cheers drowned out the announcement.

Every eye turned to the black-haired youth holding Togepi in his arms.

In that moment, they knew—

The new Indigo League Champion…

“TEACHER LU RULES!!!”

Confetti exploded, cheers erupted—

Professor Oak clapped with a smile.

Red and Green locked eyes.

And bumped fists without a word.

Ash’s eyes were filled with fire and longing.

That silhouette, standing beneath the fireworks…

It overlapped with Red, Green, Professor Oak—every Champion’s legacy.

“Someday…” Ash turned his cap backwards, eyes ablaze.

“I’ll become a Pokémon Master too!”

Even as cheers continued—

Lu Ye, now crowned Champion, stood center stage for his commemorative photo.

“Wait… you two…” Lu Ye paused, eyeing the disguised Team Rocket trio.

“We’re photographers from the press! Here to capture the Champion’s photo!” They frantically gestured.

Lu Ye chuckled and released his entire team.

Gengar, floating overhead.

Sylveon, crouched by his leg, ribbons wrapping his arm, proudly facing away.

Blastoise, adjusting his shades.

Togepi, kicking gleefully in his arms.

Arcanine, resting his giant head on Lu Ye’s head.

Sirfetch’d, cool and calm.

The trio snapped the photo, waving enthusiastically as they left.

Then came the award ceremony.

“Congratulations,” said the red-haired man in a cape, expressionless, as he held the trophy.

“So cold?” Lu Ye blinked.

Lance replied, then took the Champion’s prize from the host:

A blazing, eternal feather from Moltres.

“This is the Champion’s reward for this year’s Indigo League,” Lance said, visibly pained. “Lucky you.”

“Huh??” Lu Ye stared.

Where’s my prize money?!

Wait—did YOU pocket my bonus?!