"Kalos, huh? I believe I'll be visiting soon; I hope you'll tolerate my presence then." Natsuhiko said.
Shimi chuckled softly, "Of course. But before that, I hope we can have a proper battle, Natsuhiko."
"I will give it my all." Natsuhiko nodded.
"That's the spirit!"
Shimi, however, did not know what "give it my all" truly meant from Natsuhiko's perspective.
Both stepped into the battleground.
Amidst thousands of cheers.
Natsuhiko had many supporters, but there were also many who were "conquered" by Shimi's culinary skills and humble demeanor.
"Here they come—!! Our genius researcher competitor Natsuhiko! And our three-star chef competitor Shimi!!"
And thus.
The heat of the "Island Competition" and the excitement from Natsuhiko's papers collided.
Online TV viewership skyrocketed.
Because Natsuhiko had mentioned he would prove the existence of a new attribute during the competition.
But no one knew in which round.
Therefore, until he fully revealed it, every one of his battles drew significant attention.
"Competitors, please summon your Pokémon!"
The referee's voice arose, slightly calming the arena's cheers.
Natsuhiko and Shimi exchanged glances.
Simultaneously throwing their Pokeballs.
Appearing before Natsuhiko was, as usual, Eevee!
"Buyi~~"
"Natsuhiko is once again choosing Eevee as the initial Pokémon, but what kind of 'Takeover' strategy will Natsuhiko present us with this time?"
This competition.
Natsuhiko might say he has perfected the strategy with 'Takeover' as an opening move, to the great benefit of many.
Eevee, officially rising to Gym Leader Level, could now confidently be dispatched by Natsuhiko.
Even if the opponent sent out an Elite Candidate Level.
While appearing before Shimi was a purple star with ten pointed arms, Starmie!
"Cosmic Telegraph" Starmie.
And its power indeed reached the Elite Candidate Level.
"Battle, begin!"
As the referee's flag fell, the battle officially started.
"Starmie, Cosmic Power." Shimi remained calm.
He did not hastily attack upon seeing Natsuhiko's Eevee was just Gym Leader Level, attempting to seize the advantage, choosing instead to decisively strengthen himself.
Cosmic Power: Enhances the user's Defense Power and Special Defense Ability.
If unable to instantly defeat Eevee to prevent its enhancement, then by enhancing itself, it should even out, right?
"Shimi has chosen a conservative strategy! Let's see how Natsuhiko will respond?"
Natsuhiko grinned.
Crossed his arms over his chest.
The white "Z Bracelet" on his wrist sparked with the radiant glow of the orange "Eevee Z".
"What, what?! Natsuhiko chose to use 'Z Move' right away?! What kind of strategy is this?" The host's voice was full of disbelief.
This reflected the feelings of most people.
Yet Natsuhiko's expression remained unchanged, he spoke softly: "Nine-Colored Ascension Gathered at the Peak."
"Buyi!!"
Eevee called out to the sky, gathering nine-colored energy on its body, flooding into its being, instantly enhancing five attributes to a great extent.
The next second.
After "Nine-Colored Ascension Gathered at the Peak" ended, Eevee immediately transformed into a white light and returned to the Pokeball.
At the same time.
The Pokeball on Natsuhiko's waist opened.
"Beepee!!"
"Natsuhiko instantly had Eevee 'Takeover' back, replacing it with Beedrill, this is the first Pokémon Natsuhiko summoned in this competition!"
Eevee hasn't even warmed up with the boosts it received, already it passed the 'Takeover' on to Beedrill.
This terrifying all-around enhancement almost allowed Eevee to complete a challenge beyond its level.
Now with an added boost to Beedrill...
Shimi immediately felt enormous pressure.
But he calmly continued to command: "Starmie, continue with Cosmic Power!"
Buzz—
Yet a faint trembling sound of the air was heard.
Accompanied by an almost imperceptible crackling noise, Beedrill's Long Needle reflecting silver brilliance surprisingly appeared right in front of Starmie.
Shimi's pupils contracted.
So fast?!
"Beepee!"
With Beedrill's low utterance.
Sharp Long Needle crossed and struck directly at Starmie's body while it was still utilizing Cosmic Power.
Wham—!!
Starmie seemed to be hit by a car, instantly sent flying backward.
Crashing into the arena's surrounding walls by the audience seats.
Accompanied by a booming shatter of the wall and a burst of massive rubble.
"Deadly Needle Stab." Natsuhiko's light voice drifted over.
Buzz—
This time.
Shimi caught it.
In his vision, he saw a golden figure flash before his eyes.
In the next instant.
He heard collision sounds behind him again.
The crowd fell silent, intensely quiet.
Many people were staring, with jaws slack, at the scene, their voices stuck in their throats, unable to release even a hint of sound.
What the...?!
"An instant, instant, instant KO?! Starmie lost its combat capability?" The host incredulously rubbed his eyes.
"So fast!"
"If I remember correctly, this Beedrill is Mr. Natsuhiko's trump card Pokémon, right?"
"But this... is just too outrageous."
"No, the enhancements from 'Nine-Colored Ascension Gathered at the Peak' raised Beedrill's power by a notch, combined with Attribute Suppression, and the Sniper trait triggering a one-hit KO isn't unexpected, what truly leaves me accepting is Beedrill's speed."