Chapter 66

Ash

Clemont

Yurie

Nana

Serena

Bulatano

It was precisely because a certain super-powered empress, 'accidentally' using telekinesis, saw the precious scene of Ash and Serena practicing partner yoga, causing her to lose control of her mind,

resulting in Clemont, Yurie, and Serena being given baby-like sleep, thereby ruining her own good deed,

the Elite Four

The key point after this incident is that Nana knows Ash's physique like the back of her hand; this is the key point,

Kalos

On Nana's cold, pale face, a hint of apology and shyness appeared,

Mega Evolution

That said, as for being seen naked by a beautiful girl, Ash also didn't really mind too much,

Alain

Flare Team

However, this also gave Ash a heads-up that, from now on when sleeping, he should think of ways to install a device capable of shielding telepathic perception,

At the same time as Ash and his group finished breakfast and arrived at the border of the Battle Castle,

Duke

Xiao Ju'er

Violet

"This is the famed Lumiose Battle Castle? Hah, just a few big and small fish; the rest are all mediocre folks living off ancestral glory, truly corrupt!"

The speaker was a youth wearing a black-furred-collar coat, with an armband embedded with a Mega Stone on his arm, black fingerless gloves on both hands, his demeanor full of indifference, as if he cared about nothing,

Colorful Powder Butterfly

The person who arrived was none other than Ailan, the male protagonist of the Super Evolution chapter,

He once served as an assistant to Dr. Bulatano, but now he has been coaxed by Fladali, leader of the evil organization's Blaze Team, into working for him.

He seeks to uncover the secrets of super evolution, travels far and wide, and challenges powerful foes.

Across from him, the scolded noble youths exchanged glances, each looking at the other.

What the hell did we do to provoke you? Why are you yelling at us like that?!

They locked eyes for a few moments,

Amidst the white and blue expanse, the sole figure clad in a green marquis's robe, with blond hair, stepped forward.

She was Violet, a close friend of Xiao Ju'er, whom Ash had challenged not long ago.

Unlike the red attire in the animation, this is the rank of duke.

In reality, a duke is comparable to the Elite Four; without more than five Elite Four-level Pokémon in one's main team, advancement is difficult.

Violet currently possesses only two Elite Four-level Pokémon,

Thus she has not yet attained the rank of duke.

"Who are you, daring to spout such arrogance?!"

The fish has bitten,

Ailan was somewhat surprised; the tactic Fladali taught him proved effective, instantly singling out the strongest opponent.

"Defeat me, prove you're not worthless!"

His aloof demeanor, completely ignoring Violet, made her brow furrow slightly.

Suppressing her anger, Violet asked,

"You? What rank?"

"No rank!" Ailan replied flatly,

Upon hearing Ailan's reply, everyone's gaze turned hostile.

Violet's brows furrowed further, "Do you even know what you're saying?!"

If Ailan held a rank, they couldn't defeat him, making it hard to say anything.

But a rankless individual directly challenging a marquis completely disregards the Battle Castle's rules,

Adding to the earlier offensive remarks,

This is tantamount to making an enemy of the Battle Castle, which has absorbed the vast majority of Kalos's strong trainers, and it also shows contempt for the dignity of all Kalos trainers under Kalos Champion Calune.

This directly violates the law protecting noble privileges.

If any of them presses the matter, they could easily use this as cause to have Ailan taken to the police station.

But Violet, being a gym leader, ultimately possesses a tolerance greater than that of ordinary people,

She then spoke up to stop the crowd from summoning Champion Calune to have Ailan taken to the police station.

Witnessing everything unfold, Ailan remained utterly indifferent, as if he cared nothing about any of it,

This truly made Violet furious.

She really wanted to ask, "Did your parents never teach you any manners?"

She even regretted having meddled in others' affairs.

Frustrated, she moved to the side of the battlefield and unleashed her trump card, the Colorful Powder Butterfly!

She intended to hold those words until after she defeated her opponent,

Make them change this ill-mannered nature.

On the other side, Ailan naturally sent out her Charizard.

Ash, who had just arrived nearby, watched all this from afar, and his Mind also felt a surge of blood pressure.

Setting aside Ailan's supporting-role identity,

Ailan indeed lacks courtesy toward strangers, which is unpleasant, not any better than Gouhao.

……

「Butterfree, Sleep Powder! 」

As Ziluolan raised her palm, the words were spoken,

The battle kicked off!

Ziluolan's main ace Butterfree instantly flapped its wings, and a layer of Sleep Powder, larger and denser than in a Gym battle, fell like yellow sand.

「Charizard, Whirlwind! 」

Charizard whipped up the whirlwind; a strong whirlwind directly covered the entire battle castle, howling past, blowing all of Butterfree's Sleep Powder away.

Even Butterfree struggled hard in that whirlwind.

「Butterfree, Bug Buzz! 」

Sharp ultrasonic cries rang out continuously from Butterfree's sound-producing organ,

Charizard showed a pained expression,

Ailan seemed quite familiar with Charizard's micro-expressions, knowing this was an intensity it could endure.

「Hold on, Dragon Claw! 」

Just as Ailan understood Charizard,

Charizard also knew its trainer very well, so it had long been ready for an assault,

Its body dove down early, pure dragon energy coating its claws, the right claw raised like a violent dunk, locking onto Butterfree!

「Hold firm! 」

At the critical moment,

A white shield appeared, blocking Charizard's strike!

Boom!

The huge force recoiled, leaving Charizard's motion briefly stalled?

「Great chance, Sleep Powder! 」

Butterfree hesitated not at all, immediately executing,

A large amount of Sleep Powder hit Charizard at close range, a drowsy feeling washed over it, and it seemed Charizard was about to fall asleep and be at their mercy,

Ziluolan's face showed a smile of confidence.

「Butterfree, Butterfly Dance Boost! 」

Almost simultaneously, Ailan also spoke,

「Charizard, Dragon Claw to finish her! 」

「What? 」

Ziluolan couldn't help but be startled—can it still attack while asleep?

But soon,

Ailan's Charizard then proved with action that it really could do it.

Only to see the originally dazed Charizard actually strike itself with its left hand, using pain to avoid losing consciousness.

Its right hand then delivered a heavy, powerful blow that smashed hard into Butterfree mid-Butterfly Dance.

Boom!

Butterfree's light body shot straight out like a cannonball, slamming into the ground.

One-hit KO!

「Butterfree…」

Ziluolan stared blankly at the scene, her face full of astonishment.

You have to know this isn't a Gym battle,

She had sent out her genuine ace, a power equivalent to early Elite Four level at level 82, yet she couldn't even force this black-clad youth's Mega Evolution to appear.

She clenched her fists, wanting to say something,

But Ziluolan ultimately couldn't say anything.

Opposite her,

On Ailan's usually indifferent expression, finally a change of emotion appeared.

「You really came to the wrong place… you guys… are too weak! 」

His gaze swept over everyone; everyone… including Ziluolan's look toward Ailan, was filled with indignation and resentment, and a hint of helplessness.

「The eyes of the weak! 」

After a dismissive remark, Ailan turned and was about to ride her Charizard away.

Just then,

A more flamboyant, frivolous male voice appeared, calling out to the Ailan who wanted to leave.

「Hey, that weakling over there, how about a battle? 」

「A weakling?! 」

Ailan narrowed her eyes, anger surging in her mind, she stopped, turned, and looked at the newcomer,

Coming into view was a boy wearing a blue adventure outfit, a red cap on his head, a Pikachu perched on his shoulder, radiating a scorching aura like the blazing sun.

The youth's gaze was indifferent, as if he didn't even put him in his eyes.

Evil must be met with evil—his own tactics will be used against him! This left the indignant Ailan momentarily stunned,

Simply because he felt an extremely strong sense of familiarity in the other's eyes.

Upon reflection, isn't this just how others see him?

That gaze and attitude… really… are damned irritating; in that moment, Ailan's Mind couldn't help but rise a hint of guilt.

However,

Guilt is reserved for Ziluolan and the others, but it certainly does not include Ash, who looks down on him.

Ailan gritted his teeth and said: "True newcomer! I know you, five-time Champion, but the Baby Cup Champion—I'll make you put away your arrogance!"

"Oh, is that so?"

Faced with the excited, grateful gazes of Ziluolan and the others, Ash stepped onto the Battle Castle,

His gaze met Ailan's, his eyes full of contempt.

"I hope your strength is half as hard as your mouth."