Chapter 1322

The Lightning Qilin was lifelike, as if a living being, letting out a long roar toward the sky before suddenly surging downward.

Charizard opened its mouth and unleashed a Death Beam, a terrifying attack striking the Lightning Qilin, which descended from the heavens, smashing forward relentlessly, inch by inch.

Finally, the Lightning Qilin crashed with a boom against Charizard, radiant lightning surging across the vast expanse.

"...... What kind of Charizard!"

Watari let out a cry.

His expression was a mix of shock and disbelief; a thought burned in his mind, but he didn't know whether to voice it.

This wasn't a Pokémon move at all.

Pikachu could at most use Thunder—something that gathered lightning into a terrifying electric beast? That's not a Pokémon move! Even if you called it summoning a divine beast, I'd believe it... Xiao Zhi slightly adjusted his cap, staring at the scene; though dust filled the air, his Observation Haki allowed him to perceive the battlefield clearly.

He murmured, "...... The champion of this match! I'll take it."

0: "...... The battle should be over, right?"

Hei Qi Yihu: "I feel! The champion isn't that impressive... not particularly strong..."

Du Dao Ya Zi: "...... That's hard to say."

"It might be because Xiao Zhi's Pikachu and Charizard are simply too powerful."

Hei Qi Yihu: "Anyway... I didn't see anything particularly strong from the champion in this battle."

Ou Er Mai Te: "Hahaha! Indeed, very powerful.

What is the concept of advanced Armament Haki? Charizard, relying purely on physical combat, can rival many Fighting-type divine beasts..."

Ou Er Mai Te: "All I can say is, without Observation Haki, he might not even detect his opponent—that's a fatal flaw."

Ou Er Mai Te, who had also cultivated both Armament Haki and Observation Haki to an advanced level, held his own unique insight.

Ou Er Mai Te: "The only way Sharpedo could win against Charizard is by using its agility to constantly drain Charizard's stamina, dragging out a war of attrition—only then might victory be possible."

Su Xiao Xiao: "You're wrong."

Su Xiao Xiao: "In fact, when the two champion Pokémon faced Xiao Zhi's Pokémon... they didn't even use their full strength."

Su Xiao Xiao: "Didn't you notice that before, both Sirion and Du didn't give many commands...?"

Su Han's gaze flickered; using Observation Haki, he sensed even more.

Just as he had suspected, the two champions were primarily testing Xiao Zhi's qualifications as a champion.

Not genuinely trying to defeat him.

Su Xiao Xiao: "And don't forget—Pokémon have another evolution called Mega Evolution."

The dust slowly cleared, revealing the defeated Sharpedo... and Charizard, barely holding itself upright, not incapacitated but extremely weakened.

Pikachu leapt up and landed instantly atop the soaring Dragonite.

Charizard let out a dragon's roar, landing across from it, studying the weakened dragon, its mouth brimming with flame.

Pikachu chirped twice—"Pika!"—its cheek pouches glowing with flickering arcs of electricity.

Ready to unleash Thunderbolt at any moment.

After a brief silence, Du withdrew Charizard into a Poké Ball, his voice calm, "...... I surrender."

The arena erupted in uproar.

"Du Mr. surrendered? How could this be... I originally thought Xiao Zhi Mr. would be utterly defeated by Du Mr. and Sirion Young Lady."

"I thought the same! Why did this happen?"

"...... I think it's perfectly normal! That Pikachu and Charizard—

They felt like divine beasts! How did Xiao Zhi Mr. train these Pokémon to make their base stats rival divine beasts!"

Not only were the live audience members excited and elated, but the commentator describing the battle was even more thrilled.

His voice rose high:

"Ladies and gentlemen... did you hear that? Du Mr. has surrendered! Sirion Young Lady's Sharpedo has lost combat capability."

"A new tournament champion has emerged... he is... Xiao Zhi from Pallet Town."

"No! Not merely a new tournament champion."

Du turned to face the commentator, smiling, his voice clear and resonant, echoing throughout the arena, "Xiao Zhi will become the new League Champion."

"He will become the League Champion of the Kanto Region!"

The moment "League Champion" was spoken, the arena fell utterly silent.

Everyone present exchanged stunned glances.

Aside from Su Han and Bai Hu Zi, who had already heard Du's thoughts via Observation Haki, even Luo Hao and Hei Mao now wore expressions of astonishment.

"...... That...! Du Mr., you didn't misstate, did you? You mean the Kanto Region League Champion—not just the tournament champion?"

The commentator swallowed hard, eyeing Du with uncertain suspicion.

Tournament champion and regional champion are entirely different.

Simply put, there can be countless tournament champions, but only one regional champion per region.

It symbolizes supreme authority.

"And if I recall correctly! To become the Kanto Region Champion,

one must first defeat the Four Elite 870, then defeat you... uh."

The commentator suddenly realized something and fell silent.

"You're right! But he's already defeated me—and Sirion. Even without fighting the Kanto Four Elite, it's no big deal."

The commentator's lip twitched.

That's not how it's done.

Sirion saw the commentator's thoughts and spoke softly, "There's nothing irregular about it. Not just me—the other regional champions also approve this decision.

Moreover, before we came, we had already reported this to the Pokémon League Headquarters."

Speaking softly, Hirona raised her hand and recalled the Tyranitar into a Poké Ball.