Chapter 1: I Could Win This Runner-Up Spot Too

Shi Ying Plateau, the Shi Ying Arena packed with a sea of people.

Standing on the high platform, the sunglasses-wearing host, his face flushed red with excitement, screamed into the microphone.

"Oh my god! I can't believe it! Boruto's Ninetales has fallen; that was his last Pokémon!

Let us congratulate Mamon! He used only one Passimian to defeat Boruto in a six-on-one sweep, winning this year's Shi Ying Conference!"

As the sunglasses-wearing host finished speaking, the entire venue erupted in thunderous cheers.

"So cool! Too cool, Mamon!! Aaaaaah! Mamon!"

"My husband is just too amazing, oh my god! He went straight for a six-on-one in the finals!"

"The least challenging episode ever, lol. I could win this runner-up spot too; they all get swept six-on-one anyway."

"As I thought, the son of Gym Leader Giovanni is naturally a dragon among men! My Kanto region has gained another fierce general!"

The scene was extremely boisterous and noisy; for no other reason than that the young boy on the field was simply too dazzling.

He had only just started his journey this year, yet he displayed astonishing dominance at the Shi Ying Conference, sweeping through all opponents in a single path.

Relying solely on one Passimian, he smashed through the entire Shi Ying Conference!

Without exception, every opponent was easily defeated by that powerful Passimian, and now the finals were no different.

The black-clad boy, the focus of the entire arena, yawned boredly, hands casually in his pockets, completely ignoring his opponent.

This carefree, disdainful attitude, as if no one else existed, appeared to those spectators as cool and unrestrained.

Hmm, their impression of Mamon had always been like this.

Isn't it normal for such an outstanding genius boy to have some personality?

"Tsk, a third-rate trainer with fourth-rate Pokémon, yet he managed to reach the finals. So weak."

Mamon glanced at the opponent on the opposite side, who was crouching in despair and weeping, and couldn't help but click his tongue.

Too weak, simply too weak; he was so weak that it didn't even stir his interest.

The Shi Ying Conference is actually this low in quality now; it's a shame he had held even a tiny bit of expectation for this event before his journey.

A baby cup purely for crushing fodder; truly boring.

Becoming the champion of the Shi Ying Conference held nothing worth boasting about for Mamon; it wasn't like becoming the Kanto Champion.

Especially with such a weak opponent in the finals.

After the award ceremony concluded, Mamon left the Shi Ying Plateau, ending his journey in Kanto not quite 'perfectly'; Mamon felt he should now shift his focus to 'work'.

Pallet Town, also called Evergreen Town, is a city where flowers bloom all year round; the so-called 'Evergreen' refers to the eternal emerald green color.

Therefore, Pallet Town is filled with abundant greenery and flowers, and its people love nature very much.

Among all cities in the Kanto region, Pallet Town is also a city with very unique characteristics.

Pallet Gym is one of the official Gyms in the Kanto region; its Gym Leader is Giovanni, who specializes in Ground-type Pokémon, and it is currently the most highly regarded official Gym in Kanto.

Why is that?

Pewter (Ridge) Gym and Cerulean Gym are in a state of transition, while the Vermilion Gym Leader is a bit too rough.

Saffron Gym is said to have spirits dwelling inside; Fuchsia (Rainbow) Gym's Leader always likes to sleep in, and once asleep, she cannot be woken up.

Fuchsia Gym... according to challengers, one's personal safety cannot be guaranteed after entering the Gym.

Cinnabar Gym, does such a Gym exist? Isn't that a Gym that only lives on the official website?

Among this group of 'monsters and demons', Pallet Gym, although occasionally closed because the Leader goes out to train, appears exceptionally fresh and refined.

Furthermore, Pallet Gym Leader Giovanni has a mature personality and is steady in character; his strength is also very outstanding, and as a Ground-type specialist, he never keeps his knowledge to himself, but instead compiled his insights into a book titled 'The Mystery of the Earth' which is widely circulated.

Such a master's demeanor has attracted the respect and admiration of countless trainers, making him deeply loved.

Pallet Gym naturally receives rave reviews, and Giovanni is even called the strongest Gym Trainer in the Kanto region.

But no one knows what the true face of this outstanding Gym Trainer really is.

"Dad, I'm back."

Mamon pushed open the office door, walked with practiced ease to the sofa, and sprawled out carelessly.

"It was tiring traveling for quite a while; Ledian, come give me a massage."

"Pallet Town isn't far from the Shi Ying Plateau."

Giovanni, with his neat, cropped hair, chuckled helplessly; he was powerless against his beloved son's laziness.

Giovanni's secretary, Ledian, walked behind Mamon and gently massaged his shoulders.

"How do you feel about winning the Shi Ying Conference championship?" Giovanni stood up and sat down by the coffee table.

"I really didn't expect the quality of the Shi Ying Conference to be this poor." Mamon held those 'competitors' in great contempt.

"It is simply that Young Master's strength is too great." Ledian's voice was very cool, but the look in her eyes as she gazed at Mamon was very subtle.

"I told you; with your level, participating in the Shi Ying Conference would offer no challenge." Giovanni smiled faintly.

As the Gym Leader of Pallet Gym, he naturally knew the level of this year's contestants roughly, since some of those contestants had received badges from him.

And for the son he had raised since childhood, defeating those trash trainers was simply too normal.

This was the son he was most proud of; Giovanni had never questioned this point.

Gifted and talented; these were the labels stuck on Mamon since childhood. The mature and wise Mamon, from young to old, never caused Giovanni any worry.

Moreover, Mamon's trainer talent also surprised Giovanni immensely; he, like Giovanni, had been chosen by the Viridian Forest and possessed the Power of Viridian.

Giovanni believed Mamon would have a brilliant future of his own, and would certainly surpass him!

He had always doted on and spoiled Mamon greatly, especially after that incident, it was even more so.

But as he grew older, Mamon seemed to have gone a bit off the rails...

For example, last year, Giovanni asked Mamon to temporarily serve as the Gym Leader of Pallet Gym while he went out to handle organizational affairs.

But when he returned that evening, he heard a certain sound from his son and his secretary at the door of his own office...

Only Heaven knows what was truly going on in Banmu's heart at that moment?

His mind went blank; inside his heart, ten thousand grass mud horses were galloping past!

With his thoughts in utter chaos and emotions beyond complexity, Banmu headed to the restroom and, though he rarely smoked, lit a cigarette.

That's right; he did not disturb his son and the secretary from getting things done, but instead chose silence.

Oh heavens! This is the great love of a father!

But this was merely the beginning; what followed would make Banmu even more utterly speechless.

(End of this chapter)