Chapter 33: Gladion Was Stunned

For Hala, this moment was extremely solemn.

After all, the opponent was a high-ranking executive of Team Rocket; even though she looked very young, Hala was prepared to face her with all his might.

He must defeat her!

"Crabominable! Ursaring!"

Hala opened his two Poké Balls, and the Crabominable and Ursaring, radiating powerful auras, landed before Hala.

These were Hala's true mainstays, not the newly trained Pokémon he used during the Trial battle against Miu.

"Fighting/Ice Crabominable, Normal/Fighting Ursaring." Gladion's lips couldn't help but curl up slightly at the sight.

"Senior Hala, what an unfortunate coincidence; the attribute I specialize in happens to counter yours."

Gladion used her Psychic power to control a Poké Ball, flying out and opening; the heavy Metagross Weight fell heavily before Gladion.

The sharp-edged Gallade also slowly stepped forward, its gaze cold as a blade staring at Ursaring.

Isn't this just a coincidence?

Hala was a Fighting-type specialist trainer, while Gladion happened to be a Psychic-type specialist.

"In my life, I have faced countless battles where I held an attribute disadvantage, but very few have truly been able to defeat me," Hala spoke.

But his gaze sank; although he was indeed old, his keen observation allowed him to judge easily.

This Metagross Weight and Gallade were extremely strong!

How could such a beautiful and exquisite young girl be an Elite Four member?!

Why? Why would such a young child with an infinite future join an evil organization like Team Rocket?

"Young girl, why exactly has your Team Rocket come to our Alola region?"

Hala asked Gladion in a heavy voice; he also sensed that this girl's heart did not seem evil.

"The organization expands by going with the flow; Kanto is already saturated," Gladion replied with a faint smile; there was nothing to hide here.

"And Alola is rich in talent and resources, very suitable, isn't it?"

"Alola does not welcome you!"

"Senior Hala, you are an elder with rich life experience; I truly cannot believe such childish words came from your mouth."

Gladion looked at Hala with an unusual gaze, continuing to speak slowly in a polite and elegant tone.

"..." Hala fell silent.

Yes, of course he also knew that saying such things to Team Rocket was indeed too naive.

"Perhaps I am foolish, but young girl," Hala's gaze was like a sword, staring directly at the beautiful young girl ahead.

"A child like you, your life should not be spent in an evil organization like Team Rocket; that is wrong, that will ruin you!"

"Ruin me...?"

The smile on Gladion's exquisite cheeks slowly faded, and the blue light in her eyes flickered, now bright, now dim.

"I see; without experiencing another's life, you arrogantly define them; it seems Senior Hala, the Island King, is no better than that."

Gladion replied calmly; yes, from the moment she decided to join Team Rocket, Gladion knew she would face this situation.

But Gladion knew she was not wrong!

"This is not arrogance! I do not know what you have experienced, but regardless, Team Rocket is an evil organization! It is not where young people belong!"

Hala refuted in a heavy voice, but looking at the expressionless Gladion, Hala sighed in his heart.

"More words are useless, young girl; let me guide you back to the right path!"

Hala still decided that after defeating this girl, he must correct her erroneous thoughts.

She is so young, so talented; how can her second half of life be ruined by Team Rocket!

Hala's majestic aura surged, intensified, and wildly increased!

It is merely Psychic type; before me, the strongest Fighting-type trainer in Alola, attribute counters are useless.

"I stake the name of Hala, the Island King!"

Come! Fight!

And then...

"I see; the one who defeated you was a high-ranking executive of Team Rocket?"

In the hospital, Kukui, who had come to visit Hala, did not look very good; his brows were tightly furrowed. A high-ranking executive capable of defeating Island King Hala?

Hala, who had ended up in the hospital after accidentally twisting his waist, nodded somewhat awkwardly.

"That is correct; her name is Gladion. I was careless; I did not expect her strength to be so formidable."

Hala sighed.

"She is extremely skilled in Psychic type; she herself is also a powerful Psychic user, and can even imbue her Metagross Weight and Gallade with Psychic power to enhance their strength," Hala described solemnly.

"She is also a Psychic user?" Kukui held his forehead, feeling even more of a headache.

Psychic users are the most numerous category among Psychic users, but a powerful Psychic user capable of imbuing Psychic power into Pokémon to amplify them is extremely rare.

To Kukui's known knowledge, the only one he knew of who could do this was Sabrina, the Saffron City Gym Leader in Kanto.

Who would have thought Team Rocket had produced another one.

"Senior Hala, I recall we discussed a few days ago that when encountering high-ranking members of Team Rocket, we should not act rashly."

Kukui felt somewhat exhausted, looking at Hala, whose waist was now wrapped entirely in bandages.

This... we haven't even officially started 'engaging' Team Rocket, yet we have already lost one of our own for nothing.

Hala fell silent.

"I also did not expect this young girl's strength to be so formidable; I was rash."

Hala did not stubbornly deny it; instead, he admitted his mistake.

"But don't worry, the doctor told me that this sprain is very minor. After a few days of rest, I can be discharged from the hospital."

"Mm, Senior, do you still remember what that Gardenia looks like?" Kukui thought for a moment.

"Of course. My subordinates even took photos. Kukui, you want to put out a warrant for her? I don't think that's a wise decision."

Hala expressed One's Own Thoughts, then took out his phone and found the photo his subordinate had taken at the time.

"No, we can't issue a warrant just yet." Kukui shook his head.

"I'll go investigate this Gardenia's identity first. It would be best if I can find something."

Kukui looked at Gardenia in the photo. Although it wasn't high definition, he could still make out the girl's delicate features.

He couldn't help but sigh to himself — these days, high-ranking executives of evil organizations are not only this pretty but also this good at fighting?

Kukui glanced at Hala, whose face was a bit pale and frail. Mm, Hala had been beaten into the hospital.

Although according to Hala himself, he had dodged the aftershock of a move and accidentally sprained himself.

Kukui sent this photo to his own phone, then went off to investigate.

With a name and a photo, Kukui quickly found Gardenia's basic information. She came from the Sinnoh region.

Then…

'Name: Gardenia (image. jpg)

Age: 17

Known main Pokémon: Metagross, Gallade

Affiliated organization: Team Rocket

Battle record: Directly defeated the Aether Island kahuna Hala and put him in the hospital.

Danger level: ☆☆☆

Bounty amount: None for now

Remarks: A psychic girl from the Sinnoh region, an Elite-level trainer, extremely dangerous!'

In the Champion's office of the Sinnoh League building on Lilycove Island, Cynthia stared at the information sent over from Aether on her computer.

Cynthia was stunned!

(End of this chapter)