Chapter 41: You Are Truly Full of Yourself

"I must take you back!"

Hearing Zhu Lan's words, Cynthia's eyes fixed on Zhu Lan, yet Zhu Lan stared back at Cynthia without wavering.

Cynthia pressed her lips together, shook her head, and stepped back two paces.

She knew that since joining Team Rocket, her progress had been extremely rapid, but there was still a considerable gap between her and Champion-level Zhu Lan.

The current her would still not be Zhu Lan's match.

But... so what?

Cynthia looked toward Mamen; Mamen understood, offering her a reassuring smile.

"Tsk~ I cannot simply ignore that statement."

Mamen stepped forward two paces to block in front of Cynthia, speaking to the Sinnoh Champion with a half-smile.

"Wanting to take away the lovely Cynthia, this matter cannot be allowed to succeed under your hands, Champion Zhu Lan."

The lovely Cynthia...

Cynthia's fair face showed no change, yet the curve of her lips lifted slightly.

The suppressed mood she had felt upon seeing Zhu Lan relaxed somewhat at that moment.

"Team Rocket, is it?"

Zhu Lan's dark brows furrowed slightly as she gazed at the youth who radiated unconventionality and a touch of evil from head to toe.

Although very young, Zhu Lan did not intend to underestimate him.

Her intuition told her this person was extremely dangerous and extremely strong!

And why had she come here? It was because Kukui had sent her several consecutive messages requesting aid.

Doctor Kukui was a Champion-level trainer; moreover, as she flew over, she had witnessed with her own eyes this youth battling Kukui.

"Ah~ Team Rocket Senior Executive Mamen, what an honor. I never expected to meet the long-renowned Champion Zhu Lan here in the Alola region," Mamen said with a smile.

This was the absolute truth; Mamen had indeed been quite surprised when Zhu Lan appeared.

After all, Alola was quite far from Sinnoh, but then again, since he had already lured Cynthia into Team Rocket, it was only natural that Zhu Lan could not sit still.

But this somewhat disrupted his plans.

"Surrender. If possible, I do not wish to harm you."

Zhu Lan glanced once more at Lance; with only three enemies, she truly did not enjoy such battles.

She saw the Tapu Fini beside Mamen; it must be the Alola region's Island Guardian, Tapu Fini, without a doubt.

Yet Zhu Lan did not believe she was unable to defeat Tapu Fini.

"Tsk~" Mamen could not help but make a tsk sound again.

"Just as Cynthia said, truly high and mighty. Champion Zhu Lan, are you this confident?"

Mamen's mouth slowly stretched wide, thick malice surfacing.

"If Champion Zhu Lan looks down on me like this, I will be extremely troubled."

Zhu Lan's eyes narrowed slightly, for she saw the Tapu Fini floating beside Mamen rise up, water light condensing in its mouth.

A Water-type Hydro Pump!

The fierce Hydro Pump tore through the air, moving very fast.

"Dragon Claw!"

Garchomp's two dragon claws glowed with sharp azure light, tearing down heavily against the incoming water bubble.

Rrrrip!

The powerful Hydro Pump was torn in half by Garchomp, rushing away from both sides of Garchomp's body.

"So strong!"

This scene startled Lillie, Hala, and the others; Tapu Fini's strength needed no further words, but Champion Zhu Lan's Garchomp was obviously terrifyingly strong as well.

To tear apart Tapu Fini's Hydro Pump so easily was proof enough.

"I am not underestimating you, but even an Island Guardian will not be my match."

Zhu Lan's tone was flat and calm; a composure and self-assurance accumulated over years, radiating from within, was extremely striking.

She was clearly a very beautiful and elegant lady, yet one could feel from her the 'domineering aura' unique to the strong.

This was Zhu Lan, the trainer who reached the peak of Sinnoh, the strongest person on Sinnoh soil.

But one fellow was very displeased.

Tapu Fini glared angrily at Zhu Lan and Garchomp. What did that mean, what did that mean?

Was it saying I absolutely cannot beat this earth dragon? What kind of joke is that! I am Tapu Fini! I might lose to anyone, but losing to a dragon, no way!

Hmm, Miss Shell was very angry; she felt she had been looked down upon.

"Oh?"

Sensing Miss Shell's emotions keenly, Mamen glanced at it with amusement, then looked toward Zhu Lan.

"Garchomp!"

Zhu Lan spoke no more, instead ordering Garchomp to attack directly.

Garchomp instantly burst forth, like a sharp arrow just released from a bowstring, shooting at high speed toward Tapu Fini.

The fierce and ferocious pseudo-legendary earth dragon charged forward, the oppressive pressure extremely shocking.

But...

"Shadow Ball."

Hehehe~

A hoarse, low cackling laugh echoed in everyone's ears; two points of scarlet vision lit up from within Mamen's shadow.

A pitch-black Shadow Ball flew out, its target precisely Garchomp.

Garchomp reacted swiftly, its Dragon Claw striking directly at the incoming Shadow Ball.

Boom!

A violent explosion roared, fierce winds howled in all directions, and the smoke from the blast filled the air.

Garchomp was blasted backward, flipped onto its feet, dug its right claw into the ground, and slid a distance before stabilizing itself, its fierce dragon eyes fixed on the two terrifying points of light in the smoke.

Lookalike's brows knitted tightly.

"Gengar?!"

Moments later, the smoke gradually cleared, revealing a gray-black Gengar with a wide, sinister grin before everyone's eyes.

As if sensing the uncertain and suspicious gazes of so many, the Shiny Gengar let out a carefree, cackling "Hehehe" laugh once more.

"What a powerful Gengar," Kukui said with a Solemn Expression.

Earlier, when Lisia had used Lilligant to launch a surprise attack, it had been completely destroyed by a single Shadow Ball from the Pokémon in Mamen's shadow.

But the Shiny Gengar had not revealed its true form at that time, and because Kukui had been engaged in battle with Tapu Fini, he hadn't thought much of it.

However, now, even the Champion Lookalike's Garchomp had been driven back by a single Shadow Ball, though the element of surprise certainly played a role.

But such a powerful Shadow Ball...

The strength of this Shiny Gengar was likely, at the very least, no weaker than that of this Garchomp. No wonder Mamen was able to capture Tapu Fini.

"Who exactly are you?"

Lookalike had naturally thought of this as well, gazing at the young man with a Solemn Expression.

Such a powerful yet young Trainer; she had never heard of him before.

"That is irrelevant. So now, Champion Lookalike, let's make a deal: shall we call it a day?"

Mamen spoke to Lookalike with a smile; her appearance had indeed been an unexpected factor.

With Lookalike present, it would be difficult to discuss certain matters with Kukui.

Furthermore, continuing to fight Lookalike held little meaning; Mamen had roughly ascertained Garchomp's strength.

"I am the League Champion, and you are a villainous organization."

Lookalike did not answer directly; instead, she took out another Poké Ball, her voice clear, magnetic, and very rational.

Although this was not Sinnoh, as the responsible Champion of Sinnoh, Lookalike certainly would not let any member of a villainous organization appearing before her go.

Moreover...

Lookalike turned her gaze to Caitlin; she must bring Caitlin back to Sinnoh as well. This was her will, but she believed Caitlin would understand her in the future.

"Really," Mamen noticed Lookalike's gaze, immediately understood what she was thinking, and couldn't help but shake his head with a laugh.

"Champion Lookalike, you really are full of nothing but yourself."

(End of this chapter)