Chapter 42: He Is Actually the Gym Leader Sakaki's Son?

You, you're full of nothing but yourself?

Hearing Mamon's words, Iris was stunned; this was the first time anyone had ever said such a thing to her.

Dignified, elegant, calm, rational, reserved, and refined—this was the first impression Iris gave everyone.

Moreover, her personality was inherently kind and amiable, even after becoming the Sinnoh Champion; anyone who truly interacted with her knew this.

Because Iris was simply that kind of person: Pokémon and Pokémon, Pokémon and humans, humans and humans—no matter who met whom, their meeting was a "fate," and this "fate" would produce some beautiful "thing."

She always championed this point; she believed in it without doubt, believing in the bond between humans and Pokémon, and believing that the future of this world would surely be beautiful and brilliant.

Responsibility, strength, conviction, knowledge—in the eyes of most people in the Sinnoh region, Iris was practically a perfect person without flaws.

Because she was this kind of "perfection," except that she suffered from a bit of choice paralysis when facing her favorite ice cream.

But didn't that just add a cute charm to the elegant and calm Iris?

Even Iris's appearance was almost flawless: tall and graceful figure, not overly plump but curvaceous, an exquisitely beautiful face, pale Bai Xi skin, a head of brilliant and magnificent golden hair—how many girls envied her looks and figure?

One could say that in the eyes of outsiders, Iris was nearly perfect; you couldn't even find her flaws.

But now, this person from Team Rocket actually called her "full of nothing but herself"; in other words, they were calling her selfish.

Was she selfish?

At this moment, Iris fell silent.

"You haven't considered Misty's Thoughts, have you? No, you actually have thought about it, but you still self-rightedly believe you are doing it for Misty's good."

The smile on Mamon's lips seemed mocking and sarcastic.

"You people are all like this, forcing your will onto others, using phrases like 'I am doing it for your good, even if you hate me, it doesn't matter'."

"Truly laughable rhetoric; at the end of the day, it's simply because you are the strong one, so you can arrogantly and domineeringly interfere and decide others' lives. Have you really placed Misty on an equal footing with yourself?"

"Champion Iris?"

Mamon's tone was neither aggressive nor sharp, yet every word struck at the heart.

Misty silently gazed at Iris.

Iris pressed her lips tightly, her emotions fluctuating constantly; even with her calmness, Mamon's words still affected her somewhat.

Especially since Misty was looking at her right now.

"That is not the case; I have always regarded Misty as my good friend, and I have never thought that way," Iris replied calmly.

"So this is how you treat your friends so harshly?" Mamon clicked his tongue and retorted.

"She has taken the wrong path; as a friend, it is my duty to bring her back to the right path."

But Iris did not fall into self-consuming doubt; instead, she took a deep breath and replied firmly.

"No matter what you say, I will not give up! I will 'save' Misty!"

Mamon raised an eyebrow; Misty's beautiful eyes lowered, and no one knew what she was thinking.

"Truly worthy of you, Champion Iris; I am liking you more and more."

After a long while, Mamon grinned, his burning gaze resting shamelessly on Iris's expression.

Iris was even more "beautiful" than he had imagined!

A woman like this, I really want to...

Iris frowned; Mamon's gaze made her extremely uncomfortable.

"Pity, the time is not yet right, but rest assured, Champion Iris, we will meet again."

Mamon reined in the surge of possessiveness within him, his expression returning to a normal smile as he said slowly.

It was time to leave; staying here to battle Iris was meaningless.

Misty released her Alakazam.

"Wait!" Iris's expression changed slightly.

"Misty, do not..."

"Iris."

Misty lifted her head and looked straight at Iris, cutting off her words; at some point, a faint blue light had reignited in her eyes.

"Please wait for our battle."

Misty's tone was flat, yet equally unshakably firm.

She believed that a battle between her and Iris was inevitable, but not now; the time had not yet come.

"Misty..."

Iris's eyes were complex; why had it come to this? But indeed, she still could not just watch.

"Garchomp!"

The poised Garchomp suddenly shot forward toward Alakazam, its sharp dragon claws glowing.

However, before Garchomp could get close, a dark shadow ball fired over; it was the Shiny Gengar.

It still wore its eerie and malicious smile, standing before Mamon and the others, blocking Garchomp's approach.

Garchomp had to dodge this Shadow Ball, while Alakazam raised its psychic spoon, and psychic energy flowed out.

Instantly, Mamon and the others vanished from their spot; this was the Psychic-type move Teleport.

Only the Shiny Gengar remained, as it was responsible for ensuring Teleport worked properly.

"Heh heh heh~"

And after Mamon and the others teleported away, the Shiny Gengar waved its small chubby hand in farewell to Iris and the others, then dove straight into the ground and sped off underground to find Mamon.

Iris did not let Garchomp pursue meaninglessly; she silently watched the direction where Misty had disappeared.

Misty...

Iris murmured this name in her heart, feeling physically and mentally exhausted for the first time.

She had a premonition that, just as Misty had said, she and Misty would likely have a fierce battle in the future.

But that was absolutely not the battle Shi Ying wanted; how had things turned out this way?

Meanwhile, Kukui and the others on the other side exchanged glances, looking at the solitary Shi Ying and momentarily unsure whether they should disturb her at this moment.

"Champion Shi Ying? Are you all right?"

After hesitating for a moment, Kukui still asked Shi Ying tentatively.

"I apologize; I am fine."

Shi Ying came to her senses, turned around, and offered a faint smile as she replied to Kukui.

Although her heart was filled with a mixture of emotions, she should not infect those around her with such feelings.

"I believe Champion Shi Ying can persuade Miss Caitlin to return; if needed, Champion Shi Ying may contact us at any time."

Kukui assured Shi Ying earnestly.

Today, thanks to Shi Ying arriving to save the day, otherwise Mamon and the others probably would not have withdrawn so easily.

"Thank you; let us hope so," Shi Ying replied with a faint smile, her tone lacking certainty and confidence.

"Dr. Kukui, do you know the background of this Mamon?"

Shi Ying changed the subject; while Caitlin was important, Mamon, such a young and powerful champion-level figure, was equally very important.

"I do not know; he has appeared before us for the first time, but..."

Kukui looked at Hala.

Hala, having nothing to do just now, had used his phone to search the forums in Kanto, and he had indeed found some information.

"The champion of last year's Shi Ying Conference, the son of Giovanni, the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym?"

Shi Ying looked at the information on the phone and was shocked.

Mamon is actually the son of a Gym Leader? Then how did he join Team Rocket?

Shi Ying felt the world was truly too absurd.

(End of this chapter)