After hearing the explanation, the challengers holding the bamboo sticks exchanged uneasy looks.
"Is Leader Sam really planning to fight all of us?"
"Obviously, yes," someone replied calmly.
"But honestly, I doubt he'll need to."
"What do you mean?"
"Abstaining."
"Abstaining?"
"Yeah. Let's be real—how many people here actually think they can beat him?"
"He's the Champion of the Indigo Plateau Conference."
"And not just any Champion—people are calling him the strongest in recent years."
That statement silenced a large portion of the crowd.
Then—
A voice suddenly rang out:
"He's here! Leader Sam is here!"
The Entrance
As Sam stepped into the center of the arena—
The entire Viridian Gym erupted.
Cheers.
Whispers.
Excitement.
He raised a hand slightly.
Yellow immediately understood and brought over the reporter who had been prepared earlier.
The reporter—
A poised, elegant woman—
Clearly the station's top pick.
She was excited—
But still professional.
With a composed smile, she began:
"Leader Sam, Viridian Gym is incredibly lively today!"
After a brief greeting—
She went straight to the main question.
"Do you feel confident about today's challenge?"
Sam smiled faintly.
"Confidence?"
He paused.
"That's not a question for me."
"It's a question for the challengers."
The reporter's eyes lit up.
"Oh? What do you mean by that?"
Sam's voice turned calm—almost cold.
"The strong don't need confidence when facing the weak."
"It's the weak who need confidence."
Silence.
Then—
A wave of suppressed anger spread through the challengers.
If not for the staff maintaining order—
Some might have already rushed the stage.
The reporter, however—
Was thrilled.
This is gold.
She pressed further.
"What do you think about Elite Four member Lorelei calling you the strongest Trainer under twenty in Kanto and Johto?"
Sam shrugged lightly.
"It's just a title."
A small smile appeared.
"But it's accurate."
"…That will be all."
He gestured for the interview to end.
Short—
But explosive.
The reporter stepped down, completely satisfied.
Establishing Control
"Quiet."
Sam raised his hand again—
Signaling the crowd.
But no one listened.
The chatter continued.
His expression cooled.
Two Poké Balls appeared in his hands.
Boom.
Boom.
Flames and wind burst forth—
Charizard
Aerodactyl
"Keep them quiet."
"ROAR—!!!"
The combined roar shook the entire Gym.
Silence fell instantly.
No one spoke again.
"Much better."
Sam scanned the crowd.
"I expected a lot of challengers…"
He smirked slightly.
"But even this is more than I thought."
For a brief moment—
Excitement flickered in his eyes.
The Rules
He snapped his fingers.
"Listen carefully."
"You all have numbered sticks."
"I'll accept challenges in that order."
"One chance each."
"Use your strongest Pokémon."
"No second attempts."
"And one more thing—"
"The challenger attacks first."
The crowd didn't like it.
Not one bit.
From his earlier words—
To these rules—
Sam made it clear:
He already saw himself as the winner.
And them?
Just stepping stones.
The First Challenger
"Alright."
Sam smiled.
"Let's begin."
"Who's number one?"
A loud voice rang out immediately.
"I AM!"
A boy jumped to his feet—
Holding a bamboo stick marked 1.
"Hahaha—I'm first!"
Sam almost laughed.
Being first isn't always a good thing.
The boy rushed to the battlefield, barely containing his excitement.
"I'm Aku from Cerulean City! Please teach me!"
"I'm Sam of Viridian City."
"The Gym Leader of Viridian Gym."
"Let's begin."
The audience held their breath.
Most of them had only seen Sam online—
This would be their first real look at his strength.
Even if they weren't first—
Watching now gave them an advantage.
Battle Start
Yellow stepped forward, holding the referee flag.
"I'm Yellow, the referee."
"1v1 battle."
"Sam of Viridian City vs. Aku of Cerulean City."
"Both Trainers—send out your Pokémon!"
Sam gestured calmly.
"You first."
Aku took a deep breath.
"Come out—Venomoth!"
A purple-winged Pokémon appeared on the field.
Pokémon: Venomoth
Type: Bug / Poison
Strength: Mid Elite
Potential: Elite
The battle—
Had officially begun.
---------------Author---------------
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