In the popularity rankings of characters in the Pokémon world, Cynthia had always firmly held a spot.
No matter how many new popular figures appeared, her status showed no signs of being shaken.
This was all based not only on her extremely high attractiveness and figure, as well as her aloof, elegant, and virtuous temperament, but also on her matching, overwhelming strength.
Upon her first appearance, she used Garchomp to take all the attacks from Paul’s currently thriving Pokémon head-on, and then effortlessly defeated them.
In the Pokémon Generations anime, knowing full well that Team Galactic could already summon Dialga and Palkia, she fearlessly took Garchomp to Mt.
Coronet to try and stop them.
In the games, her Pokémon team composition was incredibly strong, belonging to the type that was notoriously difficult to beat.
Before Leon of the Galar Region made his debut, Cynthia had always been a strong contender for the title of the strongest Champion in the Pokémon world.
‘If it’s her, clearing this Lost Tower is quite normal.
Or rather, it would be abnormal if she couldn’t clear it.’
Moreover, just as Candice had mentioned earlier, collecting eight badges and winning the Lily of the Valley Conference would pose very limited difficulty for Cynthia.
Even if she hadn’t quite reached the age from his memories yet, and even if…
that incredibly proud Garchomp hadn’t fully completed its evolution yet.
Sinshi shifted his gaze slightly, landing on the figure beside Cynthia.
It had a fierce, ruthless look in its eyes, and aside from its red underbelly, its entire body was blue.
The panel immediately opened, and its information floated before his eyes.
[Species]Gabite [Category]Cave Pokémon [Type]Dragon, Ground [Ability]Sand Veil (Increases evasion in a sandstorm) [Level]30 [Exclusive Move]None [Learned Moves]Sand Attack, Dragon Breath, Sand Tomb, Bulldoze, Bite, Dragon Rush [Base Stats]410 (HP 68, Attack 90, Defense 65, Sp.
Atk 50, Sp.
Def 55, Speed 82) [Friendship]-1 (Noticed you staring at it and thinks you are provoking it) [Status]Healthy
Gabite uses the protuberances on either side of its head to emit ultrasonic waves, allowing it to observe places where the naked eye struggles to discern direction.
The scales it sheds are precious ingredients for traditional medicine, capable of healing a weary body.
When it possesses sparkling objects, its temper becomes very docile.
But when its glowing treasures are stolen or damaged, it reverts to its ferocious and manic nature, tearing the culprit to shreds with its fangs and claws.
‘Truly impressive,’ Sinshi sighed inwardly as he looked at Gabite’s information.
This was the highest-level Pokémon he had encountered since arriving in the Pokémon world.
Not only that, but Gabite was a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon, known as a “late bloomer”—the higher its level, the exponentially stronger it became.
Most importantly, this was Cynthia’s Gabite.
‘No wonder it can master a killer move like Dragon Rush at level 30.’
Just as Sinshi was deep in thought, a hand reached over from the side and waved in front of his eyes.
“You’ve been staring at her this whole time.
Is it love at first sight?” Candice asked in a teasing tone.
“No, I’m just a little surprised to run into her in a place like this.”
“You know her too?” Candice was clearly a bit surprised, but then muttered to herself, “But I guess it’s normal to know her.
After all, she’s the leader of the younger generation, and her grandmother is a famous mythology professor in the Sinnoh Region.”
“I only know a little bit.
From the sound of it, you seem to know her very well,” Sinshi said, following Candice’s lead.
“Of course I do.
She’s the classic ‘kid next door.’ Every time, I’d hear from my dad about how I needed to be more like Cynthia this, Cynthia that.
Over time, I just got to know her.”
Candice spread her hands and said helplessly, “If it weren’t for the fact that she hasn’t seriously challenged the Gyms to participate in the League Conference, I’d probably hear her name a few times more.
But by the looks of it, she’s really planning to enter the tournament this time.
She never used to make such high-profile appearances before.”
Not far away, amidst the flashing of camera lights, reporters were already holding microphones and conducting interviews.
Cynthia responded to their questions calmly with a smile on her face.
Solaceon Town housed well-known media outlets in the Sinnoh Region.
For someone with her low-key personality to actively appear before these media outlets, she clearly had another motive.
This motive was highly likely to build momentum for the Lily of the Valley Conference, which was still over half a year away.
Sinshi withdrew his gaze and looked at Candice.
“So, because she’s the ‘kid next door,’ how do you feel about her?
Instinctive disgust?”
“Although it was like that at first, after interacting with her a few times, that feeling completely vanished.
She’s a very outstanding person, and I admire her,” Candice said, pursing her lips, her tone somewhat complex.
“Since you admire her, it means you look up to her to some extent.
So why not give it a try?
If you could fight her to a draw, or even defeat her, I think you’d have no regrets, and your dad would be able to see your growth,” Sinshi said slowly.
“…Forget it.
My goal is to become a Gym Leader and take over my family’s Gym.
Her goal is at least the Sinnoh Champion.
We aren’t walking the same path…”
Before Candice could finish, Sinshi cut her off directly.
“Do you even believe that yourself?
And even if your goals are different, there’s no rule saying a Gym Leader can’t beat a Champion.
What’s wrong with being the world’s number one Gym Leader?”
“The world’s number one Gym Leader…”
Candice was genuinely shocked by Sinshi’s words, but then she couldn’t help laughing.
“Easier said than done.
You only know how strong she is if you’ve actually battled her.
Besides, you’re a Trainer too, right?
Why don’t you try challenging her?”
“I will, but not now,” Sinshi said seriously.
This sudden serious tone caught Candice off guard.
She clearly hadn’t expected that Sinshi would actually mean it in response to her joking remark.
‘Even if he’s much stronger than me, there’s no way he could be a match for Cynthia,’ Candice couldn’t help but want to say.
But after a short day of interaction, she had also figured out some of Sinshi’s personality traits—he liked to be prepared.
A prepared person wouldn’t just spout arrogant nonsense.
Thinking of this, Candice couldn’t help but hold her breath.
‘So…
does he really want to challenge Cynthia?’
Sinshi indeed had this intention.
Just now, when he saw Gabite—a Pokémon so powerful that his current self was absolutely no match for it—Sinshi had no other thoughts in his mind.
All he thought about was whether Agumon, after evolving and reaching the same level as Gabite, could go toe-to-toe with it.
Or to be more direct, could Agumon gain the upper hand, or even win?
Sinshi didn’t know, but he was very much looking forward to it.
He looked forward to a battle between a Digimon, which belonged to a completely different system, and the top-tier combat power of the Pokémon world.
Of course, before that, he had to quickly improve Agumon’s strength and narrow the gap between them.
Otherwise, by the time he caught up, the others would have run far ahead again.
‘Once all the Oran Berries are sold out, I’ll start training to rapidly increase our strength!’ Sinshi thought to himself.