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," soone replied calmly.
"But honestly, I doubt he'll need to."
---
"What do you an?"
---
"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 statent 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.
Excitent.
---
He raised a hand slightly.
---
Yellow imdiately 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 ."
---
"It's a question for the challengers."
---
The reporter's eyes lit up.
---
"Oh? What do you an 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—
So might have already rushed the stage.
---
The reporter, however—
Was thrilled.
---
This is gold.
---
She pressed further.
---
"What do you think about Elite Four mber 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.
---
Flas 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 mont—
Excitent 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 imdiately.
---
"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 excitent.
---
"I'm Aku from Cerulean City! Please teach !"
---
"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.
---
"Co 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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