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Every word Luther spoke hit the nail on the head, revealing the deeper meaning behind Misaki's actions, causing an intriguing expression to appear on her face.
"Indeed, it wasn't a coincidence."
Misaki raised her head. The confidence shining on her delicate face and the vibrant, uplifting aura surrounding her were simply breathtaking.
"Do you remember what I told you last night?" Misaki's eyes sparkled. "I came here to test my blade."
"Although I was the one who said it first, I believe you thought the same. Still, that reason alone doesn't seem enough to explain why you deliberately changed your fighting style."
Misaki smiled faintly. "Have you ever seen a master blacksmith forge a sword?"
"They devote themselves completely, focusing on every single strike until the blade takes shape. The process is intricate, an art, you might say. Even in this era, when fewer people use swords, they still uphold the traditions that have been passed down."
"A fine sword is given to a renowned master, either for their collection or to be worn."
Misaki looked straight at Luther. "A flawed sword has only two fates: to be reforged or destroyed."
"So that's why you've been actively challenging other highly regarded Pokémon Trainers?"
"Yes," Misaki replied. "I don't believe I'm a worthy enough sword yet. If they can't withstand my challenges and lose their fighting spirit, then they… heh."
'High fighting spirit' didn't begin to describe her presence.
If Luther hadn't experienced so much along the way, any other Pokémon trainer would have been overwhelmed by her powerful aura when facing her, enough to make them doubt whether they were the flawed blade that needed to be reforged.
Besides proving her own strength, there was another dazzling motivation behind Misaki stepping onto this stage.
She was repaying a debt.
As Misaki had said, Cynthia was indeed disappointed.
Sinnoh didn't lack talented rookies. Rather, those who were once highly anticipated clearly had bright futures and the potential to achieve great things, yet one by one, they faded into mediocrity.
The more she witnessed this, the faster her passion faded. This is also why watching Ash and Paul, rivals who were constantly clashing, growing and improving step by step, brought her such gratification.
Having lost interest in nurturing rookies, Cynthia chose Luther and Misaki as her last two people.
Misaki was poor. Material poverty had led to spiritual poverty.
As a child, she encountered a Larvitar in the mines while picking berries. It was a decent enough start, but it didn't get her anywhere. Her daily life remained the same: working tirelessly for her younger siblings and helping her mother with everything she could.
When she was fourteen, Misaki left Larvitar deep in the mountains and told it that she didn't need it. Although she was invited to undergo an evaluation at the local research lab, she had no intention of setting out on a journey.
She was confident that she could shine as a Pokémon Trainer.
But reality was harsh. Traveling would only worsen her family's financial situation. She wanted her siblings to live better lives more than she wanted to pursue her dream.
It would be better for Larvitar to find a more suitable Trainer, and it would also cut off her own unrealistic ambitions.
Yet Larvitar came back.
What it brought back was hope... Hope for Misaki to keep growing.
This ultimately allowed her to shine during the Research Lab evaluation and draw Cynthia's attention. Cynthia sponsored Misaki's family and personally introduced her to the world of Pokémon Trainers.
"No need to thank me. Become an outstanding Pokémon Trainer. Don't lose your way like the others. I hope that one day you'll defeat me; that's what I expect of you."
Like a beam of light, she reignited the hope that Misaki had tried to extinguish and showed her a whole new world.
That was why she had to participate in this tournament.
This wasn't her strongest performance yet; there were still many areas in which she could improve.
But that didn't matter. Because Luther was here. So she had to be here, too.
Even if she lost, Cynthia would still feel gratified.
This would prove that Cynthia hadn't misjudged; after all, Luther was indeed the kind of Pokémon Trainer capable of reaching the very peak. If she won, she would prove herself and show that Cynthia's long-standing support and help had been worthwhile.
She firmly believed that one day she would stand opposite Cynthia. After all, she had never lacked confidence.
Once you truly understood Misaki, it was hard not to respect her. Despite knowing that her change in battle style was intended to test Luther's mentality, he still couldn't bring himself to dislike her.
"Ever since I faced Candice at the Snowpoint Gym, I've clearly understood the weaknesses in my tempo-based system. Aside from the weather, I know all of its flaws inside out. So against you, I never intended to play a tempo game."
"Marill, Aqua Tail."
The newly released Marill leapt high into the air on the freshly reset battlefield. Gathering Water-type energy behind it, it formed a massive tail.
Metagross raised its Thunder Punch, trying to strike first.
However, the force of the Aqua Tail was overwhelming; it shoved the Thunder Punch aside and slammed heavily into Metagross's head. Metagross, which had just begun to float, crashed back down to the ground with a loud bang.
"Metagross has lost its ability to battle."
Marill swayed its tail, puffing out its belly with pride.
"From the very beginning, I wanted to adopt an all-out offensive approach. However, in a direct clash, if I didn't deal with the potential disruptor on your team first, things would become problematic later on. So I had to trick your Crobat first, though Metagross turning out like this is an added bonus."
A team that relies on controlling the tempo of the battlefield becomes extremely rigid once it loses the Pokémon that coordinates it.
Having used this system for so long, Luther naturally knew exactly how to dismantle it.
"So, are you still planning to continue using a coordination system that you can barely maintain anymore?" Luther asked with a smile. "Why not stick to your own style?"
"I was actually quite interested in seeing your overwhelming, bombardment-style offensive. But it seems you're carrying some strange burdens; those obsessions are holding you back."
Misaki tilted her head and closed her eyes. After a moment, she let out a self-mocking smile.
"You're right. I was so focused on testing my blade that I almost forgot: the most important thing is to defeat you."
She threw out her sixth Poké Ball.
When the Pokémon appeared on the battlefield, Cynthia froze slightly, as if she could see the past. Marill looked at Gabite, mistaking it for the big guy who would casually snatch its food.
"Gastrodon… Gabite…" Luther finally understood.
Having received Cynthia's favor, Misaki naturally admired her. This admiration influenced her choices when capturing Pokémon.
"As you wish, no more strange systems." Misaki clapped her hands lightly. "The all-out offensive you asked for is about to begin."
(End of Chapter)