Hunter J raised her hand—
Preparing to petrify Mega Tyranitar while it was locked in combat with Salamence.
She had even made up her mind—
If necessary, she would petrify both Pokémon and take them away together.
She aimed and fi Red —
"What?!"
But just as she raised her hand—
She suddenly realized in horror—
She couldn't move it.
A blue glow flickered in Red 's eyes.
Psychic power tightly restrained her arm.
"In a Pokémon battle, trainers like us shouldn't interfere."
"Psychic user…?"
Hunter J's expression darkened further.
At this moment—
She even began to regret taking this job.
But—
She still didn't think she would lose.
Because her dominance in the Sinnoh Region wasn't built solely on her petrification gun—
Or her useless subordinates.
It was built on her strength as a trainer.
Although she usually kept one Pokémon by her side for protection—
That didn't mean she only had two Pokémon.
Taking advantage of the distraction—
Hunter J quietly pulled out another Poké Ball behind her back.
It opened—
A rare Pokémon appeared behind her.
Kecleon.
And its level—
Was as high as 55.
Her second strongest Pokémon after Salamence.
Hunter J subtly gestured .
"Kill that one."
Though Kecleon wasn't popular in games or anime—
In the real Pokémon world—
A Pokémon capable of invisibility was a natural-born assassin.
In her early days—
Before obtaining Salamence—
Hunter J had relied on Kecleon to build her reputation.
Kecleon's body gradually turned transparent—
Blending into the night.
Though its invisibility was nearly perfect—
There was one flaw—
The brown "W" marking on its belly couldn't disappear.
But with its strength—
The marking had faded significantly.
And in the chaos of battle, under the cover of night—
No one would notice a faint brown stripe in the grass.
Kecleon moved swiftly through the bushes—
Closing in on Red .
Hunter J glanced sideways at its approach, a smile finally appearing.
Do you know why I always keep one Pokémon by my side?
You pampered trainers could never understand how we claw our way up!
You didn't even keep a Pokémon to guard yourself in a wild battle…
Do you really think I wouldn't dare kill a League Gym Leader?
Go die.
The thought of adding the head of a genius Gym Leader to her collection—
Filled her with excitement.
Just then—
Red suddenly spoke casually:
"Hunter J… want to know the secret behind Tyranitar's evolution?"
"We could sit down and talk."
"I can even tell you something interesting—like how your Salamence also has the potential to evolve again."
"I swear on my Gym Leader title—I'm not lying."
Hunter J froze.
"Salamence… evolving again?"
As a trainer—
She understood exactly what that meant for a Pseudo-Legendary.
"If you're willing to share… we can negotiate."
She hesitated.
Then—
She subtly gestured .
Kecleon paused reluctantly.
Just a few more seconds—
And it could've pierced Red 's throat with its tongue.
Meanwhile—
Mega Tyranitar and Salamence slowly separated.
Both were heavily injured .
"Actually, this kind of evolution—I call it Mega Evolution…"
Red spoke slowly.
His words drew Hunter J's full attention.
At that exact moment—
Red and Mega Tyranitar exchanged a knowing glance.
Without warning—
Mega Tyranitar slammed its fist into a nearby tree!
The terrifying force pierced straight through it—
And behind the tree—
Was the ambushing Kecleon!
Caught completely off guard—
Kecleon was critically injured instantly!
If not for its high level—
It would've been one-shot.
Red smirked.
"You didn't actually think I'd tell you the secret, did you?"
Seeing Kecleon heavily wounded—
And realizing she had been completely played—
Hunter J's anger finally exploded.
She released all her Pokémon!
Salamence.
injured Kecleon.
Ariados.
And a Level 50 Mightyena.
Four Pokémon surrounded Mega Tyranitar.
Even Tyranitar felt the pressure.
Red frowned.
"Where are the reinforcements…?"
"Professor Oak and the others are in the neighboring city—they should be here by now."
Hunter J laughed coldly.
"Still waiting for the League?"
"Let me tell you—tonight, no one is coming to Songzao City."
"Professor Oak and the others have already been lu Red away by my employer."
"Just accept your fate!"
The four Pokémon attacked together.
Even pushing through its injuries—
Mega Tyranitar could only barely hold off three of them.
Salamence and the others were restrained—
But the injured Kecleon—
Still lunged toward Red .
Seeing this—
Ninetales' Poké Ball at Red 's waist trembled.
She was ready for a final stand.
Red hesitated—
Should he really let Ninetales risk everything here?
Just then—
A voice echoed from the sky.
A man's voice.
Calm—
But filled with killing intent.
"Well now… very well."
"I leave for less than a month, and someone dares to cause trouble in Songzao City—"
"And even lay a hand on my son?"
"You've got some nerve."
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