"Clap... Clap... Clap..."
The sudden applause made Victor and Umbreon instinctively turn their heads toward the source.
"Well said!"
A man in a black cloak, with a white scarf draped over his shoulders, looked like he had just stepped out from the set of a gambling-themed movie, wearing a smile.
As he clapped, he approached.
Victor's expression changed slightly.
He recognized who the person was.
After Nurse Joy helped him process his identification, Victor gained access to several public areas.
This included the library.
From there, he learned a lot of knowledge.
Among it all was information about the current gym leaders across various regions.
Just like the person before him—
The gym leader of Viridian City in the Kanto region, nicknamed "Earth King Giovanni," known as the "Undefeated Gym Leader!"
But the reason Victor frowned was, of course, due to the other party's hidden identity—leader of Team Rocket!
In no time, Giovanni had reached Victor and said with a smile, "A king has the talents of a king; a chef has the talents of a chef, and Pokémon know no hierarchy."
"Well said, very well said!"
Giovanni rarely showed such excitement.
Once, when Beedrill was his starter Pokémon, he faced disdain from many elite trainers while traveling the world.
Later, Giovanni defeated them one by one.
He showed the world that even weak Pokémon can shine brightly!
And today, for the first time, someone articulated his youthful feelings.
"A king has the talents of a king; a chef has the talents of a chef!"
So well said, indeed!
"It turns out to be Kanto's strongest gym leader, Mr. Giovanni."
As someone who had lived three lifetimes, Victor quickly masked the hint of surprise in his gaze, and his expression turned calm.
"What brings the Kanto gym leader to Johto?"
Giovanni's smile instantly faded, turning somewhat grim.
He was here to search for his missing son.
But as he looked around without finding a clue, his mood worsened.
Mentioning the subject darkened his mood even more!
Yet Giovanni was experienced and soon retracted his gloom, wearing a smile as he said, "Gym leaders also need rest; I occasionally like to wander around other regions."
"Oh, so Mr. Giovanni saw my battle earlier? Haha, I'm truly embarrassed."
Victor feigned modesty.
However, he didn't believe that Giovanni genuinely came to Johto for sightseeing.
It was more likely that he was secretly developing his power in Johto.
After all, Johto was set to be Team Rocket's second base in the future.
"Your words made this old man feel fired up; how about it? Do you want to have a battle?"
Giovanni asked with a grin.
On one hand, he wanted to use the fight to temporarily forget the pain of his son.
On the other hand, he wanted to personally test the potential of this young talent.
"Huh? I'm not into soul games."
"What?"
Giovanni didn't quite understand Victor's meaning at first.
"I mean, I don't enjoy seeking pain."
Victor shrugged.
Did he not have a sense of whether he could win against Giovanni?
"Haha! What's the matter? It's just a friendly match, not about winning or losing. Regardless of the outcome, I'll treat you to dinner!"
Giovanni adopted a kind and approachable senior attitude.
"Then I won't hold back."
Victor thought the same—there was nothing to lose from a little sparring.
But he still needed to be cautious.
After all, the man before him was no ordinary character.
Plus, he still didn't know why he had come so far to Johto.
Ah, the downside of traveling too early was that the motives of original characters weren't so easy to guess.
...
...
"Youth, is that new breed of Eevee your starter Pokémon?"
The two stood facing each other on the beach of Olivine City, and Giovanni spoke first.
"Yes, it's called Umbreon, but it seems the league hasn't officially recognized it yet, and many are still unaware of the 'Dark' type."
"Oh? Dark type... sounds pretty nice. Did you come up with the name?"
"Uh... let's just say I did; I am quite good at this sort of thing."
Then, Giovanni put his left hand in his pocket and pulled out a Poké Ball with his right.
"Then, to show my respect, let me bring out an old partner that has accompanied me for a long time."
Upon hearing the words "old partner," Victor paused slightly.
Could it be...
Immediately, Giovanni flicked the Poké Ball from his palm.
The ball lid popped open, and a flash of white light emerged.
A robust and intimidating Nidoking landed heavily on the beach.
"This guy has been my partner since I began my journey in Kanto."
Giovanni smirked, "Very strong indeed."
"Then—why don't you make the first move, young man?"
Giovanni opened his palm, making a gesture of invitation.
"In the past, I was never good at fighting myself, but I could manage directing others."
"Let me see the gap between myself and a top expert in this area."
With a smile, Victor said these words while his pupils suddenly tightened.
"Go, Umbreon!"
Umbreon surged forward like a black shadow, charging straight at Nidoking.
Giovanni's eyes shifted, thinking inwardly: "Oh? He's only had this Eevee from that old lady for less than ten days, and it has improved so remarkably. This kid seems talented in training!"
In an instant, Umbreon had reached Nidoking.
"Going for a close-range special move?"
Giovanni raised an eyebrow, waving his finger lightly.
"My Nidoking excels in this regard."
Its massive form exhibited surprisingly agile movements.
Nidoking clenched its fist, electricity sparking through the air as it struck, creating a sound that resembled an explosive concussive blast.
Thunder Punch!
Boom—
The sound of the punch hitting was like deep thunder.
The size difference appeared as if a tiger had landed a hit on a plush toy.
"Go, Pursuit!"
Upon hearing Victor's command, Umbreon, which had just absorbed a punch, suddenly opened its eyes wide, baring its fangs with a malicious grin.
A look of triumph.
In the next instant, the dark-skinned Umbreon's veins bulged, and its small body burst forward, like a raging force, making Nidoking's head tilt in surprise.
A bit dazed!
"Hmm!?"
A hint of surprise flickered in Giovanni's eyes.
Though he had just exchanged a glance with Nidoking, signaling for him to hold back, using a non-type move as well.
Yet, despite that, Umbreon could actually withstand the hit? And even retaliate in the next moment?
"Did you use a defensive boosting move? Young man?"
Giovanni, as expected of Kanto's strongest gym leader, quickly identified the issue.
"Just at the last moment, Umbreon's running slowed down... I see, it used Curse, right?"
Curse, when used by a non-Ghost type Pokémon, would lower speed in exchange for boosting attack and defense.
"Generally, when using power-enhancing moves, Pokémon will typically stay stationary, but yours is able to enhance itself while moving. You've put in quite some effort, haven't you?"
Giovanni's surprise turned into praise once more.
"My little Umbreon hasn't been with me for long; I have only managed to teach her a few things."
Victor smiled.
"This isn't just 'a few things'..."
Giovanni's smile grew broader.
Curse him, the more I want this kid!
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