"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Three corpses lay on the ground nearby, one of them belonging to their leader, Karson.
Faced with such an intimidating scene, the remaining dozen or so people instinctively huddled together, as if proximity could provide some semblance of safety.
Staring at the Machamp and its companions that had appeared, the group hesitated. Even though there were only three Pokémon, none dared to attack recklessly, wary of potential ambushes lying in wait.
"Stop staring. It's just me and these guys—only elite-level Pokémon like Machamp. Are you seriously afraid to make a move?"
Stepping out from his hiding place with a Ralts by his side, Ron mocked the remaining group.
Using Magical Leaf, Bellossom skillfully swept away anything valuable from Karson and his men but deliberately left their Poké Balls untouched.
When the group realized Ron was acting alone, they began to stir, debating whether to launch an attack.
Ron, however, wouldn't give them the chance to decide. With a swift command, he instructed his Pokémon to strike first.
"Machamp, use Leer and then charge forward with Aura Sphere!"
The brilliant blue Aura Sphere formed in Machamp's hands and surged straight toward the crowd.
"Persian, use Double Team. Follow up with Hypnosis and Dream Eater!"
"Bellossom, combine Magical Leaf with Sludge Bomb and enhance yourself with Swords Dance!"
Multiple Persians materialized from Double Team, encircling the group while launching attacks and creating opportunities.
Bright green leaves danced through the air, twirling around and carrying a single Sludge Bomb toward the enemy.
"Charge!"
Realizing they were under attack again, the remaining group reached a consensus and collectively released their Pokémon to counterattack.
Multiple moves combined to shatter Machamp's Aura Sphere.
"Machamp, use Shave—Thunder Lance!"
Although the technique borrowed concepts from two worlds, its raw power was undeniable.
By condensing Thunder Punch into the shape of a lance, Machamp charged in a straight line, unleashing a devastating attack.
Typically, when using Shave, Machamp retained some flexibility to adjust direction and avoid incoming strikes. However, with Shave—Thunder Lance, all flexibility was sacrificed to focus solely on speed and power, maximizing its impact.
Electric currents flickered as Machamp darted forward like lightning, piercing through the heart of an enemy Pokémon before they even had a chance to react.
Persian's Hypnosis combined with Dream Eater caused intense pain, prompting it to use Slash to swiftly end the suffering of its target by cutting its throat.
Magical Leaf and Sludge Bomb struck in unison, breaking through enemy defenses and creating openings for Machamp and Persian to retreat.
"Machamp, launch another Thunder Lance!"
"Persian, use Shave—Claw Slash to support Machamp!"
"Bellossom, continue your Magical Leaf and Sludge Bomb assault. Don't forget to use Swords Dance!"
Machamp, like a lightning-infused lance, weaved through the battlefield with Persian close behind.
Unlike Captain Kuro's techniques from the world of One Piece, Persian's "Claw Slash" emphasized agility, taking full advantage of its mastery of Shave. It darted in and out of the fray, providing cover for Machamp from all directions with pinpoint precision.
With Bellossom's firepower keeping the enemies suppressed, Machamp and Persian managed to hold off a dozen opponents effectively.
Up in the tree canopy, Aki watched in shock.
Even with each person in the group commanding two elite-level Pokémon, Aki had assumed they would easily overpower Machamp and its companions. Yet the reality was the complete opposite.
"Machamp, use Shave—Heavy Blade!"
Noticing that Thunder Lance was losing effectiveness against the increasingly wary Pokémon, Ron ordered Machamp to switch tactics, combining Shave with the move Hammer Arm.
As Hammer Arm activated, Machamp's muscles swelled, and it charged past a nearby enemy Pokémon, leaving a trail of crimson blood in its wake.
The prolonged battle allowed the Pokémon hunters to adapt, gradually encircling Machamp and Persian while splitting off three elite-level Pokémon to stealthily approach Ron.
Feigning ignorance, Ron continued directing his Pokémon with calm precision.
From her vantage point, Aki noticed the movement of the three enemy Pokémon.
Suddenly, they launched a surprise attack, converging on Ron.
"If none of you step in now, I might actually be in trouble."
As he spoke, Ron discarded his disguise.
Unbeknownst to the hunters, Ron had already instructed Ralts to prepare for a Teleport, maintaining his composure as he called out to the surrounding forest.
"Didn't think you'd catch on so quickly, kid," came a hearty laugh from the woods.
Moments later, several Pokémon emerged from hiding, intercepting the enemy's moves and shielding Ron.
A group of rangers followed, stepping out to surround the hunters completely.
The burliest among them, a man as physically imposing as the Pewter City ranger captain, introduced himself with a booming voice: Lugo, head ranger of the area near Celadon City.
Seeing Lugo's formidable physique, Ron couldn't help but speculate that a ranger's muscle mass might be a deciding factor for career advancement.
"I've heard about you from Matthew, and your exploits in Saffron City. Seeing you in action, you've certainly earned your reputation," Lugo praised.
"You're too kind, but I had nothing to do with the incident in Saffron City. By then, I was already deep in the forest, starting my journey."
Though Ralts sensed no malice from Lugo, Ron saw no need to admit to anything directly.
"I understand, I understand—it wasn't you," Lugo replied with a knowing grin. "Still, your caution makes you an excellent candidate for a ranger. I look forward to seeing you join us after the Indigo League."
As Lugo spoke, Machamp and its companions returned to Ron's side, replacing the rangers' Pokémon on the battlefield.
Before setting up the ambush for Karson's group, Ron had contacted the local rangers through his connection with Matthew—not to enlist their help in the fight but to show Aki that he wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Perched in the treetops, Aki couldn't help but grow more curious about Ron's true identity.
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