Under The Tiger's command, the Honchkrow rapidly condensed a Shadow Ball even larger than its own body!
As it shot out, it clashed head-on with the Flame Emperor from Volcarona—equal in strength!
"Champion-level… but it's clearly more than just that..."
Watching the Honchkrow, Nathan gripped Steelix's Poké Ball tightly in one hand.
At the slightest sign of trouble, he was ready to unleash it—
"Volcarona, Flamethrower!"
"No need for honor when dealing with people from a Dark Organization—aim directly at The Tiger!"
Having now tested the waters, Nathan locked his eyes on The Tiger and gave the command.
Although he had nearly fallen into a trap this time, if following The Tiger's trail could ultimately lead him to Mewtwo—
Then it was all worth it!
"Vol!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Volcarona unleashed a terrifying blast of pure white flames straight at The Tiger!
The flames were several meters above the ground, yet within seconds, the earth below had cracked from the sheer heat.
Even so, The Tiger didn't flinch.
Instead, he sneered coldly.
"Let this short-sighted brat witness the greatness of the warriors of Chiyou!"
With a straight face, he delivered this over-the-top declaration, then took out... a Poké Ball?
Astonishingly, the pure white flames from Volcarona were directly absorbed by the black Poké Ball in The Tiger's hand!
Everyone watching was completely stunned!
"That's definitely a Poké Ball, right? But how... Is this why that guy survived earlier?"
With one hand in his pocket, Joseph couldn't help but analyze the situation.
"Hey, you're really okay with letting a kid face off against this brutal Dark Organization alone?"
Seeing Joseph acting like a bystander, the old lady finally couldn't hold back her criticism.
She had at least expected him to step in and stall The Tiger, even if no one else did.
A little time-buying would've been helpful!
"Cough cough, a gentleman doesn't stand under a crumbling wall. I'm not a Trainer—what if The Tiger goes crazy and kills me?"
Joseph coughed lightly, keeping a straight face.
Despite his high rank and status—seen by many as the ideal uncle figure—
He truly had no idea how to deal with reckless maniacs.
"…Men,"
The old lady glanced at Joseph with visible disdain.
…
In the end, they just wanted to see what kind of trump cards Nathan had.
Though they acted timid, anyone who rose to the top ranks of the Pokémon League couldn't possibly be spineless.
Unaware that two high-ranking League officials were merely spectators, Nathan continued to command Volcarona to attack relentlessly.
But no matter the move, as long as it struck The Tiger's black Poké Ball, it was completely nullified!
"How about it? This is the greatest masterpiece of our organization."
"I didn't expect your Volcarona to mutate to this extent, even reaching Champion-level strength!"
"If you're willing to hand it over, I'll still honor our previous deal."
As The Tiger toyed with the Poké Ball in his hand, his gaze toward Volcarona burned with greed.
Although rage had clouded his judgment earlier, he now realized what an extraordinary Pokémon this was.
Nathan's Volcarona had already reached the Elite tier back in high school.
Now, it had risen even further—into the realm of Champions!
Whether for his personal use or as a research specimen, it was a perfect asset.
"…You're asking to die."
Seeing The Tiger's naked ambition, Nathan's expression turned ice-cold.
"Sure, I'm tolerant and kind, handsome and generous—but there's one kind of person I absolutely won't forgive…"
"And that person… is someone like YOU!"
"Volcarona—evolve! Let everyone witness the power of my ultimate trump card!"
As Nathan shouted, Volcarona obediently flew into position directly above him.
"VOLLL!!"
…
"Evolve? That Champion-level Volcarona can still evolve?!"
The remaining audience members stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
Griffin and Seth, among them, clenched the iron railings tightly!
A mere teenager had already made it to the national semi-finals—unbelievable in itself!
Now it turned out he had a Champion-level trump card… and it could evolve?!
It sounded like a joke!
"Hey hey hey, is this kid really from a humble background?"
Even Joseph couldn't help but smile wryly, shaking his head in astonishment.
The old lady gave him a glare and muttered, "So what if he's not?"
"Have you ever seen anyone this young capable of handling a Champion-tier Pokémon?"
The strength of a Trainer and their Pokémon are always interconnected.
Only by personally raising a powerful Pokémon can a Trainer earn the right to command one.
Otherwise, even if you're handed a Champion, it's just a ticking time bomb.
"Of course I get that, but why is this kid so absurdly overpowered!?"
Rubbing his forehead, Joseph muttered, clearly torn between admiration and jealousy.
Although he was a high-ranking League official, he'd never been particularly gifted as a Trainer.
If he had the chance, he'd love to be a world-renowned Trainer too.
But all he got in return… was a mountain of stress and ulcers.
…
"You're kidding, right? That Volcarona can evolve?"
"That's absolutely impossible!"
Not just Joseph—The Tiger, too, growled in disbelief.
No one knew better than The Tiger what it took to raise his Honchkrow to Champion-level.
He had gone through countless dark and twisted paths to achieve it—
Just to create one of the few truly top-tier Pokémon in the world.
And now, some seventeen or eighteen-year-old brat?
Not only did his Volcarona become a Champion—it could still evolve?!
Even The Tiger, fully aware of how unfair this world was, couldn't help but feel consumed by jealousy.
This was beyond unfair—it was absurd!
"Volcarona! Answer my call!"
Nathan didn't care what The Tiger thought. He poured all his focus into synchronization with Volcarona.
Due to heavy prior strain on his body and mind, he had to borrow the power of Kroxus to make it happen.
As a result, both his eyes turned blood-red—eerie and inhuman.
And then—
"Vol!!"
Volcarona soared in mid-air, pure white flames swirling around it with a holy brilliance.
The space around it distorted—barely hinting at just how scorching those flames were.
How overwhelming their power had become.
As it answered Nathan's call, Volcarona became wrapped in the white glow of evolution!
Before the light could even fade—
"Honchkrow! Attack! Shadow Ball Frenzy—Super Shadow Cannon!!"
Watching the evolving Volcarona, The Tiger's face twisted with envy.
Even as one of the top members of Chiyou's organization and the leader's right hand,
The Tiger couldn't help but feel a burning jealousy for Nathan.
Jealous of his talent.
Jealous of his Volcarona.
Jealous that he could even trigger Super Evolution…
It was the kind of envy that drove him to the brink of madness.
Honchkrow launched its assault without hesitation, targeting the evolving Volcarona.
There was no such thing as an "invincibility window" during evolution like in the cartoons.
But…
"Too late. Volcarona doesn't need time to evolve."
Nathan stared coldly at The Tiger and Honchkrow, his lips curling into a frosty smile.
In the end, the bond between Nathan and Volcarona was the deepest, the strongest.
From rock bottom to where they stood now—they had climbed together.
With such a connection, Volcarona didn't even need training.
Just a clear and unwavering call from Nathan was enough for it to evolve!
Unlike Mega Evolution, this was something entirely different.
The moment Nathan finished speaking, a pure white ring of flame swept across the battlefield!
Honchkrow's attacks were effortlessly annihilated by the white flames.
And at that instant—
The white light of evolution surrounding Volcarona finally faded.
Its once majestic, butterfly-like wings—beautiful and regal—
Had transformed into six radiant wings.
(End of Chapter)