"The first one is Blue, huh? This guy isn't an easy opponent at all."
Archer stared at the first portrait to stop—Kanto's Elite Four member, Blue.
No doubt about it—this match was going to be high-level.
Then again…
There wasn't any match in the top sixteen that wasn't high-level.
"Yeah, that guy's a handful."
Leaf toyed with one of her braided pigtails, glancing at the portrait on the big screen.
Blue—his name even sounded a bit like hers. But Leaf didn't have much affection for him.
Over the past six months, she'd fought him several times. He challenged her and knocked her out of the champion tier; then she challenged him, knocked him down, and then You and a few others joined in, causing the seventh and eighth spots to flip constantly.
"No idea who he'll be matched with."
Leaf watched the spinning portraits, which were gradually slowing down.
Soon, a baseball cap appeared.
The arena erupted at once, and Blue lifted a brow—because the person who appeared was Red!
Blue vs. Red!
Blue instinctively looked in Red's direction—just in time to see Red lift his head, crimson eyes burning beneath the brim of his hat.
'We finally meet on the battlefield!'
Blue understood that gaze instantly. A strange thrill surged through him, curling his lips into a fiery, arrogant grin at his childhood friend.
"Oh-ho~ this'll be fun to watch."
Nemona grinned mischievously. Blue and Red—Kanto's two "monsters," and fellow members of the Kanto Elite Four.
This was a Kanto civil war!
"Eh?! Why is it Red vs. Blue!?"
Ash—fresh off his Silver Conference run—gaped at the board.
"It's not that weird. It's already the top sixteen. But Blue's totally gonna win," Gary shrugged.
"What are you talking about, jerk?! There's no way Red loses!" Ash snapped back, firmly on his brother's side.
"Blue's gonna win!"
"No, Red's gonna win!"
"BLUE!!"
"RED!!"
The two bickered like angry roosters.
"…Unbelievable."
Misty stared at them, exasperated. Their bickering was childish—but she kind of understood. Those two childhood friends had always been like this.
"Time really flies… Red's already made it this far."
Misty looked at the two portraits, her voice soft with emotion.
Last year, they were watching Dylan and Red—both still "raw"—battle each other. Now in the blink of an eye, Dylan was the world's strongest trainer…
And Red was standing here in the top sixteen.
It felt surreal.
Thanks to Ash, Red also counted as their friend. Sort of.
"Yeah, but it's not surprising." Brock nodded, unsurprised.
He'd always known Red was destined for the top.
"Now, let's welcome our competitors to the stage!"
The host received the signal and shouted passionately.
"Blue!"
"Red!"
From both ends of the stage tunnel, two silhouettes stepped out.
The crowd erupted into deafening cheers.
Red, as always, wore his cap, blue jeans, and a red-and-white jacket—simple.
Across from him, Blue walked out with one hand in his pocket—black fitted turtleneck, purple pants—taking his place with cool confidence.
Their gazes locked the moment Blue looked up.
"Blue and Red, huh…"
Dylan chuckled to himself.
Fate. These two were destined to clash eventually.
The host flipped through his cue cards and smiled knowingly.
"I'm sure everyone here knows these two. Both Blue and Red are members of the Kanto Elite Four."
"Both are incredibly skilled trainers, but many might not know this—they left Pallet Town on the same day last year."
"And more importantly—they're childhood friends!"
The crowd gasped.
"Rumor has it they've been rivals since childhood, and that didn't change even after both received their starters. They battled throughout their journey, trading wins, growing stronger, and eventually both becoming Elite Four members."
The host grinned.
"But today, they may finally settle things—here on the world championship stage. Let's see who will enter the top eight!"
He finished dramatically. Though honestly, he suspected Red had the higher chance.
Both the Elite Four ranking and the championship seeding placed Red above Blue.
"Blue's no match for Red, right?"
Leaf asked Dylan.
"Red is stronger," Dylan replied simply.
"But Blue isn't without a chance. Their gap isn't as wide as people think."
He pulled out snacks, ready to enjoy this classic Red vs. Blue showdown.
Realistically, Dylan knew Red had the advantage—better raw strength, perfect focus, calm execution. In evenly matched battles, mistakes decided the outcome.
Red barely made mistakes.
Blue's chances were… not great.
But Blue himself clearly didn't agree.
The referee announced the rules and stepped back. The pointer on the display stopped on Blue—he would send his Pokémon out first.
Blue flicked his Poké Ball lightly, not throwing it yet. Instead, he looked at Red.
"So the day's finally here, huh, Red."
With a cocky grin, he addressed his childhood rival.
Red silently watched him.
Yep—Blue's doing the thing again.
…He was starting to show off.
"Look at this, Red. We're standing in a stadium filled with roaring crowds. And now I'm gonna beat you with my own two hands! I planned this whole scene out last year!"
Blue swept his gaze across the Indigo Arena, then smirked sideways at Red.
Red: "…"
"But we both became Elite Four members, so that dream couldn't come true. This world championship stage, though? It's even better than the Indigo League."
"Beating you here will feel just as great!"
His grin widened—arrogant and blazing.
"When I saw I'd been matched with you, do you know how happy I was?"
"Red, you're my rival! As a rival, I suppose I can barely acknowledge your strength. Which means only I get to defeat you!"
Red's eyes flickered—he didn't expect Blue of all people to say "acknowledge your strength."
Blue never admitted anything like that.
Ever.
"I won't lose to you."
Red lowered his brim, speaking calmly.
"Tch~ Calm as always. Makes it more fun."
Blue tilted his head, raised his Poké Ball—
"Red, today I'll show you the gap between us! I, Blue Oak—the genius Pokémon Trainer!"
"I've found the perfect Pokémon! With them, I'll reach the peak!"
Head held high, he declared with breathtaking arrogance.
Red: "…"
"Alright, Red—time to show you who'll be the world's strongest! Stronger than anyone else!"
"Beat you! Beat Selene! Beat Giovanni! I am the strongest of Kanto's Elite Four!"
Yes—Blue fully believed it.
Dylan? He didn't count as human—he was heavenly, not earthly.
This world championship was the perfect stage.
Red: "…"
Finally done.
Red felt exhausted already. Before every battle, Blue always talked too much.
Especially considering Blue's win rate against him had already dropped to around 30%.
Where did he get the confidence to brag like this?
I'm Champion-tier No. 2. What rank are you again?
But Red didn't bother talking.
His specialty was beating up people who bragged in front of him.
Especially if that person was Blue.
And especially after Blue had just done a huge bragging performance.
Blue opened with Exeggutor. He liked using it against Red's usual Blastoise lead—its Psychic typing was versatile.
Red calmly sent out his ace—Roaring Moon.
The ancient paradox dragon spread its wings with a thunderous roar.
Blue immediately switched out, sending in Tyranitar.
"Come, Red! Today I'll show you my full power!"
Blue raised his head proudly.
"Not only you, but Selene and Giovanni too—I'm the strongest of Kanto's Elite Four!"
(End of chapter)