A few days later.
The news about Seadra's evolution into Kingdra spread throughout the entire League.
Not only across the Daleron League, the country where Ethan lived, but the rumor crossed the seas, reaching other continents, other Leagues, and even great Secret Kingdoms, drawing the attention of the entire world.
The eyes of the world were now focused here.
...
Duskwell City.
In a luxurious private mansion, Derek Ashford stared in disbelief at the information on his phone. He was so shocked that he couldn't help but mutter, "Ethan?... And a Seadra?..."
"No way! Could that Kingdra be the evolution of the Seadra I gave him?"
Derek, who had once thought he'd simply handed over an unremarkable Water-type Pokémon, suddenly felt a deep sense of regret.
Although he didn't fully understand what had happened, it was very likely that the Kingdra in question was the same Seadra he had given to Ethan.
To think he had unknowingly handed over a Pokémon with such incredible potential...
He knew that Seadra—the leader of its group—had already been exceptionally strong, but he had never imagined it could still evolve.
If the Water-type Pokémon breeding center it came from had known Seadra had another evolutionary form, they would never have let it go so easily.
Even if they had sold it, the price would have been several times higher.
And on top of that, Ethan hadn't had the Seadra for long... and he had already evolved it!
That could only mean one thing: Ethan had known all along.
Was it all part of his plan?
Meanwhile, Derek had completely fallen into his trap.
"No, this can't end like this," he muttered with a frown. "I have to demand an explanation."
He quickly pulled out his phone to call him, but a cold voice replied, "The number you are calling is turned off."
"Damn it!" he roared, gritting his teeth. "You won't hide from me! I'll find you!"
He mounted his Feraligatr and sped off toward Ironvale City.
...
Secret Kingdom of the Sky.
Inside the main headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers Guild, the atmosphere was in complete turmoil.
They had only recently succeeded in evolving a Poliwhirl into Politoed using a King's Rock.
"We never imagined Poliwhirl would have two evolutionary paths, Poliwrath and Politoed... It took us so much effort to discover it!" sighed Alex Baxter, relieved as he reviewed the data.
For months, they had tried to evolve species with no known evolutions or only two stages, but all their attempts had failed.
Fortunately, they hadn't given up and experimented with every possible Pokémon until they finally obtained Politoed.
At that moment, an assistant burst into the room, holding a letter and wearing a look of shock.
"President! You must see this news!"
"What is it?" asked President Beckett, puzzled, as he took the envelope.
The moment he read a few lines, his eyes widened, and then he let out a bitter laugh.
"What's going on, President?" the other researchers asked, crowding around him.
"It's that boy... Ethan."
That name alone made Alex tense up and rush over.
"Read it yourselves," said President Beckett, handing him the letter.
Alex took it, and upon reading it, couldn't help but shout, "Ethan!? And this Pokémon...? By all the heavens! We spent an absurd amount of resources discovering Politoed, and in such a short time, he's already revealed another completely new species!"
The entire lab fell silent for a few seconds.
"Kingdra...?" repeated one of the researchers. "Did it also evolve using the King's Rock?"
"Impossible! We already tried with Seadra, and it didn't work!"
"Doesn't matter! Bring several Seadra to the lab—we'll run more tests!"
Within minutes, everything was ready: multiple Seadra and several King's Rocks.
But no matter how many times they tried, none of them evolved.
"Which of the three special evolution conditions are we missing...?" one murmured.
"Go get more Seadra! We don't stop until we figure this out!"
"What? What do you mean there aren't any left? They've all been bought?"
"Damn it! Then contact Ethan directly—he must know!"
"What? You can't reach him?"
President Beckett's furious roars echoed throughout the guild building.
...
Secret Kingdom – Dragon Valley.
In a deep valley, powerful draconic roars echoed endlessly. The air was thick with Dragon-type energy.
This was Dragon Valley—a legendary Secret Kingdom that spanned several continents, serving as a sanctuary for all Dragon-type Pokémon.
At that moment, in the training grounds, two middle-aged men were battling: a Dragonite was clashing fiercely against a Kommo-o, both unleashing devastating blows.
As the battle raged, a Charizard descended from the sky. A young woman with black hair leapt off its back, holding a newspaper, and ran toward the two trainers.
"Master, look at this!" she called out breathlessly.
The Kommo-o's trainer looked up, surprised.
"What is it, Mira?"
She handed him the newspaper.
The man skimmed through it, and his expression immediately changed. On the front page were the names Ethan and Kingdra.
"Kingdra...? A newly discovered Dragon-type Pokémon?" he murmured, narrowing his eyes.
Then he turned to his sparring partner.
"Darius, come take a look at this."
"What's going on?" the other man asked, walking over.
He took the newspaper, read it, and his expression hardened as well.
Just one look at the picture of the Pokémon was enough for him to understand instantly.
"Without a doubt... it's a dragon."
(End of chapter)