Morning sunlight blazed across Paniola Ranch, painting the grass gold.
A faint wind carried the smell of hay and scorched dust — the perfect arena for a fire-type duel.
"Yayaya! I didn't think the match would start so soon!"
Beside Lillie and Tinkaton, a cheerful woman approached, holding the hand of a little girl.
It was Amara, Kiawe's mother.
And the girl — her wide-eyed daughter, Mimo.
"Mrs. Amara," Lillie greeted politely, "thank you for having us today."
Amara waved her hand, laughing.
"Not at all. Kiawe barely slept last night when he heard about this battle. He's been itching to test his new Z-Move. You couldn't have come at a better time."
"Z-Move…?"
Lillie's gaze flicked to Kiawe's wrist. A white-and-red Z-Ring gleamed there — proof that he'd already passed the island trial.
She couldn't help worrying.
Could Mr. Bai really handle that kind of power?
"Look! Big brother's already stepping up!"
Mimo bounced excitedly, pointing toward the center of the field.
Amara chuckled softly. She wasn't as surprised as her daughter.
The name Bai Chen — the swordsman who fought Pokémon with his bare hands — had already spread across Alola like wildfire.
And Kiawe himself… had heard those same rumors every morning while delivering milk through town.
Now, seeing Bai Chen step forward with calm composure, he finally understood they weren't exaggerated.
"Let's go, Marowak!"
With a flash of red light, Kiawe released his Pokémon.
A Ghost–Fire Alolan Marowak appeared — its bone staff blazing with emerald fire.
Bai Chen's eyes sharpened.
Level 31.
No weakling.
He was Level 23 now, after last night's training. Still, that eight-level gap was dangerous. One wrong move, and he could lose instantly.
"Be careful," Kiawe said kindly. "No need to push yourself."
"Don't worry," Bai Chen replied. "I came here to fight."
The two locked eyes.
Then —
"Marowak, Bone Boomerang!"
"Gaa—la!"
The blazing bone whirled through the air, slicing forward in a fiery arc.
Bai Chen didn't dodge.
Instead, his hand shot up — clack! — and he caught it.
Silence fell over the field.
He glanced at the bone in his hand, then at Kiawe.
"You still think I'm an ordinary Pokémon, huh?"
He tossed the weapon up, catching it again. Then, with his sword in his right hand and Marowak's bone in his left—
"Move — Quick Strike!"
White light flared.
Bai Chen blurred into motion, blades flashing like lightning.
A storm of slashes drove Marowak backward, the Pokémon unable to react without its weapon.
"Marowak! Use Flame Wheel!"
"Gaa—la!"
Green fire burst from its body as Marowak spun forward, a burning comet rolling straight toward him.
But Bai Chen didn't move.
He drew in a slow breath, shifted his stance—
"Secret Art… Home Run."
Both arms surged with Titan-strength.
The bone club whistled through the air — CRACK!
Marowak was sent flying, smashing into the wall with a thundering boom.
Dust rose. Silence followed.
"Marowak!?"
Kiawe's eyes widened — his ace was down in a single blow.
Tinkatuff's eyes sparkled. She dashed over, hammer dragging behind her.
While everyone thought she was checking on the fallen Marowak, she discreetly held out her Soul Orb — collecting its flame.
Marowak Fire Soul (Rarity 3):
This cursed flame carries the power of fear. Forged weapons gain the "Curse" property — inducing terror, and occasionally paralysis through dread.
Another strange and precious fire.
Tinkatuff beamed, waving to Bai Chen.
"Ya~ma!"
He gave her a thumbs-up in return.
Kiawe exhaled, recalling his fainted partner.
"You fought bravely, Marowak. Rest now."
Then he pulled out a second Poké Ball.
"Go, Growlithe!"
A flash of red — and the orange puppy Pokémon bounded out, flames licking from its mane.
Level 30.
Bai Chen tilted his head, almost disappointed.
"Haven't evolved yet? What a shame. I could've stolen your 'Extreme Speed.'"
He gripped his sword.
"Quick Strike!"
Growlithe flared white, matching his charge — whoosh!
The two collided in a flurry of motion.
But Bai Chen's blade had reached — three meters of gleaming steel.
"If you'd evolved, I might've hesitated," he said. "But like this? You're not my match."
"Growlithe, dodge! Then Fire Fang!"
Growlithe darted aside, jaws blazing—biting down hard.
Bai Chen took the hit — then grabbed its head with his left hand and slammed it into the dirt.
The ground cracked.
"Such strength…" Kiawe whispered, stunned.
"Growlithe, Agility!"
Growlithe's body blurred, speed rising until afterimages shimmered in the sunlight.
Bai Chen's eyes lit up.
"That move… I'll take it."
He slid his sword into its sheath, aura burning bright.
The blade began to hum — silver light rippling across its edge.
First Blade Release: Complete.
"Spirit Blade Style — Great Whirl Slash!"
He spun, a perfect horizontal arc of silver energy slicing across the field.
It wasn't meant for single targets — it was a monster-cleaver.
The slash connected.
Four bursts of energy detonated within Growlithe's body — boom, boom, boom, boom!
Growlithe fell, fainting instantly.
Bai Chen moved forward, copying the skill; Tinkaton followed close behind, extracting the fire.
To the bystanders, the pair looked more like a seasoned mercenary team than trainer and Pokémon.
Growlithe Fire Soul (Rarity 4):
Enhances material resilience and grants the "Intimidate" effect. The strength of intimidation depends on the forged material's nature.
Bai Chen's grin widened.
"Perfect. That one's versatile."
He and Tinkatuff exchanged an excited look — eyes burning with shared satisfaction.
Only one opponent remained.
The battle was 3v3.
Even if he fell, Tinkatuff and Nergigante could still finish the fight.
Kiawe inhaled deeply, steadying himself.
He hadn't expected to lose two rounds so quickly.
His gaze dropped to his Z-Ring.
"If you're that strong…" he murmured, "then I don't need to hold back."
He threw out his final Poké Ball.
"Go — Turtonator! Let's show them our power!"
The ground trembled as the Explosive Turtle emerged, its shell burning like magma.
And across the field, Bai Chen smiled faintly, blade glinting in the heat.
"Good," he said softly.
"Let's see if that shell can withstand a true hunter's strike."
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