Within Bai Chen's perception, the Dominant Gumshoos glowed as a blazing red silhouette.
Every movement—every twitch of its muscle, every step it took—was clear as daylight to him.
Between them stretched a single, taut line of energy, connecting predator and prey.
"Now… where is your weak point?"
His breathing was calm. His heart is steady.
He slipped past each attack with effortless grace.
When dodging was impossible, his armor took the hit instead, sparks flickering across the steel.
At last, Bai Chen sheathed his blade—
and waited.
The cave fell silent except for the faint drip of water echoing from deep within.
Lillie, Lusamine, and Hala all found themselves unconsciously holding their breath.
They could see it—
Bai Chen was waiting for that one, perfect moment.
The Gumshoos lunged again.
Bite after bite, savage and relentless.
But against Bai Chen's overwhelming speed—his preternatural sense of timing—
Seven of every ten strikes hit nothing but air.
Gradually, the beast's rhythm began to fray.
Its breathing turned ragged.
Its steps grew uneven.
And that was when Bai Chen's eyes snapped open.
"Your heart… has wavered."
The red thread connecting them shivered—
then tightened like a drawn bowstring.
He smiled faintly.
The time had come.
"Iai—Qi-Blade Slash."
Shing—!
The Cursed-Flame Blade flashed from its sheath in one swift draw.
Bai Chen's entire body became light—
a streak of white and green flame tearing through the air.
A ring of emerald fire blossomed behind him, swirling in his wake like a halo.
Crack—! Crack—! Crack—!
Three bursts of qi exploded within the Gumshoos' body.
The cursed fire took hold, igniting across its fur with a fierce, spectral blaze.
With a heavy thud, the Dominant Pokémon collapsed.
Its eyes spiraled—unconscious.
One strike.
Only a single blade had landed.
And yet—it had been enough.
"W-What terrifying strength…"
Even Hala's voice trembled with awe as he raised his arm.
"The challenge is over! The victor—Bai Chen!"
Bai Chen exhaled softly, sliding his sword back into its sheath.
He knelt beside the fallen Pokémon and retrieved a Full Restore from his pack.
The cursed flame had already burned itself out.
He lifted the Gumshoos gently, spraying the medicine across its wounds—
and at the same time, quietly absorbed the creature's ability: Dominant Aura.
Moments later, the Gumshoos stirred and sat up, blinking in confusion.
Then it noticed Bai Chen smiling down at it—
and the Full Restore bottle half empty in his hand.
Grateful, the Pokémon stood, extending its paw.
In it gleamed a small, four-sided crystal—shimmering faintly white.
A Normal-type Z-Crystal.
"Thanks," Bai Chen said, accepting it without hesitation.
He patted the Gumshoos' shoulder, a friendly grin touching his lips.
"You fought well. But say, would you mind helping me train again sometime? Don't worry—Full Restores are on the house."
The Gumshoos froze.
"...?"
Then, as it met Bai Chen's eyes and saw that blazing, eager light of battle—
a primal chill raced down its spine.
Without a sound, it turned tail and bolted back into the cave.
"Heh." Bai Chen sighed. "Guess not."
Still, he noticed something curious—
Defeating a Dominant Pokémon yielded far more experience than ordinary foes.
"Hmm… maybe I should try passing this Dominant Aura to another Pokémon someday."
He was already thinking through the method.
At that moment, Hala approached, smiling broadly.
"Congratulations! I didn't expect you to clear the trial so quickly—and even claim the Z-Crystal. Remarkable strength, Mr. Bai."
"Thank you."
"Now, the only thing left for you to wield a Z-Move is a Z-Ring. If you can best me in one final test—you shall have it. Come with me."
They returned to Hala's home.
Bai Chen, still catching his breath from battle, decided to rest for an hour.
During that time, he released the Master Smith, handing her his dented armor to repair.
That Master-rank Bite from the Dominant Gumshoos had left more than a scratch—
Even the reinforced plating had caved, leaving a deep tooth mark in the steel.
"I'll leave it to you," Bai Chen said, handing it over.
The smith nodded with her usual cheerful "Yama~" and got to work.
From the porch, Hala's voice carried.
"Bai Chen, come with me."
"Something wrong?"
"Before the final test, we hold a blessing ceremony. Follow me."
Bai Chen left his weapons and armor behind.
Lillie and Lusamine stayed at the house.
Only he and Hala walked into the deep jungle.
They passed through thick vines and towering ferns until they reached a triangular cave mouth.
Strange yellow carvings lined its entrance—
glyphs forming the shape of a winged Pokémon.
"This," Hala said reverently, "is the Ruins of Conflict—the sanctuary of Tapu Koko, the island's guardian deity."
Inside, the chamber was lit by shafts of sunlight spilling over a stone altar.
Hala knelt before it; Bai Chen followed suit, sitting a respectful step behind.
The Kahuna closed his eyes.
"Today, I, Hala, will duel challenger Bai Chen in the final trial. O Tapu Koko, guardian of Melemele Island, grant us the power of the Alolan Isles."
Bai Chen bowed his head, mimicking the prayer—if not entirely certain of the words.
Then, his senses flickered.
A presence—swift as lightning—darted past the cave entrance.
He smiled faintly.
"So, the guardian deity was watching."
They remained kneeling a few minutes longer before the ritual ended.
Hala stood, extending a hand to help Bai Chen up.
"It's been a long time since I've felt this fired up," he said, eyes gleaming. "If you're ready, we'll begin the final trial at once."
"As soon as my armor's ready—I'll be good to go."
When they returned, the Master Smith had already finished her repairs.
Bai Chen donned the restored armor, the weight settling comfortably across his frame,
and followed Hala to the Pokémon Battle Arena.
The Kahuna took his position on the southern side of the field.
"We'll follow standard Pokémon rules," he called out. "Are you sure you intend to fight personally?"
Bai Chen stepped onto the field, answering plainly in his stride.
This would be a 2v2 battle.
Hala would send out two Pokémon.
Bai Chen—himself and one partner.
The forest stirred around them.
Leaves rustled.
A crackle of static filled the air.
Then—a flash of yellow streaked overhead.
"Kah-kah-woo!"
Bai Chen looked up.
His eyes widened.
"Tapu Koko…? He's here—watching personally?"
A translucent window flickered across his vision—
The Guardian's status screen.
He froze.
Then gave a half-laugh, half-sigh.
"Level 78… two Grandmaster-level skills, a dozen Master-level ones… So this is the power of a guardian deity?"
He tightened his grip on the sword hilt, heart thundering.
"Terrifying indeed."
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