"Also… this Gengar is quite impressive. It should sell for a good price."
Hunter J's confidence remained unshaken. Her overwhelming strength meant she didn't panic, even when unexpected variables appeared.
"Ash, Misty, Brock—you handle the underlings. Leave her to me."
Sam clenched his fist tightly, a series of crackling sounds echoing from his knuckles.
Ash and the others nodded without hesitation. They quickly spread out to deal with the surrounding poachers, leaving Sam alone to face Hunter J.
At that moment, Salamence glared at Gengar with fury. If Hunter J hadn't held it back, it would've already charged forward.
[Pokémon]: Salamence
[Type]: Dragon / Flying
[Strength]: Champion (Mid-Level)
[Potential]: Champion
No wonder Hunter J had been able to dominate for so many years. With a mid-Champion-level Salamence, if she truly wanted to escape, very few could stop her.
"So it's you… Sam, the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym," Hunter J said, narrowing her eyes.
"What an honor. Even famous hunters know my name. Looks like I've become quite well-known," Sam replied with a faint smile.
"Hmph." Hunter J's expression darkened.
"If you're so important, why leave Kanto and come meddle in Johto?"
"That's none of your concern," Sam said coldly. "I don't need to report my actions to you."
Hunter J's face grew even uglier.
Before coming to Johto, she had gathered intelligence from Giovanni on powerful figures in both Kanto and Johto.
Sam was one of them.
His file had even been marked in red—highlighted as a high-risk individual.
If she had a choice, she wouldn't want to fight him.
Money could be made anywhere.
Risking her life wasn't necessary.
But this time… Team Rocket had paid too much.
Hunter J gritted her teeth and made her decision.
"Salamence—Dragon Rage!"
Salamence had been ready for this. The moment the order was given, violent energy surged from its mouth, condensing into a powerful sphere of dragon energy that shot toward Sam and Gengar.
"Shadow Ball."
As Sam issued the command, he also summoned Charizard to guard himself.
Hunter J wasn't the type to fight fairly—attacking the Trainer directly was something she would absolutely do.
He couldn't afford to be careless.
Gengar's usual playful grin vanished.
It became completely serious.
During its time at the Viridian Gym, with the help of Yellow's Viridian Power, Gengar had finally broken through into the Champion tier.
But even within the same level, there were gaps.
Right now, it was still weaker than Salamence.
Gengar raised both hands.
Two Shadow Balls formed and shot forward, aiming to intercept Dragon Rage.
The moment the attacks collided—
The outcome was decided.
Salamence was stronger.
The Shadow Balls shattered instantly, and the remaining energy from Dragon Rage surged forward as a shockwave.
But Gengar had already anticipated this.
Before the shockwave could hit, it vanished into the void.
When it reappeared—
It was already inside Salamence's shadow.
Another sneak attack.
But this time, Salamence was prepared.
It spun around instantly, unleashing a powerful Dragon Breath that struck Gengar head-on.
The hit was devastating.
But—
The "Gengar" it struck suddenly faded into nothingness.
Salamence froze.
It stared blankly at the empty space.
Did it just… erase Gengar in one hit?
Was it that strong?
Or was its opponent that weak?
"Stay alert, Salamence," Hunter J's cold voice cut through the confusion.
"It's not over. That was just Substitute."
Realization hit.
Rage flooded Salamence's eyes.
No one had dared to toy with it like this in a long time.
"Mega Evolution."
While Salamence was distracted by the Substitute, Sam made his move.
He didn't dare perform Mega Evolution openly in front of Hunter J.
With her ruthless nature, she would absolutely interrupt him mid-transformation.
So instead, he used Gengar's Substitute to draw Salamence's attention—
While the real Gengar completed its Mega Evolution.
The real battle…
Was about to begin.
---------------Author---------------
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