Cliffside Gym — Guangdong Provincial Gym
As a major economic province, Guangdong is home to many official provincial Gyms.
Inside the Gym arena, a completely one-sided battle was unfolding.
Nidoking, with its fierce, imposing build, lay fainted on the ground, spirals in its eyes.
Standing across from it was a sleek black Greninja, striking a cool pose with a Water Shuriken held high.
The shuriken dissolved into glowing fragments and scattered into the air.
It had just defeated Nidoking in a single strike: Water Shuriken.
Lin Yu stood on the trainer platform, looking somewhat amused.
Even after evolving, Greninja hadn't changed one bit — still obsessed with showing off.
Sure enough, the Gym trainees below were completely captivated, some with their mouths hanging open so wide you could've fit an egg inside.
"A student from Shuimu City? That's the third one already. They're really strong."
The Gym Leader facing him was Han Ming,
a burly man with a full beard, wearing nothing but a tank top.
He was quietly exasperated.
Right now was the selection period for the National High School Trainers' Tournament, and high schoolers across the country were fired up, rushing to challenge Gyms left and right.
As the most prestigious competition for high school trainers, not just anyone could enter — not even the qualifiers.
To participate, a trainer needed 8 City Gym Badges and 3 Provincial Gym Badges, corresponding to the Elite and Gym-tier stages.
This Nidoking, while only mid-Gym-tier, was normally an insurmountable wall for most high schoolers.
And yet, in the past few days, three different students from the same region had all defeated it in one move.
It was ridiculous.
At this rate, how was he supposed to keep his dignity as a Gym Leader?
Still, the challenge had to continue.
The referee stepped into the center.
"Gym challenge is 2v2. Trainer, will you switch your Pokémon?"
"Gekkouga!" (No way!)
Greninja glanced over at Lin Yu.
There was an audience, after all — getting switched out would ruin its chance to show off.
Lin Yu sighed.
"I'll keep it in."
He'd actually planned to let Lucario get some experience.
Without World King Fist boosting it, a fight against a Rock-type specialist would've been great training.
But if Greninja wanted to stay in, so be it.
A new challenger who'd just walked in stared at the quickly defeated Gym Leader's Pokémon and muttered doubtfully.
"Is this Gym really that easy to beat?"
With the National Tournament hype, many high schoolers traveled between cities to challenge Gyms.
It broadened the younger generation's horizons and boosted local economies.
"Yeah, I remember last time his Nidoking got one-shot by a Charizard too!"
"Right! And a powerful Arcanine did the same thing!"
Han Ming's face darkened as he overheard.
Difficulty up. Way up.
After this kid, no one else was getting through.
"C'mon, you think? I'm local — Cliffside Gym's Pokémon are all at least mid-Gym-tier… Go, Dugtrio!"
Han Ming's second Pokémon was a level-39 Dugtrio.
He had a strategy here.
As a Master-tier trainer, he could tell at a glance that this Greninja was already Lord-tier — and a strong one at that.
This kid could've easily won his provincial tournament and gotten a direct invite to nationals.
Why bother challenging a provincial Gym?
Even more absurd than the last two.
He sent out Dugtrio just to buy time with Dig,
so he wouldn't lose that embarrassingly.
"Dig!"
But did that work against Lin Yu?
Not at all.
His evolved Wave Guiding Aura flared to full power, instantly pinpointing Dugtrio's location underground.
"Gekkouga!"
Receiving Lin Yu's signal, Greninja smirked.
It shifted position, predicting exactly where Dugtrio would surface.
A swirling blue Rasengan blazed to life, melting a hole straight through the rock like a hot iron through ice.
Beneath the surface, Dugtrio stared up at the energy sphere in terror, frozen stiff.
The Rasengan shifted into a sharp Water Shuriken and sliced downward.
Dust cleared.
Only a cringing, fainted Dugtrio remained in the crater.
"Dugtrio is unable to battle! Greninja wins! Gym Leader Han Ming's two Pokémon have fainted. Lin Yu is the winner!"
The referee called the match immediately.
Han Ming returned Dugtrio with a complicated expression.
That Greninja's perception was absurdly sharp…
Still, formalities had to be followed.
"Student Lin Yu, here is your proof of victory at Cliffside Gym. Best of luck in the National High School Tournament."
After receiving his badge,
Lin Yu left without looking back, with Greninja and human-form Latias beside him.
The remaining challengers in the Gym snapped awake and swarmed forward.
"Leader Han! Leader Han! I want to challenge next!"
Han Ming's face darkened again.
He eyed his remaining Pokémon — a peak-Gym-tier Rampardos.
"Alright, one at a time. Don't rush…"
Outside the Gym.
Lin Yu had clear plans for the National Tournament qualifiers.
He needed to challenge a string of Gyms and collect badges,
mostly to give Lucario and Larvitar much-needed battle experience.
Especially Larvitar — it desperately needed real fights.
"You understand, right, Greninja?"
"Gekkouga…" (Got it.)
"Your real stage is the national tournament. I'll be counting on you there."
After reassuring Greninja, Lin Yu recalled it.
He pulled up a map and searched quickly,
locating the city's Treasure Bureau.
"C'mon, Dira. Let's see if this city has any Psychic-type treasures."
(^_^) "Okay!"
In this regard, Latias had a huge advantage:
she could take human form and stay right by Lin Yu's side.
Gardevoir, who'd already reached Lord-tier, could no longer do that.
She was incredibly jealous.
When would she be able to become human?