Pokemon: This Ash Is Too Versatile

Today, because of Lance’s arrival, she gave the referees, trainees, and even the security staff in the Gym a day off.

So today, she could only act as a referee herself.

Clair was the first to throw out her Pokeball.

A flash of light followed by a deafening roar revealed a massive Gyarados appearing on the field.

Its long and thick body lifted high as its menacing mouth opened, revealing sharp fangs. A pair of scarlet eyes locked onto Ash, exuding a fierce aura.

Ash’s gaze focused as he inspected this Gyarados up and down.

Gym Peak Level.

A Pokemon of this level would be more than enough as a trump card in an ordinary gym.

But Ash knew well enough that for a trainer of Clair’s Elite Level, this was clearly not her main force.

Either the opponent wanted to test his background first, or she thought she didn’t need her full strength to deal with him.

Clearly, Clair couldn’t have been the latter, from her high fighting spirit and her behavior since meeting him, it was evident that if she looked down on him, she wouldn’t even bring out a Gym Peak Pokemon.

However... using a Gym Peak to test the waters is somewhat condescending!

Ash had initially reached for another Pokeball at his waist, but upon seeing the Gyarados, he withdrew his hand and chose another Pokeball instead.

"It’s decided, Greninja!"

With a flash, Greninja’s slender figure landed steadily in the field.

His limbs were slightly bent, and his amber eyes calmly watched the opposing Gyarados, while the scarf-like tongue around his neck gently swayed with his breathing.

"Greninja?" Misty was the first to voice her confusion, "What’s Ash thinking, sending him out?"

Serena also frowned slightly; they all knew Greninja was caught as a Froakie after Ash ventured into the Johto Region, and although his progress was astounding, having just evolved yesterday, his current strength was barely at the Professional Junior Level.

Facing a trainer of Clair’s level, the gap was just too wide.

Brock crossed his arms, pondering, "Ash must have his reasons."

On the other side of the field, Clair’s face darkened.

She stared at Greninja for a few seconds, her brow furrowing tighter and tighter. With her judgment, she could naturally discern Greninja’s approximate level at a glance — Professional Level, and just stepping into that realm at best.

"Professional Level?" Clair lifted her head, her gaze crossing the field to fall on Ash, her tone clearly displeased, "Ash, what do you mean by this?"

Her voice turned colder: "I admit your recent fame is quite prominent, even Cynthia praises you, but

if you think you can brush me off with a Professional Level Pokemon, you’re underestimating the Blackthorn Gym too much."

Continuing, Clair pointed to the Gyarados in the field and said, "This Gyarados may not be my absolute main force, but it does have Gym Peak strength. Bringing out a Professional Junior Greninja against it — are you looking to surrender?"

The Gyarados seemed to sense its trainer’s emotions, letting out a low growl, its massive body swaying slightly, stirring a gust of strong wind across the field.

Watching on the side, Lance raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. He understood his cousin’s personality well; Clair detested opponents who didn’t take battles seriously.

Once, a challenger brought a Newbie Level Pokemon right at the start, leading Clair to crush his spirit, leaving the Blackthorn Gym without challenges for three months.

Professional Level might suffice for an ordinary gym, but this was the Blackthorn Gym!

The Gyarados she brought out wasn’t her main force, but it was a pivotal Pokemon in the gym. For ordinary challengers, this was the final test they faced, but for Ash, she brought it out first.

Though this didn’t quite match Ash’s fame, she couldn’t just bring out her main force because of his reputation.

Cynthia’s expression remained unchanged, her golden eyes watching Ash with interest, seemingly anticipating his response.

Dawn clenched her fists tightly, murmuring softly, "He better not underestimate Mr. Lance’s cousin; he’ll pay dearly for that..."

Ash chuckled at Clair’s words and said, "You’re joking, Clair Gym Leader. If bringing out this Gym Peak Gyarados isn’t disrespectful to me, then what is?"

"I indeed hadn’t planned on using Greninja, but since you provided the opportunity, I’d naturally like Greninja to have some training. He might not be suited for Elite Level Pokemon, but..."

"Heh!" Clair scoffed, "You mean your Professional Level Greninja can contend with my Gym Peak Gyarados?"

The gap from Professional Junior to Gym Peak is nearly two major levels. What gives you the courage to think your Professional Junior can contend with Gym Peak? Cynthia’s trust?

"That’s right." As soon as the words were out, a light blue energy fluctuation suddenly emanated from Ash, spreading like ripples, resonating with Greninja on the field.

Greninja’s body shuddered slightly, a blue gleam appearing in his amber eyes.

His body lowered slightly, as if enveloped by an invisible force, his aura starting to surge rapidly.

"This is..." Lance sat up straight suddenly, his eyes sharp.

Cynthia’s lips curved slightly, softly uttering two words, "It’s happening."

Clair’s eyes widened in disbelief at the changes on the field. She could clearly feel the astonishing speed at which Greninja’s aura was rising — Professional Intermediate... High... Peak... Gym Beginner!

In just a few breaths, Greninja’s strength forcefully rose a whole major level!

What kind of move is this? Hacking?

In the span of a few breaths, a Professional Junior Pokemon turned into a Gym Beginner. If Clair didn’t trust her own perception, she’d think she was having vision problems!

"So this is Ash’s confidence in bringing out Greninja. That mysterious power really doesn’t discriminate!" Lance sighed in amazement.

It’s long been known that Ash possesses a power that can elevate a Pokemon by a full major level.

However, Lance thought that power must have some sort of limitation, like only certain Pokemon could use it.

Yet Ash brought out a never-before-used Pokemon and still elevated it a whole level.

That ability is truly abnormal!

"I see, relying on special power to elevate a Pokemon by a major level is my ignorance... but even if you raise a Pokemon by such means, I don’t believe Greninja can truly achieve solid Gym Beginner level." Clair exhaled a breath, maintaining skepticism in her words.

Then she shifted her tone, "Moreover, even if Greninja did have Gym Beginner level strength, he would be miles away from Gym Peak. Even a normal Gym Beginner can’t defeat a Gym Peak. How long do you think your Greninja can last against Gyarados?"

"We’ll find out by trying, won’t we?" Ash grinned, not giving a direct response.

"Alright!" Clair abruptly flicked her cape behind her, "Let me see how long your Greninja can withstand my Gyarados’ assault!"

"Not how long he can withstand," Ash felt the unique Aura Link with Greninja, distinct from ordinary Pokemon, and grinned, "But to win!"

"Greninja!" Feeling Ash’s intense emotion, Greninja had already taken his battle stance.

"Come on, Greninja, begin your first official battle! Use Water Shuriken!!"