The machine from Kanto was far more advanced. It could actually extract life force, though only from Psychic-type Pokémon to fuel psychic power.
Even so, its ability to suppress across levels was shocking.
Through the remote call, Oleana kept instructing the cameramen to adjust their angles and distance while asking about its exact function.
"Its main effect should be hypnosis, and a rather precise kind," she murmured. "It lets psychic power scan the strength of people and Pokémon within range, then selectively hypnotize them. Impressive."
She paused, then suddenly remembered another question. "How exactly did you manage to capture this machine? And what was Kabu using it for?"
"Uh..." Ryan hesitated for a bit, then answered honestly. "It was Shiro who seized it. Kabu used it to ambush him and Allister… apparently there was also some kind of matching electromagnetic wave that could stop Poké Balls from opening."
"Prevent Poké Balls from opening!" Oleana couldn't stop herself from exclaiming.
Of course. The principle of a Poké Ball was a net made from Apricorn shells combined with a trigger device. If something interfered with the trigger, trainers would be unable to release their Pokémon. With such a device, anyone could gain a huge advantage against strangers in the wild.
Her excitement only lasted a moment before she calmed herself. She replayed Ryan's words in her head and asked, "Shiro? That Shiro? He and Allister... seized it together?"
"No." Ryan stressed his tone. "To be precise, Shiro held Allister in one arm and still managed to kill seven Fighting-types on his own before taking the machine."
"..."
Oleana froze.
Holding Allister... while killing seven Fighting-type Pokémon? Was this some kind of joke?
It was absurd.
As a researcher, Oleana always valued accuracy and detail. She couldn't stand foolish exaggerations. Saying Shiro killed seven Fighting-types while holding someone in one arm was about as believable as saying the machine had fallen out of the sky.
"Don't joke with me, Ryan." Her voice turned cold. "You know I don't tolerate vague or careless reports."
Ryan let out a deep breath and stepped directly into view of the camera, his sharp features serious.
"Gym Leader Kabu used this machine to ambush challenger Shiro and Allister, bringing with him seven Intermediate-level Fighting-type Pokémon. But Shiro, while protecting Allister, defeated every one of them. In the end, Kabu suffered a leg injury, though no one else at the scene was harmed."
"..."
Oleana opened her mouth but no words came.
From what she knew, only the Stow-on-Side Gym trained both trainers and Pokémon to grow stronger side by side.
But there were limits to that. Human bodies were far weaker than Pokémon, and even with structured training, they were prone to injury and advanced slowly. The Stow-on-Side Gym itself had grown weaker generation by generation, with only this generation's Bea showing notable talent.
Yet even she, who had trained herself from the ground up, probably couldn't fight a life-or-death battle against seven Intermediate-level Fighting-types. Even if someone trained to Gym-level in offense and defense, humans were still different in body, techniques, and stamina. In a true fight to the death, one solid punch from a Pokémon could end it instantly.
Could Shiro really cradle Allister in one arm while killing seven Pokémon with the other?
It sounded more like something from a fantasy story. But this was a world built on science and Pokémon, not individual superhuman strength.
She had to ask again, "Ryan, are you absolutely certain about this?"
"There's no mistake. I saw the bodies with my own eyes. Allister can testify as well," he replied.
"Fine..." Oleana rubbed her temples. Shiro always managed to deliver information she least expected, and it was exhausting.
Her mind flashed back to when he had forced himself to command the battle at Circhester Gym in temperatures tens of degrees below zero. That incident now seemed to confirm the reports she had just received.
Shiro clearly had tremendous strength. If he could kill seven fighting-type Pokémon, taking a human life would likely be effortless.
He could not be allowed anywhere near the company's upper management.
Oleana ended her spiraling thoughts, no longer paying attention to the psychic device on-screen. She ordered the company teams to recover it, then picked up her phone and made a call.
"Send a notice to every gym. Challenger Shiro was attacked in the wild by seven Intermediate-level Fighting-type Pokémon, and he defeated all seven on his own. Remind them to be cautious of wild Pokémon."
The operator on the other side was stunned. "W-what? Are you saying Shiro used his Corviknight—"
"No. Not his Pokémon. He fought them himself," Oleana cut him off sharply, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Y-yes, understood…" the operator stammered, unwilling to question her, and acknowledged.
"And another thing," she added. "Make sure the notice states that Gym Leader Kabu was injured. The wild Pokémon were far too strong. Macro Cosmos sincerely reminds all Gym Leaders to strengthen their defenses."
"Yes, ma'am!" the operator confirmed again.
Hanging up, Oleana removed her glasses and rubbed her sore, dark-circled eyes.
Shiro had to be eliminated from the Gym Challenge as soon as possible.
She reminded herself once more.
* * *
A short while, in Hulbury.
By the seaside training grounds behind the gym, a pretty, short-haired girl pulled out a Poké Ball.
Her pale skin showed she hadn't been exposed to the harsh sun. She was the daughter of Hulbury's gym leader, Nathan. Her name was Lina.
Growing up in this port city, she specialized in Water-type Pokémon, dressed in a sporty outfit of shorts and a short-sleeved top, ready to enter the water at a moment's notice.
She threw her Poké Ball toward the dark-blue waves.
"Come out, Cramorant!"
"Craamo…"
Red light flashed, and the bird flapped its wings before landing smoothly on a small white raft at the water's edge.
It looked like a cormorant. Its blue feathers gleamed, and though its wings were short, they did not hinder its flight.
"Cramorant, open your mouth!" Lina called loudly.
The bird tilted its head, its green eyes glinting with wit. It opened its beak and spat out a dark brown pointed fish into the water.
That fish was an Arrokuda.
It hovered just beneath the clear surface, staring up at the silly-looking bird.
"..."
Lina leaned slightly forward, gripping the white railing tightly, biting her lower lip.
She had trained this bird for some time now, but their coordination was still very poor.
It was no surprise. This Cramorant, like many of its kind, was scatterbrained, and it struggled to understand its trainer's commands.
**
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