Raihan didn't use the Dynamax Band the company gave him.
He didn't surrender either.
Even after Goodra was defeated and the outcome was already set, Raihan still sent out his Zweilous to face Drakloak.
Zweilous had fought Corviknight for a long time. It was badly injured, yet it never lost its will to fight.
Shiro didn't hold back. Drakloak quickly defeated Zweilous and then Raihan's last Gym-level Haxorus.
When Raihan recalled his final Pokémon, the referee, Ryan, finally let out a breath and raised his hand.
"All six of Raihan's Pokémon can no longer battle! The winner is Shiro from Spikemuth!"
The psychic barrier around the field dissolved, and the sky returned to a clear blue.
The noise from the stands rolled like waves breaking one after another.
"Shiro! Future champion!"
"So good! This has to be the best match in the tournament so far."
"Come on, Shiro! Make Spikemuth proud!"
"He's going to face Leon in the finals. He'll sweep him for sure."
"He beat Raihan. Beating Leon will be easy!"
On both sides of the battlefield, Shiro and Raihan exchanged a look. They turned at the same time and walked into the trainer tunnel behind them.
The match was over. There was no reason to stay.
* * *
"That Raihan! Why didn't he use the Dynamax Band!"
Oleana slammed both palms onto the table. Her voice trembled with anger.
With Goodra's recovery in the rain, Dynamaxing would have blocked that Dragon Rush. After that, it could have restored all its strength and status. There was still a real chance to win against Drakloak.
She clenched her back teeth and hissed out each word, "Raihan, why didn't you use the Dynamax Band..."
Rose, on the other hand, looked much calmer, as if he had expected this result.
He brushed a hand over his fringe and spoke. "Raihan is part of a clan of Dragon Tamers. He has his own pride. Even if he loses, he wants to lose with dignity."
He let out a short laugh. It was hard to tell if it was admiration or mockery. But he knew time was running out.
Shiro had defeated Raihan. He would crush the semifinals too, which meant the final against Leon was inevitable.
To be honest, Rose didn't believe Leon had a sure chance of beating Shiro.
Even though Raihan had already gathered most of the information on Shiro's team, Leon's odds of victory were still under fifty percent.
Shiro's command skills left every other competitor behind. His knowledge of Pokémon also surpassed them by a whole tier.
Rose felt a flicker of regret, but reason smothered it almost at once.
"Oleana." His voice turned cold.
Oleana straightened immediately, regaining her composure.
Rose gave his order without emotion. "Prepare the device. The arrest operation must be ready before the finals."
"Yes."
She nodded and left the office. She then entered the elevator and headed for the fifth floor.
* * *
In the stadium lobby.
"Shiro really won!"
Marvin almost jumped out of his seat. He had said he believed Shiro would win, but the opponent was Raihan. Deep down he had been nervous.
Who could have guessed Shiro would not only beat Raihan but do it with such overwhelming advantage.
"Why are you acting so wild..." Granny Shae rapped her cane against Marvin's leg.
What she disliked most was Marvin, an Ice-type trainer, always reacting like a startled child.
Not steady at all.
Nothing like Shiro.
She lowered her cane and tried to calm herself, yet her slightly trembling hand showed she was not at ease.
Overall, Raihan's Pokémon were already very close to Elite-level. If he had one more year, several of his peak Gym-level dragon types would likely break through.
And Shiro's main strength came from just two or three Pokémon, but in a rotation battle, he had completely defeated Raihan through command alone.
That was what shocked her most.
"In the past, people always judged a trainer by their Pokémon's strength..." Edgar murmured with emotion. "Whatever level the Pokémon were at showed where the trainer stood. I didn't expect Shiro would break that idea by relying on himself."
Nessa listened with one hand on her hip, a smile on her face. She was genuinely happy for Shiro's victory.
After defeating Raihan, he should reach the finals without trouble. If he chose to leave Galar afterward, the company would probably hold back and not act easily.
Behind them, several other competitors were also discussing.
"I used to think Shiro's strength was a bit below Raihan and Leon..." Rylan said in a loud voice. "Now that I've seen this, my cousin can't handle him, and Leon probably can't either."
Leon glanced at him but didn't respond.
Bea, reserved as always, said, "He's very strong…"
"Just give it your best." Milo smiled as if nothing ever worried him. He slowly added, "But I think Shiro's biggest strength is his command. He never lets the opponent drag him around."
"And he has no set habits when he commands. He never lets the flow of battle shake his emotions." Edgar continued.
Shae settled onto the sofa and shook her head.
"He also has psychic power, so he can probably communicate with his Pokémon."
"Then... how do I beat him?" Leon muttered to himself.
A rare uncertainty showed on his young, stubbled face.
He knew most of Raihan's strength. They had fought many times. Every match had been close. They were practically equals.
After watching this battle, Leon understood he was only a little stronger than Raihan. In truth, they were on the same level.
He had no confidence that he could definitely beat Shiro.
The other contestants exchanged glances and fell into quiet understanding.
There was nothing more to say about the battles ahead. The finals would be Leon versus Shiro.
No one else believed they could stand against the two of them.
But everyone was aware that Macro Cosmos had marked Shiro as a threat and were targeting him. The conflict between them could not be resolved. Since they had already chosen Leon as the champion, then they would definitely act.
At that moment, Marvin ran up the hallway.
"Shiro! You were incredible!"
Shiro stepped out from the tunnel just in time for Marvin to grab his shoulder with both arms.
A moment later, Granny Shae pulled him away.
Shiro smiled a little. He greeted the other competitors who were watching him with a nod, then walked to a sofa at the side and sat down.
**
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