"Renjiro, don't be shameless!"
"I admit you're strong, but no matter how powerful you are, can you really take on a group of us by yourself?!"
Zhang Tianyu's expression twisted in anger as he processed Renjiro's words. He had been taken aback when Renjiro actually demanded that he apologize to Shu Wan. At first, Zhang Tianyu had planned to back off and avoid a confrontation, thinking that Renjiro's reputation alone was enough to warrant retreat. But now? Renjiro's insistence on an apology crossed a line.
From childhood, Zhang Tianyu had always been the one receiving apologies, never giving them. How dare someone demand he apologize? His pride couldn't accept it.
Since Renjiro refused his offer to let the matter slide, Zhang Tianyu decided he wouldn't hold back anymore.
As soon as Zhang Tianyu barked out his refusal, his loyal cronies stepped forward, forming a semi-circle behind him, each with a sneer plastered on their face.
"Kid, don't think too highly of yourself," one of them jeered. "Even if you're strong, you can't possibly take all of us on!"
"Yeah! If you dare mess with our Young Master Zhang, you'll have to deal with us too!" another added, cracking his knuckles menacingly.
"Boy, if you're smart, you'll drop to your knees right now and kowtow to your grandfathers!" a third thug mocked, his voice dripping with arrogance.
The reason Zhang Tianyu could behave so outrageously at No. 8 Middle School wasn't just because of his own strength. His influence came from his pack of cronies, who always had his back. Together, they created an aura of intimidation that few dared to challenge. Even junior trainers avoided tangling with them. So what if Renjiro had defeated a junior trainer? Against all of them, he didn't stand a chance—or so they believed.
[Who are these guys?]
[Just the usual scum from No. 8 Middle School—Zhang Tianyu's little gang.]
[Ugh, one was bad enough, now eight of them?]
[It's No. 8 Middle School. What did you expect? That school's always been chaotic, lowest entry scores in the city.]
[Do you think Renjiro can take them on?]
[Hard to say. Renjiro's strong, but numbers do matter.]
The crowd's chatter grew louder as the tension rose. What had seemed like a simple duel was turning into a full-on standoff. Doubt crept into the onlookers' minds. Could Renjiro really fight off eight opponents at once?
"Renjiro... let's just forget it," Shu Wan whispered anxiously, tugging at his sleeve. Her eyes showed her worry. She didn't want him to be overwhelmed. Renjiro was indeed powerful, but he'd fought fiercely just the day before against a Pokémon hunter. His injuries weren't fully healed. And now he was outnumbered.
Renjiro smiled gently, placing a reassuring hand over hers. "It's fine. Just a few small fry. They won't take up much of my time."
His voice was calm, steady, and utterly confident.
Zhang Tianyu and his cronies bristled at the insult.
"How dare you look down on us!" Zhang Tianyu snarled, his face red with fury.
"Come out, Magnemite!" one of the boys shouted, tossing out a Poké Ball. The electric steel-type Pokémon hovered in the air, its magnets humming softly.
"Cubone, let's go!" another yelled, his small ground-type Pokémon slamming its bone club against the floor.
"Show them what you're made of, Gligar!"
The rest of the gang followed, releasing their Pokémon in quick succession: Breloom, Roserade, Mienfoo, Fletchinder, and of course, Zhang Tianyu's own partner, Prinplup, who stood proudly, exuding confidence.
Eight Pokémon now filled the training ground, creating a formidable sight. Most were around level 20 or 21. Prinplup, the strongest among them, was level 23.
Renjiro eyed them all, his lips curling into a faint smirk. It didn't matter how many they sent at him. The outcome wouldn't change.
"Come out, Beedrill!" Renjiro declared, tossing his Poké Ball high.
A flash of red light revealed his Beedrill, wings buzzing powerfully as it hovered protectively at Renjiro's side. The sight sent ripples through the crowd.
[There it is—the strongest Beedrill!]
[Level 27?! How on earth did he train it up so fast?]
[Is that the Beedrill that defeated the junior trainer?]
[It looks ordinary, but it's a monster in battle.]
[I'm training a Beedrill over summer break! This is inspiring.]
[Same here! Bug-types are cheap to raise anyway.]
[Renjiro also has a Milotic, right? Why not use that? Some of those Pokémon could counter Beedrill.]
[I bet Renjiro's confident enough that he doesn't need Milotic.]
Shu Wan watched, wide-eyed, as Beedrill took its place. This was her first time seeing Renjiro's Pokémon up close, and she couldn't help but marvel at its intimidating presence.
She clenched a Poké Ball of her own and threw it.
"Go, Little Smarty!"
"Pika!" The familiar red flash revealed her companion—Pikachu, who immediately took a battle stance, cheeks sparking slightly as it readied itself.
"Renjiro, let us help!" Shu Wan called out, her heart pounding.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu echoed, eager to assist.
Renjiro shook his head gently, his voice kind but firm. "Shu Wan, Pikachu—you two just sit back and watch."
His tone left no room for argument. These thugs weren't worth their effort.
The opposing trainers didn't wait.
"Magnemite! Thunder Wave! Paralyze that Beedrill!" its trainer commanded, trying to neutralize Beedrill's legendary speed.
The others tensed, ready to pounce as soon as Beedrill slipped up.
But Renjiro's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Beedrill, Fell Stinger. Finish this."
In a blink, Beedrill shot forward, twin stingers gleaming.
Magnemite's trainer smirked, convinced Beedrill would fly straight into the Thunder Wave.
"Too easy," he muttered.
"Watch out!" Shu Wan gasped, hands over her mouth.
But Beedrill veered sharply mid-flight, tracing a perfect arc to dodge the incoming Thunder Wave by mere centimeters.
[What?! No way he dodged that!]
[That's just unfair!]
[Speed really is king in battle.]
In the time it took the spectators to process what they'd seen, Beedrill had already closed the distance.
A single brutal strike sent Magnemite crashing to the ground, completely incapacitated.
The training ground fell silent for a heartbeat, the only sound the buzzing of Beedrill's wings.
The crowd erupted.
[Steel-type Magnemite, taken down by a Bug-type move?!]
[That's insane!]
[Renjiro's Beedrill is on another level!]
"Impossible!" Magnemite's trainer choked out, staring in disbelief.
But Renjiro wasn't done.
"Beedrill—keep going."
Beedrill became a blur, weaving between opponents with unmatched precision. One by one, the enemy Pokémon fell—Cubone flattened before it could swing its bone, Gligar knocked out of the air, Breloom and Roserade dropped before they could coordinate a counterattack. Mienfoo and Fletchinder fared no better, taken down before they could land a single hit.
Finally, Beedrill turned to face Prinplup, Zhang Tianyu's pride and joy. The water-type's confidence wavered as it realized it stood alone.
"Prinplup, Bubble Beam!" Zhang Tianyu yelled, desperate.
But Beedrill was faster. Another precise Fell Stinger sent Prinplup sprawling, unconscious.
It was over.
In the span of a minute, Renjiro's Beedrill had wiped out eight Pokémon without so much as a scratch.
The crowd stared, stunned into silence, before the cheers began—wild, deafening.
[What did I just witness?]
[That's Renjiro for you!]
[Zhang Tianyu and his gang got what they deserved!]
Zhang Tianyu fell to his knees, his face pale, his pride shattered.
Renjiro stepped forward, his voice low but commanding. "I believe you owe someone an apology."
Zhang Tianyu trembled, glancing at Shu Wan, then at Renjiro. He opened his mouth to protest—but seeing the cold determination in Renjiro's eyes, he couldn't speak.
"I'm sorry!" he finally blurted out, bowing his head low.
Renjiro didn't smile, didn't gloat. He simply nodded. "Remember this. There's always someone stronger."
And with that, he turned to Shu Wan, offering his hand. "Let's go."
Shu Wan took it, her heart full of admiration—and relief.
As they left the training ground, the crowd parted for them, a wave of respect following in their wake.
And Zhang Tianyu? He would never forget this day—the day he learned what true strength looked like.
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