The power of Tree World Birth was overwhelming.
If the forest Venusaur created earlier merely covered the battlefield, then the one now engulfed the entire conference arena. Towering trees rose skyward, each one taller than the highest seat in the stands—some even stretching ten meters above the stadium roof.
What shocked everyone most was that these trees weren't ordinary—they moved. Their trunks twisted and roots slithered, circling around Venusaur as if alive, like loyal guardians protecting their king.
"How… how is this possible?" Ito Makoto staggered back, his face pale.
In all his years, he had never seen a Grass-type technique this powerful—not from any Pokémon, not even in the League archives.
"Venusaur! Venusaur! Venusaur!"
The crowd roared, swept up in excitement. The sight of Ash's Venusaur towering above the forest canopy, commanding nature itself, ignited a frenzy across the arena.
It was certain—after this tournament, Bulbasaur would skyrocket in popularity. Every young Trainer would dream of raising one.
Even knowing that Ash's Venusaur possessed a unique, self-developed skill, they didn't care. This was the star effect. They knew they could never reach the same height—but they wanted to follow in his footsteps nonetheless.
"Venuuuusaur!"
Perched atop the highest tree, Venusaur let out a mighty roar, answering the crowd's chant. The entire forest responded in unison. The trees began to move, their roots and branches surging forward like living arms, crashing toward Snorlax below.
In an instant, the forest swallowed the massive Pokémon whole.
"Snorlaaax!"
A deafening cry of agony tore through the air.
From within the mass of trees, Snorlax thrashed violently as the roots wrapped tighter, draining its strength. The life force it had stored from countless meals was being sucked away by the forest's living tendrils.
The sound alone sent chills down every spectator's spine. The crowd trembled—many instinctively leaned back in their seats. The eerie, drawn-out groans of Snorlax struggling against the forest's hunger felt almost unnatural.
In the observation room—
"So strong…" Masao Yoto murmured, staring wide-eyed at the monitor.
"I thought Ash's Venusaur had already shown its full strength before, but this move—this changes everything. It's like the entire battlefield has become its domain!"
"It looks like they'll have to rebuild the Indigo Plateau after this," Nate Mugino said in disbelief, gazing at the forest covering the arena.
"It's basically a jungle now."
"This fool," Sawakoshi Ito muttered bitterly, glaring at the screen. "He should've stalled for time instead of pushing for a head-on fight. Now even his Snorlax is finished."
He clenched his fists. "Even if Makoto survives this humiliation, my position as head of the family will be greatly weakened."
Back in the stands—
"Incredible! Ash's Venusaur is on a completely different level!" Jessica Blackstone exclaimed, eyes wide as she looked at the arena.
"Is this really something even a Champion's Pokémon can achieve? It's almost like a Legendary Pokémon's power!"
"It's just like him," Sabrina said softly, her gaze lingering on Ash. Her eyes shimmered with faint admiration. "Always beyond expectations."
"This…" Nathan Glacienne muttered, flipping through his data notebook in disbelief.
"This isn't something you can measure with stats or type matchups. Is that guy really human?"
All eyes turned back to the arena.
As the forest began to still, the vines that had ensnared Snorlax slowly receded. When the trees parted, what emerged silenced the entire crowd.
Snorlax stood motionless, its once-round body now visibly thinner, its strength completely drained. It gave one last weary groan before collapsing to the forest floor with a heavy thud.
The referee didn't even need to speak—the outcome was clear.
The forest Ash commanded had taken Snorlax's strength, his stamina, and his will to fight.
And as Venusaur stood tall atop the trees, bathed in sunlight, the stadium erupted in deafening applause.
Referee: "Snorlax has lost the ability to battle! Venusaur is the winner! Contestant Ito, please send out your next Pokémon!"
Seeing Ito Makoto's fallen Snorlax, the referee's expression darkened. He glanced at Ito with thinly veiled disdain—this so-called Champion's descendant had already lost four of his six Pokémon.
Ito clenched his fists. Four of his Pokémon were down, and of the two remaining, one wasn't even his own. His heart sank. He wanted to forfeit, but at this point, it was far too late. His supposed Champion lineup had crumbled.
"Venusaur, return."
Ash recalled Venusaur into its Poké Ball. The mighty Pokémon had done its part, but even its breathing was heavy. The Tree World technique had drained enormous energy—though it had absorbed vitality from Snorlax, the cost of creating and controlling that living forest was immense. Venusaur could only sustain such a move once in battle.
"You did great. Leave the rest to your teammates," Ash said softly before attaching the Poké Ball to his belt.
Commentator: "Ash has withdrawn his Venusaur! What a spectacular display that was! Let's all give Venusaur a round of applause for such an incredible battle!"
The entire stadium erupted. The crowd clapped and cheered thunderously—Venusaur's overwhelming power had stunned them.
It wasn't just the victory; it was the way it happened—dominating nature itself to crush Snorlax. The audience's admiration for Ash grew stronger than ever.
Ash reached for his next Poké Ball and spoke calmly.
"You're up next."
He tossed the ball high.
In a burst of light, Charizard appeared—its wings unfurled wide, and its fierce roar echoed across the arena.
"ROAR!!!"
A wave of heat surged through the stadium, and the ground trembled beneath Charizard's landing. The dragon-like Pokémon's blazing eyes swept across the battlefield, radiating unyielding strength and confidence.
Commentator: "Ash's next Pokémon is Charizard—the Fire-type powerhouse and one of the three original Kanto starters! After that unbelievable display from Venusaur, can Charizard continue the momentum?"
The audience erupted once again.
For the people of Kanto, seeing Ash bring out both Venusaur and Charizard—the two legendary starter evolutions of their region—was a moment of pride.
The performance Venusaur had shown moments ago was already among the most dazzling feats ever witnessed in the League. And now, with Charizard entering the field, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch.
...
TN:
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