"Uh... whatever you want."
Hayashi Kaede didn't bother explaining. People have different perspectives. And to change someone's perception—facts are the only answer.
"Hahaha... I got a bye!"
Next to Hayashi Kaede, Takagi Megumi burst out laughing while holding up a slip of white paper.
He couldn't help but praise her luck silently. "What incredible luck."
Or rather—fool's luck.
"The next round is starting. Please head to your assigned battlefields according to the number you drew."
As Kondō Satoshi's voice echoed from above through the loudspeaker, Hayashi Kaede led Snivy to the newly combined Arena 1 and 2.
Accompanying him was, of course, Arai Haruki, who brought his Torchic.
The moment he stepped onto the battlefield, Arai Haruki's expression turned serious.
Although he'd casually said earlier in the contestants' area that he'd go easy on Hayashi Kaede, the truth was, he was taking this battle more seriously than ever.
Others might not know Hayashi Kaede—but he did.
He was the top scorer in liberal arts, and frequently placed first in simulated Pokémon battles. His tactics were often ingenious and surprising...
So many accolades had once belonged to Hayashi Kaede as a student.
And now, he'd made it out of the group stage in the Baby Cup.
That alone proved Snivy's strength couldn't be underestimated.
To face a trainer like this, you had to underestimate them strategically—but take them seriously tactically!
"The match begins!"
As the referee called it, Arai Haruki immediately ordered, "Torchic, use Quick Attack and follow up with Ember!"
"Chi-chi!"
The Torchic dashed forward on its short legs with blinding speed. At that moment, empowered by Quick Attack, it was no slower than a sprinter in Hayashi Kaede's previous life.
And even while moving at that speed, it could still aim and spit flames accurately.
This made Hayashi Kaede raise an eyebrow.
Because in the previous group battles, he hadn't seen Torchic use this combination at all.
Clearly, Arai Haruki had been holding back.
But why reveal it now, right at the start?
Ember burst out like scattered pellets from a toy water gun, raining densely toward Snivy.
But Hayashi Kaede calmly commanded, "Evade the first wave of Ember. Then close in and use Leaf Blade!"
Even with Quick Attack, they were still across two fields.
For a gym-level Pokémon, this would've been just a few steps.
But for two small Pokémon, each barely a meter tall, that distance still took time to close.
Snivy easily avoided the first wave of flames. It immediately grasped what its trainer meant.
[Quick Attack: Charges at the opponent with lightning speed, causing damage.]
Even though Torchic used Quick Attack and Ember in perfect sync, turning the usual single shot into a spray of scattered flames, it had a fatal flaw—
The attack could only be launched from a predictable angle.
So as long as Snivy didn't run head-on into it, the flames would spread further and lose accuracy.
Sure enough, as Snivy changed direction and began to advance, Torchic's Embers grew more scattered. In the end, it stopped using them altogether.
And that's when Snivy leapt.
It spun gracefully 180 degrees in the air, its clover-shaped tail glowing white, and struck down like a flash of light onto Torchic.
Bang!
Both Pokémon were knocked back.
Snivy, only grazed by the impact, quickly recovered.
Torchic, however, was sent sprawling.
Hayashi Kaede hadn't expected Snivy to read his intent so clearly even without invoking Evergreen's power.
But the battle wasn't over.
"Don't let up—Vine Whip!"
Two green vines sprang from Snivy's back, lashing directly at Torchic.
"Get up, Torchic!" Arai Haruki shouted. He was shocked Hayashi Kaede had already cracked his combo.
Seeing the vines about to ensnare his Pokémon, he yelled even louder, "Torchic!"
As if Arai Haruki's voice carried some mysterious power, Torchic finally struggled to its feet.
But by then, the vines had reached it—wrapping around its legs, lifting it upside down into the air, and whipping it repeatedly.
"Torchic!"
Arai Haruki's voice grew increasingly desperate.
But Kondō Satoshi in the sky had already declared the outcome. "Torchic is unable to battle. The victory goes to Snivy!"
This was just the Baby Cup.
No need to continue until a Pokémon was completely knocked out—this was more than enough to decide a winner.
Unless, of course, there was a miracle evolution…
But the Torchic, gently laid down by Snivy, showed no signs of moving.
"Well done."
Hayashi Kaede smiled as Snivy trotted over. "Snivy~"
Snivy's mouth curved in a satisfied smirk.
It had wanted to praise Hayashi Kaede's command—but the words stuck in its throat.
Arai Haruki, having recalled his Torchic, came over with a wry smile.
"As expected, you're still ridiculously strong. I always felt you could take first place if you wanted—but you're just not aiming for it."
Hayashi Kaede shrugged. "Come by sometime. It's the Neighbor's Cultivation House in Aogiri Town. Students get a 20% discount."
"Uh… sure, if I get the chance." Arai Haruki waved and left the field with Torchic.
He had to get his Pokémon treated—and remember this name.
...
In the audience stands, watching Snivy defeat even a Fire-type with ease, Ikeda Sho's expression turned grim.
To host this Baby Cup, he'd called in favors and spent immense time, energy, and money.
He couldn't afford any unexpected variables.
And now… a variable had appeared.
He absolutely could not allow it to continue.
"No," he muttered coldly. "I have to speak with him."