Pokémon: Unlocking The Path to Supremacy

Camerupt and Torkoal unleashed searing Flamethrowers simultaneously, merging their attacks into a swirling inferno that engulfed Boss Lairon. Though their combined power was below Boss Lairon's, the sheer intensity of the flames made even its hardened steel hide tremble.

Boss Lairon gritted its teeth, enduring the attack, then activated Rock Polish, reducing air resistance and boosting its agility.

"Damn it… who the hell is this kid?" Captain Nakamura's face darkened.

Without the ability to analyze Pokémon stats like Aoki, he had misjudged Boss Lairon's strength. But after seeing it tank that attack, he realized—this wasn't just any Pokémon. It was at the quasi-Elite pinnacle.

Envy surged within Captain Nakamura. Aoki was just a rookie, yet he commanded such powerful Pokémon.

"Boss Lairon, charge in with Take Down!" Aoki commanded.

Boss Lairon thundered forward, its sheer mass making the ground quake. Dust and debris scattered under its powerful charge.

"No—dodge it, now!" Nakamura snapped back to his senses, his expression tightening in alarm.

Both Camerupt and Torkoal struggled to react in time. Boss Lairon's enhanced speed from Rock Polish was overwhelming.

A resounding crash echoed as Boss Lairon slammed into Camerupt, sending it airborne. Camerupt let out a pained bellow before crumpling to the ground, barely able to move.

"Boss Lairon, Earthquake!"

Raising a foot, Boss Lairon stomped down with crushing force. The entire battlefield trembled violently.

Camerupt, still sprawled on the ground, took the full brunt of the attack. It let out a strangled groan before collapsing, knocked out.

"Camerupt!" Nakamura's expression twisted in horror. His strongest Pokémon had fallen. Without it, how could he possibly win?

"Boss Lairon, Stone Edge!" Aoki pressed forward.

Boss Lairon's eyes gleamed. Massive jagged rocks shot forward, aiming straight for Torkoal.

"No! Torkoal, move—!" Nakamura choked on his words.

The attack struck dead on. Torkoal was launched backward, its shell scraping against the rocky terrain. It didn't even have time to cry out before its eyes dimmed, fainting on the spot.

With that, Nakamura's last Pokémon was down.

He stood there, dumbfounded. His entire team, crushed.

He only had three Pokémon—raising more was expensive. Not everyone had a rich backer, like Professor Oak's students.

"Boss Lairon, Relicanth, assist Combusken and Frogadier with Helping Hand!"

Just moments ago, Froakie had successfully evolved into Frogadier.

Without Nakamura's Pokémon, his remaining subordinates were no match. The battle ended swiftly, with Team Magma's grunts falling one after another.

"May, step outside. I'll deal with the rest."

A cold glint flashed in Aoki's eyes.

He wasn't ready to make an enemy of Team Magma's higher-ups, but these people? They were disposable.

"Wait… 'deal with them'?" May's breath hitched. She wasn't naive—she knew what Aoki meant.

"Exactly. Their superior… he's a Champion-level trainer. If we let them report back, we're as good as dead."

May clenched her fists. Her father was just a Gym Leader—nowhere near strong enough to fight a Champion. If Team Magma targeted them…

She swallowed hard. "I understand. Do it."

Five minutes later, Aoki stepped out of the ruins. Nakamura and his men? Gone.

He turned to his Pokémon, a grin forming.

"Combusken, Frogadier—congratulations on evolving."

The two Pokémon straightened, puffing out their chests. Rivalry sparked in their eyes as they glared at each other.

Neither wanted to fall behind.

Aoki pulled up their stats with his system.

Name: Combusken

Strength: Superior

Potential: Elite

Name: Frogadier

Strength: Superior

Potential: Champion

Two Pokémon reaching the Superior level in under a month—that was unheard of.

Even wealthy trainers rarely had an entire team at Superior rank. Most spent their lives raising just one Pokémon to that level. A quasi-Elite was even rarer—unless you had extraordinary luck or resources.

Aoki recalled something. Defeating Nakamura had earned him a Saffron Treasure Chest.

Nakamura had been his strongest rival yet—a quasi-Elite, two Gym-level Pokémon, and several Superior ones. If he hadn't thrown away his Houndoom, the fight wouldn't have been so easy.

Ding!

"Congratulations! You have opened the Saffron Treasure Chest and obtained: 'Steel-Type Profound Berry' and 'Rock-Type Profound Berry'!"

Aoki's eyes lit up. Just from the name, he could tell—these were for Boss Lairon.

As he expected, these berries weren't ordinary. They helped Pokémon comprehend the Profound Truth of their respective types.

Not a guaranteed success, but they could accelerate the process.

Excited, Aoki took out both berries. At first glance, they looked unremarkable. But their effects…

Boss Lairon trotted over, eyes wide with anticipation. It looked almost… eager?

Aoki smirked. "You want these?"

Boss Lairon nodded enthusiastically, like an overeager Growlithe.

Aoki chuckled and handed over the berries.

"Here. Make good use of them."

"Roooaaarrr!"

Boss Lairon devoured them immediately. Moments later, its body trembled, a deep energy flowing through it as it began to meditate, absorbing the knowledge within the berries.

Aoki stepped back, recalling Boss Lairon into its Luxury Ball to let it focus.

"May, let's go. It's not safe to linger."

He didn't want to be around if Team Magma sent reinforcements.

"Understood, Aoki."

The two quickly disappeared into the wilderness, leaving behind the ruins—and the lingering presence of a battle won.