Drapion's One Hit Kill!

"Skorupi, one final Poison Jab!"

"Skreee!"

Skorupi let out a cry, raised its twin pincers glowing with purple poison light, and charged toward Machoke. Then it swung fiercely at Machoke's abdomen! Critical Hit—double the power! Machoke had little stamina remaining to begin with, so it was unsurprisingly knocked to the ground by Skorupi.

"Machoke is incapacitated. Skorupi wins, so the victor is Gym Leader Sato!"

Sato called Skorupi back to his side, then turned to look at the challenger opposite him.

"Machoke has plenty of offensive power, but it lacks adaptability. Even if it was a Fighting-type Pokemon, greater strength is not always better."

"With only this Machoke, which you caught less than a week ago, there's no way you can earn my recognition. Please continue working hard after you return."

The challenger left dejectedly. Though he knew that Gym Leader Sato would not send out his main Pokemon, the enormous gap was still difficult to accept.

"Zuote, how many challengers are left?" Sato asked the apprentice beside him.

"Reporting, Gym Leader, there are still thirteen registered challengers. Nine of them have more than four Gym Badges and specifically stated that they wish to challenge you."

"Mm, call in the next one." Sato nodded as he spoke, crouching down to check Skorupi's condition.

"Can you keep going?"

"Skreee!"

Skorupi raised its pincers and nodded firmly. Having the opportunity to battle so frequently was equally rare for it.

"Gym Leader, the next challenger has arrived. They already have five Gym Badges, the most badges among today's challengers."

Zuote obediently came to Sato's side, withdrawing his admiring gaze as he reported in a serious manner.

"Mm, Skorupi, enter the field!" Sato nodded to Zuote. He didn't care at all whether challengers had badges or how many they possessed.

The challenger took his