In fact, Roger Ent had another name — Roland.
It was precisely because of this connection that he was able to attract a massive following in his home country.
As for the real truth? Well, those who understood, understood.
At the end of the day, it was all for profit.
As the referee and commentator's voices rang out, Nathan and Roger stepped onto the battlefield at the same time.
"Hello, nice to meet you. Please go easy on me," Roger said before the match even started, sounding extremely modest.
His attitude was a stark contrast to how he appeared in photos.
At first glance, he could easily win others' goodwill — even causing some Trainers to subconsciously hold back against him.
But Nathan, with information sources like Evelyn and Zoe at his disposal, was not fooled.
He merely nodded upon hearing Roger's greeting, then took out a Poké Ball.
His eyes gradually turned cold and sharp.
"Fight for me — Zeraora!"
"Put on a spectacular knockout show, my beloved Gyarados!"
Both Trainers sent out their Pokémon almost simultaneously.
When Roger saw Zeraora, a flash of gloom crossed his eyes.
He had made the wrong bet.
But it didn't matter — Roger's Gyarados wasn't particularly disadvantaged even against Electric-types.
Maybe one of its parents had been an Electric-type Pokémon.
Still, Gyarados' true weakness was against Grass-types.
Of course, no matter what Gyarados feared, Nathan had no intention of holding back.
"Quick Attack, then use Chidori!"
A glint of coldness flashed through Nathan's eyes as he issued his commands swiftly, precisely, and mercilessly — like a swordsman delivering a killing blow.
If Zeraora was his blade, then Nathan's duty was to end the battle in an instant —
Leaving the opponent no chance to retaliate!
After all, Zeraora hadn't yet become the ideal "Third Raikage" he envisioned.
Nathan had to take responsibility for his blade —
And ensure it didn't bear too heavy a burden.
"Zoar!"
As soon as Nathan spoke, Zeraora vanished from its spot, moving so fast that even the audience struggled to react.
On its right claw, lightning crackled — the sound of Chidori resonating sharply!
"Damn! Dodge it, Gyarados!"
Roger's pupils shrank in shock.
He hastily shouted his command as Gyarados desperately lowered its high-held head and slid across the slick ice battlefield.
Just a hair's breadth away — Zeraora's Chidori smashed into the ice instead.
The explosion of shattered ice crystals filled the air, appearing beautiful yet causing fear to grip both Roger and his Gyarados.
Fighters like Nathan — who didn't hesitate to unleash killing moves — were the most terrifying opponents!
Even the audience was stunned into silence for two seconds before they reacted, their emotions mixed.
"What a load of crap — Rising Star? Pulling sneak attacks at his age? How shameful!"
"That was terrifying! If it had hit, Gyarados would've been knocked out immediately!"
"Gyarados got lucky — the ice and water weakened the damage, otherwise it would've been crippled on the spot!"
...
But no matter how noisy the audience was, it couldn't affect the Trainers battling on the field.
Nathan's eyes gleamed coldly —
His pitch-black pupils transformed into a bewitching, dazzling gold.
"Agility! Then, use Bond Evolution! We'll end this quickly!"
Synchronizing their hearts, Nathan issued the sharp, decisive command.
He had no time to waste on Roger.
The sooner he used mega evolution Metagross to defeat the opponent's Elite-level Pokémon, the sooner the League would recognize his true worth!
"Zoar!"
Connected through spirit, Zeraora leaped into the sky without hesitation after breaking through the ice.
Its entire body blurred into a golden streak, lightning crackling across its form!
"Now, shine with golden miracles — let's show them our bond!"
"...Reveal it here and now — the evolution beyond evolution!"
Without restraint, Nathan declared in his mind.
Blinding white light once again engulfed Zeraora's body —
"It's... evolution!!"
"The evolutionary light appears again!"
"As I suspected! It wasn't a failed evolution — it's just that this new evolution can't be maintained for long!"
"Even so, its existence will completely shift the world's power dynamics!"
...
The majority of the audience simply felt pure blood-pumping excitement and awe.
But the smart ones — and certain individuals with unknown backgrounds — had sharp, calculating gazes.
They realized it:
The era of combination moves might soon end.
Because this kind of second evolution —
It was something that could be mastered.
Only the observing Pokémon League officials managed to stay calm.
They understood: Nathan's real self-proving had not yet begun.
Regardless, the battle on the ice battlefield raged on without pause.
"Focus, Zeraora — we must strike before Gyarados can react!!"
Nathan's golden eyes gleamed even brighter, his voice cold and commanding.
"Zoar!"
In its bonded form, Zeraora's speed and power had undergone a qualitative leap.
Electricity surged wildly around its body.
Its claws condensed and compressed large amounts of lightning —
In an instant, Zeraora had completed its bond evolution, becoming a blue-and-gold lightning blade soaring through the air!
When Zeraora reappeared, it was already behind Gyarados.
It knelt slightly on the ice, panting heavily —
While behind it, Gyarados collapsed to the ground with a loud crash, completely incapable of standing.
"Gyarados has lost the ability to battle. Zeraora wins!"
As the referee announced the outcome, Roger's blank mind snapped back to reality.
Wasn't this country's people supposed to be warm and friendly?
What the hell was with this kid?!
Meanwhile, Nathan calmly recalled Zeraora into its Poké Ball,
giving Roger a cool, detached look as he spoke:
"Send out your strongest Pokémon.
Otherwise, you won't even have a chance to resist in the next battles."
Nathan's voice wasn't loud —
but it carried an overwhelming conviction.
Especially after he had just instantly defeated a Gyarados.
The audience had seemingly forgotten all about Roger, their eyes filled only with awe for Zeraora's handsomeness and strength!
"Quick! How do I catch a Pokémon like that?"
"Nathan! How do I make my Pokémon evolve like that?"
"Idol! How is it possible to be this damn cool?"
...
The repeating questions flooded the stands,
even reaching Roger's ears and making his expression truly remarkable.
It took him quite a while to calm down.
After the referee gave a warning, Roger finally pulled out another Poké Ball and said seriously:
"You're strong... but I promise you —
you'll regret it!"
Roger's tone was earnest, but Nathan merely responded lightly by taking out another Poké Ball.
"Come forth, Scolipede!"
"Metagross — eliminate the enemy!"
Again, they sent out their Pokémon at the same time.
This time, Roger's luck wasn't any better.
If Gyarados — being Water/Flying — was four-times weak to Electric, at least it had some resistance.
But his Scolipede was a pure Poison-type —
completely countered by Metagross's immunity!
"Level 52, not bad,"
Nathan said, smirking slightly at the favorable matchup.
He activated Synchronization once more.
This time, his eyes didn't even change color.
He simply placed his bracelet against his chest.
"Let everyone recognize you — Metagross, Mega Evolve!"
With a Key Stone and Metagrossite at his disposal, Nathan didn't need any dramatic words anymore.
As his will resonated,
the two stones began to react!
"Ev-evolution?! But... it's different from the evolution we just saw!"
"I'm losing it! Somebody kiss me awake, please!"
"W-What's going on?! Isn't that the only way to evolve again?!"
"This boy's understanding of Pokémon evolution... it must surpass everyone else!"
...
If Zeraora's Bond Evolution had already shocked the crowd —
then the appearance of Metagross's Mega Evolution plunged them into outright brain-dead silence.
At Pokémon League Headquarters —
an old man silently turned off the giant screen.