Pokemon: A New Path-Baby Cup[529]

The next morning, after finishing his morning tasks at the ranch, Naoki set off for Alola, riding on Koraidon.

By the time he arrived, Kiawe was already waiting at the ranch, standing at attention like a dutiful employee.

The moment he spotted Naoki, he straightened up and waved enthusiastically. "Good morning, Mr. Naoki!"

"Morning, Kiawe," Naoki greeted as he dismounted Koraidon. Then, he got straight to business:

"Let's go over the work I need you to handle."

He explained, "Since I only stay here during the winter, the house needs regular upkeep—cleaning, airing out furniture, and preventing mold."

"You don't have to do it every day—just coming once a week is enough."

"Other than that, there's nothing too demanding. If you can handle this, I'll transfer your salary to you monthly via Rotom Phone."

Kiawe nodded instantly, his face full of enthusiasm. "No problem! That's easy!"

Naoki chuckled. "Alright, then get familiar with the place. I have something else to take care of—I'll contact you later."

It was almost time for his first match at the Royal Dome.

"Okay!" Kiawe responded eagerly.

Naoki gave a nod, then left the ranch and took off toward the Royal Dome.

Upon arriving, Naoki officially checked in for the Royal Battle.

As part of the registration process, he was given a basic disguise—a standard battle mask and a set of Royal Battle attire to help keep his identity hidden.

After changing into his gear, he left Koraidon backstage and proceeded down the tunnel leading to the main battle arena.

The moment he stepped onto the square battlefield, Naoki immediately noticed something.

There weren't many spectators.

A few scattered figures sat in the stands, chatting casually, seemingly watching just for fun rather than with any serious interest.

Naoki blinked. Was this match just too low-tier?

Shrugging off the thought, he turned his attention to the other three tunnels where his opponents were arriving.

The moment they stepped out, he understood why there were so few spectators.

"Hey there, big bro! I'm Jake! You're new, huh? Don't think I'll go easy on you!"

"I'm Yuki! Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm weak! I'll show you how strong my Pokémon are!"

The third opponent—a tiny girl dressed in a kindergarten uniform—stomped her foot and shouted excitedly:

"Hmph! Yurina won't lose! Even though I'm still in kindergarten, I trained a really strong Pokémon!"

She lifted a Poké Ball and proudly sent out a Cleffa.

"Cleffa, let's show them our power!"

Naoki: "…"

Now he understood.

There were so few spectators because this was basically a toddler tournament.

He had been thrown into the Baby Cup.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

Fortunately, he hadn't brought Giratina or Rayquaza.

...

Naoki sized up his three opponents.

Standing across from him were three young trainers, each eager to prove their skills in the Royal Battle.

Shorts Kid, Jake had sent out a Rattata—but not just any Rattata. This was the Alolan form, its dark-furred body and sharp red eyes exuding a mischievous confidence.

Yuki, a girl with a confident smirk, had chosen Beautifly, its aqua-blue compound eyes shimmering and its elegantly patterned wings fanning out majestically.

The kindergartener Yurina had sent out Cleffa—a Pokémon that looked so small and innocent that it seemed completely out of place in a serious battle.

None of them made any effort to conceal their identities.

Instead, after releasing their Pokémon, they immediately turned their eyes toward the only adult in the match.

"Big brother, it's your turn!" Yuki called out, twirling a strand of her hair.

Naoki: "..."

This really is the Baby Cup.

Well, hopefully when he advances to the next stage, his opponents will be actual trainers.

Might as well end this quickly.

With that thought, Naoki stopped hesitating and pulled out a Poké Ball.

A flash of white light illuminated the field, revealing a Farfetch'd—but not just any Farfetch'd.

Its sharp, focused eyes, bold "V"-shaped brow, and imposing leek gave it an unmistakable aura of strength.

The arena fell silent for a moment as all eyes turned to the Duck Pokémon.

"Is that… Farfetch'd?!"

The commentator and referee, Roger, arrived just in time, his voice filled with surprise.

"Its leek… It's enormous!"

The few audience members scattered throughout the stands glanced toward the battlefield.

The moment they saw Farfetch'd's oversized leek, the same thought popped into all their minds.

"That's REALLY big."

The four trainers stood in their designated corners as Roger, now settled in as the referee, raised his microphone.

Before the battle could start, he needed to introduce the competitors to the crowd.

He glanced at the Rotom Phone in his hand and began:

"First up! Standing at the Charizard Gate—it's Shorts Kid, Jake! He and his trusty Alolan Rattata have thrilled us with many exciting battles!"

Jake, basking in the spotlight, waved enthusiastically toward the audience.

"Next, at the Dragonair Gate, we have Yuki! Her Beautifly is a master of powder-based moves and once pulled off an incredible three-KO streak!"

Yuki blew three kisses toward the audience.

"And now, at the Tyranitar Gate, it's our adorable challenger—Yurina! Despite her young age, she and Cleffa have already participated in five Royal Battles!"

"Everyone, cheer for Yurina~!" the kindergartener giggled, striking a cute pose.

Naoki: "…"

"And finally… our last contestant!"

The spotlight shifted onto Naoki, illuminating his masked figure.

"Entering from the Garchomp Gate, we have Gold King!"

Roger paused, then added with slight surprise:

"Oh! It looks like this is Gold King's very first match! I wonder what kind of performance he and his Farfetch'd will bring us. Let's find out!"

Naoki calmly nodded, then turned his focus back to Farfetch'd.

"Alright! Without further ado… let the Royal Battle begin!"

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The moment the battle started, Yuki wasted no time.

Unlike the others, she boldly decided to take on all three opponents at once.

"Beautifly! Use Gust to spread Stun Spore across the entire field!"

With a flap of its graceful wings, Beautifly generated a whirlwind, sending a shimmering silver dust cloud spiraling through the air.

A blanket of Stun Spore now drifted over the battlefield, threatening to paralyze anyone caught in its wake.

Naoki arched an eyebrow.

She really just painted a huge target on herself.

Shorts Kid Jake and Kindergartener Yurina made a quick decision—team up and take down Beautifly first!

"Rattata, hold your breath and use Quick Attack!"

"Cleffa, use Sweet Kiss!"

The moment the orders were given, Rattata darted forward like a streak of white light, effortlessly weaving through the paralyzing dust cloud. It launched itself into the air, slamming into Beautifly with full force.

At the same time, Cleffa, floating just behind, formed a glowing pink heart that pulsed with Fairy-type energy before sending it straight toward Beautifly.

A combo attack!

As for Naoki and Farfetch'd;

They simply stood there. Watching. Unbothered.

"Where's Gold King?!"

Roger, the enthusiastic commentator, kept up his rapid-fire narration.

"Beautifly is under heavy attack! Rattata lands a Quick Attack, and Cleffa's Sweet Kiss connects! Beautifly is losing momentum! But wait… where's Gold King? What is he doing?!"

Just as Roger turned his attention to Naoki, he noticed something.

Naoki and his Farfetch'd were still standing there, watching.

"Huh?"

Just as Roger was about to comment, Farfetch'd moved.

The shift was almost imperceptible at first—a slight tilt forward, leg muscles tensing, wings adjusting slightly.

Then, in an instant—

WHOOSH!

Farfetch'd vanished from its spot.

A flash of white light streaked across the battlefield.

Before anyone could react, its leek blade had already cut through the space between Beautifly, Rattata, and Cleffa.

Three direct hits—lightning-fast and precise.

A beat of silence followed.

Then—

THUD.

THUD.

THUD.

All three Pokémon collapsed to the ground.

The battle was over before they even realized what hit them.

Farfetch'd turned its back on the fallen Pokémon, striking a cool, effortless pose as its leek rested confidently on its shoulder.

Triple KO.

"DING DING DING DING!"

The match officially ended.

All three young trainers stood frozen, eyes wide with shock.

"Wha—?!?!"

Roger: "…"

He had just started commentating, and it was already over.

To be fair, this kind of one-sided battle wasn't uncommon at the General Rank. But watching it happen this fast was something else entirely.

It wouldn't be long before Gold King climbed out of the General Tier and advanced to Super Rank.

At that stage, the competition would be different.

More experienced trainers, tougher challenges, higher stakes.

How far could this masked newcomer go?

Updated Rankings

[Player Code: Gold King

Rank: General

Points: 3 (10 required for promotion to Super Rank)

Ranking: 153]

"Three points in one go?" Naoki murmured, glancing at his updated score.

Did this mean points were awarded based on the number of opponents defeated?

That would explain why he had jumped ahead so quickly.

His eyes drifted down to the rankings.

153rd place.

Still far from the top, but considering he had just entered the competition, it was a solid start.

With this system, if he won three more battles, he'd reach the Super Rank.

Naoki smirked.

"Then let's keep pushing forward!"

Without wasting any time, he turned on his heel, made his way back to the front desk, and submitted his application for the next battle.

...

Read upto 60+ chapters ahead @/Keepsmiling818