The morning after Zekrom's dramatic arrival, Shinzō found himself precisely where he expected—standing before Director Ningguang in the floating marvel that was the Jade Chamber. The meeting had gone surprisingly well, all things considered. Though initially stern about the disruption, Ningguang was nothing if not pragmatic. She recognized the commercial potential Pokémon represented for Liyue's economy and seemed particularly intrigued by the competitive battling aspect Shinzō had described.
"So these creatures battle without permanent harm to one another?" she had asked, tapping her jade pipe thoughtfully against her palm.
"Correct," Shinzō had confirmed. "They recover quickly with proper care, and the competitions build bonds between Pokémon and their trainers."
In the end, they'd reached an agreement: Shinzō would establish formal protocols for powerful Pokémon introductions and host a demonstration battle to show Liyue how Pokémon battling worked—under controlled circumstances, of course.
Now, three days later, Shinzō stood behind The Pokémon House, overseeing the final touches to the temporary arena that had been constructed in the adjacent plaza. Workers were laying down chalk lines to mark the battle area, while others arranged tiered seating for spectators. Word had spread quickly, and it seemed half of Liyue Harbor planned to attend.
"What do you think?" Shinzō asked Blaziken, who was helping by carrying stacks of chairs that would have required three men.
The Fire-type gave an approving nod, its wrist flames pulsing with excitement. Blaziken had been Shinzō's first partner, and while Zekrom might be more powerful on paper, the bond they shared was unmatched.
"Manager Shinzō!" a cheerful voice called. Xiangling, the renowned chef from Wanmin Restaurant, approached with a large basket. "I brought special protein-rich foods for your Pokémon, just like you suggested! I made adjustments based on their elemental types."
"That's incredibly thoughtful," Shinzō smiled, accepting the basket. The aroma wafting from it was mouthwatering—Xiangling's culinary talents translated perfectly to Pokémon nutrition. "Blaziken will love the spicy blend especially."
As if on cue, Blaziken's nostrils flared, and it made an appreciative sound. Xiangling beamed with pride.
"Will you be using the black dragon today?" she asked, eyes wide with curiosity. "Everyone's talking about it!"
"No," Shinzō shook his head. "Zekrom is... still adjusting. And frankly, its power level wouldn't make for a fair demonstration. Today will be Blaziken's show."
A commotion at the plaza entrance drew their attention. A small crowd was parting to make way for a tall figure with striking orange hair and a confident smirk. Tartaglia—better known as Childe, the eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui—strolled into the arena with the casual grace of a predator.
"Speak of the Giratina," Shinzō muttered. "Our challenger arrives."
After the Ningguang meeting, Shinzō had been surprised to receive a formal challenge from the Fatui Harbinger. He'd met Childe only briefly before—the man occasionally browsed The Pokémon House but had never purchased anything. According to shop gossip, he'd been away on a mission when Zekrom appeared but had immediately expressed interest upon his return.
"So this is where the action happens!" Childe called out, spreading his arms theatrically. "I've been looking forward to this, Manager Shinzō. It's not every day one gets to test oneself against an entirely new combat system."
Shinzō approached, extending a hand which Childe shook with unexpected strength. "The arena will be ready within the hour. I trust you've been briefed on the rules?"
"No Vision usage against your creature directly, battle continues until one side can no longer fight, and no lethal force," Childe recited, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Though I must say, the restrictions make it more interesting, not less."
"I'm glad you see it that way," Shinzō replied diplomatically. He had chosen Childe as his opponent carefully—the Harbinger's combat prowess was legendary, but more importantly, his love of battle for its own sake meant he would likely follow the spirit of Pokémon battling, not just the letter of the rules.
"I hear you won't be using your black dragon," Childe continued, glancing around. "Shame. I was looking forward to testing myself against a legend."
"Perhaps another time," Shinzō deflected. "Today is about demonstrating the basics of Pokémon battling to Liyue. Blaziken here will be more than sufficient."
Childe's eyes assessed the Fire-type with newfound interest. "It doesn't look particularly imposing compared to the dragon, but I never underestimate an opponent based on appearance." He grinned suddenly. "This will be fun!"
As Childe walked away to prepare, Shinzō felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Ganyu, clipboard in hand.
"The Millelith have established a security perimeter," she informed him. "And Lady Ningguang will be watching from her palanquin." She hesitated before adding, "Are you certain this is wise? Tartaglia is... unpredictable."
"That's precisely why he's perfect," Shinzō replied. "The people of Liyue know he's dangerous—which means when they see a Pokémon battle him effectively, they'll understand both the power and the control inherent in Pokémon training."
Ganyu didn't seem entirely convinced but nodded respectfully. "Director Ningguang has authorized me to intervene should things escalate beyond the agreed parameters."
"I appreciate the precaution, but it won't be necessary," Shinzō assured her, patting Blaziken's shoulder. "We've got this under control."
By midday, the plaza had transformed. Hundreds of spectators crowded the hastily constructed stands, with more watching from balconies and rooftops of nearby buildings. Merchants seized the opportunity, selling snacks and hastily produced Pokémon-themed trinkets. Shinzō noted with amusement that several children were already wearing crude paper masks shaped like Poké Balls.
In the center of it all stood the chalk-outlined battle arena, simple but effective. At one end, Shinzō stood with Blaziken, running through their strategy one final time. At the opposite end, Childe stretched casually, his Hydro Vision gleaming at his hip.
"Remember," Shinzō murmured to his partner, "he has the elemental advantage, but we have experience and techniques he's never seen. Don't overcommit early."
Blaziken nodded sharply, flames intensifying around its wrists as it rolled its shoulders in preparation.
A hush fell over the crowd as Ningguang's palanquin arrived, settling gracefully on a specially prepared platform overlooking the arena. The Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing raised a delicate hand, and a Millelith officer stepped forward to address the crowd.
"Citizens of Liyue Harbor! Today, by special arrangement with the Liyue Qixing, we witness the first official Pokémon battle on Teyvat soil. Manager Shinzō Tatsunaga of The Pokémon House will demonstrate this foreign art using his partner Pokémon. His challenger, at his own request, is Tartaglia of the Fatui."
A mixture of excited murmurs and concerned whispers rippled through the crowd at the mention of the Harbinger. Shinzō caught sight of several familiar faces in the audience—Zhongli watching with analytical interest, Baizhu with his serpent companion coiled around his shoulders, and even Keqing, who had initially been skeptical of Pokémon but seemed genuinely curious now.
The Millelith officer continued, "The rules are as follows: The battle ends when either Tartaglia or the Pokémon Blaziken can no longer continue. Tartaglia may use his Vision and weapons but may not target Manager Shinzō directly. Similarly, the Pokémon will target only Tartaglia. Is this understood by both parties?"
"Crystal clear," Childe answered with an eager smile, hydro energy already dancing between his fingertips.
"We understand and agree," Shinzō confirmed.
"Then by the authority of the Liyue Qixing, this exhibition match shall commence!" The officer stepped back hastily as Ningguang gave a subtle nod.
For a heartbeat, neither competitor moved. Then Childe's hand flashed to his Vision, and the battle erupted.
"Blaziken, Detect!" Shinzō called out.
A volley of hydro arrows materialized and shot toward Blaziken with uncanny precision. Instead of dodging, the Fire-type's eyes gleamed with enhanced perception, its body shifting ever so slightly as each arrow passed harmlessly by—missing by millimeters where they should have struck true.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Even Childe looked momentarily surprised.
"Interesting!" the Harbinger called out, grinning wider. "It didn't move much, yet nothing connected. Some kind of defensive technique?"
Instead of answering, Shinzō seized the initiative. "Blaziken, Bulk Up, then approach!"
Blaziken's muscles tensed visibly as it channeled power through its body, its stance lowering as it began to advance toward Childe with measured steps. The Harbinger didn't wait for it to reach him, summoning his hydro polearm and charging forward to meet the Fire-type head-on.
"Feint!" Shinzō commanded sharply.
As Childe thrust his polearm at Blaziken's chest, the Pokémon appeared to stumble—deliberately presenting an opening. When Childe committed to the attack, Blaziken suddenly twisted with impossible speed, the polearm passing through empty air as the Fire-type appeared behind him.
"Blaze Kick!"
Blaziken's leg ignited with intense flame as it delivered a devastating roundhouse kick. Childe barely managed to conjure a hydro shield, but the impact still sent him skidding backward across the arena floor. The crowd roared with excitement—first blood to the Pokémon.
Childe regained his footing, eyes alight with genuine joy. "Now we're talking! I haven't had to react that quickly in ages!" Without warning, he flung his arm forward, releasing a torrent of water that formed into a massive serpentine dragon.
"Blaziken, split it with Thunder Punch!"
Electricity crackled around Blaziken's fist as it charged directly at the water construct. The matched elements created a spectacular explosion of steam and lightning that momentarily obscured both combatants from view.
From within the cloud came the sounds of rapid exchanges—the crack of Blaziken's kicks meeting Childe's hydro blades, punctuated by grunts of exertion from both fighters. When the steam cleared, both stood at opposite ends of the arena again, Childe sporting a singed sleeve and Blaziken's feathers glistening with moisture.
"Your creature fights with intelligence," Childe observed, rolling his shoulder. "Not just power, but strategy. I like that!"
"Pokémon battles are as much about the trainer's commands as the Pokémon's abilities," Shinzō explained, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "It's a partnership."
Childe's expression turned calculating. "Let's test the limits of that partnership, shall we?"
Without warning, he slammed his fist into the ground, creating a rapidly expanding pool of water across the arena floor. Before Blaziken could react, hydro constructs in the shape of narwhals erupted from the water, bombarding the Fire-type from all angles.
"Brave Bird through it!" Shinzō called out.
Blaziken's body became enveloped in blue energy as it launched itself into the air. Like a missile, it tore through the hydro constructs, its momentum unimpeded by their watery forms. The Pokémon crashed directly into Childe with tremendous force, sending both of them tumbling across the arena.
When they separated, Blaziken winced slightly—the recoil damage from Brave Bird taking its toll. Childe, however, looked more exhilarated than ever as he rose to his feet.
"That felt like taking a direct hit from an adeptus," he marveled, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "I think it's time we took this up a notch."
The air around the Harbinger changed, pressure building as he reached for something deeper than his Vision. Shinzō recognized the signs—Childe was preparing to unleash his Delusion or worse.
"Ningguang is watching," Shinzō called out in warning. "Are you sure you want to escalate beyond the agreed terms?"
For a tense moment, Childe seemed to consider it, the thrill of battle pushing him toward his more dangerous abilities. Then, with visible effort, he reined himself in.
"You're right," he conceded. "This is meant to be a demonstration, after all. Let's finish with style rather than overwhelming force."
He summoned dual hydro blades and assumed a fighting stance that Shinzō recognized from historical martial arts texts—the stance of a master swordsman preparing for a decisive strike.
"Blaziken," Shinzō called out, recognizing the moment to end the battle cleanly, "it's time. Blast Burn."
The temperature in the arena rose dramatically as Blaziken gathered its power. Flames spiraled up its legs and concentrated in its core, growing hotter and brighter until the air itself seemed to waver. Even the water on the arena floor began to evaporate.
Childe, recognizing the incoming attack's power, abandoned any pretense of defense and charged directly at Blaziken, hydro blades leaving gleaming trails in the air. "Let's see which hits harder!" he shouted gleefully.
The collision was spectacular. Blaziken released the contained inferno just as Childe entered striking range. The resulting explosion sent a shockwave across the arena, forcing spectators to shield their eyes. For several seconds, all that could be seen was a blinding light and all that could be heard was the roar of unleashed flame.
When visibility returned, both fighters stood frozen in tableau—Childe with his blades extended in a cross-slash position, Blaziken in the follow-through stance of its Blast Burn. Neither moved.
Then, slowly, Childe's hydro blades dissipated into droplets of water. He staggered, dropping to one knee with a grin still fixed on his face.
"I concede," he announced, loud enough for all to hear. "Your Pokémon wins this round."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Blaziken, though visibly exhausted, straightened up and offered a formal bow to its opponent—a gesture Childe returned with surprising sincerity.
Shinzō approached the center of the arena, a Hyper Potion in hand for Blaziken and a healing elixir for Childe. "That was exactly the demonstration I hoped for," he said quietly as he offered the Harbinger the elixir. "Thank you for holding back at the end."
"It wasn't entirely altruistic," Childe admitted, accepting the medicine. "I want to face your dragon someday, and that won't happen if I get banned from Liyue for excessive force." He glanced at Blaziken with newfound respect. "Besides, even without using my full power, I'm not certain I would have won. Your partner here is something special."
Before Shinzō could respond, Ningguang's voice carried across the now-silent arena. "An impressive display, Manager Shinzō. It seems Pokémon battling offers both spectacle and skill without excessive destruction." She turned her attention to the crowd. "Citizens of Liyue, you have witnessed the first official Pokémon battle on Teyvat soil. Let it be known that such matches are henceforth permitted within designated areas, provided they adhere to safety protocols established by the Liyue Qixing."
Another cheer rose from the spectators, many already speculating loudly about which Pokémon they might purchase to begin training themselves.
As the crowd began to disperse, Childe leaned closer to Shinzō. "You've started something interesting here," he observed. "The Tsaritsa will certainly want to know more about these creatures—especially ones like your dragon."
"Pokémon aren't weapons, Tartaglia," Shinzō replied firmly. "They're partners."
"So I've seen," the Harbinger nodded, his expression unreadable. "But partners in what, exactly? That's the question everyone will be asking now." He clapped Shinzō on the shoulder. "I look forward to our next match. Perhaps bring your black dragon next time—I'll be better prepared."
With that, Childe departed, leaving Shinzō to consider the implications of what had just transpired. The battle had been a success beyond his expectations—Liyue had embraced Pokémon battling as both sport and spectacle. But it had also placed him squarely in the spotlight, drawing attention from powers whose intentions might not align with his own.
"Well done," came a calm voice beside him. Zhongli had approached silently, his amber eyes thoughtful as they watched Childe's retreating figure. "You've demonstrated not just the power of your Pokémon, but the importance of the bond between creature and trainer. That distinction will be important in the days to come."
"You think others will try to use Pokémon differently," Shinzō surmised.
"It is the nature of power to attract those who would wield it," Zhongli replied simply. "But you have established a precedent today—a standard for how these beings should be treated and utilized. That carries its own weight."
Shinzō nodded, watching as Blaziken accepted congratulations from admiring onlookers, its natural dignity never faltering despite the attention.
"We should prepare for increased business," he told Zhongli with a smile. "After today's demonstration, I suspect The Pokémon House will be quite popular."
"Indeed," Zhongli agreed. "Though I wonder if you have enough stock to meet demand."
"The system provides," Shinzō replied cryptically. "Speaking of which, I should check what rewards today's battle has earned us."
As if on cue, a notification appeared in his vision:
[BATTLE VICTORY CONFIRMED: SPECIAL REWARD UNLOCKED] [CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT EVENT SUCCESSFUL: BUSINESS BOOSTED] [LEGENDARY ENCOUNTER IMMINENT: PREPARE ACCORDINGLY]
The last line gave Shinzō pause. Another legendary already? So soon after Zekrom's dramatic arrival? He would need to make preparations to ensure this one appeared with less disruption.
"Something concerns you?" Zhongli inquired, noticing his expression.
"Just business matters," Shinzō deflected smoothly. "Tell me, Consultant Zhongli, what did you think of your first Pokémon battle?"
"Fascinating," the consultant replied, his gaze distant. "A form of combat that builds bonds rather than breaking them. In all my... consultations, I've rarely seen its like."
As they walked back toward The Pokémon House, Shinzō noticed a line already forming outside his shop door—eager customers inspired by the battle they'd just witnessed. Among them stood familiar faces: Keqing, looking thoughtful; Xiangling, chatting animatedly about battle-themed recipes; and even Baizhu, his serpent familiar peering curiously at the shop windows.
"Looks like we've created quite a stir," Shinzō remarked to Blaziken, who walked proudly at his side despite its fatigue.
The Fire-type nodded, flames flickering contentedly around its wrists as they prepared to welcome the next wave of Pokémon enthusiasts to Teyvat.
Behind them, in the now-empty arena, a faint shimmer appeared briefly in the air—like heat haze, but concentrated in a distinctly feline shape before disappearing entirely. The battle may have ended, but its reverberations were just beginning.