Chapter 338:
Eastova Arena
The matches hadn't started yet, but the spectator stands were already packed.
Audiences from all over the Eastova League watched the central arena with novelty and anticipation.
Although the competition hadn't begun, that didn't stop everyone from buzzing with discussion.
"Hey, I actually managed to get tickets for this year's Pokemon League Conference," one child said, gazing at the battlefield with longing, telling his mother, "Mom, I'll definitely have a spot in the Pokemon League Conference in the future! I want to get first place too, becoming the Champion!"
"Then you'll have to work hard~" the mother gently encouraged her child.
"It is the Champion, see that? Mr. Champion! That's Moltres's flame!"
A sudden exclamation.
In the sky, a fiery red flame feather streaked past.
That was Moltres. On its back was Kazephyr. Today, Kazephyr was still wearing his beige shirt and jacket, but this time, he had a bright red cape draped behind him.
He looked quite imposing.
He flew with Moltres to a referee platform separate from the spectator stands.
With a slight wave of his hand and then a pause gesture, the entire spectator area gradually quieted down.
He didn't say much, just glanced at Moltres.
The latter immediately understood, flying around the entire battlefield, spewing flames into the air.
Instantly, the flame pillars erected around the battlefield ignited with sacred fire.
After that, Moltres flew back to Kazephyr's side.
Then, Kazephyr dramatically swished his cape. "Alright, this year's Pokemon League Conference small officially begin now!"
As soon as the words fell, the spectator stands seemed to boil over.
"Champion Kazephyr! Champion Kazephyr!!"
"Will there be anyone battlling the Champion this year at the Pokemon League Conference? An exhibition match?"
"Woo-hoo!"
"Ah, don't get your hopes up. None of the Elite Four are here this year. If they aren't here, how can there be exhibition matche?"
"Alright, alright, just start already!"
Amidst this fervent noise, a young man in a suit, riding an Aegislash, flew out from somewhere.
He looked excited, his voice trembling slightly.
"Hello, friends from the audience from all over the League! I'm Satoshi, the commentator for this Pokemon League Conference. I believe you aren't interested in my identity but are more looking forward to the battles of this year's participants.
But I must add one thing here!
Due to adjustments in the tournament format, this year has more participants than previous years. Furthermore, after reaching the top 32, it will switch to a 6v6 format. This undoubtedly tests the trainers' comprehensive Pokémon raising abilities and psychological warfare skill s even more.
Therefore, this year's Pokemon League Conference will be extended!"
"Enough chit-chat, let's look at the big screen and see the exciting first-round matchups!"
Holding the microphone, Satoshi's excitement was palpable.
Since he stopped traveling in the second half of the year, he'd been working as a commentator.
He found, hey, this commentator job really paid quite well.
Especially after people saw his Pokémon was an Aegislash, he basically got hired for every event commentator position he applied for.
Accumulating a reputation over time, he successfully secured the commentator role for this Pokemon League Conference!
After his words, a huge virtual screen seemed to materialize in the center of the stadium. Looking up, one could see it was an image projected by numerous Rotom.
It displayed the 128 participant portraits. On the field below the screen, with a series of mysterious *click-clack* sounds, a massive stone slab descended, then rose again.
After rising, it clearly showed all the participants.
There were all kinds of people.
Men, women, young, middle-aged, even a child who looked like a loli, licking a lollipop.
But according to the Eastova League's trainer laws, since she had become a trainer and stepped onto this stage, it meant she must have reached the corresponding age requirement.
Some had their Pokémon by their side.
Venusaur, Beedrill, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Golbat, Gengar...
Others had nothing out.
Hayashi Kaede originally planned not to release any of his Pokémon.
But he couldn't resist Alolan Ninetales's insistence on staying out of its Poké Ball, so he let it out.
Later, Serperior also said it didn't want to stay in, so he let it out too.
But now, two gazes fell upon Hayashi Kaede.
One was Yūji.
He had a Flareon by his side, staring dazedly at Hayashi Kaede.
When they were all called out earlier, he had actually spotted Hayashi Kaede.
But he was a bit too far away and didn't recognize him immediately.
Now, gathered on the battlefield, he saw clearly.
It's Little Kaede... no, it's Kaede!!
His eyes widened, as if trying to find something different.
But Serperior and Alolan Ninetales were both Pokémon he clearly remembered with Kaede.
Which meant the person before him was truly Hayashi Kaede.
When he first returned, he hadn't known.
But later, while at home, he found out.
Just that Dragonite that repaired the roads was, damn, terrifying!
After that, while preparing for the Pokemon League Conference and challenging gyms, although he didn't pay much attention to the Breeding House, sometimes he'd curiously look up information about it.
It was fine not searching, but once he did, he discovered...
That Sky Challenge thing...
A giant Pidgeot twice the size of a normal one, leading other Pidgeot to stir up fierce gales.
Those wind waves could reach hundreds of meters high?!
That was said to be the final level of the Sky Challenge.
It had left him flabbergasted.
He felt sure he couldn't pass it.
What he never expected was...
That Shiny Gardevoir that once scared the Jynx.
It actually, under the intense storm from over twenty Pidgeot, effortlessly dodged each one and then caught every single Pidgeot!
Heavens!
Yūji didn't even dare imagine what level of strength that Gardevoir possessed!
What normal Gardevoir could do something like that?
Was it a Legendary Pokémon in disguise?
After learning all this, he remembered the grand ambition he made to Kaede back then and felt a pang of distress.
He also felt thankful he had left so early.
Otherwise, he truly wouldn't know how to face Kaede.
But now...
You're telling me he's also participating in the Pokemon League Conference?
In an instant, Yūji felt his scalp go numb.
Would that Gardevoir join too?
He couldn't help but wonder.