Chapter 360:
"Darn it, don't write her off so quickly! This Hayashi Kaede might be strong, but with the new field change rules and Miss Sally's luck, the outcome is still up in the air!"
"It's time for Serene Grace Togekiss to shine! Get a Sky field, spam Air Slash to the max!"
"Air Slash? Togekiss? When did Miss Sally's Togetic evolve?"
"Hey, it evolved a while ago. Didn't you know? Someone did a count: in ten battles, Togekiss used Air Slash fifteen times, hit every time, and caused the opponent to flinch 14 times!"
"What? Fifteen times, fourteen flinches? What kind of insane luck is that?"
"Don't get it? Serene Grace ability, you know..."
"But... I still don't think the odds are good..."
"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything."
The audience above was heatedly debating.
In the contestants' seating area, Hayashi Kaede turned his gaze towards Sally.
She was also in the contestants' area and looked over at him at the same time.
When she saw Kaede looking back, her expression instantly changed.
It became pitiful and pleading, paired with her small, cute face and petite figure, it was indeed enough to evoke sympathy.
But Kaede just smiled slightly.
Thinking to himself,
*'She's probably older than me.'*
Because he was only eighteen.
And she had been traveling for several years already.
"Sigh...."
Over there, Sally, seeing that Kaede paid her no mind, sighed dejectedly.
Their match was scheduled for the tenth round. With 6v6 battles now, plus field changes, field selection, and other procedures, the duration of each match was significantly extended.
Kaede wasn't sure if his turn would come this morning.
Moreover, if the previous matches were just warm-ups, these 6v6 battles were the real test of a trainer's skill.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the first match began quickly.
This was the Top 32 now.
The two contestants, both male and in their twenties, were clearly much more serious.
The moment they saw each other, it was as if flames sparked in their eyes.
First was field selection.
Their luck didn't seem great; they drew the Grassy Field, which offered no bonus to any Pokémon type except Grass-types.
The field changed with a gear-shifting roar. The broad battlefield split open in the middle, quickly shifting to both sides.
Then, a patch of lush green grass, carrying the scent of fresh earth, emerged.
This was real grass, not just fake turf laid over the surface.
Just this field setup was no small feat.
Because Pokémon battles always damage the field, and if the next match drew the same field, a brand-new Grassy field would be needed.
Thus, field repair and replenishment required significant time and effort.
One could imagine that beneath the field, many Pokémon of corresponding types were waiting.
Once the field changed, they would immediately begin repairing the replaced field.
With the Grassy field set, the two young men locked eyes, countless thoughts running through their minds.
Finally, one chose a Fire-type Typhlosion, the other a Water-type Milotic.
As soon as the two Pokémon appeared,
The young man who chose the Fire-type Typhlosion's face fell, while the one who sent out the Water-type Milotic looked delighted.
Their intentions were clear; they were on a Grassy field.
So, both initially guessed the other would use a Grass-type Pokémon.
Because Grassy Terrain is the favorite field for Grass-type Pokémon.
Therefore, one young man chose a Fire-type Pokémon, planning to counter the expected Grass-types. But he didn't expect the other to think one step further, directly countering with a Water-type Pokémon.
And not just any Water-type, but a Milotic!
Hailed as "the most beautiful Pokémon," Milotic's appearance caused a wave of exclamations.
"To be able to catch a Milotic... this trainer must have great personal charm..."
With its crystal-clear scales and smooth skin, the Milotic moved through the grass as if slithering like a snake.
As everyone knows, Milotic is a very rare Pokémon.
Mainly because it's particularly difficult to obtain.
Catching a wild Milotic is basically impossible.
So, one needs to start by raising a Feebas.
But here's the catch.
The Prism Scale required for Feebas to evolve into Milotic is extremely scarce, fished from the ocean, making it very expensive.
Moreover, a Milotic evolved using a Prism Scale, compared to one that evolves naturally, hasn't undergone the same mental shift and tends to be more introverted and lacking in confidence.
This is something the trainer must help it overcome.
As for natural evolution...
That is far too difficult.
Researchers have raised hundreds of Feebas for study, providing excellent living conditions and high-quality food, and so far, not a single one has evolved into Milotic.
The match began; the energy levels of the two Pokémon were similar.
Although there was a type advantage, on the Grassy Field, they fought back and forth quite evenly.
However, soon, Typhlosion couldn't withstand Milotic's Recover, Water Pulse, and Scald.
Type disadvantage aside, the opponent's Milotic also knew healing moves, making the fight even harder.
"This Milotic is beautiful, but not as beautiful as the one Brother Kaede has."
As time passed, more and more people in the audience became aware of the Neighborhood Breeding House.
Naturally, they also learned about the content on Brother Kaede's video channel.
"Yeah, yeah, that Milotic is truly stunning, and it's much larger than this one too."
"Right? I just saw it today. Looking at the comments on his channel, they say the stuff he sells is excellent, even curing Pokémon with loss of appetite."
"Planning to go check it out after the New Year, anyone want to join?"
"Hey, count me in, I also want to see that Sky Challenge..."
The match below continued.
In the back-and-forth, Typhlosion quickly took another Scald and lost the ability to battle.
Because of this, the trainer lost the initiative, and most of the Pokémon sent out afterwards couldn't turn the tide.
After the Typhlosion trainer lost three Pokémon, the field changed again.
This time, it changed to the Scorched Rocks field.
Seeing this field, the Typhlosion trainer's face darkened again.
Because Typhlosion was his only Fire-type Pokémon.
And in the previous battle, he also rendered his Water-type Pokémon to be in a not good condition to battle.
Hence, there was no choice; once the field was set, it wouldn't change again.
He could only grit his teeth and send out his Flying-type and Grass-type Pokémon.
And so, the matches went on, scene by scene...