Unlike the game, where only four trainers participate in the semi-finals, in the animated setting, the number of trainers participating in the semi-finals has doubled, making it eight.
[Your first match is about to begin]
The Superpower User walked onto the battlefield with a calm expression, wearing a competition uniform, and his opponent was similarly dressed but appeared slightly older.
Trainers who can defeat the eight Gyms in the Galar Region are almost without a doubt capable, as there are so many spectators watching live, making it nearly impossible for the Gym Leaders to pull their punches.
Baimu was quite skeptical that the Gym Leaders in the Galar Region had no educational duties, only the thrill of defeating or being defeated by challengers to entertain the audience, lowering the personal intentions of the Gym Leaders to the minimum.
Back to the main topic.
[You have defeated your first opponent with an unstoppable momentum, and the audience cheers for your and your Pokémon's outstanding performance.]
The Superpower User's long period of isolation paid off. Although the first-round opponent was strong, it didn't consume much of his energy.
The second-round opponent was much the same.
[You looked at your defeated opponent and deeply realized that your strength is no longer the same as before.]
…Why does it feel like there's a sense of bittersweetness?
Baimu carefully looked at the Superpower User's forehead to confirm there was no smile appearing before he believed the latter still maintained a composed demeanor without getting complacent after two small victories.
You have to keep winning!
Such an impressive Orange Talent cannot lose to Double Blue Talent, come on!
He slightly clenched his fists, and finally, the Superpower User faced his first formidable opponent in the last round of the semi-finals, someone who was clearly not an ordinary trainer.
Although his Pokémon appeared quite normal and not as strange as Hypno, they managed to contend evenly with the Superpower User's group of "oddities" by relying on genuine Pokémon power.
Especially as this opponent's choice for a Gigantified Pokémon was quite surprisingly a Gigantamax Butterfree, whose exclusive Bug Attribute Gigantic Technique [Gigantamax Butterfly Shadow Enchantment] caused the Superpower User considerable trouble.
Its secondary effect, choosing one among sleep, paralysis, and poisoning, was truly troublesome.
Fortunately, in this scenario, the Superpower User decisively withdrew the Gigantified Hypno and sent out Starmie to confront it, using Self-Rebirth to endure it forcibly, and then took Butterfree down with Hundred Thousand Volts in a draw result.
And Butterfree was already the opponent's last Pokémon.
The Superpower User smoothly became the winner of the semi-finals and obtained the qualification to participate in the finals.
[You successfully broke through the semi-finals and arrived at the finals segment, just three steps away from challenging the strongest Champion.]
Breaking through the semi-finals is expected to reward at least at the Championship level of a regional tournament.
Baimu felt a bit excited but also understood that every opponent in the finals is formidable, and every top Gym Leader went through an arduous path to achieve the results of today.
The scenes sped up again, clearly with no intention to leave the audience in suspense.
But just as the finals in the game started with an unexpected twist, the Superpower User encountered interference from Poplar, the Gym Leader of the Ballonlea Gym, right before he could start the first round.
As usual, Poplar used a questioning form, asking if he had thoughts about inheriting the Ballonlea Gym, and expressed that if the Superpower User wanted, she would personally teach him the mysteries and experiences of Pokémon battles—
Without needing to think, the Superpower User declined, leaving the opportunity for the future "Cai Ming" Peter.
Ballonlea Gym is not suitable.
Rejected, Poplar wasn't upset and silently turned to leave.
And finally, the Superpower User faced his first opponent in the finals—Lulina, just like in the game.
However, in the animation, Lulina's "strength" was significantly stronger than the rigid AI in the game. The Superpower User found himself in a tough battle right in the first round.
He couldn't believe it was the same Gym Leader he had previously defeated.
It's still the same Golisopod, still using A Head-on Attack, and Hypno couldn't break it with Splitting Tiles, almost falling into a trap, but luckily dodged quickly.
Lightning Fist was the same; as long as Golisopod lifted its massive pincers and blocked in front, it was like Copper Wall and Iron Wall, impossible to break, and the Danger Avoidance Trait didn't trigger at all.
This forced Hypno to play its trump card, using Enhanced Hypnotic Fist to send Golisopod back.
Yet, it wasn't just Golisopod whose strength greatly improved; Pelipper was the same. Its flexibility became terrifying once the rain started on the field, forcing the Superpower User to send out Slowking for a long-range battle, with much effort, managing to achieve a draw.
However, the Pokémon allowed in the finals were six, and the Superpower User already struggled so much at the onset, suggesting tough times ahead.
Baimu watched the hardship and thought that Lulina's strength seemed somewhat exaggerated.
Could it be that every Gym Leader in the Galar Region is Four Heavenly Kings level?
Hmm…
It's hard to say, as the animation initially overly deifies the strength of the Four Heavenly Kings. From original series to Jewel Drill, the Four Heavenly Kings are invariably exaggeratedly strong.
But as the series progresses into later seasons, even the Celestial King falls from grace, let alone the Four Heavenly Kings.
Therefore, whether Lulina has Four Heavenly Kings level, Baimu is frankly too lazy to delve into deeply until he himself battles against her one day to determine it.
Watching the Superpower User's hard fight, his heart couldn't help but be anxious, as long as the Superpower User makes it into the top four, this Orange Talent would be a massive win.
Come on! Go, the Superpower Fighting Big Brother!
In the light screen.