"Won."
As Natsuhiko walked into the contestants' tunnel, he happened to encounter Hilona, who was prepping for the next match.
He saw her smiling, seemingly in a good mood.
"It was sheer luck," Natsuhiko responded with a smile.
Hilona was already used to his comments on "luck" and "chance," so she didn't say much.
"Not going to say 'good luck' to me?" Hilona countered.
"You? No need for good luck, just don't make it too embarrassing for the opponent," Natsuhiko shrugged.
Hilona chuckled.
The two brushed past each other.
When Hilona entered the stage, Natsuhiko, even standing in the tunnel, could clearly hear the cheers from outside, much louder than when he was entering.
"Tut, truly the 'Sinnoh's Ace'. "
As he entered the waiting room for contestants, Lance and Flint congratulated him.
The following matches didn't have many surprises.
As the strongest in managing the scene, the Sinnoh Alliance controlled well and reasonably in deciding who should advance and who could advance.
Maybe it was Xiaochun, who faced Karin from the Kalos Region, and ultimately failed to win.
The ones advancing to the top 16 were: Kanto Region's Lance, Kona; Johto Region's Yishu, Rika; Hoenn Region's Flint, Mikkel; Sinnoh Region's Hilona, Da Ye, Wusong, and Natsuhiko; Unova Region's Jade Liya, Wanlong, Yueju; Kalos Region's Pachira, Shimi, and Karin.
In terms of numbers alone, Sinnoh Region had the most participants advancing.
Unfortunately, Furong, who had encountered Natsuhiko before, couldn't advance past the round of 32 due to her brief exposure to Pokémon battles.
Also, Aliu, the only participant specialized in Insect-type Pokémon in the top 32, was knocked out due to facing Pachira from the Kalos Region, who specialized in Fire Type, resulting in a disadvantage.
Nevertheless, these two certainly caught the eye of the Sinnoh Alliance.
Furong's talent is clearly visible, having acquired her current abilities within just a few months of battling Pokémon.
Aliu only faced a type disadvantage, otherwise, he could have progressed further.
This is understandable, as the Sinnoh Alliance needed to consider many aspects when arranging matchups, leaving it to the participants' abilities when they couldn't manage everything.
Like Natsuhiko and Leisi this time, they both emerged from Sinnoh, and being similarly viewed by the Sinnoh Alliance, they had to encounter each other when a decision couldn't be made. At least one is guaranteed to advance.
Truth be told, Natsuhiko had more tricks up his sleeve, hence would receive more attention from the Sinnoh Alliance.
As for Natsuhiko hailing from Goldenrod City in the Kanto Region?
This poses no significant issue, didn't you see Elite Four Drasna from the Kalos Region also originating from Shenhe Town in the Sinnoh Region?
Where one hails from and where one ends up rooting are two different matters.
But Furong and Aliu, these future Elite Four, have made their abilities known to some of Sinnoh Alliance's high echelons for the first time, certainly guaranteeing more attention and nurturing in the future.
What about Natsuhiko?
There's no need to say more.
Having reached the top 8, and seemingly holding back some tricks, Natsuhiko has become a prime focus of the Sinnoh Alliance.
They naturally favor Trainers emerging within their own cultivated lineage.
But individuals like Natsuhiko, who can distinguish themselves among ordinary Trainers based on pure capability, still garner significant attention.
Such as Elite Four Kikuno watching from the stands, who started investigating Natsuhiko's background and origins.
Of course, it's not just her.
The uninvited veteran Elite Trainer Hoshino Ryuzi also grew quite interested in Natsuhiko.
He doesn't suspect Natsuhiko for handling his grandson.
From what Natsuhiko has displayed now, he still doesn't think his grandson couldn't handle it, primarily due to the confusing influence of the Elite Candidate Level Barbaracle he gave to Hoshino Ryuzaki.
In fact, Kikuno had already been impressed by Natsuhiko prior to the trial due to his words and close relationships with Hilona, Flint, Lance, enhancing her perception of Natsuhiko.
This impression has now deepened.
Also sitting in the suite, Agatha watched their arrangements, smiling silently.
Only she and Natsuhiko know of him becoming her disciple.
While it's not a clandestine affair, should Natsuhiko catch the Sinnoh Alliance's eye through his own means and abilities, it would save Agatha much trouble.
Once Natsuhiko becomes a Dojo Leader in the Sinnoh Region, and then Agatha announces Natsuhiko as her disciple, it promises to be amusing.
The old Agatha's childlike spirit rekindled again.
...
...
After the competition ended.
Natsuhiko and company went to the Poke Center.
Unlike previous battles, the Pokémon hadn't suffered significant injuries; as the top 16's encounters get tougher, the likelihood of Pokémon injuries naturally rises.
To recover well, simple treatments and check-ups at the Poke Center are necessary.
After the Pokémon healed, while exiting the Poke Center, Natsuhiko suddenly sensed something, and turning to Lance and others, he said:
"You guys head back first, I have a little matter to attend to."
With that, he swiftly left.