The following day.
The Lily Youth Competition finally reached a fever pitch.
Today.
It was the sixteen-to-eight elimination round, with the remaining contenders being top figures among the youth from various regions.
And Natsuhiko's opponent today was a name that brought him considerable pressure.
He even contemplated the possibility of his own defeat.
Or rather, at this stage, apart from Hilona, Lance, and Flint, Natsuhiko wouldn't be surprised by anyone's loss or victory.
However, his match was scheduled as the last one today.
Watching Kona secure victory over Rika from the Johto Region after three intense rounds, he felt nervous on her behalf.
Rika is expected to be the future Dark-type Elite of Johto, possessing considerable strength, and with no clear type advantage or disadvantage against Kona, either could emerge victorious.
The second match featured Flint.
And Flint's opponent was Wusong, a Trainer specializing in Psychic-type Pokémon from the Sinnoh Region.
The match concluded with Flint's Shiny Golem, also the first fully evolved Quasi-God Pokémon to appear in this competition.
The appearance of this Shiny Golem undoubtedly exerted immense pressure on many contestants.
A fully evolved Quasi-God Pokémon!
This had already surpassed the scope of the youth competition.
It demonstrated Flint's personal capabilities.
But seeing Lance and Hilona's calm demeanor beside him, Natsuhiko felt uneasy.
Obviously, he wasn't the only one holding back.
Flint, Lance, and Hilona were also keeping secrets.
It's not about them deliberately hiding their hands from each other, more about the concern over summoning these Pokémon, which might impact Natsuhiko and Kona psychologically.
In truth, the three of them already understood each other, but Natsuhiko still clung to a last hope.
Unfortunately.
The hope was gone.
"Your Dragonair and Gabite are evolved too, right?" Natsuhiko asked full of "resentment."
Lance turned his head away without speaking.
Hilona acknowledged it with a nod, directly admitting it.
Because she estimated that against her next opponent, without summoning Garchomp, she probably wouldn't achieve victory, just like Flint earlier.
Receiving a confirmation, Natsuhiko felt relieved inwardly.
He even started to consider letting the Fairy Type Togetic, using its Fairy Type identity, "punish" them.
However, contemplating the impact of revealing the Fairy Type attribute, he eventually abandoned the idea.
No worries.
He didn't insist.
After all, Agatha promised to help him get a Dojo Leader's identity, so he'd accept defeat regardless.
Soon, Flint returned.
All smiles.
The upcoming matches weren't closely related to them.
Jade Liya defeated Shimi from the Kalos Region.
Karin won against Yueju from the Unova Region.
The Sinnoh Alliance finally took action against these two regions, making them "love and fight."
Afterwards, Mikkel from the Hoenn Region defeated Pachira from Kalos, purely due to type suppression.
Mikkel, proficient in Water-type Pokémon, opposed Pachira, skilled in Fire-type, showing a significant type advantage.
Natsuhiko even intentionally inquired about Mikkel with Flint.
Flint simply mentioned knowing Mikkel, aware he's from Luminous City in the Hoenn Region, but hasn't had in-depth interactions with him, so they're merely acquaintances.
This left Natsuhiko a bit surprised.
After all, when Flint retired as Champion, forced to inherit Devon Company's billion-dollar legacy, it essentially meant "passing" the Champion role to Mikkel.
Yet, thinking about it makes sense.
Flint pursued a Trainer's career, while Mikkel opted for the Coordinator path.
It's likely that "passing" to Mikkel involved significant contributions by the Hoenn Alliance in promoting Coordinators.
While Mikkel's opponent Pachira was intriguing.
Pachira, member of Kalos Region's underground forces, placed by Flare Team's Leader Lysandre as a mole within the Kalos Alliance, eventually reaching the Elite Four position. It's undeniable that Lysandre and Pachira's capabilities remain strong.
The only other instance of someone placing a subordinate in an Elite Four position is Rocket Team's Giovanni, sending Aju to the Elite Four of Johto.
This highlights Lysandre's skills, standing out among underground forces leaders.
After Mikkel and Pachira's battle ended, it was Lance's turn against Wanlong, a Ghost-type Pokémon Trainer from the Unova Region.
Wanlong is a refined, bookish girl.
As Lance entered the battle, Natsuhiko uttered just one sentence, "Don't be too harsh."
Don't make the young lady cry.
This drew a look of disdain from Kona.
As expected, Lance summoned Dragonite and won against Wanlong.
Wanlong didn't cry, but even smiled, congratulating Lance.
Prompting Lance to return saying.
"Truly well-mannered..."
And then.
Then there was nothing more, Kona overheard, dividing herself into the "ill-mannered" category, and their relationship...tsk tsk.
If they hadn't immediately gone for a duel, it was because Natsuhiko stopped them.
After Lance, it was Hilona's turn, her opponent being Yishu from the Johto Region, the last "seedling" from Johto.
Yishu and Rika have known each other since childhood, with a close connection.
So to ensure they'd have company returning, Hilona decisively sent Yishu off as well.
Of course, inevitably summoning Garchomp.
Thus.
The three Quasi-God Pokémon in this competition all made their appearances.
And it's primarily due to these three Pokémon that the trio is virtually predetermined as the top three by public opinion.
It's unavoidable.
Once Quasi-God Pokémon are formed, their dominance in youth competitions is overwhelming.
Natsuhiko wasn't confident of defeating any of the three.
Even with an informational advantage, it was futile.
But now wasn't the time for him to dwell on those matters, for his own match was about to begin after Hilona's encounter ended.
And his opponent was none other than Da Ye, who Hilona had previously enthusiastically introduced to Natsuhiko...
The future Fire-type Elite of the Sinnoh Alliance.
An Infernape capable of defeating two of Hilona's Pokémon, only losing in the fierce battle against Garchomp.
Making him an unpredictable opponent for Natsuhiko.
Upon entering the arena, amidst endless cheers, observing Da Ye across, slack yet with eyes burning with "fire," Natsuhiko had no choice but to set aside his complicated thoughts, focusing on the battle.
Faced with Da Ye, a single mistake might result in defeat.
And purely from paper strength, Da Ye appears stronger than Natsuhiko.
During the host's introduction, Da Ye stared intently at Natsuhiko, proclaiming, "Natsuhiko, I'm fired up!"
Natsuhiko: "...."