Natsuhiko VS Da Ye.
Both people represent the Sinnoh Region.
This shows the organizers' "control ability" once again.
Regardless of whether Natsuhiko or Da Ye wins, Sinnoh will get two spots to advance.
It seems that ever since the elimination rounds began, Natsuhiko's opponents have always been participants from the Sinnoh Region.
Audience seats.
Ash Ketchum, Gary Oak, and a few others have already become regulars in the stands.
"Gary, do you think Natsuhiko can advance this time?" Ash asked.
They have been discussing whether Natsuhiko can advance ever since they started paying attention to him.
So-called discussion is actually just Ash choosing the opposite side of whatever Gary chooses...
"This time... it might be difficult. Da Ye is skilled with Fire-type Pokémon, and among the three Pokémon Natsuhiko is using, Beedrill and Doublade are both countered by the Fire Type. More importantly, Natsuhiko has yet to show a Gym Leader level Pokémon, but Da Ye has... two." Gary analyzed rationally.
His reasoning is sound.
Actually, it's not just him—most people in the stadium also think Da Ye has a greater chance of winning.
This includes many spectators who've come from all over Sinnoh.
After all, Da Ye has already gained quite a bit of fame and participated in many competitions, both big and small. On paper and in terms of Pokémon types, he has an advantage, making his chances of winning indeed higher.
"Then I'll support Natsuhiko."
Ash Ketchum, ignoring Gary's analysis, supports Natsuhiko blindly.
And Gary Oak, evidently knowing Ash's personality well, doesn't mind his support at all, and looks at Nanami, who is leaning on her hands.
"Sister, what do you think?"
"Me?" Nanami was surprised that Gary would ask for her opinion.
In the past, if it related to Pokémon research, Gary would excitedly find Nanami, but anything related to Pokémon battles, he absolutely would not ask her.
Yet now, Gary is rationally asking for her opinion.
"Sister, you aren't very familiar with Natsuhiko, are you? Surely you know him better. Is he hiding some trump card? Besides, you made it into the top thirty-two. I studied Chansey's tactics carefully afterward; it's almost unsolvable. Coming up with such tactics, surely you've studied a lot, right? You should have plenty of insight."
Ever since Nanami's tactics with Chansey, Gary has undergone significant change in his opinion of her.
Speaking of Chansey's tactics, Nanami's face became slightly flushed.
But this made her answer absolutely clear.
"Natsuhiko."
"Hmm?" Gary was expecting to hear some "professional" insights but didn't expect Nanami to answer so plainly.
"What's the reason?"
Looking at her curious little brother, Nanami somewhat dotingly rubbed his head and softly said:
"Because those tactics... were taught to me by Natsuhiko."
Upon hearing this.
Gary was completely stunned.
Even Professor Oak, who had been smiling while watching the match and listening to them play, turned his gaze.
That strategy was developed by Natsuhiko?
How cunning... or rather, how well does he understand Pokémon like Chansey!?
Chansey isn't even his Pokémon, yet he can come up with these tactics. Then wouldn't his main Pokémon be even more...
...
...
"Hehe—How about I be the bookmaker?" Hoshino Ryuzi said with a smile.
Evidently, these Elite Four, after watching matches all day, got a bit bored.
"What's the bet?" Agatha, sitting in the corner, got interested.
"Just some little trinkets."
"Okay."
Crrrr—orrr—
Agatha directly pulled out a few stones of different colors from her apron pocket.
Evolution Stones!
And each of them is of special level quality—three stones, namely the Fire Stone, Water Stone, and Thunder Stone.
"I want your Dark Stone."
"This..." Hoshino Ryuzi was a bit dumbfounded; he didn't expect Agatha to be so straightforward.
"Trading three special level Evolution Stones for your top-grade Dark Stone isn't a loss, right?"
In terms of value, it's even an excess.
However, Evolution Stones, especially those at special or higher quality, are generally not simply measured by price.
Agatha playing so big is quite a gamble.
If you really find yourself in urgent need, an Evolution Stone at top-grade quality can easily reach tens of millions—a few million differences notwithstanding.
Hoshino Ryuzi just wanted a little wager but didn't expect Agatha to jump in so deeply.
Even though this top-grade Dark Stone is useless to him, it's undeniably a top-grade Evolution Stone.
"If that's the case, then I'll join in." Genji chuckled and took out a Dragon Scale.
The Dragon Scale, compared to Agatha's hand, is relatively small.
Kikuno and Drasna both shook their heads, showing no interest.
But Adick, who had been lazily sitting in his chair, suddenly became interested.
"Then I'll put up this."
Adick took out a fiery red pearl, within which seemed to burn a flame.
The Flame Treasure Pearl.
Adick's action slightly surprised the other Elite Four in the room.
As he was looking at Natsuhiko and Da Ye, who were now standing on opposite sides of the field, especially Da Ye.
He vaguely saw a bit of his past self in Da Ye.
That look of passion burning bright.
"Alright, who will everyone be betting on?" Hoshino Ryuzi, as an Elite Four, besides being slightly troubled by Agatha's "grandiose" gesture, took Genji and Adick's actions lightly.
"Da Ye." Adick chose Da Ye without hesitation.
"Then I'll bet on Natsuhiko." Genji said with a smile.
Like Kikuno, during the last trials, Genji gained some impression of Natsuhiko. These few rounds weren't too stressful for Natsuhiko, so he thinks Natsuhiko might still be hiding something.
Besides, it was just for fun anyway.
Hoshino Ryuzi looked at Agatha.
Agatha didn't immediately reply but looked at Kikuno and Drasna, "Even if you're not playing, you can still guess."
Kikuno and Drasna exchanged glances and agreed that Agatha's reasoning made sense.
"Da Ye, then." Kikuno, after a brief pause, made her choice.
Between Natsuhiko and Da Ye, Kikuno knows a little more about Da Ye.
"In that case, I'll bet on Natsuhiko." Drasna laughed softly.
Evidently, she chose this to maintain balance.
Now it's two against two.
"Hehe." Agatha chuckled lightly, "I'll bet on Natsuhiko."
She has already interacted with Natsuhiko three times; she should be the one here who knows him best. If she didn't believe in Natsuhiko's abilities, he wouldn't have been chosen for this task.
Regarding Agatha betting on Natsuhiko, no one was surprised.
After all.
Natsuhiko also comes from Kanto. Although he represents Sinnoh this time, Kanto wouldn't completely give up on someone like him.
If given the chance, the Kanto Alliance would be willing for Natsuhiko to return to Kanto.
Upon hearing Agatha betting on Natsuhiko, Hoshino Ryuzi didn't say much.
If Agatha had bet on Da Ye, Hoshino Ryuzi might not agree to her bet.
Now, seeing Agatha facing greater risk, a larger reward is understandable.
Don't doubt Hoshino Ryuzi lowering himself to refuse to bet; given his personality, he would certainly do such a thing.
Regarding Hoshino Ryuzi's character, Agatha believes she sees him rather clearly and naturally knows what he's thinking.
She smirked coldly but didn't speak.
Just like this, because of Hoshino Ryuzi's opening bet, the six Elite Four in the room paid even closer attention to Natsuhiko and Da Ye's match.