"Now let's welcome the two competitors for the second round, they are!"
"From the Kalos Region, the 'Movie Queen' Karin!!"
Karin, as a professional movie actress, with her outstanding looks and noble elegance, has always had a loyal following, and this group continues to expand, so the cheers are enormous.
"And! From the Kanto Region... 'Tactical Master' Natsuhiko!!"
The host looked at the cue card, the original title was crossed out and replaced with newly received information.
This is called staying current with the times.
Natsuhiko walked out from the contestant passage with a hint of embarrassment, the cheers rose again to a peak, even higher than Karin's.
Kona's 'Song of Destruction' tactic left such a deep impression that the cheers Natsuhiko received are equally large.
This time he truly garnered significant attention.
In many people's eyes, for Natsuhiko, born a commoner, to reach this point is extremely, extremely difficult.
Combined with Kona's depiction, a self-strengthened image of a commoner, discontent with the ordinary, striving to learn, grow, and research tactics, training Pokémon, emerged among the people.
A solid representative of the commoners!
A role model!
Who are the most in the Pokemon Realm?
It's naturally the commoners.
So Natsuhiko's fame here attracted a multitude of fans.
Natsuhiko, apart from feeling slightly embarrassed about that title, actually feels alright about everything else.
Famous?
By reaching the quarter-finals against Karin, he's already famous, the only difference is fame large or small.
Moreover, this might not even be a bad thing for him.
He's already decided to establish a dojo in Suiyi Town.
And a newly established dojo, especially in an inconspicuous place like Suiyi Town, attracting more people, increasing economic revenue, and boosting the dojo's fame is not an easy task.
Natsuhiko already had a few ideas.
But now, with the title of 'Tactical Master', when the dojo opens, it's expected to be busy for some time.
Which is also good.
Being busy.
Earn more money.
At the referee's signal and amidst cheers from the audience, the two walked to the sides of the field.
They exchanged glances, both casting friendly looks.
Though not familiar with each other, as competitors, having bumped into each other frequently in the waiting room, they've exchanged greetings a few times, leaving a pretty good first impression on each other.
If there's anything to truly discuss, it can be done after the match.
For instance, warning Karin to be cautious of backstabs from those close to her.
Natsuhiko just experienced this.
One of Karin's bosom friends, named Lysandre, is the future Leader of Flare Team, or perhaps is already structuring Flare Team, possibly with its embryonic form.
Of course, these are topics for later.
For now.
In full public focus, their match begins.
Red light flickers.
Two Pokémon appear on the field.
Karin summons a small bird Pokémon covered in colorful feathers, with a blue-green mask-like pattern on its face, decorated with a crest of three feathers, wings resembling a cape, red on the outside and blue-green on the inside, with a claw at each wing-tip.
Gym Leader Level!
Hawlucha!
A Fighting Type and Flying Type Pokémon, at first glance resembling a masked superhero donning a cape from the movies.
Natsuhiko is quite familiar with this Pokémon, not only because Ash Ketchum owned a Hawlucha in the original story, but also because this Pokémon has a decent presence in some games.
Its most distinctive aspect is its trait.
"Alakazam!"
Natsuhiko summons Alakazam!
This Pokémon, the ace in the previous match, is sent out first, which others deem as Natsuhiko's trump card.
Judging by the attributes of these two Pokémon, Alakazam evidently holds more of an advantage.
However, as noted from Natsuhiko's battle against Da Ye and Lance's battle against Kona, at this stage, attributes are not the most important, factors like the Pokémon's strength, tactical layout, and arrangements significantly influence the battle.
As the referee declares the start, both trainers and their Pokémon move immediately into action.
Buzz——
Alakazam's 'Psychic Arena' expands instantly; according to Natsuhiko's training requirements, Alakazam can now freely control the activation and deactivation of 'Psychic Arena', maintaining its presence even in non-battle situations to subtly increase its proficiency.
"Hawlucha, Throwing." Karin calmly responds to Alakazam's Psychic Arena technique, having prepared for it.
"Chaa!"
The opposing Hawlucha bows, pulling out a black metallic iron ball from beneath its cape-like feathers.
With a burst of power, it's thrown fiercely towards Alakazam.
Despite Hawlucha's small size, its strength isn't weak; the heavy iron ball seems weightless in its hands.
Whoosh——
The iron ball emits a faint black aura.
Throwing is a Dark-type technique, allowing the Pokémon to use an item as a weapon to attack the enemy, adjusting its power according to the thrown item, with some carrying additional effects.
The iron ball Hawlucha tossed is exactly the item that most perfectly complements the 'Throwing' technique: the 'Black Iron Ball'.