Should I forfeit?
This was the first thought that crossed Natsuhiko's mind after seeing the battle lineup.
It wasn't that he didn't have any chance against Karin; he still had a few trump cards up his sleeve.
His understanding of Karin wasn't much less than what Da Ye had.
He just felt that while he could fight, it might not be necessary.
The intensity and quality of this competition were evident to everyone, and his purpose in participating was merely to attract the attention of the Sinnoh Alliance and try to get a position as a Gym Leader.
But now.
His "cheap" teacher, Agatha, would help sort out the Gym Leader position, and having defeated Da Ye, he had already made a sufficient impression on the high-ranking officials of Sinnoh.
Going further...
He thought it might not just be the Sinnoh Alliance that he would draw attention from, but he might also attract the attention of other forces.
Know when to quit while you're ahead.
This was Natsuhiko's thought.
Look at who the top eight are now: Lance, Flint, Mikkel, Hilona, Karin, five future champions, Kona, and Jade Liya, two powerful Elite Four members.
Although they are still young, people in the future will realize the "gold content" of this competition.
And over time, the "gold content" of this competition will only increase.
Of course, Natsuhiko still hadn't made a decision.
But he had to think it through before tonight, otherwise, some preparations would be too late.
...
...
When he came out of the Poke Center, the sky had darkened considerably.
As the ranks go higher, the opponents become stronger, and the Pokémon's injuries grow more severe, requiring longer treatment and recovery time.
This is not only a test of the Pokémon and the Trainer's strength but also a comprehensive assessment of the Pokémon's recovery and adaptability.
As a few people were preparing to return to Flint's villa for a good rest and prepare for tomorrow's match.
Natsuhiko was stopped at the entrance of Flint's villa by a Pokémon.
"Haunter?"
An old friend.
Natsuhiko still remembered Agatha's Haunter; the Haunter clearly also remembered Natsuhiko, as it made a funny face at him right away.
The strategy Natsuhiko devised for it back then worked very well, so it had a great impression of him.
This was its way of saying hello.
Seeing Haunter, Natsuhiko understood that Agatha was looking for him.
After pondering a bit, he said to a few people, "I have some matters..."
He then discreetly gave Lance a meaningful look.
Lance understood what Natsuhiko meant right away.
"Come back soon."
Looking at Natsuhiko, and the Haunter beside him who seemed very happy and chatty, a few people showed a bit of confusion.
"Why does Senior Natsuhiko seem to have something going on every day?" Kona voiced everyone's doubts.
Yesterday too, and today as well.
She even wanted to get some advice from Natsuhiko tonight on how to make Lance suffer a big loss tomorrow.
"That Haunter... Elite Candidate Level?" Hilona hesitantly said.
"Never mind, Natsuhiko probably really does have something to do, let's go in first, hopefully, he can make it back for dinner." Flint smiled as he invited everyone in.
They didn't really dwell on it, as everyone indeed had their own matters.
Following Haunter.
Natsuhiko arrived at Agatha's villa.
This time, it was brightly lit inside, unlike before, when it was dark and eerie.
Seeing Haunter dart straight through the door without any intention to open it for him, Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
He obediently pushed open the door and walked in.
In the living room.
Agatha was sitting on the sofa watching TV, appearing quite relaxed, and in a good mood.
"Teacher." Natsuhiko still respectfully called out.
Becoming Agatha's disciple was something Natsuhiko still found a bit unreal until now; he couldn't figure out what Agatha saw in him.
If he knew, he'd definitely change it!
"Sit." Agatha casually pointed to the nearby single sofa.
Natsuhiko obediently sat down.
On the edge of the seat.
"Kekeke——"
Gengar suddenly popped out from behind him, giggling as it inquired.
"Coffee, please. Thank you." Natsuhiko casually said.
"Keke~~"
Then Gengar happily went to make coffee.
He didn't expect Agatha's Gengar to have this skill.
"Here."
Suddenly.
As Agatha was engrossed in watching TV, she tossed something black and unremarkable towards Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko, holding the coffee Gengar had just handed him in one hand, awkwardly caught the thing Agatha had tossed with his other hand.
It was icy to the touch, chilled, and had a smooth texture, with a gemstone-like quality.
When Natsuhiko looked carefully at what was in his hand.
His pupils shrank.
"Is this a top-tier item?"
The thing Agatha had casually tossed over as if it were garbage turned out to be a top-quality Dark Stone!
This was something Natsuhiko absolutely did not expect.
Hearing Natsuhiko's instinctive remark, Agatha looked at him, slightly surprised, and said with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "You have a good eye."
Natsuhiko chuckled awkwardly, placed the coffee on the coffee table, looked it over once more to make sure he wasn't mistaken, and tentatively asked, "Is this for me?"
"Yes." Agatha made a sound through her nose, then explained, "Won it from an old guy. I forgot about it last time, take it as the welcome gift from me, your teacher, now that you've become my disciple."
Natsuhiko lightly pinched the Dark Stone in his hand.
He took back his earlier thoughts.
Could I please have a dozen more teachers like Agatha!
"Thank you, teacher." This thanks came from the heart.
Whether or not Agatha took him as her disciple to have him complete certain tasks, at least from her current behavior, it seemed she genuinely treated him as her disciple.
"What do you plan on doing next?" Agatha suddenly asked.
Natsuhiko was taken aback, then realized Agatha was asking about the competition.
His opponent tomorrow was Karin.
After pondering a bit, Natsuhiko hesitated to speak, "I might..."
"Forfeit?" It seemed Agatha had already guessed Natsuhiko's thoughts.
Hearing this, Natsuhiko awkwardly smiled, considering it an admission.
Agatha stopped watching TV, turned her head, stared at him, and seriously asked, "Why?"
Natsuhiko organized his words slightly, "As the saying goes, 'The tree that stands out is sure to be blown down by the wind'..."
"Blown down my foot!"
Unexpectedly, Agatha's reaction was intense.
"As Agatha's disciple, who would dare to blow you down?!" Her cloudy eyes were wide open, showing a hint of the domineering spirit she must have had in her youth.
"Uh..."
To be honest, although Agatha was a bit rigid and stubborn, in Natsuhiko's eyes, she actually seemed a bit adorable now?
He glanced at Agatha's aging face.
Ahem...
At least this protective personality was quite friendly to him.
"I still want to see you suppress Hilona."
Natsuhiko: "..."
The choice of words.
"Just make it to the semi-finals, and you might not have another chance to go further," Agatha said, with implied meaning.
"Why?" Natsuhiko asked, a bit puzzled.
Agatha waved her hand, "You'll find out by then."
"In any case, win tomorrow for me, and if need be, let your Doublade evolve; this Dark Stone is meant for it."
"Actually... Doublade doesn't have to evolve." Natsuhiko muttered softly.
Agatha's eyes shone, "You sly brat, still hiding an ace?"
Natsuhiko smiled without saying a word.
"Alright, I don't care what method you use, just win tomorrow."
"I'll try my best, but I can't guarantee it, after all, my opponent isn't weak either." Natsuhiko said with a tinge of helplessness.
This pledge, he dared not make.
In the upcoming matches, no one could afford to underestimate anyone.
Agatha waved her hand, saying nothing more, signifying that Natsuhiko could leave.
Natsuhiko didn't say anything further either, he stood up and left.
Agatha's words firmed up the slightly indecisive heart of Natsuhiko, helping him make up his mind.
It made sense.
We're now a disciple of the Elite Four, what's there to fear?
Watching Natsuhiko's departing figure, Agatha gently rubbed her cane, smiling.
"Making it to the semi-finals means I won't have to pay any price for getting him that Gym Leader position, saving some expenses..."
————
Begging for a monthly vote~~