As usual.
Natsuhiko indeed saw Morden in the players' tunnel, shuffling along in slippers, fiddling with a sword jade, looking completely lazy.
"Mr. Morden." Natsuhiko called out proactively.
Among these Kings of Islands and Island Queens, Natsuhiko probably took Morden the most seriously.
A former International Criminal Police Officer, an old acquaintance of Giovanni, who later gave up his Elite Four position and single‑handedly suppressed the entire Skeleton Team.
No matter which one it was, it didn't seem like something an ordinary person could pull off.
"Natsuhiko, huh." Morden scratched his hair and yawned. "You've been pretty busy these two days, huh? Fairy Type… tsk, really is quite an impressive achievement."
Natsuhiko smiled politely.
Then he heard Morden murmur thoughtfully, "That Kapu-Muu guy is also a Fairy Type Pokémon, right?"
"Hm?" Natsuhiko froze for a second.
Morden waved his hand. "Nothing. Let's go. Once today's match is done I should finally be able to get a good night's sleep. Haven't been sleeping well lately."
He stretched lazily and shuffled toward the arena.
Watching Morden's departing back, Natsuhiko stood there for a moment.
To be honest.
He really couldn't see through Morden at all.
He always felt this man knew a lot, a whole lot, and was hiding many secrets.
But he just acted like he wasn't interested in anything, that lazy demeanor covering everything up.
Natsuhiko pressed his lips together.
Then he walked out of the players' tunnel, greeted by a tidal wave of cheers.
If he won this one, he'd reach the top eight.
Professor Oak, Ice-type Elite Four Kikuno, and Agatha had all told him to get into the top three.
So at the very least, he had to make it to the semifinals.
He just didn't know how much of his strength Morden was planning to show.
The two of them took their positions.
"Here they come! Let's look forward to what kind of spectacular showdown Trainers Natsuhiko and Morden will bring us!"
At the referee's signal, both of them took out their Pokeballs.
Natsuhiko gripped his Pokeball, glanced at the faint, almost indiscernible smile on Morden's face, pondered for a moment, then put the Pokeball back at his waist and swapped it for another.
Seeing this, Morden raised an eyebrow slightly.
But he didn't say anything, just casually tossed his Pokeball onto the field.
"Rooaaar——!!"
Dark red scales shuddered, black eyes focused, and a furious roar burst out in all directions.
"Trainer Morden sends out Krookodile!"
At the same time as Morden threw his Pokeball, Natsuhiko also summoned his Pokémon.
Amid the red light.
"Chakui~~"
Togekiss flapped its wings, kicking up large clouds of dust and sand.
"Ooooh——!! This is the first time Trainer Natsuhiko hasn't led with Eevee! Instead he's chosen Togekiss! What kind of tactics will Natsuhiko bring us by sending Togekiss out first?"
At the sight of Togekiss, the announcer's heart trembled.
He suddenly had a very bad feeling.
But he still forced himself to sound calm and continued:
"Latest info: this Togekiss of Trainer Natsuhiko's is a Fairy Type and Flying Type Pokémon! As for the Fairy Type… we can only wait for Trainer Natsuhiko to enlighten us!"
Opening with Togekiss instantly lifted the audience's spirits.
This time, what kind of information related to the Fairy Type would he reveal?
"Oh? Not choosing Eevee? You do know how to adapt." Morden smiled.
Natsuhiko understood as well.
If he always led with Eevee, did he really think other people couldn't figure out ways to counter it?
"Battle start!"
At the referee's signal, the match between Natsuhiko and Morden officially began.
The first crucial step: Krookodile's "Intimidation" trait had little effect on Togekiss.
This was Natsuhiko's pre‑match calculation paying off.
"Togekiss, Yawn!" Natsuhiko seized the initiative immediately.
He rarely tried to grab the initiative in his other battles; the more he did so now, the more it showed how seriously he was taking Morden.
On the other side, Morden said lazily, "Krookodile, Bluffing."
"Rooaaar——!!"
Krookodile let out a sky‑piercing howl, its eyes flushing red as an aggressive pressure erupted outward, waves of sound surging toward Togekiss.
The sound waves were incredibly fast.
It almost felt like they would land first despite being used second.
Just from the speed at which this Krookodile executed its Techniques, one could tell how exceptionally Morden had trained it.
And with such powerful sound waves, Togekiss's fragile Yawn might not even hit.
"Mysterious Guardian."
Natsuhiko quickly adjusted his command.
"Switching it up! Trainer Natsuhiko is showing us one of the fine qualities a top Trainer should have: the ability to change tactics! Now Krookodile's 'Bluffing' is only going to end up boosting the opponent's stats!"
"Chakui!!"
Togekiss reacted instantly, cancelling its signature Yawn. A bright white, virtual barrier appeared around its body.
Krookodile's Bluffing sound waves were all blocked.
But a faint red flush still flickered in Togekiss's eyes, its aura surging as its Attack Power sharply increased.
Even so, Morden and Krookodile remained unruffled.
A Special Attack–oriented Togekiss gaining Attack Power buffs wasn't much of a threat.
The key point was this:
Taking advantage of that small timing gap, Krookodile closed the distance to Togekiss at incredible speed.
It completely erased Togekiss's greatest advantage—space and distance.
Morden dropped his lazy act and his expression grew a touch more serious.
"Krookodile, move first—Thunder Fang!"