He still has time. Compared to those Trainers who start forming their teams only after reaching the Elite Trainer Level, he has ample time.
At the moment.
What he needs to face is a battle with Flint.
Yes.
Three days have passed.
The Manaro Arena has been fully repaired, and today is when the interrupted quarterfinals continue.
Lance and the others have already called Natsuhiko.
It's also the reason he "painfully" left Kapu-Muu.
And with Infernape and Latios both having reached the Elite Candidate Level, it undoubtedly gives Natsuhiko even more confidence.
Although defeating Flint is still an unknown.
At least in terms of the apparent strength of his Pokémon, he is not at a disadvantage.
Riding on Latios, he left Ula ula Island.
Leaving along with him.
Was also the stealthy Kapu-Muu.
It needed to lay low for a while.
...
...
Manaro Arena.
The crowd was roaring.
With Latios officially reaching the Elite Candidate Level, its straight-line flight speed had reached a terrifying level.
It took only a short time to get from Ula ula Island to Manaro Arena.
Even the host's chatter hadn't ended yet.
Upon reaching Elite Candidate Level, Latios's talents as a Divine Beast were finally being realized.
It's very obvious to feel.
Natsuhiko's Latios has grown very steadily, everything has been very smooth, with almost no twists and turns or encounters.
Compared to Beedrill which has eaten the "Pure Gold Feather" since it was little, Alakazam which possesses the Dream Gene, Togekiss which is favored by Xerneas, and Aegislash which has considerable connections to Giratina, Latios can be said to have almost no extraordinary encounters.
Even Infernape grew by gnawing on the Shell Fragments of Original Groudon.
Yet Latios was not inferior to them.
In fact, it seemed to have an even stronger potential not yet fully realized.
This made Natsuhiko have to sigh in admiration.
There's a reason why Divine Beasts are so powerful.
Although it cannot be compared to those Divine Beasts with Divine Position, the innate advantages of Latios compared to ordinary Pokémon are just too great.
Its existence.
Is the foundation for Natsuhiko to infinitely raise his limits in the future.
Contestant Rest Area.
"Natsuhiko, you're finally back."
Lance and the others were visibly happy to see Natsuhiko.
"Haven't you started the matches yet? Anyway, my match with Flint is the last one, I suppose we'll have to wait until the afternoon."
Natsuhiko shrugged, looking quite calm.
"Senior Natsuhiko, where did you go?" Kona asked, quite curious.
She wasn't the only one curious.
Natsuhiko smiled mysteriously, "Oh, I just went to have a tough guy help me with some special training."
Flint next to him rolled his eyes, "Do you have to take it so seriously?"
Natsuhiko smirked, "It wasn't like I started taking it seriously first."
Did they really think he didn't know they were secretly plotting how to battle him?
Upon hearing this.
"Cough cough—The matches are about to start, I think I'm up first." Lance coughed lightly and said.
He was referring to Lance himself, the Dragon Master, because during their discussions about how to fight him, he was the most enthusiastic. Natsuhiko complained internally.
"Now, let's welcome the 'Dragon's Messenger' Contestant Lance from the Kanto Region! Alongside Contestant Mikkel from the Hoenn Region, the 'Water Artist'!"
As soon as Lance finished speaking, the host's voice came from the TV.
"You guys chat, I'm going to the match."
With that.
He flipped his cloak and stylishly walked out of the rest area.
"Who do you think will win, Lance or Mikkel?" Kona asked.
She mainly directed the question to Flint and Natsuhiko.
Among this group, it seemed only Flint and Mikkel had some acquaintance with each other.
Natsuhiko and Flint exchanged a glance, almost speaking their answer in unison.
"Lance."
Lance's strength was unanimously acknowledged by them.
Although his Pokémon attributes were often brought up as a topic for conversation by Natsuhiko, criticized even.
His strength had little to do with the attributes.
Be it Dragon Type or Flying Type, he was bound to become the Champion of the Johto Region in the future.
——————
PS: Here it is, 11,000 words! A friend got married today, so I came back a bit late. Apologies, bow~~