Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

Compared to the bustling atmosphere outside, the dojo was relatively quiet inside.

However, the presence of various cameras all around shows the level of attention this tournament has garnered.

In the middle of the venue stood the host, holding a microphone and speaking passionately.

He is a professional presenter sent by Devon, and has extensive experience.

They remained completely at ease even in the face of such a popular cup competition.

"Now let's welcome, Gym Leader, Mr. Xia Yan!"

Amid cheers, Xia Yan walked out from the passage representing the gym leader's side.

"And... Miss Cynthia!"

Amidst more gasps, Cynthia emerged from the tunnel representing the challengers.

This is the opening ceremony of this tournament.

An exhibition match featuring Natsuhiko, the dojo master.

No one expected that the person who would be playing an exhibition match against Xia Yan would be Cynthia.

This is also the favor that Xia Yan asked Shirona to do.

It can be said.

The companies that invested in advertising for this sporting event have definitely made a fortune.

The exhibition match featuring Xia Yan and Cynthia, two young trainers with considerable reputations in the Sinnoh region, is sure to attract a surge in viewership.

Since it's an exhibition match, there's no need to take it too seriously.

Moreover, as the Gym Leader of the Dragon-type, Xia Yan was destined to be able to use only Dragon-type Pokémon in this exhibition match.

Therefore, you must find someone you know to play an exhibition match.

Otherwise, if the other party doesn't give him face and just swoop in a three-on-one attack, wouldn't Xia Yan's hard-earned reputation for the dojo be completely ruined?

Plus.

In the "Lily of the Valley Youth Tournament", the final showdown between Xia Yan and Cynthia was not actually fought. The winner was determined by Xia Yan's voluntary withdrawal.

This is the first time the two have faced off, and even if it's just an exhibition match, it's still quite a spectacle.

Xia Yan sent out the Aluminum Steel Dragon, which has now become one of the dojo's signature moves.

Cynthia, on the other hand, sent out Tokiku, who joined the team later.

Both are Gym Leader level Pokémon.

Cynthia is missing a top-quality Light Stone. These are hard to find, even for someone of Cynthia's status.

So it remains in the state of Pokémon.

Furthermore, Cynthia's Togekiss did not awaken the Fairy type, so it was not very effective against Dragon-type Pokémon. It also failed to evolve into Togekiss and did not learn Air Slash, which has the highest synergy with the Serene Grace ability.

At this time, Togekiss in Cynthia's team, just like Xia Yan's Togekiss back then, mainly took on the role of support.

Of course.

Even with these reasons, this Togekiss is still not to be underestimated.

Let's talk about Xia Yan and Aluminum Steel Dragon.

This Aluminosi Dragon can hardly be considered his Pokémon; they have little in sync and simply follow orders.

It has developed a certain understanding with the water chestnut.

Xia Yan has already promised Ling Hua that she can take the Duraludon with her when she no longer wants to be the gym leader.

Because it's an exhibition match.

So Xia Yan and Cynthia tacitly focused on showcasing their Pokémon, unleashing some flashy moves that drew gasps from the audience time and time again.

In reality, the number of collisions between the two sides was not many.

Ultimately, the two players failed to determine a winner, and the exhibition match ended in a draw.

However, they did set a good tone for the subsequent matches.

Because the arena was small and only allowed one match at a time, but because there were so many people who signed up, the subsequent matches started quickly after Xia Yan and Xi Luna left the arena in order to save time.

Xia Yan estimated that the competition would last at least half a month.

The players' waiting room.

"Xia Yan, Xiluo Na, you two are playing so fake!" Da Ye was the first to express his opinion when he saw the two of them come in.

Cynthia smiled faintly and said nothing.

Xia Yan rolled her eyes at him, clearly annoyed.

"If you think it's fake, you can withdraw from the competition. Nobody is forcing you to participate."

Da Ye grabbed Xia Yan's shoulder and shoved his frizzy hair next to Xia Yan's head.

"Look at what you're saying. This is the first tournament your dojo has ever hosted. How can we not support you?"

Looking at his "righteous and awe-inspiring" appearance, Xia Yan was speechless.

“However, Xia Yan, if the winner challenges you, can you ask that you not be limited to the gym Pokémon?” Da Ye added.

Upon hearing this...

Wusong, who was looking down at his book, adjusted his glasses and looked up. A-Liu, who was playing with a small insect on her fingertip, also raised her head.

Have a look.

This group of people are just here to challenge him.

outrageous.

Before Xia Yan could answer, a communicator in his inner pocket vibrated.

Xia Yan's expression changed slightly upon sensing the location of the vibration.

"I have a phone call."

After saying that, he strode outside.

Da Ye raised his hand, watching Xia Yan leave, opened his mouth but couldn't say anything in the end.

“Master Xia Yan shouldn’t refuse our request,” A Liu reassured her.

"I hope so," Da Ye said, pursing his lips.

He wanted to have a passionate battle with Xia Yan.

Last time, when the two competed, Da Ye still felt the passion from Xia Yan until the very end.

“But have you all heard? Master Xia Yan is that ‘Dodo Bird’,” A-Liu said with no small amount of admiration.

"Dodo bird? Who's that?" Big Leaf was taken aback.

"A truly remarkable researcher. I never imagined that person would be Xia Yan. My Espeon was even trained according to his thesis," Wusong couldn't help but exclaim.

“But don’t you think this name is strange? ‘Dodo bird’…” Da Ye scratched his head.

"All I know is that Xia Yan and Mr. Du have a close relationship," Wu Song said, seemingly intentionally and unintentionally.

"Dodo, 'dodo bird,' uh..."

Seeing Da Ye's stunned expression, Cynthia couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

This meme has already started to spread.

...

He left the players' waiting room and went to his office.

After summoning Alakazam and confirming that no one was around, he pressed the answer button.

"It's me." His voice had become a little hoarse.

This is the voice of his hunter identity.

The voice that came through the phone was Ms. Q's.

"N, Hunter S, is dead."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yan was startled.

They stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Hunter S, one of the top six seats in the Hunter Guild.

He is of equal status to Ms. Q and Mr. Z, and the area he is in charge of is the Unova region.

This was the first time Xia Yan had encountered the situation of the highest seat dying since joining the Hunter Guild.

After a while, he suppressed his surprise and asked in a deep voice, "Who did this?"

"I don't know, but..."

Miss Q didn't continue speaking, but Xia Yan understood what she meant.

She suspected that Tom Ruchi had done it.

In fact, Xia Yan's first reaction was the same.

“S is dead, and the Hunter Guild in the Unova region is in complete chaos,” Ms. Q continued.

What do you need me to do?

"This could be considered an opportunity for you, but how you seize it depends on your own willingness and ability," Ms. Q said meaningfully.

The word "ability" was given special emphasis.

Xia Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint in them. "The highest seat..."

"None of us can leave, so the five of us are sitting together now."

Miss Q looked at the other four people sitting around the round table and spoke softly to Xia Yan on the phone.

Just sit together?

Xia Yan's heart trembled.