"Equivalent to the combat strength of two professional-level Pokémon?"
"No, not exactly that either. If we consider that it's a single Pokémon and that, being in perfect sync with itself, the coordination it achieves allows it to unleash combat strength that even surpasses that of two professional-level Pokémon."
Although Adrian stated that that Slowking's strength was not so exaggerated, the faces of the others turned serious.
Among the eight present, the weakest among them would probably only be able to surpass it by using their signature Pokémon.
"It seems that this Slowking is that Ethan's ace. Its offensive power is already very high, and if it also takes advantage of the element of surprise, its combat level would rise another step."
At that moment, their gazes returned to the field. Christian, with a gloomy face, had already sent out his signature Pokémon: Crobat.
"Crobat?"
"That Pokémon needs a very high level of friendship to evolve. It seems this is Christian's ace."
Ethan showed a curious expression. Christian's Pokémon all seemed to specialize in speed.
Under these circumstances, Slowking, with its powerful mental strength and the move Teleport, had a great advantage.
"Crobat, Gust!"
As soon as the battle began, the four wings on Crobat's back started flapping rapidly.
Fwoooosh!
In an instant, a violent gale erupted across the field.
"This is... the airflow has been altered."
Ethan's eyes flashed and he immediately gave the order: "Psyshock!"
Boom!
A blue flash shone in Slowking's eyes.
The air suddenly vibrated and an invisible shockwave shot forward.
The next second, amid the screams of the crowd, the wave passed straight through Crobat's body.
"It hit!"
"No, wait, it's fake!"
"What speed! It's the afterimage Crobat left while moving at high speed!"
Seeing this, Ethan frowned and ordered Slowking to expand its psychic power to capture Crobat's movement trajectory.
"Crobat, Air Slash!"
With a flap of its wings, four blades of wind shot forward.
"Teleport!"
At the last second, Slowking's figure also disappeared.
The next moment, it reappeared behind Crobat and launched the move Water Pulse.
However, before the attack could be completed, Crobat's silhouette vanished again, causing the Water Pulse to strike empty air.
"It's incredibly fast! This Crobat's speed is unbelievable!"
"Even the surprise attack with Teleport didn't work!"
The audience was once again shocked.
Crobat's speed was undoubtedly the greatest they had seen among all the Pokémon present.
"Ultrasonic detection and wind control?"
Ethan had already understood his opponent's ability.
In a sense, Crobat's capabilities were similar to those of his Vibrava.
As the battle progressed, the confrontation gradually turned into a competition between ultrasonic detection and psychic perception, and between wind control and the move Teleport.
"Slowking, use your full strength!"
At that moment, Christian heard Ethan's words.
His gaze sharpened. Could it be that Slowking still hadn't used all its power?
The next second, he got his answer.
In the air, Slowking used the move Teleport once again.
Thanks to the ultrasound covering the entire field, Crobat detected the spatial fluctuation and vanished from its spot just as Slowking reappeared.
However, when Crobat stopped to use its ultrasonic detection again, it discovered that the figure of Slowking, which had just begun to materialize, disappeared again!
That was a huge shock. Purely by instinct and thanks to its extensive battle experience, Crobat flapped its wings and shifted position once more.
But when it stabilized again, a sharp pain suddenly exploded across its back.
Immediately afterward, it felt the world spinning; its body lost control and plunged from the sky, crashing into the ground.
At that moment, the stadium fell into deathly silence.
"How is that possible?"
"Did it use the move Teleport... three times in a row?"
Recalling the scene where Slowking had executed the move Teleport three times consecutively, the audience's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Not only the spectators—even the Pokémon Researchers watching the battle rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
Perfect connection. Three Teleports without pause.
Was something like that really possible?
Before, everyone would have answered in unison that it wasn't.
But today, that scene had happened right before their eyes.
...
"I didn't expect today's battle to go so well."
Back at the Pokémon Researchers' Guild, Ethan recalled how Slowking had swept the field by itself against three opponents and couldn't help but smile.
After successfully defeating Christian, he had advanced into the Top 8 of the winners' bracket.
However, that Top 8 did not yet represent the absolute Top 8 of the tournament. If the losers' bracket was included, there were still 16 competitors left for the next round.
In the battle the next day, the top four of the winners' bracket would directly secure their place in the absolute Top 8, while the other four losers from the winners' bracket would have to face the top four from the losers' bracket to compete for the remaining spots.
With the double-elimination format, the fairness of the tournament was ensured as much as possible. For example, Lucas Silver, although he had lost against Ethan, still had the possibility of fighting his way through the losers' bracket and reaching the Top 8.
"Only one battle left... I have to win it. But the final matchup will use the 6 vs 6 format."
"The traditional 6Vs6 is very different from other battle modes; it demands much more from the trainer. It involves building a tactical system, combining types, and the team's chain defense. Moreover, 6Vs6 is the foundation that every Quasi-Elite-level trainer must master."
As he recalled the details of the battle the next day, Ethan began to reflect on his team.
He only lacked one battle to obtain the ticket to the Pokémon World Championship.
And he had no intention of continuing to hide his cards.
...
The next day, at Phoenix Stadium, winners' bracket field.
With the final round for the world qualification underway, the atmosphere was visibly tense.
Everyone stared at the screen where the competitors' names were scrolling, waiting for the final announcement.
Soon, the screen stopped and the eight identities were paired two by two.
"Adrian's opponent is..."
"Whew, looks like he barely avoided trouble."
"The one who got matched with Adrian is unlucky."
"Besides Adrian, the second strongest is Jorge..."
"Jorge's opponent is... huh? That one who defeated Christian?"
"Wow, Ethan is unlucky. After showing off by beating Christian, now he has to face Jorge."
In the back area of the stands, only seven people remained.
Seeing that Ethan would be facing Jorge Holt, the second strongest in the group, they couldn't help showing expressions of malicious satisfaction.
"Ethan, be careful. Jorge is very strong, second only to the Rookie King of his generation, Adrian Vane. Against him, you must give it your all. Otherwise, you might lose."
Lucas showed Ethan Jorge's information.
"I know. I'll achieve victory and wait for you all in the Top 8."
With a confident smile, Ethan walked toward the field.
Opposite him, Jorge, dressed in a black sports outfit, was also stepping onto the arena.
"You're Ethan? The Pokémon you showed before are very strong. It seems this will be an interesting battle," Jorge said with burning eyes.
"A battle fanatic?"
Ethan responded politely and held the gaze full of fighting spirit from his opponent.
The screen determined the attack order: Jorge would move first.
"It's my turn to start, so you'll go first."
With a smile, he threw his Poké Ball. In the air appeared the figure of Dragonite.
"Starting with a pseudo-legendary?"
Ethan was surprised for a moment and also released his first Pokémon.
"TYYRRRRANNN!"
With a deep roar, Tyranitar, imposing like a Godzilla, appeared on the field.
"Dragonite vs Tyranitar!"
"Who would have thought the battle would start with a clash of pseudo-legendaries!"
The audience erupted into cheers upon seeing the Pokémon sent out by both sides.
Just from the presence of those two alone, it was clear that this would be a spectacular battle.
"Dragonite, Hydro Pump!"
Jorge gave the order, and Dragonite fired a powerful jet of water from its mouth.
"Rock Tomb!"
Ethan's voice was calm. Tyranitar stomped forcefully, raising a wall of rock in front of it.
Boom!
The Hydro Pump struck the wall, causing a violent explosion.
In the first exchange, neither gained the advantage; they were evenly matched.
"Raise the sandstorm, Tyranitar!"
Fwoooosh!
As the command fell, Tyranitar unleashed a fierce sandstorm that instantly covered the entire field, demonstrating its terrifying weather-controlling ability.
"So, a sandstorm?"
"I thought the core of your team would be sunny weather, but it turns out it's sand."
Jorge shook his head slightly. Then he withdrew Dragonite and threw another Poké Ball.
"Tyranitar, Rock Tomb!"
Almost at the exact moment the new Pokémon appeared wrapped in white light, Tyranitar slammed the ground and four stone walls rose around the still-incomplete silhouette, trapping it before it could fully materialize.
(End of Chapter)