Kona was a top-ranked trainer—already at the King-tier—and still an active member of the League.
She also served as the acting head of the agency, a position of significant authority. Apart from her father, few in her family carried more weight than she did.
"I can handle my own affairs. Anyway, all I need to do is play my match."
After hearing her brother's advice, Kona hung up the phone. Although Ash hadn't said it clearly last time, it was obvious—Kona had been rejected.
Still, she hadn't told her father about it. The reason remained unclear.
...
Afternoon—The Tournament
Commentator: "Ladies and gentlemen! After two days of eliminations, we're down to the Top 16! From here on out, each trainer can use up to three Pokémon!"
"And today's match is a real highlight! On one side, we have the youngest Champion from the Kanto region—Ash Ketchum! Facing him is Nathan Glacienne, heir of the Glacienne family from the Kanto Shrine Temple! Both are recognized as prodigies among trainers!"
As the commentator's voice echoed through the arena, Ash and Nathan stepped out from opposite ends of the stage.
Because the Top 16 battles were far more intense, the League had raised the platforms to keep trainers safe from the shockwaves of their Pokémon's attacks.
By this point, every competitor was a powerhouse in their own right.
Nathan adjusted his glasses and smiled politely.
"It's our first time meeting in person, though my father has spoken of you many times."
Ash noticed the similarity—like Kona, Nathan also wore glasses. It seemed to be a family trait among the Glaciennes.
"You don't plan to battle me while holding that thing, do you?"
Ash said dryly, eyeing the laptop in Nathan's hands.
"Don't underestimate me," Nathan replied confidently.
"Even against a Champion, data can be a powerful weapon. I've compiled complete battle data on you and your Pokémon." He pushed his glasses up, their lenses flashing.
Ash chuckled.
"So, you're a data-type trainer, huh? Reaching the King-tier with data alone—that's impressive."
He wasn't wrong.
Nathan, Kona's younger brother, was a data-flow trainer—a strategist who analyzed battle records, calculated strengths and weaknesses, and formulated precise tactics to win with minimal effort.
However, mastering the data-flow path was incredibly difficult. A Pokémon's potential wasn't something numbers could fully measure.
Even with the Aura guiding him, Ash wouldn't claim he could perfectly grasp every variable—Pokémon emotions, weather, and terrain could all tip the balance unexpectedly.
Among all battle styles, the data-driven path was the hardest to perfect.
But once mastered, it became terrifyingly effective: such trainers could often determine 80% of an opponent's strengths and weaknesses at a glance. By removing nearly all uncertainty, their win rate could exceed 90%.
Nathan wasn't there yet—he still depended on computers—but reaching King-tier with such methods proved his extraordinary intellect and memory.
Ash, on the other hand, embodied a hybrid approach: raw power enhanced by analytical insight. Backed by Aura and experience, he could read an opponent's Pokémon almost instantly.
"Red side, please send out your first Pokémon!" the referee called.
Ash was randomly chosen to move first.
"Alright, Pikachu! It's been a while—let's show them what we've got!"
Ash said, grinning as he looked down at his longtime partner.
"Pika!" Pikachu leapt from his shoulder, landing on the battlefield with a spark and a smile.
Ash's intent was clear—he wanted to challenge public perception. Many still thought Pikachu was weak compared to evolved Pokémon. Today, he would shatter that belief.
Commentator: "Wow! Ash starts off with Pikachu, his signature partner! Is he counting on type advantage here? We all know Nathan specializes in Ice-type Pokémon!"
As Pikachu took the field, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Many thought Ash was being reckless. After all, unless Pikachu evolved into Raichu, how could it possibly reach King-tier strength?
"Skye, is your grandson really sending out Pikachu first? Isn't that a bit… embarrassing? You do realize Nathan is already a King-tier trainer," said Ferb Ignatius, frowning from his seat in the viewing room.
"I've got a lot of faith in Ash," replied Nathan's father, Lord Glacienne, shaking his head with a sigh.
"But this time he's being too reckless. My son is a King-tier specialist—going against him with a Pikachu just seems arrogant."
"Hmph! You two really don't know what you're talking about," said Professor Oak, leaning back with a smirk. "Why don't you open your eyes and take a good look at my grandson's Pikachu?"
At his words, both Ferb Ignatius and Lord Glacienne turned their attention to the battlefield again. The others in the room followed suit—professors, elite trainers, and senior officials alike—all focusing their gaze on Ash's Pikachu.
Within seconds, the atmosphere changed. Eyes widened. Someone audibly gasped.
"What in the world—!?" one of them blurted out. "That Pikachu's energy signature… it's Champion-level!"
"No way… a base-form Pikachu reaching that level?" another whispered in disbelief.
The room fell silent except for the hum of excitement. The realization hit them all at once—Ash's Pikachu wasn't an ordinary partner.
Professor Oak grinned, clearly enjoying their stunned expressions.
"Blinding, isn't it? Pikachu's one of the top five Pokémon under Ash's command," he said proudly.
"It was his first partner—and every bit of its strength was earned through battle, not shortcuts. You really think my grandson raises Pokémon just for fun?"
The older trainers exchanged glances, some still shaking their heads, others chuckling in admiration.
Even Kenjiro Sasaki and Lord Glacienne, both high-ranking League members, had to admit it—the old professor had every right to boast.
...
TN:
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