The next day, the tournament continued.
Across the entire Daleron League, there were more than three hundred cities, of which over two hundred had clubs.
After the first day of battles, a total of 128 teams advanced to the third round.
The Pokémon Nightstar Club's strategy remained the same: Ethan stayed in the rear, not needing to participate yet.
In previous years, even without Ethan, the club could easily reach the Top 16. The Pokémon Island Adventure Club, whose level was only slightly higher than the Pokémon Nightstar Club, had reached sixth place last year.
But ever since the appearance of the Pokéblock-making machine, the strength of all clubs had increased significantly. Today, without Ethan, the Pokémon Nightstar Club wouldn't even be guaranteed a spot in the Top 36.
Luckily, with several crucial moments where Ethan had to personally intervene, the club managed to advance to the Top 8. Their goal was the Top 4... and now they were just one step away.
"Our next opponent is the Duskwell City Club?"
Upon seeing the matchup list, everyone's expression changed slightly.
The Duskwell City Club had taken second place last time!
Their level was almost equal to the champions, the Imperial City Club. They were a massive wall in their path to the Top 4, and everyone felt a heavy pressure.
"Then we'll go first. At the very least, we can wear them down a bit," Mantis said with a sigh.
The opponent was strong, but they still had to fight.
"No need. They have Derek and Brandon."
"If we try to wear them down, it won't matter. It's better if I open the round. If I can take out a few, we'll consider it a gain."
Ethan stood up, looking toward the Duskwell City Club's resting area.
At the same time, Derek Ashford and Brandon Hayes also stood up. Their eyes met, as if each had already guessed the other's intention.
"Alright, let Ethan go out."
"Do your best. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Rachel Blake sighed. She knew clearly how tough the opponent ahead of them was.
"Got it. As long as I can defeat those two, we'll still have a chance to win."
Ethan nodded slightly. A Poké Ball appeared in his hand as he walked toward the stage.
On the opposite side, Derek also advanced, Poké Ball in hand, obviously intending to face him directly.
"You again, huh?"
"How many times has it been just this year?"
Ethan smiled faintly as he looked at Derek.
Derek's face darkened. In their recent matchups... he had always lost to Ethan.
"You... this time we'll settle it once and for all!"
Derek spoke fiercely, raising his Poké Ball.
Ethan matched his gesture with a slight smile.
Two white flashes lit up the field. Two figures appeared at the same time.
When Ethan saw the Pokémon Derek had sent out, his expression shifted slightly.
The opponent's Pokémon was none other than...
Greninja, Water/Dark type!
One of the Kalos starters. And in the real world, they existed only abroad.
Greninja was a bipedal, large frog-like Pokémon. Its body and legs were dark blue, its torso yellow, and it had four-pointed star-shaped markings on its legs, like shurikens. The pink scarf around its neck... was actually its tongue.
"So you sent your strongest Slowking, huh?"
Derek also saw the Pokémon Ethan chose and smiled triumphantly.
It was obvious he had predicted Ethan's move.
In fact, it wasn't that difficult: Ethan's main Pokémon were Sandslash, Cacturne, Slowking, and Meltan.
To face Brandon — a trainer specialized in Fire-type Pokémon — Cacturne and Meltan were out of the question.
And Sandslash was completely countered by Derek, who specialized in Water types.
So the only logical option left for Ethan... was Slowking.
And Greninja, as a Water/Dark Pokémon, had a crushing advantage: it resisted Water-type moves, and its Dark typing completely countered Slowking's Psychic-type attacks. Even before the battle began, Derek felt half the victory in his hands.
All that was left was seeing it unfold in battle, because he knew very well that this Slowking was no ordinary opponent.
"Greninja, huh...?"
"I wonder what ability it has."
Ethan frowned slightly. He had walked right into the opponent's strategy.
He observed Greninja carefully. He couldn't help but think of Ash's Greninja.
That Greninja had the special Bond Phenomenon, allowing it to achieve a form similar to Mega Evolution: Ash-Greninja, with overwhelming power.
And its Hidden Ability, Protean, was also extremely strong: it changed its type to match the move it used, giving it constant advantage.
"Then... let the battle begin."
Seeing the seriousness in Ethan's eyes, Derek smiled broadly and gave the order: "Greninja, move at full speed!"
Even without abilities activated, Greninja moved so fast it left only an afterimage behind.
However, just as Greninja approached Slowking... its movement suddenly stopped, as if it had hit something invisible.
Then a sound like shattering glass echoed.
It was clear: Shellder had used Barrier, stopping Greninja's advance in an instant.
Immediately after, Slowking opened its mouth and gathered Water-type energy. Hydro Pump shot straight forward.
But Greninja was too fast. Without telekinesis assisting its aim, Slowking's attack couldn't reach it.
"Quick Attack?"
Seeing the white streak Greninja left behind, Ethan's eyes lit up.
"Slowking, use Confusion!"
Upon hearing the command, Slowking used Confusion — but Greninja broke free effortlessly in an instant. It had no effect at all.
(End of chapter)