The next day.
After a night's rest, Flint and Lance had adjusted their states and were finally ready to begin the battle Natsuhiko had been anticipating for quite some time.
A battle belonging to two future Champions.
Since neither of them had six Pokémon often used, the number of Pokémon to be used was set to three.
In the backyard of Flint's home, there was a fully equipped battle field, complete with a professional referee.
While both of them were adjusting their states in the preparation area, Natsuhiko was already selecting the best angle to film this "battle of the century."
Currently, on the league's official website, the video with the highest views and comments in the young generation section was the battle between Flint and Hilona.
Their battle video has consistently been a topic of learning and discussion among the younger generation of the entire league. The tactics they used and their understanding of Pokémon were always the content people talked about with great interest.
Definitely not because Flint is handsome and wealthy, and Hilona has countless fans.
Yes, definitely.
However, just as Natsuhiko was about to set up the equipment, a voice with a slightly sharp tone suddenly sounded from behind him.
"Private battle, I'd suggest you refrain from filming randomly."
"Hmm?"
Natsuhiko followed the voice and saw a girl dressed in a black miniskirt with red long stockings, wearing two buns on her head, and long hair flowing behind her, holding a book and walking over.
Immediately surprised, he said, "Du Juan?"
"You know me?" Du Juan frowned, her delicate face possessing a somewhat scholarly air.
Natsuhiko remained silent.
Du Juan, a Rock-type Pokémon enthusiast, the soon-to-be Dojo Leader of Kanaz City, getting a badge from her wasn't difficult when he played the game, but it was because of her appearance that many people remembered her.
"Du Juan, currently studying at the top Pokemon Academy in Kanaz City, her father is the Dojo Leader of Kanaz City, and has close ties with the Zfuchi Family," Natsuhiko said.
This is the information published on the league's official website, without directly stating the relationship between Du Juan's family and the Zfuchi Clan.
However, considering their family's enthusiasm for Rock-type Pokémon and their position as the Dojo Leader in a major city like the Hoenn Region's Kanaz City, the relationship is evidently extraordinary.
And this Du Juan is a typical academy-style trainer, preferring to apply what she learned from books to actual combat.
In fact.
Flint can also be considered a half-academy-style trainer because he also attended the Pokemon Academy in Kanaz City, but graduated early due to his outstanding grades and embarked on a journey to collect various stones.
A combination of academy and travel styles.
Not confined to the tactics and battle concepts taught by the Pokemon Academy, it also incorporates some of the experiences and insights gained from traveling.
Of course, Flint's way of traveling is somewhat different from others'.
"It seems you're not just a video journalist," Du Juan said thoughtfully.
"Obviously," Natsuhiko shrugged.
However, Du Juan's words did remind him.
This video might really not be suitable for public release.
Otherwise, his "Dodo," for those with intentions to find him, his identity would be quite easy to confirm.
"Senior Flint's opponent's friend this time?" Du Juan asked again.
Natsuhiko hesitated slightly, nodding imperceptibly.
Being a friend of Lance was not incorrect.
Seeing his nod, Du Juan's hostility became apparent again.
Natsuhiko rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
He realized that this Du Juan must be Flint's admirer, a typical little fan girl.
Fan girls can be quite troublesome no matter where they are.
"It's starting."
Fortunately, Flint and Lance both stepped onto the battlefield, and after lengthy preparation, the battle between them finally commenced.
Behind Natsuhiko, Honedge curiously peeked out, looking at the large field and the two standing on each side.
'Is this the Pokémon battle that Togetic mentioned?'
With a call from the referee, the red and blue flags in his hands dropped.
This battle officially began.
Two red lights flickered, and the field rumbled and shook.
Lairon, covered in heavy silver-white metal armor, landed, its shiny metal backstabs looking fierce, its strong and powerful limbs stomping on the ground, raising dust.
"Lairo!!"
On the other side, Lance's Pokémon appeared, relatively gentle by comparison.
With a slender figure, elegance and ease exuding from every move, it was Lance's Dragonair.
The appearance of Dragonair made the previously clear weather slowly become misty.
Natsuhiko's eyes lit up, "Has it evolved into Dragonair? This round is not favorable for Flint."
Dragonair can learn and master many Water-type Techniques, which puts the Steel-type and Rock-type Lairon at a disadvantage in terms of techniques.
In Natsuhiko's mind, he naturally began to simulate the trajectory and outcome of this battle.
"Hmm! Calling out the ace Pokémon right away, Senior Flint's signature is Metang." Du Juan clearly also felt the unfavorable situation Flint was in and said somewhat angrily.
Natsuhiko glanced at her.
As a member of the academy, her basic knowledge reserve was decent, she could see Lance's advantage.
"But the deciding move for Lance isn't placed on Dragonair..." Natsuhiko shook his head and sighed.
Before evolving into Dragonite, Lance's ace had always been Charizard. Even after evolving into Dragonite, without a period of catching up, it was difficult to surpass Charizard's tactical position in Lance's lineup.
And the Fire-type, flying Charizard, too strongly counters Flint's Pokémon, which are of the Steel-type and inherently slow.
Du Juan's eyes widened, "How do you know Flint's Lairon doesn't have a way to counter Dragonair?"
Ignoring her angry expression, Natsuhiko agreed with her words, nodding, "Indeed, if Dragon Dive can hit Dragonair, the effect would be significant, but the precondition is to be able to hit it, and the inherent speed weakness of Lairon is too much.
Besides, Lance will definitely use 'Dragon Dance' as the opening move."
"How do you know it's Dragon Dive?" Du Juan was a bit surprised, also wondering how Natsuhiko could guess both of their strategies.
Because on the field, Lance indeed had Dragonair use Dragon Dance, not to increase attack, but to further enhance the speed advantage.
Although Natsuhiko always used the nickname "Dodo" to tease him, his future capability of becoming a Champion still showcased his strength, with precise control over the battle's rhythm, down to every second and every moment.
No matter what, Lance was a few years older than Flint, and just those few years of experience were a considerable advantage.
The reason he later didn't become the Champion of the Kanto Region.
On one hand, it is due to the Kanto Region, being the birthplace of the League, being rich with talents, where some Elite Four members, if they went to regions with relatively weaker strength, could take on the Champion role, such as the often criticized Unova Region and Kalos Region.
Places like Alola are just purely rural, let's not mention them.
Moreover, Kona's strength is indeed outstanding, and the Ice-type strongly counters Lance's all Flying-type Pokémon.'
On the other hand, it is because Lance's family, the Dragon Taming Race, is located in Yanmo City in the Johto Region. Becoming the Champion in the Johto Region is obviously more beneficial for the family's development.
At that stage, Lance, who had grown rapidly with the long-term resource support from the Dragon Taming Race, also reached the time to give back to the family.
This is the benefit of being a trainer born in a big family, but it is also a constraint.
Even Flint, in the end, had to abdicate to Mikkel and go back to take over the Devon Company.
This echoes the saying.
If you do not do well, you go back to inherit your billions of assets early, and if you do well, you stick around a few more years before going back to inherit your billions of assets.
The life of the wealthy is just so boring and monotonous.
Back to the topic.
In the field, it was finally the moment to determine victory or defeat between Lairon and Dragonair.
Beside them, Du Juan was tightly clutching her book, her eyes filled with hopeful little stars.
But Natsuhiko knew, the result was set.
"This first round, Lance won."