Shiko's situation was completely different from the previous two rounds.
After such outstanding performances, his popularity had skyrocketed, attracting a huge number of fans almost overnight.
Quite a few people in the audience were even holding illuminated signs bearing his name as they cheered him on.
Many others had begun carefully investigating Shiko's background.
However, the more they looked into him, the more confused they became.
During the regional preliminary rounds, Shiko had never once used Pokémon like Dragonite or Salamence.
The strength he had displayed back then had only barely reached the threshold of the Quasi-Elite Four level.
Why had he suddenly become so powerful after entering the knockout stage?
None of them could have imagined that the person beneath the black robe was no longer the original Trainer.
Shiko had already taken his place.
Unable to find an answer, his enthusiastic fans could only conclude that Shiko had deliberately concealed his true strength.
Because of that, everyone became even more curious about him.
They eagerly wondered whether he still had more hidden strength.
Could he astonish everyone yet again?
Even though they held such expectations, the spectators also understood that the possibility was extremely low.
Pseudo-legendary Pokémon were exceptionally rare.
An Elite Four-level Dragon-type pseudo-legendary was even rarer.
Possessing even one would already require extraordinary luck.
Shiko had two of them.
He was already blessed beyond belief.
No one expected him to possess a third.
Even so, the attraction of seeing two Elite Four-level Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries enter battle was immense.
That was why, despite twelve matches being held simultaneously, more than half of the spectators had gathered to watch Shiko's match.
They had come for one reason alone.
They wanted to personally experience the power and majesty of Dragon-type pseudo-legendaries.
The referee lowered the signal flag.
The knockout match officially began.
Shiko's opponent this time was a young woman.
She wore black-framed glasses and exuded the air of a serious academy student.
As she looked at Shiko standing across from her, it was obvious that he was placing her under immense pressure.
"Go, Aggron!"
Shiko's opponent sent out her Pokémon.
"ROAR!"
The moment Aggron entered the arena, it released a deafening roar.
Even from its appearance alone, anyone could tell that this Aggron had been raised exceptionally well.
It possessed an impressive aura, and its strength had reached the higher stages of the Quasi-Elite Four level.
It was only one step away from crossing the threshold into the Elite Four level.
"Hmm."
Shiko looked at the Aggron before him and smiled faintly.
His gaze then shifted toward the young woman.
He saw the blazing fighting spirit and unwavering determination burning in her eyes.
The smile on Shiko's lips deepened.
This young woman appeared to be different from his previous opponents.
It seemed that she genuinely intended to win this battle.
Meanwhile, the moment Aggron entered the arena, some of the sharper spectators quickly realized something.
Aggron was a Steel- and Rock-type Pokémon.
Against Salamence and Dragonite, both of which were Flying- and Dragon-type Pokémon, it possessed an overwhelming type advantage.
Dragon-type moves would deal only half their normal damage.
Flying-type moves would deal merely one-quarter of their normal damage!
Meanwhile, both Dragonite and Salamence would suffer double damage from Rock-type moves.
More importantly, Aggron possessed exceptionally formidable Defense.
With such a considerable type advantage, it might genuinely be capable of withstanding Dragonite and Salamence's attacks.
Once they realized this, the attention of the entire audience was instantly drawn toward the match.
Everyone understood what this meant.
Shiko had crushed every opponent and advanced this far without suffering a single defeat.
However, he might finally have encountered a competitor who posed a genuine threat to him!
(End of Chapter)
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