Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

Tetsuya didn't hold back in his criticism.

There were only two battles, and he won both. How could this guy say such a thing without batting an eye?

"Oh? Then it seems I'll have to help you remember."

Although I had no confidence at all, I couldn't lose face.

Kajiyama's beak is even harder than the shell of a giant tuna clam.

He stubbornly refused to admit defeat.

Tetsuya rolled his eyes speechlessly: "Since you put it that way, then I won't hold back in the battle the day after tomorrow."

"Ah, I couldn't ask for more."

Kajiyama was drenched in cold sweat: "I have something to do, I'll be going now."

As he spoke, he quickly walked away.

"I need to find some time to consult him."

Yuji, who had appeared out of nowhere, clicked his tongue in amazement, "When it comes to being stubborn, I would call him the strongest."

Compared to Kajiyama's reclusive group, his situation was much better.

Of course, this is also because his strength is greater than that of Kajiyama.

The three players in their group F, including Yuji, have numbers 12, 18, and 33 respectively.

Although race numbers do not fully represent the strength of an athlete, they still have considerable reference value.

Moreover...

"When are you planning to release your Pokémon? You're going to have a match against that ranked 12th tomorrow, aren't you?"

Tetsuya looked at the Poké Ball hanging around Yuuji's neck.

Compared to a brand new Poké Ball, this Poké Ball is clearly quite old.

“It?” Yuji smiled and reached out to grasp the Poké Ball. “It will be logged in tonight, there’s still time.”

"Then I'll have to take a good look at its strength tomorrow, just in case we meet in the round of 16."

Tetsuya said so.

"Don't worry, I won't let you down."

Yuji was very confident.

"Wait and see."

......

"Please have your staff leave immediately after cleaning."

Contestant number 12, Tomoaki Koike, and contestant number 18, Yuji Tachibana, please get ready—

The referee's voice reached the ears of every spectator.

"Did you hear that? It's Yuji Tachibana."

"He actually has a Dragonite? Do you even have Dragonite in a place like the Orange Islands?"

"His opponent is in trouble now. Who knew that this Yuuji Tachibana had been hiding his strength for so long, and that he was actually a Dragonite!"

The whispers among the spectators in the stands were outrageously loud.

Entering the preliminary league, which is a three-person round-robin stage, each participant receives considerable attention.

Changes to features like the login wizard have been a major focus of attention.

Logging into a new sprite at this time usually means giving it your all.

This also means a significant increase in uncertainties.

Of course, it's possible that some trainers might use this mentality to develop tactics.

A detailed analysis still requires consideration of many factors.

However, the new Pokémon that Yuji registered obviously doesn't have this problem.

After all, that's Dragonite, a pseudo-legendary dragon from the Kanto region.

These sounds reached the ears of the two contestants, and compared to the obvious dark circles under Koike Tomoaki's eyes, Yuji's expression appeared even calmer.

"Dragonite!"

Kajiyama, sitting in the audience, murmured to himself with a sigh.

Which trainer wouldn't want to have an incredibly powerful pseudo-legendary character?

Besides, it's a Dragonite.

"By the way, have you ever seen his Dragonite in battle?"

He turned to Tetsuya and asked him a question.

Tetsuya hesitated for a moment: "Well, it seems there really isn't one."

Well, if we don't count the anime I watched, there really wasn't any.

During the mission on Twin Islands, Yuuji's Dragonite primarily served as his mount.

He always left the fighting to his other partners.

Kajiyama nodded knowingly: "Tsk, that guy's head is probably about to explode right now."

"should be."

Tetsuya agreed.

In a 3v3 battle, having an extra powerful Pokémon can have a significant impact.

In 6v6, tactics and formations can still help to recover some of the disadvantage.

But under the 3v3 rules, don't even think about it.

"Red side: Tomoaki Koike; Green side: Yuuji Tachibana. The side whose three Pokémon are all incapacitated first loses. Red goes first and attacks first. Please send out your Pokémon."

The referee faithfully waved his flag.

Tomoaki Koike shook his head, clearing his mind of the jumbled thoughts.

"No matter what, let's go all out to win first. It's not like there's no hope of victory at all."

With that thought in mind, he threw out a Poké Ball: "Infernape, may you win this battle!"

“me gei!”

A loud, enthusiastic shout drowned out the audience's voices.

What appeared before people was a monkey-shaped spirit engulfed in flames.

The eldest of the Sinnoh Fire-type starter Pokémon.

Also known as the Flame Monkey.

Above his head, a flame that never went out was burning fiercely.

Its body is mainly reddish-brown, with white downy hair on its head, chest, lower legs and feet, and golden swirling scales on its shoulders, chest, back of hands and knees.

The flames burning on his hands and feet added to his silent, imposing aura.

His blue eyes revealed not only cunning, but also boundless fighting spirit.

"Infernape, as expected."

Yuji's eyes flashed, and he also sent out his Pokémon: "It's up to you, Gengar!"

"Jie Jie Jie Jie"

The eerie laughter sent a chill down everyone's spine.

The deep purple Gengar revealed an "evil" smile.

"It's a Ghost-type Gengar!"

Many spectators screamed, their reactions a mixture of surprise and fear.

Gengar, which feeds on life, doesn't play a particularly positive role in any story.

Fortunately, there is a Ghost-type Elite Four member in the Kanto region, Granny Kikuko.

This makes people more accepting of Gengar than other Ghost-type Pokémon.

Furthermore, the Gym Leader of Eden City, Matsuba, also has a large group of Gastly creatures under his command, led by Gengar.

People are more curious about how exciting the battle between these two elves will be.

"Infernape, use Flamethrower!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Tomoaki Koike, now in battle mode, launched his attack.

Dragonite and all that, let's talk about that when we face it!

"boom--"

The Infernape grinned.

With its mouth wide open, a raging inferno roared and pounced towards Gengar.

"Disappear, Gengar."

Yuji was completely unafraid.

The eeriness of Ghost-type Pokémon is something that only those who have truly experienced it can understand.

"Jie Jie"

Gengar's figure slowly disappeared along with its cry.

Infernape's flames streaked through the air.

Aside from leaving behind the smell of burning, there was nothing to be gained.

Seeing this, Infernape lowered its upper body slightly and looked around warily.

"Infernape, use Focus."

Tomoaki Koike issued the command.

Infernape nodded solemnly.

As energy fluctuations flow, its concentration increases by several levels.

This allows it to react better to Gengar's sudden appearance.

"Now, Gengar, use Lick!"

Seeing this, Yuuji also launched a fierce attack.

"Hehehe—"

The sounds, whose direction was unclear, entered Infernape's ears from all directions.

It couldn't help but frown.

His ears twitched slightly.

Infernape changed its facing direction with remarkable agility.

“me gei”

It was taken aback.

"Infernape, it's on your right! Not behind you!"

From the command post, Tomoaki Koike's anxious voice could be heard, but it was already much too late.

Gengar, who always wears a sinister smile, has already stuck out its tongue.

Yes, it's formed from condensed energy, not real.

After all, Gengar doesn't like having a mouth full of fire or a mouth full of monkey hair.

The Infernape's agile body suddenly stiffened as its tongue moved.

Yellow arcs of electricity flickered around it.