Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

“However…” His eyes were filled with bitterness, “Even if I knew, it seems like there’s no way to deal with it.”

This is simply a difference in pure strength.

You can't expect his partner to defeat a Champion-level Pokémon with the strength of a near-Champion.

If he could do that, he wouldn't still be playing in regional tournaments.

"Anyway, let's try to see if we can defeat one."

"It would be too embarrassing to lose even if we were outnumbered six to one."

He slapped his cheeks hard to force himself to wake up: "Get fired up! Never give up!"

Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

The two stood face to face on the field once again.

Looking at the messy "grass field," even the referee subconsciously twitched his cheek.

This time, it'll need a major repair, and it'll cost a lot of money.

"Referee, I want to switch my Pokémon."

Just as the referee was about to let the two continue fighting, Tetsuya silently raised his arm.

According to the rules, the winner of the previous battle can choose to replace the Pokémon on the field.

At this moment, Tokiss is floating in the air, blinking its innocent big eyes.

I don't care about fighting, as long as I have snacks to eat at night.

Anyway, I've already taken on three opponents by myself.

"In that case, Hiroaki Kurosaki, please send out your next Pokémon."

The referee was also a seasoned veteran.

While trainers who choose to switch Pokémon when they have a clear advantage are rare, they do exist.

He nodded to indicate that he understood, and then gestured to Hiroshi Kurosaki.

An ominous premonition flashed through the latter's mind.

But the arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be released.

"Go, Mushroom Hat!"

“Li”

A creature that resembled both a kangaroo and a mushroom appeared on the field.

The spiracle mushroom stretched its body on the spot, brimming with fighting spirit.

"Old rival, huh? It seems like it was the same last time, and now it's your turn to play."

Tetsuya muttered to himself.

As he quickly recalled Togekiss, he forcefully flung the Poké Ball he was clutching in his left hand: "Let them know what a true Grass-type king is like—it's all yours now! Serperior!"

"Chirp—"

A cold, arrogant cry rang out.

Looking up along the elegant, serpentine body, his red eyes were full of disdain.

The Pokémon that Tetsuya sent out was none other than Serperior, which is also a Grass-type Pokémon.

"Isn't this... a bit too much?"

As many spectators in the stands fell silent, whispers began to circulate.

Serperior is indeed one of the three Grass-type starter Pokémon.

However, in terms of attributes and strength, its overall ranking is not very high.

If it weren't for its appealing appearance, Serperior might not be as popular.

"No no no."

Immediately, someone refuted this.

His voice trembled slightly.

"I have a somewhat immature guess..."

Could this Serperior be another Elite Four-level Pokémon?

Upon hearing this, the stands fell into complete silence.

"Gudong"

Someone swallowed hard.

Everyone's eyes were filled with disbelief.

The ominous premonition that had just occurred to Hiroaki Kurosaki was growing wildly in his heart.

As opponents facing Serperior, he and Breloom immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Is this really necessary?"

Even with his passionate spirit, Hiroter Kurosaki felt that he was not doing well.

Why does it have to be hellish difficulty right from the start? Couldn't they let him make it to the quarterfinals before eliminating him?

"Hylocereus, charge forward and use Power!"

Clinging to the last shred of hope, he made a final struggle.

"On the grassy field, we'll take the tumble and fall."

Watching the Breloom charge towards Serperior, Zhe calmly gave commands.

"chirp"

The monarch snake tilted its head back.

A rich green light emanated from its body and immediately covered the entire competition venue.

Countless blades of grass sprouted from the soil.

For an instant.

The grass field, which had been scorched and yellowed, has returned to its original state.

"King-level!"

The same thought flashed through everyone's mind.

If a Grass-type Pokémon at the near-Elite rank can use Grassy Terrain to this extent, then they might as well just cut off their heads.

"shhhhh"

Two vines emerged from the side of the Serpent Lord and snaked rapidly toward the Hathorn.

“Li”

The advancing velvet mushroom reacted immediately.

They moved nimbly across the grass.

As a Grass/Fighting type Pokémon, this is its forte...

Before the mushroom could finish thinking, it felt itself lose its balance.

The feeling of weightlessness followed immediately.

The mushroom felt as if the world had turned upside down.

The next second, the world spun around.

"bang bang bang"

Looking at the straw mushroom repeatedly pounding the ground while bound to the vines, a hint of pity flashed in the eyes of the spectators in the stands.

Poor kid, it's your trainer's fault for being even more unlucky than you.

The odds of getting it in the first round are truly astounding.

"A mushroom!"

Hiroshi Kurosaki shouted.

But the velvet mushroom was unable to react at that moment.

The frequency of Serperior's slams was far beyond what a typical Elite Four Pokémon could withstand.

The only reason it hasn't fainted yet is because it still has decent stamina.

I don't know how much time has passed.

The serpent's whip finally stopped lashing out.

"Boom"

The tightly bound straw mushroom fell from mid-air, trembling unconsciously on the ground.

Its eyes had turned into the shape of whirlpools.

"Flammulina is unable to battle, Serperior wins."

The referee's gaze toward Hiroaki Kurosaki turned one of pity.

Monsters of this caliber shouldn't even be appearing on the stage of the League Tournament.

"Come back, Mushroom."

Hiroaki Kurosaki was in a daze.

To be honest...

Was he really playing in the League Tournament? Did the organizers of the City League make a mistake?

However, the audience's enthusiastic shouts didn't seem fake.

"Please send out the next Pokémon."

The referee approached Hiroaki Kurosaki and spoke quietly.

He knew that the little guy's mentality was probably starting to break down.

However, I imagine anyone would have done the same.

That guy on the other side named Tetsuya is just messing around.

That's right, it's just for fun.

The experienced referee knew that the opponent's reason for switching Pokémon was not because Togekiss was unable to continue the battle.

Rather, it's because he wanted all of his main Pokémon to appear at the tournament.

That way, their images will be engraved on the final championship trophy.

Otherwise, judging from the battle of that Togekiss just now, taking on six opponents at once is not an impossible feat.

The power gap is too great.

This is not even an ability that a Pokémon that has just broken through to the Elite Four level can possess.

"Sorry, right away."

Kurosaki Hiroter's hand gripping the Poké Ball showed bulging veins, as if he were extremely unwilling.

But in the end, a helpless sigh escaped his lips.

"Big Carnivorous Flower, let's go!"

A deep voice came out.

Hiroaki Kurosaki seemed to have returned to his usual self, no longer displaying the same passionate energy he had just displayed.

"They've been completely crushed."

Kajiyama, standing in the stands, sighed with a sense of unease.

Yuji, standing to the side, gripped the Poké Ball containing the Dragonite in his chest: "Isn't that normal? It's despairing when you can't see any hope of victory."

Moreover, the age difference between the two is so significant.