The banners of various universities hung high above the Mercedes Arena.
A salvo of ceremonial cannons echoed, and media outlets from all over had gathered.
As a competition aimed at university students, this event, hosted by the Tokyo City Pokémon Association, also served as a stage for inter-school exchanges and friendly matches.
There were eight arenas in total, each hosting three rounds of 1v1 battles.
The winners of each arena would advance, earning the right to challenge Gym Leader Takuya!
During the opening ceremony, Sakurako stood beside Natsume, quietly commenting:
"That's the delegation from Kanto Hoku University... and behind them is Nagoya University..."
The Tokaido Region is home to eight gyms, located in Tokyo, Kanto Hoku, Osaka, Chubu Sangaku, Kyushu Minami, Tohoku Heiya, and other areas.
This public challenge had brought together nearly all the universities from the Tokaido Region, a testament to the allure of the badges.
Natsume was slightly surprised. "Are that many people really competing for the 1,000,000 Pokémon Coins?"
Sakurako gave Natsume a puzzled look:
"The 1,000,000 Pokémon Coins are just a bonus... Shouldn't the real focus be on the Tokyo Badge and the gym's move manuals?"
Natsume paused, then cleared his throat:
"Right... that's exactly what I was thinking."
Natsume's tall frame, especially with the fluffy Eevee perched on his shoulder, made him stand out in the crowd.
In the distance, a group of girls chatted and laughed, their voices clear and bright.
"Ah, I wish I had a boyfriend with an Eevee too! Then I could cuddle it all day!"
"So cute... I really want one..."
"Eevee! (╬￣皿￣)"
Suddenly, a vein popped on Eevee's forehead as it bared its teeth and glared at the source of the laughter, which immediately died down.
Sakurako whispered, "This tournament... you probably have quite a few followers here, don't you?"
Natsume-sensei looked up at the sky.
I get it...
Just don't let this turn into another fan meet!
...
At the main stage.
Overlooking the energetic young crowd, Shoya, the President of the Tokyo Association, with streaks of gray in his hair, nodded with a smile:
"The times truly belong to the young."
Dressed in loose white robes, Hiroshi, the former principal of Tokyo Metropolitan University, with his youthful appearance despite his white hair, stroked his flowing beard and chuckled:
"We were like that once too. No need to feel nostalgic, old friend."
Shoya shook his head. "Old Senior, compared to you, I still have a long way to go!"
Takuya, the Tokyo Gym Leader, dressed in a sharp suit, felt a bit awkward.
This was supposed to be his public challenge... yet the guest commentators all seemed to outrank him in seniority.
Still, if this event could uncover talented individuals and award badges, it would be a cause for celebration!
Chinatsu, the Gym Leader from Tohoku Heiya Kobe, dressed in an elegant cheongsam, her face lined with wrinkles but radiating kindness, spoke softly:
"This competition... I wonder if there are any outstanding young talents."
Takuya smiled. "Nearly all the universities from Tokaido are here, and the rookie champions from each region are quite impressive."
"Personally, I have high hopes for Shohei from Tohoku Heiya, Juro from Kanto Hoku, and..."
Takuya's eyes scanned down the list of contestants and suddenly stopped.
'Tokyo Metropolitan University, Natsume.'
Just seeing that name reminded Takuya of Natsume's unique strategic style, causing him to cough heavily.
Shoya's expression also turned strange.
Natsume had close ties with the Sinnoh Champion.
His strength was unfathomable... at the very least, he had never been defeated.
While he was indeed recommended by Tokyo Metropolitan University...
Having Natsume participate in this kind of competition felt a bit... off?
Shoya coughed:
"This Natsume from Tokyo Metropolitan University... I'm sure the Former Principal knows him well."
Hiroshi stroked his beard and nodded with a smile.
He had first heard of Natsume from Granny Chihiro at the Tokyo Metropolitan University Pokémon Day Care.
Natsume had earned Granny Chihiro's approval and even managed to impress that "unaware of its own strength" Squirtle.
With Squirtle's talent, placing high in the competition wouldn't be difficult.
Perhaps... this Squirtle would be Natsume's strongest trump card!
Hiroshi chuckled:
"Natsume, a student from the Finance Department... quite the outlier, isn't he?"
The others at the table, being seniors, were unlikely to have encountered Natsume's Nico Dou content.
Takuya adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, thinking to himself:
This "outlier" you speak of... his strategy videos are highly praised across multiple leagues!
Still, no matter how brilliant his strategies were, it all came down to how well he raised his Pokémon.
Takuya's gaze swept through the crowd, landing on the Tokyo Metropolitan University contingent.
At the same time, Chinatsu also spotted Natsume and pointed at him, smiling:
"That young man... he's something special!"
...
After the opening ceremony, the first-round battles began based on the draw.
The three representatives from Tokyo Metropolitan University were placed in different groups. Reina excitedly pumped her fist:
"Natsume-sensei, go get 'em!"
Natsume yawned, waved to the group, and walked toward the battle arena with Eevee on his shoulder.
"Are you going to fight this time?" Natsume asked Eevee.
"Eevee!" Eevee curled up into a ball of fluff, clearly uninterested.
The opponents here were too weak to even pique Eevee's interest.
Natsume rubbed his chin, his expression complicated.
If he sent out Haunter, its Toxic move... might end up costing him medical fees for the opponent.
After some thought, the only option left was Squirtle.
But Natsume-sensei wasn't entirely confident in Squirtle.
"What if it masters another new move...?" Natsume muttered, his face twisting slightly.
"Will Misaki-neesan even let me keep renting the apartment...?"
With a long sigh, Natsume released Squirtle from its Poké Ball.
"Squirtle?" Squirtle scratched its little head.
"Be careful in the upcoming match..." Natsume hesitated.
Natsume wanted to say, "Be careful not to destroy the arena again..."
But then he remembered that the repair costs probably weren't his responsibility. Squirtle's safety was more important.
Natsume patted Squirtle on the shoulder and smiled:
"Go out there with confidence. Eevee and Haunter have your back!"
Eevee & Haunter: (????ω??)??(._.`) head pats
"Squirtle..." Squirtle blinked, its eyes suddenly welling up.
Wiping its teary eyes, Squirtle put on a pair of sunglasses and gave Natsume a thumbs-up.
"Squirtle! ヾ(??■_■)"
Your legacy rests on my shoulders!
...
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first round of Group A!"
The cheers were deafening, and the arena was packed to the brim.
Audience members, media, and competing contestants alike...
All eyes were on the center of the arena, where the Rookie Champion from Kanto Hoku stood.
A towering figure with a serious expression, his arms crossed, exuding an aura of undeniable strength.
The commentator announced loudly: "Juro, the Rookie Champion of Kanto Hoku, with his starter Pokémon Onix, has already earned a Kanto Hoku Badge!"
As the star of the Kanto Hoku delegation, Juro carried the hopes of his school and was seen as a strong contender for the Tokyo Badge.
After all, Juro was one of the few contestants who already held a badge!
"And in the red corner, we have... from Tokyo Metropolitan University... uh..."
The commentator paused.
"...A student from the Finance Department?"
However, when this unique title was announced,
The entire audience erupted in excitement.
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