The first day of battles lasted until around 10 PM, and the second day's matches were the same. It wasn't until the evening that 128 competitors had finally been eliminated one by one.
The once-lively athlete's village, including the accompanying staff, saw many disappointed people leave, and it suddenly became somewhat empty.
But people's joys and sorrows are not shared.
On the morning of the third day, the remaining competitors once again gathered at the selection hall, full of anticipation.
Natsui and Ash walked to the same workstation as before and saw the same smiling staff member.
Perhaps because they had interacted once and knew each other, they spoke more casually. The staff member even sincerely congratulated them on advancing.
"You two are really amazing. So many famous competitors were eliminated, yet you were able to pass the first round with ease!"
"It was nothing," Ash adjusted his hat and said boastfully. "We're very strong, so we'll definitely keep beating our opponents and advancing to the next round. I think at the very least... hmm... we have to make it to the top 16!"
"That's very ambitious. Well then, please continue to do your best!"
The staff member first chuckled lightly, then glanced at the slightly impatient competitors queuing behind them and quickly got back to business.
"Alright, after the first round, your fields and opponents need to be changed again. Let's proceed with the draw. But between you two, who wants to go first?"
"Me, of course!"
True to his nature, this time it was again Ash who drew first.
When he slammed down the button and the light circle stopped, he found that he had been assigned to the Rock Field, and his opponent was a stranger he had never met.
Seeing that he wouldn't be facing Natsui or Gary prematurely, Ash breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he wasn't afraid of a challenge, he didn't want to encounter his friends so early in the tournament.
Next, it was Natsui's turn.
Natsui took a step forward and gently pressed the button. As the light circle slowly decelerated, it finally stopped on the Water Field. At the same time, the screen also displayed his next opponent.
It was a man dressed as a ronin, with a long sword hanging from his waist. Judging by his attire, he looked less like a trainer and more like a swordsman who wielded the swift wind!
Seeing that it was this person, Misty couldn't help but let out a soft "Huh?"
Natsui looked back at her, "What's wrong?"
"This person..." Misty looked at his portrait and frowned. "Isn't this that unlucky fool we met before coming to the Indigo Plateau?"
How is it that they know everyone...?
Complaining inwardly, Natsui couldn't help but ask, "Unlucky guy? Who is he?"
Misty thought hard, but she couldn't remember his name at all, stammering, "I remember his name is... uhm..."
"His name is Otoshi," Brock took over the conversation. "When he first arrived at the Indigo Plateau, he was trapped by Team Rocket with a fruit trap, and they stole all his badges. When we got there, he challenged Ash to a battle, betting Ash's badges. But the result, of course, was that he was defeated by Pikachu and was even looked down upon by his own Pokémon. In the end, it took a lot of effort for us to help him get his badges back."
He got his badges stolen by Team Rocket?
No wonder Misty called him a fool.
Since the schedule was set, Natsui and Ash waved goodbye to the staff member and left the hall.
Unfortunately, however, since their matches were scheduled for the same time, it meant they couldn't be there in person to cheer each other on.
At the fork in the road, on the path leading to their respective arenas, Natsui extended his right hand to Ash.
"Do your best! I hope we both beat our opponents and continue to advance. To be honest, I'd really like to face you in the finals."
"I will," Ash nodded. "Both you and Gary are targets I have to defeat!"
After speaking, Ash was about to turn and leave with Misty and Brock. But looking at his back, Natsui thought for a moment and suddenly called out to him again.
"Hey, Ash!"
Ash turned back, puzzled, "What is it?"
Natsui pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "If you want to get better results, I think you should have a good talk with your Charizard when you have the time. If a situation like the one at the Cinnabar Gym, where it wouldn't listen to you, happens again, I'm afraid your Indigo League journey will end right there."
Ash scratched his cheek in embarrassment, "I've talked to it many times before, but it just won't listen to me!"
But seeing Natsui's serious expression, his long-standing admiration for him made Ash decide to follow his advice.
"Alright, after this match is over, I'll try to talk to Charizard again!"
After parting with Ash's trio, Natsui and Koharu went to the waiting room for the Water Field.
The organizers of the Indigo League, the Pokémon League, had prepared a separate waiting room for each competitor about to battle, where trainers could adjust their state of mind and plan their tactics.
No one would disturb them here. Natsui put a damp towel on his face, leaned back on the sofa, and closed his eyes to rest, mentally calculating which Pokémon to use in the upcoming match.
And taking advantage of the time before the match began, Koharu took out her phone and quickly browsed through the footage of Otoshi's last-round battle.
"This person..." After watching a few battles, Koharu shared her feelings. "He doesn't seem to be very strong. In his last round, he only managed to defeat his opponent with difficulty, right down to his last Pokémon."
"Is that so?" Natsui lay there lazily without moving an inch and said casually, "Maybe his opponent was too strong, or maybe he was just out of form. By the way, which Pokémon did he use?"
"Let me see..." Koharu took out a notepad from the side and read, "It was Pidgeot, Nidoking, and Marowak. And just now at the hall, I heard Brock and the others say that Otoshi's Marowak seems to be his most trusted partner, his ace Pokémon. But I don't know if he will send them out again this time."
Another Marowak?
Its appearance rate in this Indigo League is really quite high.
"Competitor Natsui, Competitor Natsui, please proceed to the arena for preparation after hearing this broadcast."
At that moment, the broadcast announcing the competitors' entrance had already sounded. Natsui removed the towel, patted his cheeks with his hands, and psyched himself up.
"Who knows if those Pokémon will appear? But even if he does send them out, I will give it my all!"
With that, Natsui stood up, ready to go. But before leaving the room, he turned back and smiled at Koharu, "Alright, don't think too much about it. You should hurry to the spectator stands. Misa and the others have already saved a spot for you. Now, just watch my performance."
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