After a night's rest, the competition quickly arrived at the morning of the third day.
The lounge today was not as crowded as the previous two days, as most of the contestants had been eliminated. The entire room felt empty.
Apart from Natsui and his friends, every remaining player seemed preoccupied, and even their speaking voices were unconsciously softer.
Those who had successfully advanced felt both pressure and anticipation for the future.
They had already reached the Top 16; with a little more effort, they might become the Sea Hero and gain both fame and fortune. How could they not feel excited and nervous?
However, one thing was consistent: ever since they found out Natsui was the Indigo Plateau Conference Champion, they kept their distance. No one wanted to approach him for a chat, only occasionally giving him cold looks.
The hostility was almost visible, showing they clearly viewed Natsui as their biggest competitor!
Natsui paid no mind to this, continuing to talk and laugh with Ash and Misty.
However, Ash and Misty's good mood instantly vanished when the groupings were announced.
When the cup tournament staff posted the battle schedule on the wall, the trio looked together and found that Ash and Misty were scheduled to battle each other in the very next match!
The expressions on both their faces immediately froze.
What terrible luck!
If they could choose, both would have preferred to battle their friend after achieving better results, not be eliminated so early in the Top 16.
This was truly a prank of fate, playing a huge joke on them.
Both were in a complex state of mind, knowing that one of them was inevitably going to be eliminated.
Statistically, however, this was unavoidable; even if Ash and Misty were not paired together, there was still a chance they might battle Natsui, which was practically inescapable.
Natsui offered a word of encouragement to lighten the mood.
Fortunately, after a brief shock, they quickly adjusted their attitudes and became full of fighting spirit.
Seeing them return to normal, Natsui focused on his own opponent. He took advantage of the break to check the video recordings of his opponent's previous two matches online, gaining a general understanding of what to expect.
This opponent had used two different Pokémon in his previous battles, neither of which seemed particularly strong, suggesting he was an athlete who barely managed to advance.
Despite this, Natsui's personality would not allow him to take it easy.
Ash and Misty's battle was the second match of the morning. As soon as the first pair finished, it was quickly their turn to enter the arena.
Wishing them luck, Natsui sat on the lounge sofa and watched the live stream on the big screen.
The rules for the Top 16 to Top 8 had changed: each Trainer could now use two Pokémon. This not only increased the room for error but also allowed the Trainers' full skill to be demonstrated.
Amid the cheers of the crowd, the match officially began.
It was clear from the atmosphere in the arena that the audience's enthusiasm was even higher for today's matches.
It was only natural that as the number of eliminations increased, the level of the remaining contestants became higher, leading to more professional and exciting battles, which is why the audience was so supportive.
The battle indeed lived up to the expectations of the two Trainers. Both Pokémon fought fiercely, sustaining mutual damage.
After a long fight, Poliwhirl managed to use Dive to approach Totodile, landing a series of Double Slaps that knocked Totodile unconscious, thus securing the first point.
It wasn't that Totodile fought poorly, but Poliwhirl simply performed better.
Facing the setback, Ash confidently sent out Kingler.
Natsui had a deep impression of this Pokémon; after all, it had shone brightly during the Indigo Plateau Conference. It had managed to take down three opposing Pokémon by itself, helping Ash win several consecutive battles and successfully advance!
Misty was also well aware that Kingler was not to be underestimated, but she did not change her lineup, choosing to keep Poliwhirl against Kingler.
As the battle started, Kingler used Crabhammer to strike the water surface, unbelievably causing the water across the entire arena to undulate and form four large whirlpools!
These four whirlpools violently churned the water, and Poliwhirl in the water was caught by the currents, drifting helplessly and rapidly on the water's surface!
Upon seeing this attack, Natsui could only think: what incredible power!
To create such a powerful whirlpool with a single attack defied logic!
Kingler rarely traveled with Ash; Ash only remembered it during competitions, and it usually stayed at Professor Oak's lab. To possess such strength, its growth must have been outstanding!
He remembered that back on Earth, faced with Kingler's inexplicable power, many people jokingly gave Professor Oak all the credit, claiming he must have given Ash's Kingler and other Pokémon private, excellent training.
Of course, common sense suggested this was just a joke.
As a highly respected Pokémon Professor, Professor Oak had many things to handle every day and no time to train Pokémon.
In the arena, relying on this move, Kingler easily defeated Poliwhirl, tying the score at one-all.
For the third match, Misty took out a Poké Ball, intending to send out Corsola, but somehow Psyduck once again ran out on its own!
This was not the first, second, or third time it had acted on its own, ignoring Misty's command to battle!
And, hilariously, as soon as Psyduck appeared, it gave everyone a special performance!
Falling into the water, it struggled as if it were drowning, even choking on several mouthfuls of water!
The audience burst out laughing; who would have thought a Water-type Pokémon couldn't swim?!
Fortunately, after much thrashing in the water, Psyduck managed to climb onto a stone pillar, finally avoiding drowning itself.
Crucially, the director timely gave a close-up shot of Misty.
This shot allowed all viewers to clearly see Misty's face flushing red with embarrassment because of Psyduck's actions!
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