"Milotic is unable to battle. This challenge match is won by the challenger!"
Two rounds of applause rang out simultaneously. In the stands, Misty was clapping when she saw Lisia beside her doing the same, also feeling happy for Natsui's victory. Lisia's excitement for her friend was clear in her shining eyes, but Misty couldn't help glaring at her, feeling possessive over Natsui's win.
"Why are you clapping? Didn't your master lose? Wrong side, aren't you?"
Lisia gave her a 'so what' look. "I'm not cheering for my master. Natsui's my friend, so of course I'm happy he won."
"Your friend!?"
Misty's annoyance simmered. Why did Lisia have to act so happy for Natsui? It felt misplaced, or even intrusive.
What kind of joke is this? Is this for real?
You've barely met Natsui. How can you call him your friend already?
Give it a few more meetings, and you'll be calling him 'Natsui' just like me, won't you?
Is this what idols are like? Unashamed, just barging into any bond?
Honestly, so shameless!
She felt resentful in her heart, but obviously couldn't do anything about Lisia. After all, the mouth belonged to someone else, and she couldn't control it. She just became more determined in her thought—Once the Gym battle is over, we must leave here immediately!
No more chances for Lisia to get close to Natsui!
The two left their seats and walked together toward the venue below. Coincidentally, because the passage in the spectator seats was relatively narrow, they got squeezed there for a moment!
Neither was willing to give way. Standing there, looking at each other, they exerted force forward simultaneously, wanting to be the first to squeeze through the passage!
Don't let the fact that Lisia was an idol fool you; singing and dancing made her physical strength appear quite good. But in the end, Misty, relying on having more strength, won the victory and squeezed ahead of Lisia!
Without rushing to Natsui's side immediately, Misty turned back and looked at Lisia provocatively. Though she didn't speak, it was clear from her face: Misty saw Lisia as a rival for attention and was determined to win, whether with men or anything else.
And Lisia glared back, unwilling to show weakness!
Although I let you win this time, the one laughing last will definitely be me!
In the Trainer command area, Natsui naturally didn't know about the little friction between the two beautiful girls in the spectator seats.
His attention at this moment was entirely focused on his Combusken.
At this time, the light of evolution had slowly dissipated. When the light faded completely, appearing before Natsui was a brand-new form—Blaziken!
After evolving into Blaziken, its typing remained unchanged, still Fire and Fighting.
The biggest change was its basic abilities and appearance.
Compared to the slightly green Combusken, Blaziken had undoubtedly reached maturity. It had white feathers and a V-shaped crest, blue eyes, claws wrapped in bandages, and strong, powerful legs.
Blaziken is known for its courage, never backing down and always fighting to the end. Every few years, it sheds its old feathers and grows new, bright ones. In battle, it shoots out hot flames from its wrists—the stronger the opponent, the bigger the flames.
It also possessed tough loins and legs. Someone even specifically tested it: it could easily leap over a 30-story building with just a few jumps!
After evolving into Blaziken, this was undoubtedly another improvement for Natsui's regular lineup.
At his signal, Blaziken jumped onto the shore from the huge pool with just a simple leap. Natsui then led it to the side, arriving in front of Juan, who had a complex expression.
At this time, Misty and Lisia also arrived at the venue to meet up with the two. They stood beside Natsui and Juan, respectively. However, unlike Misty, who focused her attention on her companion, Lisia was also looking at Natsui with a beaming smile, completely leaving her master, who had just experienced defeat and needed comfort, hanging aside.
It was clear Lisia had grown up and wanted to make her own choices now.
Although reluctant, Juan, facing the consequences of his defeat, could only admit that his skills were indeed inferior.
Coughing lightly, he pretended to be relaxed and said, "Hmm... performed very well, just about what I expected. But don't become arrogant and complacent because of this. You must know you are still young and that there is a long road ahead. You still have a lot of room for growth. Hope you can make persistent efforts and maintain this..."
Juan really sounded like an old teacher giving advice to a younger person. If you didn't know better, you might think he lost to Natsui on purpose!
Regarding his words, Natsui listened with a smile on his face, treating it as wind passing his ears.
After winning the battle and achieving his goal, he no longer needed to provoke Juan with words.
Natsui was just trying to let Juan keep his dignity. He knew how to handle people, so he played along.
Besides, he couldn't even beat him; so what if he enjoyed some lip service?
However, although he didn't take this matter to heart, Misty didn't like hearing it.
Let's be real: it's just our first meeting, and we didn't get along. Where did you get so much nonsense now?
She couldn't help but want to open her mouth to tease a few sentences, but Lisia at the side was a step ahead of her and called a stop to Juan.
"Enough, stop," Lisia rolled her eyes. "After all this, do you really not know who battled you?"
Hmm?
Hearing Lisia say this, Juan suddenly realized something was wrong.
Could it be... this man in front of me has a very unusual background?
"Oh?" He asked calmly, "Then I'd like to hear, who exactly is he?"
Lisia was about to speak, but Natsui waved his hand to stop her.
Regarding what Lisia was going to say, Natsui had heard it too many times. He realized she likely wanted to share his dual-region Champion status to impress Juan, but also knew this risked making him seem boastful. Although he didn't mind others knowing this, being mentioned like this every time he came to a new place—once or twice was fine, but over time it seemed like he was intentionally showing off.
Although these were all spread by others and he never said so himself, excessive consumption of this title would do more harm than good.
"Who else?" Natsui smiled. "Just another Trainer in Hoenn, hoping to qualify for the Conference."
Eh?
Hearing Natsui say this, Lisia looked at him in surprise. After figuring out the reason, she admired him even more.
After embarking on the path to becoming an idol, her wish was for more people to know and like her. She also knew that too many people wished to be famous in front of the world like her.
As long as one becomes famous, both prestige and money are almost within reach. How many people can truly remain indifferent?
Truly a man who makes one's heart beat fast...
Looking at Natsui with joy in her eyes, after figuring this out, she didn't say more; she just kept urging Juan to get his Gym Badge.
Being urged with no other choice, although extremely curious in his heart, Juan could only suppress this question, waiting to ask Lisia when there was a chance afterward.
He couldn't understand why even Lisia was starting to take Natsui's side instead of his.
Taking out his Badge from his chest pocket, Juan threw it toward Natsui reluctantly.
"Take it. This is my Rain Badge, proof of defeating me."
The Badge spun in the air, flying toward Natsui.
It was clear that Juan must be angry in his heart and wanted to embarrass this man, who had remained calm and composed from beginning to end. This caused the angle at which he threw the Badge to be slightly higher. If Natsui wanted to catch it, he would inevitably have to take a few steps back!
But the Badge had only flown halfway when it was firmly grasped by a gray, thick chicken claw.
Catching a Badge, such a small matter, naturally didn't need its Trainer to do it personally!
Blaziken stared coldly at Juan, flames seeming to burn in its eyes. Although it was very dissatisfied with Juan in its heart, since it didn't receive its Trainer's order, it could only glare at him fiercely a few times, then turn back and hand the Badge to Natsui.
Natsui looked down at the Badge in his hand.
The Rain Badge from Sootopolis Gym was simple: a large raindrop shape made from one blue and two blue-pink drops.
Putting away the Badge, Natsui rarely said anything to Juan. He just shook his head helplessly at him, seeming to mock his pettiness. Then he greeted Lisia, and amidst Lisia's hesitation to speak, he took Misty and Blaziken off the battlefield, leaving the Sootopolis Gym.
Just as they walked out of the Gym gate, they heard light footsteps sounding behind them. At the same time, Lisia's slightly breathless voice came over.
"Plea... please wait a moment!"
Before hearing this voice, Misty had already been praying constantly in her heart, hoping never to see Lisia again. But obviously, things didn't develop as she expected.
Taking a deep breath, she turned around with Natsui, wanting to see what else this magnificent idol wanted.
"What's wrong?" Natsui asked gently as she rushed over.
Actually, he had a good impression of this girl. Not only was she beautiful and cheerful, but one could feel that intense youthful vitality. The time spent with her was very relaxing and pleasant.
Of course, it would be even better if she and Misty could get along.
Running up close, after catching her breath slightly, Lisia apologized, "Um... about my master, please don't mind him. Actually, he is a very good person. He's just afraid I'll be deceived, so he doesn't let me get too close to the opposite sex. That's why he was so resistant after seeing you..."
"Don't worry." Before Natsui could answer, Misty said faintly, "Natsui won't get angry over such a small matter, nor will he take it to heart."
"I didn't ask you; no need for you to answer!"
Oh boy, here we go again?
Are these two born enemies or something?
For the sake of peace for his ears, Natsui hurriedly pulled Misty behind him and signaled her to be quiet first, then turned to look at Lisia.
"It doesn't matter. Just as Misty said, I really don't mind." He said softly, "Since I started traveling, I've seen too many people of all kinds. I've encountered quite a few with worse attitudes than your master. Maybe by tomorrow, I will have completely forgotten about today's matter."
"Then I'm relieved." Lisia breathed a long sigh of relief, then looked into Natsui's eyes, lowered her head shyly, and said somewhat coyly, "Um... will we meet again in the future?"
Hearing this, Misty's mouth almost twisted in anger.
She wanted to say something, but suddenly remembered Natsui telling her to be quiet, so she could only sulk alone behind Natsui.
"Should be possible." Natsui said affirmatively, "After all, there is still a long road ahead. Maybe one day, we can meet again at some time and place. Moreover, as a Pokémon Coordinator, you will definitely appear in Contest Hall cities everywhere in the future. By then, I believe our chances of meeting will increase greatly."
"That's true too!" Lisia was in a much better mood and asked again, "Then after the Ever Grande Conference ends and you leave Hoenn, where will you go?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be the Sinnoh region."
"Sinnoh!?" Hearing Natsui's answer, Lisia's eyes lit up immediately. "Really!? That's really great! My next work focus is in Sinnoh! It seems we are indeed destined! We can meet again in Sinnoh!!"
After being forced to exchange contact information, Natsui and Misty finally left the street where the Sootopolis Gym was located.
Along the way, Misty looked unhappy. Obviously, she was distressed in her heart. Not only did she not get rid of that clingy girl, but Lisia even got Natsui's contact information. There was even a possibility of meeting her again in the near future.
Sigh, why is she so clingy...
Just being distressed like this for a long time, walking silently beside Natsui, when she came back to her senses and looked at the road conditions around her, she realized this wasn't the way to the port, but returning toward the Pokémon Center!
Surprised in her heart, plus feeling somewhat aggrieved, she couldn't help pouting and grumbling, "Why go back to the Pokémon Center again? Is it that you can't bear to leave your little fan from earlier and want to stay for a few more days?"
Natsui didn't say a second word; he directly raised his hand and flicked Misty's forehead.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Natsui said amusingly, "Those Pokémon of mine are all injured; of course, treating them is the priority. Moreover, there is an important matter I haven't handled properly yet. I must find a place where no one will disturb me."
Being flicked by Natsui like this, strangely enough, all the dissatisfaction and grievance in Misty's heart vanished at this moment. She returned to her usual appearance, somewhat unruly yet somewhat willfully cute.
And she knew Natsui was right.
Although it was delayed a bit these days due to training Feebas, Natsui indeed still had an unfinished matter waiting for him to handle.
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