"The number is limited to six?"
"That really is a problem."
Seeing that, Ethan could not help frowning.
Right now, the Pokémon he had in his hands related to sunny weather were only four: Charizard, Cacturne, Magmortar, and Litwick.
While Ethan continued thinking, the opening ceremony also came to an end.
However, when the host officially announced the start of the competition, none of the participants moved.
It was evident that, as long as the referee did not specifically designate the arena leaders, the first leaders had to go up on their own initiative.
In a situation like that, everyone seemed somewhat hesitant; being leader in the first round was not something just anyone dared to take on.
Just as everyone was hesitating, they saw one person suddenly step out from the group and head directly toward arena number one, the closest to the side.
"That is... Victor Caldwell!"
Seeing the person who had gone up, the spectators immediately let out a cry of surprise and then showed an expression of understanding.
Victor was also fairly well known and, among the competitors of the Elite Tournament, his ranking was among the highest, so occupying arena number one did not pose any problem.
"Who will be next?"
After seeing Victor go up, the spectators once again turned their attention to the participant area.
"Wait, who is that?"
"I don't remember there being someone so young among the Elite Tournament participants!"
At that moment, a spectator suddenly shouted in surprise.
"That is Ethan!"
"The junior champion of this edition of the Pokémon World Championship!"
In the stadium, those who knew Ethan began to spread the information.
"Junior world champion?"
"Ah, so it's him. But, although he has the title of world champion, it is only from the junior group."
"Everyone present here is his senior, powerful Trainers who compete in the Elite Tournament. Isn't it a bit arrogant of him to want to directly occupy arena number two?"
Ethan's stepping out provoked a wave of discussion among the audience. Although they knew he was very strong within the new generation, they did not believe he could stand with the right to be in arena number two.
For a moment, even in the participant area, murmurs began to arise. The Elite Tournament competitors, especially, frowned.
"This Ethan is quite interesting."
Suddenly, one of the competitors smiled and stepped directly out of the participant area.
"That is Gabriel Grant."
"An Elite Tournament participant!"
Seeing another person step out, the spectators recognized him instantly.
This time, however, no one was surprised. In everyone's mind, any Elite Tournament participant had the right to become an arena leader in the first round.
"Wait... look at Gabriel. It seems his objective is not arena number three, but..."
"My God! Gabriel isn't going up to become an arena leader, but to directly challenge Ethan!"
"T-this... only two possible leaders have gone up, and the battle has already started?"
Seeing that, the stands instantly exploded into a great commotion. But in the next second, all the spectators grew excited.
Being able to see, right from the start, a battle between Ethan, the junior champion of the Pokémon World Championship, and an Elite Tournament participant was too stimulating!
"Are you coming to challenge me?"
Looking at Gabriel, who had planted himself in front of him, the corner of Ethan's lips slowly curved.
Since he had chosen to go up second, naturally he was not afraid of any challenge.
And at the same time, deep down, he was also looking forward to being able to measure himself against those Elite Tournament participants who were present.
Now that his strength had already reached the Quasi-Elite level, the opportunities to battle against opponents of the same level were no longer many.
And especially an occasion like this, to face Elite Tournament competitors in advance, was even more valuable!
"Little one, although this is a bit like bullying the weak. But as your senior, I feel it is necessary to teach you what it means to respect your elders."
Gabriel showed a cold smile as a Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
"Now, please have the arena leader send out his Pokémon first."
Seeing that both were ready, the referee announced the battle order.
"Then, let's try it!"
Ethan also smiled, and the Poké Ball in his hand released a white light. Magmortar's figure appeared on the field.
"Magmortar?"
"Then my Pokémon will be this. Go, Blaziken!"
Seeing Ethan's choice, Gabriel also released his own Pokémon.
It should be noted that Gabriel was a Trainer specialized in Fighting type.
And now, seeing that Ethan had sent out the Fire-type Magmortar, he chose Blaziken, also Fire type. It could be said that he was responding in a completely frontal manner.
"Blaziken? This really is going to be an interesting battle."
Ethan looked at Blaziken and then at Magmortar, smiling slightly.
"Now, let the battle begin!"
As soon as the referee's voice fell, both Pokémon moved at the same time.
The muscles in Blaziken's legs suddenly tensed and swelled in an instant.
Bang!
In the next moment, the ground shook. Blaziken stepped hard on the earth and disappeared from its position in an instant.
At the same time, Magmortar's figure also vanished, leaving only the explosive echo of a blast resounding through the stadium.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
In the center of the field, both Pokémon collided head-on, and the intense radiance of flames erupted throughout the entire arena.
"That Magmortar's close-combat ability is incredible!"
"But Gabriel is a Trainer specialized in Fighting type!"
"And even so, in the frontal clash, the Fighting-type Blaziken has not managed to take the advantage!"
Looking at the two Pokémon facing each other on the field, the spectators began to grow surprised.
At first, everyone thought that Ethan would lose very quickly, but the result was not at all what they had imagined.
Although Ethan was only a little over twenty years old, he already possessed the strength necessary to challenge Elite Tournament competitors!
"That Ethan is also very strong."
"It seems that, if he dared to occupy arena number two, it is because he truly has a certain foundation."
Seeing Ethan's performance, some spectators began to nod inwardly.
The battle unfolding on the field was clearly a Quasi-Elite-level confrontation!
Boom!
Another rumble was heard.
And the two Pokémon separated quickly.
In that first exchange, both in speed and offensive power, the two Pokémon had been completely evenly matched.
That made Gabriel, as an Elite Tournament participant, also become somewhat surprised.
"I didn't expect you to truly have some level. It seems we will have to get serious. Otherwise, it really isn't certain that we can defeat you."
An expression of true seriousness finally appeared on Gabriel's face, and he directed his gaze straight toward Ethan.
Then it could be seen how Blaziken's legs suddenly began to strike the ground rapidly in the same place.
As Blaziken moved, it could be seen that the speed of its stomps became faster and faster, until they turned into a curtain of leg shadows.
"That is... the Ability Speed Boost?"
"Is Blaziken thinking of activating its Ability Speed Boost like this to rapidly increase its speed?"
Seeing that scene, an expression of surprise also appeared on Ethan's face.
The Ability Speed Boost was one of Blaziken's most powerful capabilities, able to continuously increase its speed during battle. But using this method to voluntarily activate the Ability Speed Boost... it was the first time he had seen it!
(End of chapter)