Chapter 624: Out-of-Region Contestants

"Cough, cough…"

Baimu coughed twice.

When Pokémon trade big moves in a beam struggle, there's nothing else, but the smoke is seriously thick—even the barrier couldn't block it.

Of course, it's also possible the barrier didn't judge the dust as a threat, so once the shockwave faded, it stopped running too.

No big problem, just feels a bit like a renovation site.

And the tournament's already been fought to this state—future battles against those ridiculously powerful Elite Four and Champions will probably be even more terrifying.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help feeling a touch of worry.

Hopefully in the future he can find some way to cut down on the smoke interference.

Baimu thought this as he gazed out over the shifting smoke clouds drifting on the wind above the battlefield, feeling only that Z-Moves really were as devastatingly powerful as he'd imagined, and with no regional restrictions to boot.

Maybe he ought to do what Ash did—take part in the Island Challenge and collect all sorts of Z-Rings.

That way, when he enters big events like the Pokémon World Championships later, he'll have one more offensive option against powerful opponents.

The question is, is there an entry requirement for the Island Challenge?

Logically there shouldn't be—didn't the pharmacist he simulated before pass the trial and get a Z-Ring from the Island Kahuna Hala?

It's just that the guy's age seemed a bit on the older side.

He'd try asking about it in a bit.

A short while later.

The gunpowder smoke wreathing the battlefield gradually dispersed, and the surrounding stands erupted into noise again like boiling water, with many people leaping to their feet and craning for a look, trying to see what was happening on the field.

Inside the broadcast booth.

The commentator gripped his microphone without speaking—he too was waiting for the result of the two Pokémon's beam struggle.

"…"

Finally, when the last wisp of haze cleared.

The crowd saw the sight they'd most wanted to see—

Mega Mawile stood solemnly above the field, its back to the brilliant morning sun, a halo of gorgeous light blooming behind it like a round wheel.

It gazed down at the fainted Eevee below, like a god.

The venue fell silent for an instant.

Beeeeep—!!

A shrill whistle tore across the sky.

"Eevee is unable to battle! Mawile wins! Therefore the victor is Baimu, the contestant from Iron Town!" The referee raised the red flag toward Baimu, and the verdict rang out across the entire venue.

The commentator shouted without hesitation: "It's decided! After an intense full-team battle, the one advancing smoothly to the semifinals is contestant Baimu! Let us give him and his Pokémon partners the warmest applause!"

Boom!

The venue thundered with cheers that hit the sky, the crowd in the stands leaping up to clap, not minding at all even as their hands turned red from the applause.

Countless people chanted the names of Baimu and Mawile with wild enthusiasm.

Wave after wave, endless as an avalanche.

Dawn and Miss Liuqi excitedly shook their Poké Ball flowers, cheering along with their Altaria and Piplup.

"Baimu won! I knew he'd be fine!"

"Awesome! Next target—the finals!"

Brock sighed: "Only one Pokémon went down and the match was over—Baimu's strength far exceeds the tournament's level."

Volkheim showed not a trace of surprise, nodding as he said: "Now it's up to Iris."

On the field.

Ilima's clenched fists gradually loosened, the sternness between his brows giving way to regret, as he recalled his Eevee into its ball. "You did your best, thank you, Eevee—I never thought even a Z-Move couldn't take it down."

That move, which pooled their absolute limits, couldn't even leave a scratch on that godlike Mega Mawile.

Terrifying.

Just as he thought.

Is Eevee-Z a must?

Never before had Ilima longed so desperately to return to the Alola region and obtain Eevee's exclusive Z-Crystal from the Eevee specialist Shadowtiger.

If he'd brought out that Z-Move, would the outcome have been different?

He shook his head, unwilling to dwell further on that counterfactual—lose is lose.

Across the way.

Baimu caught the Mawile that had flown down and reverted to its normal form. "Beautifully fought—your attack power was brought out completely, very nice!"

"Chaa~"

Mawile struck a haughty pose, patted its trainer's shoulder, and told him to have a big dessert feast ready to reward this great hero.

It didn't expect his expression to change as he refused without hesitation: "That won't do—did you forget that seven-inch cake you ate yesterday? Sugar intake has to be cut for the whole week!"

"Chaa—nd—"

Mawile puffed up its cheeks in anger and went to yank his hair, until it noticed the empty Rotom pointing its camera at it, and sulkily lowered its little hands.

Baimu set it on his shoulder and walked slowly down the platform.

Just as he was about to head toward Ilima, the other man came over to him first.

"A wonderful battle, congratulations! Baimu!"

"Thanks, you were great too."

"I'm honored by the praise."

The two shook hands.

He immediately asked him whether there were any requirements to obtain Z-Crystals and Z-Rings.

Ilima was greatly surprised that he knew about Z-Moves and even understood the principle behind their activation. "There's no real barrier… as long as you gain the recognition of the Island King or Island Queen, you can receive a Z-Ring by participating in the Island Trial. But to obtain a Z-Crystal, you must pass the trial."

"No age restriction?"

"Probably not."

"Thank you very much."

Baimu nodded happily in thanks.

Ilima didn't feel he'd done anything to help him and waved his hand gently. "I'll be returning to Alola soon. If you ever get the chance, be sure to come find me in Hau'oli City on Melemele Island."

"Got it, got it."

He readily agreed.

They returned together to the preparation room.

Miss Liuqi and the others had been waiting for a long time, surrounding him and Gargana with excited chatter.

Piplup looked up at Gargana with adoration, and the latter immediately jumped down, smiling as he exchanged greetings with Togekiss and Piplup.

All three had fought before, but clearly none held any grudges.

Ilima was reluctantly drawn into their conversation and felt flustered by the enthusiasm of Miss Liuqi and the others.

"So that's how it is—Ilima is a student from Alola studying in Kalos…"

Xiao Guang suddenly realized, then froze. "Huh?"

Something didn't feel right.

Xiao Gang asked curiously, "Have you already competed in the Kalos Lumiose Conference, Ilima?"

Ilima nodded and said reluctantly, "I lost in the semifinals last year. I never expected this year at the Kalos Conference I wouldn't even make it past the first round of the championship match."

You've got a long road ahead, young man.

When the Alola League's Malie City Tournament starts, you'll lose early to Guzma again.

Baimu muttered to himself, then looked at Iris, who was warming up nearby. "Aren't your matches in the afternoon?"

"Hmph, I'm just adjusting my state early! You'd better be ready—maybe we'll meet in the semifinals!"

Iris confidently placed her hands on her hips.

Even after watching both their battles, she still didn't believe she would lose.

Baimu nodded. "Fine, I'll wait."

Noon.

Everyone, including Ilima, had lunch together; the latter surprisingly did not refuse.

When he learned that Manchu was this year's Silver Conference champion, Xiao Gang was a former Gym Leader, and Miss Liuqi and Xiao Guang were both renowned Coordinators with years of fame,

He was utterly astonished.

"I never expected Baimu's companions to be so outstanding." Ilima kept glancing at Manchu, whose ordinary demeanor and physical condition seemed unusually weak.

He didn't look like a strong Trainer at all.

Don't judge a person by appearance.

Ilima remembered the criticism his almond-shaped eyes had drawn and felt guilty as he apologized to Manchu. "I'm sorry."

"... It's fine."

Manchu was baffled.

—

Afternoon.

Iris's match began.

Baimu specially brought his Shiny Haunter to the spectator seats. "Watch closely—if you get a chance in the next match, you'll be the one to fight."

"Gn~"

Haunter mumbled something, its mouth stuffed full of popcorn.

Baimu: "..."

Has this thing started revealing its true nature now that it realizes I won't bully it like Jarvis did?

Recalling Haunter's solemn refusal to battle earlier in the preparation room, he couldn't help but smirk.

Back when Jia Wei was here, Haunter wouldn't have dared make demands.

... But that's not necessarily bad.

How can a Pokémon that suppresses its nature ever reach its full potential?

Noticing Baimu watching it, Haunter turned its head and flashed a huge grin—each tooth stuck with a kernel of popcorn, making it look slightly horrifying.

Baimu gave it an irritated tap on the head. "Eat properly! Don't waste food!"

"Gn!"

Haunter extended its long crimson tongue, swirled it around its mouth, and swallowed all the popcorn in one gulp.

It turned its gaze to the battlefield, its expression growing serious.

It still knew the difference between play and duty.

Baimu turned back just in time to see Iris's Decidueye sweep its tail and knock the opponent's Pancham out of bounds, defeating it cleanly.

"Pancham is unable to battle! Decidueye wins!"

The referee's voice echoed through the loudspeakers.

Murmurs rose from the crowd.

"Wasn't it barely a minute into the match? Already took out the first Pokémon so fast?"

"Even Baimu isn't this fast!"

"What are you saying! How can this person's strength even compare to Ylima?"

"Why not? I just feel like he's pretty strong!"

The content of their discussion was crystal clear.

He turned his head to look at Ylima beside him; the latter's face was full of bitter smiles, barely able to hold it together — as the loser, he was actually still being compared by the audience to see who was weaker.

What kind of torture is this?

All Baimu patted Ylima's shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

Iris's strength was beyond doubt; whether now or in the future, she belonged to the first tier of trainers.

Looking back at the eight masters of the Pokémon World Championships, she alone had no extra system to assist her — whether her overall strength was powerful or not could be seen at a glance.

After all, Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax had never been exclusive to the eight masters; fighting against those who had systems without relying on any system and still making it to the position of eight masters — the Unova Champion title was well-deserved.

The match below was still continuing.

Not long after.

Iris successfully took down three of her opponent's Pokémon, entering the halftime break.

All Baimu and the others stood up, heading to the preparation room to discuss the match process with her.

"Don't worry! I'm in great condition today!"

Iris planned next to press her advantage in one go, letting Dragonite directly blast through her opponent's remaining three Pokémon and end this match.

However.

Things did not go as smoothly as she had imagined.

In the first half, her opponent had played very passively, but in the second half, they changed their original tactical style — from a straightforward attacking strategy to one focused on slowing Dragonite's rhythm, constantly creating all kinds of trouble.

The Pokémon on both sides began a prolonged entangled battle, trading blows back and forth, neither able to do anything to the other.

The originally brisk battle became like sinking into a swamp.

It was much less entertaining to watch.

Many spectators began to complain because of this.

All Baimu narrowed his eyes; based on his previous experience battling Dragonite, fighting like this would make the latter one hundred percent get anxious enough to fall into berserker mode.

Once it lost its rationality, it would easily be taken advantage of and given the opponent a chance to counterattack.

Did Iris's opponent get information from somewhere?

He was speechless; although he believed Iris would ultimately definitely win, an excessively tortuous battle process would inevitably make people doubt the latter's strength.

Hmm?

Didn't go berserk?

All Baimu glanced at his watch — Dragonite's entangled battle with its opponent had exceeded three minutes! Yet it showed no signs of going berserk at all!

Has its temper already been tempered out?

*Snap! *

He instinctively clapped in celebration of Dragonite's "transformation" of the spirit — and it happened that the opponent was also found an opening by Dragonite, punched straight into the rocky terrain's ground, *boom* sending up a skyful of dust with a loud crash.

The provocation tactic targeting the Pokémon's temper was so easily broken!

"Haha, as expected of Iris!"

All Baimu was all smiles — this girl was able to inherit the Unova Champion title from Alder in her first year back in Unova, she really did have something!

The subsequent battle held no suspense; Iris successfully defeated her opponent.

Another match passed.

The first round of the Lily of the Valley Conference Deciding Tournament — the quarterfinals — ended here.

Tomorrow would feature the semifinals.

The current four participating contestants were two men and two women; the probability of All Baimu running into Iris was still quite high.

Night.

Everyone was waiting at the Pokémon Center for the next round's bracket to be announced.

*Beep! *

The matchup table appeared on the big screen.

"All Baimu and — ah! It's actually not Iris." Kotetsu looked at the unfamiliar trainer next to All Baimu's avatar and said softly.

Iris said: "Looks like we're destined to meet in the finals!"

"That's for the best."

All Baimu nodded calmly; he discovered that his luck and Satoshi's were truly completely opposite — the latter would most of the time run into acquaintances or strong opponents at the round of sixteen, quarterfinals, semifinals, and so on.

He, on the other hand, wouldn't meet her until the finals.

Nothing bad about that.

He glanced at his opponent — a man with slightly dark skin and a buzz cut, possibly a little older than him, around his twenties.

"Leon... this person doesn't seem to be a local Hoenn trainer."

All Baimu's expression turned strange.

Counting him, Iris, and this Leon, three out of the four semifinalists in the Hoenn region's local conference were outsiders — that was somewhat ridiculous.

Were the locals of Hoenn too weak?

No.

The main reason was that a large portion of contestants from other regions already had experience participating, while Hoenn's local trainers were often participating in a major tournament for the first time.

There was a gap between the two sides purely in terms of experience.

Not every trainer was like Shinji, who first went to challenge other regions before returning to his hometown of Sinnoh to participate in the conference.

Poor Shinji didn't achieve any particularly good results in the Sinnoh conference either, being blocked at the quarterfinals by Satoshi — of course, even if he had beaten Satoshi, he still might not have been a match for the legendary Pokémon guy Dark.

Thinking of it this way, the modern Pokémon tournament is practically a "fish pond" for outsiders.