Chapter 256: Dragon-type Master Tournament, Opening!

Time soon came to December 16.

It was already a day that could be counted with fingers, slowly welcoming Christmas and the New Year.

However, before the long holiday arrived, the last Great Ball-tier tournament of this year—the Dragon-type Master Tournament—also arrived under the gaze of countless battle enthusiasts.

Mesagoza, Central Plaza.

Because the design of Mesagoza itself incorporates many elements about battle fields, the largest city in Paldea itself is a huge battle field.

Therefore, countless spectators arrived at the viewing area early, waiting patiently on high platforms or nearby open spaces.

As powerful as Dragon-type Pokémon, the trainers who can control them are definitely strong, not to mention this group of "Dragon Masters" from all over the world, and many of them are gym leaders and Elite Four.

Even the Champion of the Sinnoh region came to participate in the competition.

Such an exciting big scene, how regrettable would it be if missed!

"The battle atmosphere in Paldea seems quite good."

Staring at the dense crowd in the high viewing area, Champion Zhulan, who came to the battle field with Qingyu in advance, raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

"It's okay, it might be a bit worse than Galar, but after all, the trainer base is here."

Qingyu nodded, considering it recognized Champion Zhulan's statement.

Unlike the arena battle atmosphere inherited by generations in Galar, Paldea has long been used to being Buddhist, and even the field is moved out of the whole city directly...

However, Mesagoza has a unique advantage—

Because of Naranja Academy, at least 80% to 90% of the young trainers in the Paldea region are concentrated in Mesagoza, and the attractiveness of the Master Tournament to these young people who are in a hot-blooded age is terrifying.

Besides that, there are also many true fans who ran from other regions specifically to watch the game, waiting for the start of the tournament early with cheering signs.

"How is it? Seeing this scene for the first time, are you a little nervous?"

Champion Zhulan turned her head suddenly, and the eyes looking at Qingyu carried a bit of smile.

"How could that be? I'm just a mixed-bag who went up for the exhibition match; I don't need to fight for ranking."

Qingyu shrugged slightly and asked back.

It's actually a lie to say he's not nervous; after all, he is a plain gym leader, suddenly pulled to fight at the same table with this group of Champions and Elite Four...

If it weren't for the exhibition match, he wouldn't be able to hold it at all.

However, it's already at this point, so he can only rush.

"And, you should also be participating in a major tournament for the first time, right?"

"Ms. Zhulan, the strongest Champion in our Sinnoh region, do you have the confidence to win the championship this time?"

Champion Zhulan smiled and didn't reply directly, but playfully made a "V" gesture.

It seemed that she was determined to win this Master Tournament.

Seeing this, Qingyu nodded secretly.

I have to say, no matter if it's Pokémon or trainers, they are quite idealistic; having confidence is definitely a good thing.

"Grandpa, here!"

Green, who found an excellent viewing position in advance, waved to the distance.

Soon, Professor Oak with gray hair and the silent boy in the duck-tongue cap beside him came to his side.

"What a grand scene; even the finals of the Indigo Plateau Conference back then, it seems that the number of spectators was much less than here."

After looking around, Professor Oak soon made a sigh.

Back then, he also showed the strength of Kanto people to the people of the world on such a grand stage.

However, that was a long time ago.

Professor Oak shook his head, and his calm gaze soon looked to his side.

Green, who is a bit impatient but always maintains enthusiasm for battle.

And Red, whose potential has only shown the tip of the iceberg so far, and no one knows what level he can grow to,

Compared to himself, if he can let Pallet Town produce another trainer with Champion level, that is the real completion of his inheritance.

I hope this Master Tournament viewing experience can give them a deeper understanding of the identity of a trainer.

Just when Professor Oak was sighing, his good grandson Green beside him suddenly pointed his finger down somewhere.

"Look, it's that Dragon Master Mr. Lance!"

Following his line of sight, the handsome man with red hair and a black cape was extremely eye-catching.

And his appearance also indicated—

Today's opening ceremony seems to be starting soon!

"Hi hi, dear audience~"

With a sharp electromagnetic wave, a young woman's energetic voice soon echoed in the scene.

Qingyu couldn't help but raise his brows.

Following the direction of the sound, he soon found Iono, the Levincia gym leader who was holding a microphone and waving enthusiastically to the audience.

The host this time would actually be Iono?

However, in such a formal occasion, she shouldn't be playing tricks again...

After all, the whole world is watching the Master Tournament; if a broadcast accident happens, it would be interesting.

"As of now, all contestants have arrived, so—"

"I announce that the opening ceremony of this Dragon-type Master Tournament is about to begin!"

Just like Qingyu thought, even if Iono is usually quirky, she didn't have the mind to play tricks again, and very steadily completed her duties.

"Next, let's welcome four very powerful contestants to bring us a wonderful double exhibition match~"

"First is the Dragon Master from the Kanto region, Indigo Plateau, Lance!"

The serious-faced red-haired man appeared on the battle field, waving to the surrounding audience in a serious manner.

As the man closest to the Champion in the Indigo Plateau, his popularity is high in the world, and he soon attracted countless cheers.

"Then is the son of the sea, the 'late-blooming' Dragon-type Elite Four of the Hoenn region, Drake!"

The white-bearded old man wearing a captain's outfit and full of energy appeared, standing beside Lance, who is also an Elite Four.

"Two Dragon-type Elite Four as partners, what level will the opposing trainers be? I'm looking forward to it!"

"I heard that a Champion also participated; hurry up and serve it!"

Due to the appearance of the two contestants, the audience soon began to discuss enthusiastically.

Which two masters will come to challenge the two veteran Elite Four?

"As the challenging side, it is the new Champion of the Sinnoh region, the strong person who broke the four Elite Four with one's own strength, Champion Zhulan!"

When this young Champion appeared, the discussion in the audience clearly stalled for a moment.

And then, it erupted into applause even more exaggerated than before!

"Ten-year-old fan of Ms. Zhulan coming uninvited!"

"Too handsome; I didn't expect that besides Ms. Diantha, there is such a young and beautiful Champion!"

"The person who can partner with the Champion, the strength should also be very terrifying!"

After the three appeared, Iono waited for a while with a bad heart until the audience was a little impatient before speaking slowly—

"The last one, the pride of our Paldea region, the emerging superstar of PokéTV, one of the eight gym leaders of the Champion Road—the Sunshine gym leader—"

"Qingyu!"