154. Upgraded version
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Amidst the audience's cheers, Kai walked out of the arena through the player tunnel.
At the exit, Misty, Brock, and Chloe had been waiting for him. The moment they saw him appear, they surrounded him, clapping enthusiastically.
Further away, a group of bikers blocked several reporters and fans, keeping them from approaching and disrupting the moment.
"You played brilliantly!" Brock praised. "Congratulations on your victory and for advancing! Now, both you and Ash are in the Top 16!"
A bright smile spread across Kai's face. Advancing to the fifth round was a huge milestone, and he couldn't hide his happiness.
Kai glanced around. He spotted Professor Oak and Delia standing nearby, but Ash was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Ash?"
Misty chuckled softly. "After watching Gary leave in a huff, Ash went after him with a complicated expression. He's probably trying to console him right now."
When Gary's name came up, Kai turned to Professor Oak. "I'm sorry, Professor. Defeating Gary was necessary for me to move forward, but I hope he's not too upset."
Professor Oak chuckled and waved dismissively. "It's fine. In any competition, there will always be winners and losers. In fact, I believe this loss will be a valuable lesson for Gary."
"A lesson?" Chloe asked, tilting her head in confusion. It seemed odd for the Professor to sound so unconcerned about his grandson's defeat.
"Yes," Professor Oak said, his tone wise and measured. "Gary has always been confident sometimes overly so. Because things usually go his way, he tends to underestimate others. This loss is a humbling experience and a chance for him to grow. I believe it will ultimately help him mature."
Kai nodded, impressed. 'Professor Oak clearly understood Gary well. Despite his familial ties, he wasn't blinded by bias.'
The Professor's prediction proved true. After experiencing losses at both the Indigo and Silver Conferences, Gary underwent significant character growth.
He became respectful, humble, and polite, eventually finding his true calling as a Pokémon researcher.
With the qualifiers over, the Top 16 players would now face off in the championship rounds.
However, given the heightened intensity of the battles, the players were given a two-day break to rest and prepare.
Kai seized the opportunity to train his Pokémon with help from Misty and Brock, fine-tuning his strategy for the upcoming rounds.
Meanwhile, Ash made an unexpected friend during the break. While out exploring, he encountered another competitor named Richie.
Team Rocket, as always, tried to disrupt things by attempting to steal Pikachu, but Ash and Richie worked together to foil their plans.
When Ash introduced Richie to the group, Kai couldn't help but scrutinize him. Richie's Pikachu and outfit were strikingly similar to Ash's, though his demeanour was calmer and more composed.
"My name's Richie," the boy said with a friendly smile. "Nice to meet you."
Brock and Misty welcomed Richie warmly, but Kai leaned toward Chloe and whispered, "Doesn't he seem like… an upgraded version of Ash?"
Chloe stifled a laugh and nodded. "He really does."
Kai chuckled quietly. "Mark my words. Richie will be Ash's toughest opponent in this tournament. I wouldn't be surprised if Ash's Indigo journey ends here."
Chloe raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You really think so?"
Kai didn't elaborate further.
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When the short break ended, the Top 16 players gathered at the venue for the next stage of the competition.
The arena's layout had changed dramatically. The five workbenches from the qualifiers were gone, replaced by a large, shallow pool. Clearwater filled the pool, and 16 Magikarp swam leisurely within it.
A staff member stepped forward to explain the new format. "Welcome, trainers. Starting from the fifth round, battles will take place in the main stadium. The Top 16 will be split into two groups Group A and Group B. Each group will compete until one finalist remains. The champions of each group will then face off in the final round!"
She gestured to the pool. "To determine your grouping, you'll use fishing rods to catch a Magikarp. Each Magikarp is marked with a number, which will decide your group placement."
As Kai listened to the explanation, he scanned the faces of the remaining competitors. Among the familiar ones were Ash, Richie, Otoshi, and Shingo from New Island. The rest were unfamiliar challengers.
Otoshi noticed Kai and approached him with a grin. "You've been making waves, Kai. After beating two tournament favourites, you're now the most talked-about competitor here!"
Kai shrugged modestly. "Maybe, but it's not like I'm invincible. I've just been lucky."
Otoshi laughed. "Well, luck or not, you've got everyone's attention now. Let's see how far you can go!"
Kai smirked, 'Let's see'
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