Chapter 766 - Professor Syncamore blocks the way

The battle continued as Hachiku stubbornly refused to concede, summoning his final trump card - a genderless Cryogonal - in one last desperate attempt at victory.

In his assessment, much of his Walrein's earlier defeat stemmed from its male biology making it particularly susceptible to Florges' captivating Attract technique. This time he deployed his newly elevated pseudo-Champion level Cryogonal, hoping its genderless nature would negate this disadvantage. Yet the outcome proved identical, with only the duration of Cryogonal's resistance extending slightly longer than Walrein's had.

Florges' combat capabilities extended far beyond mere offensive prowess - her exceptional healing abilities through moves like Synthesis and Moonlight ensured prolonged battlefield endurance. Cryogonal's defeat became inevitable, its intricate ice structures slowly succumbing to Florges' relentless floral assaults. When his second ace fell, Hachiku finally acknowledged Aoki's superior tactical mastery.

The Verdanturf Town native retained his entire team's combat readiness, while Florges emerged from consecutive battles with barely diminished vitality thanks to her regenerative techniques. Only moderate energy depletion showed in the graceful flower Pokémon's movements as she prepared for the next opponent.

Hachiku's analytical mind raced - Florges clearly demonstrated Grass-type characteristics through her powerful Petal Dance and Energy Balls, while her Grassy Terrain healing seemed textbook for her species. Yet why did Ice Beam attacks fail to land with expected effectiveness? This tactical puzzle remained unsolved as Florges grew increasingly dominant, her movements flowing with effortless precision.

When Hachiku's final Pokemon collapsed beneath a devastating Moonblast, the referee's announcement echoed through the stadium: "Sealeo is unable to battle! With all Pokémon fainted, the victory goes to Aoki of Verdanturf Town in the Hoenn region!" This decisive win propelled Aoki into the final sixteen while ending Hachiku's journey at the top thirty-two threshold.

Florges had achieved the remarkable feat of defeating three opponents consecutively while maintaining excellent condition. Had Aoki deployed her from the match's outset, a quadruple victory seemed probable given her barely diminished stamina. This strategic preservation proved intentional - Aoki needed Swampert to gain crucial combat experience stabilizing its recently elevated power through practical application.

The decision also carried diplomatic considerations. As Hoenn's second seed facing a lower-ranked Johto opponent, complete domination might have provoked regional tensions. By allowing Swampert's initial defeat, Aoki maintained competitive decorum while still securing advancement. These subtle political undercurrents permeated the tournament - excessive humiliation could prompt retaliatory tactics in later matches from aggrieved regions.

The post-match handshake saw Hachiku's disappointment tempered by professional courtesy. His acting career wouldn't hinge solely on tournament performance, though higher placement certainly boosted visibility. Wishing Aoki success in upcoming quarterfinals, the performers parted ways toward their respective tunnels.

Among the top thirty-two eliminations occurring simultaneously across venues, Hachiku's defeat registered as merely routine. However, Aoki's path back to Hoenn's preparation room was interrupted by an unexpected gathering in the access corridor.

Leading the group stood Kalos's future Champion, Korrina, her reluctant posture suggesting coerced attendance. Behind her emerged a white-coated man with distinctive black curls framing a face rivalling Steven Stone's handsomeness. His warm smile accompanied an introduction: "Greetings, Aoki. We represent Kalos's competitors. I'm their interim manager, Professor Sycamore, specializing in Pokémon research."

The revelation startled Aoki - this was the future Discoverer of Mega Evolution himself! That such an eminent scholar would personally escort Kalos's delegation spoke volumes about their region's investment in this tournament. Sycamore's youthful appearance belied his coming prominence as Kalos's foremost scientific mind.

Aoki's gaze swept across the assembled Kalos team - an extraordinary concentration of future luminaries including Dragon Master Drasna, Steel Specialist Wikstrom, and Water Specalist Siebold. With early match scheduling preventing their current participation, their advancement depended on upcoming draws. This Sinnoh Championship's competitor quality bordered on terrifying - beyond Kanto's representatives, nearly every regional contingent contained future Champions and Elite Four members. Hypothetical mass elimination of these trainers could create leadership vacuums across multiple regions for decades.

"Professor Sycamore," Aoki acknowledged, feigning ignorance of their purpose despite accurate suspicions, "to what do I owe this meeting?"

Sycamore's expression turned sheepish - as Kalos's premier researcher, inquiring about another region's native Pokémon carried implicit professional embarrassment. Yet his obligations as delegation leader compelled the question that would bridge their regions' knowledge exchange. The subsequent discussion would reveal whether this chance corridor encounter might blossom into meaningful interregional cooperation, or remain merely a curious tournament footnote.