Chapter 781 - Aoki VS Wallace

The Top Eight Competitors

The current top eight competitors in the Pokémon League's all-region championship are as follows:

Kanto Region:

Lorelei

Caitlin

Hoenn Region:

Steven

Aoki

Wallace

Sinnoh Region:

Cynthia

Johto Region:

Clair

Kalos Region:

Diantha

Among these competitors, all except Aoki are either current or future Champions and Elite Four members. Analyzing the list, four of the top eight will eventually become Champions, while the others will hold Elite Four positions.

The quality of this year's first-ever all-region competition is exceptionally high. Even those who made it to the Top 32 will likely become major figures in their respective regions in the future.

As the day's battles concluded, all participants immediately returned to their lodgings. With the Top 8 matches beginning tomorrow, the recovery speed of their Pokémon would play a crucial role in their performance.

Aoki and his companions retreated to their manor on the outskirts of Jubilife City. Thanks to Aoki's homemade Pokéblocks and recovery potions, along with the assistance of Florges, his Pokémon would be fully restored by morning. As long as they weren't severely injured, they would regain full fighting strength in time for the next match.

Though Phoebe was eliminated in the Top 16, she remained in high spirits, cheering for Aoki and the others, hoping they could perform at their best tomorrow.

On their way back, the group couldn't shake off a looming concern.

With three competitors from Hoenn in the Top 8, it was statistically likely that two of them would face each other in the next round—otherwise, the tournament might seem unfairly biased toward Hoenn.

And indeed, the matchups were announced:

Aoki vs Wallace

A fateful showdown!

For both of them, avoiding Steven was a blessing—he was the strongest of the three. As for who was stronger between Aoki and Wallace, only battle would decide.

Both were Hoenn Gym Leaders specializing in Water-types—though Aoki was only nominally a Water specialist, while Wallace was a true master of Water-type Pokémon.

Having trained together many times and engaged in small practice battles, the two knew each other's strengths well.

Before Aoki's system entered its dormant phase, it had already analyzed Wallace's entire team. As far as Aoki knew, Wallace had no hidden surprises left.

This match could be an opportunity for Aoki—his familiarity with Wallace's strategies might give him an edge.

Still, Aoki had no intention of holding back on healing his Pokémon just because he was facing Wallace. This was a competition, but maintaining a good relationship with Wallace was important for the future.

Tomorrow's battle would be a friendly one—competition second, sportsmanship first.

While the Sinnoh competitors rested, the Pokémon League was still hard at work.

The newly discovered Fairy-type had caused a massive upheaval. The Kalos region, in particular, was busy evaluating Pokémon to determine if they had Fairy attributes. Other regions followed suit, hoping to discover Fairy-types among their native species.

Given how Fairy-types countered Dragon Pokémon, every region wanted at least a few Fairy-types in their ranks.

After extensive evaluations, several Pokémon were reclassified:

Formerly Normal-types, now pure Fairy-types:

Clefairy

Jigglypuff

Snubbull

Granbull

Formerly Normal-types, now Normal/Fairy dual-types:

Marill

Azumarill

Chansey

Blissey

Happiny

Lopunny

The League was still compiling data on Fairy-types, but the discoveries had already caused a significant shift in battle strategies worldwide.

As dawn broke, Aoki's Pokémon—thanks to his recovery potions and Florges's care—were back in peak condition.

The group headed to the Sinnoh Championship arena for the day's matches.

After yesterday's intense battles, the audience's excitement was at an all-time high.

While one-sided matches could be thrilling, the crowd preferred close, back-and-forth fights—the kind that kept them on the edge of their seats.

Today's first match was a Hoenn civil war—Aoki vs. Wallace.

The Sinnoh League had heavily promoted this matchup, and for good reason.

Both were Water-type Gym Leaders from Hoenn, yet their backgrounds couldn't be more different:

Aoki, the humble commoner from Verdanturf Town, represented the underdog rising through hard work.

Wallace, the elegant aristocrat from Sootopolis City, embodied refined, high-class training.

Would the commoner prevail? Or would the noble's polished skill win out?

Aoki's journey had inspired countless ordinary Trainers, proving that dedication could overcome privilege. That was why he had such a massive following—he was one of them.

As Aoki and Wallace stepped onto the field, they exchanged a knowing smile before taking their positions.

"Today's first match is Aoki of Verdanturf Town, Hoenn, versus Wallace of Sootopolis City, Hoenn! Who will advance to the semifinals? Let's find out!" the announcer declared.

The Hoenn officials watching had mixed feelings—while they were proud to have two strong competitors, it also meant one would be eliminated.

At least one Hoenn representative would make it to the Top 4.

"Begin!" the referee called.

The randomized battlefield: a desert terrain, offering a slight advantage to Aoki over Wallace.

Both Trainers hurled their Poké Balls into the arena.

Aoki led with his Swampert, his usual scout.

Wallace sent out his Starmie!