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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_352_en
Chapter 352
Chapter 348: The Royal Mask Appears
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
A rough count revealed over two hundred participants in the tournament this time, which was no small number. At this moment, they were all standing in orderly rows in the center of the Battle Arena.
President Goodshow, the director of the Indigo League Conference, had taken his place at the main podium. Microphone in hand, he was delivering a passionate speech.
"The golden autumn brings crisp, cool air..."
"Time flies..."
These were all clichés that no one was really listening to. The opening ceremony quickly moved on to its second phase.
The lighting of the Sacred Flame of Moltres, symbolizing the ignition of passion and fervor for battle.
An honorary trainer held the torch and ascended step by step to the highest point of the Main Stadium. On a high platform, he angled the torch and lit the brazier above.
*BOOM!*
The flame instantly erupted, roaring three meters into the air with great intensity.
As the flame burned, it even took the shape of a Moltres in the sky, flapping its wings and crying out, appearing as if it possessed a will of its own.
"What a huge fire!"
"Is this the legendary fire of Moltres?"
"It must be real. I got beaten up by Moltres right before I came here."
"What a coincidence, I got beaten up too."
Many trainers recalled the scene on the Indigo Plateau where they had been defeated despite having a four-on-one advantage.
"Hey, Brock, look over there..." Misty said suddenly, having noticed something.
Right now, all two-hundred-plus participants were standing in the center of the Battle Arena, everyone's appearance on full display. In one corner, however, a certain trainer and the Pokémon beside him were especially conspicuous. The surrounding trainers didn't even dare to get too close, leaving a gap of several people's worth of space around them.
This was a man who was also bare-chested, revealing a body of healthy, bronze muscles, as if he frequently sunbathed on the beach. His figure was well-proportioned and tall, and he wore black, form-fitting wrestling attire on his lower half.
His face was unclear, hidden by a flamboyant mask that only revealed his mouth and chin, which were adorned with a sparse beard, giving him a rather wild look.
The Royal Mask!
And beside him stood a bipedal, tiger-headed Pokémon. Its physique was just as brawny as the Masked Man's, and it was even half a head taller.
Its gray chest muscles were prominent, while its limbs and head were covered in intersecting red and black stripes. A belt of tangible, burning flame was wrapped around its waist. Its expression was fierce, and the fur on its cheeks flared out to the sides as if it were on fire, emanating an intimidating heat and imposing might.
Incineroar!
This was a Pokémon from another region, as rare in the Kanto Region as a giant panda.
The Masked Man had announced his participation in this Indigo League long ago, but this was the first time he had appeared in the public eye. He stood there quietly with the Incineroar by his side.
"Damn, this is my first time seeing him in person. Those pecs... I'm sold."
"That tiger is so cool too!"
"Speaking of which, where is this Masked Man from?"
"And what about that black tiger? I've never heard of a Pokémon like that."
"Hasn't this Masked Man been stirring up a lot of trouble lately?"
It wasn't just surprise; many spectators were also puzzled because this Masked Man had indeed been very high-profile in recent years.
He had made a splash at the P1 Grand Prix, coming just one step shy of the champion title. He had also recently faced Elite Four Bruno head-on without being at a disadvantage. In the past few years, he had even been challenging the Pokémon Leagues of other regions, appearing frequently in the public eye.
And now, he was suddenly participating in the Indigo League Conference?
His continuous actions seemed to be driven by some sort of purpose.
For a moment, all the attention was on the Masked Man.
*Screeeech!!*
Suddenly, a loud cry from the sky drew everyone's attention. The crowd looked up one by one.
In their vision was a giant, flaming bird, circling high above the Main Stadium. A scorching heat wave washed over them, and for a moment, the divine aura was incredibly thick.
"Moltres?!"
"It's really Moltres?!"
In an instant, the entire Battle Arena erupted into a frenzy once more.
If Moltres's fire could cause such a stir, let alone the creature itself appearing in person!
*Swoosh!!*
Just as everyone thought Moltres was only there to build hype for the League, it seemed to spot someone in the crowd. It suddenly adjusted its posture mid-air and dove, its body plummeting at an incredible speed. It tucked its wings into a streamlined shape as it descended, kicking up clouds of smoke and dust and forcing the crowd to retreat.
*Whoosh...*
When the smoke and dust settled, Moltres had already landed on the ground. It folded its flaming wings and stood quietly behind a person.
"..."
In that moment, everyone's eyes focused on her, leaving the originally unremarkable Blue somewhat dumbfounded.
Countless gazes and cameras—this was her weakness. Her round, puffy-cheeked face instantly turned beet-red. Panicked and at a loss, she didn't even know where to put her hands.
*Tap.*
Moltres simply bent its head and pecked Blue on the head, indicating that it had seen her from the sky without a partner Pokémon by her side and had kindly come down to be her accompanying Pokémon.
It was a tradition at the League Conference's opening ceremony for every participant to have a Pokémon with them.
Blue: "?"
She grabbed the wooden sword tucked at her waist and twirled it in her hand. Half of the blade melted into the shape of pink sludge before finally transforming into the body of a Ditto.
I brought one.
Moltres: "?"
In an instant, she had stolen all of the Masked Man's thunder.
"Damn, could she be Moltres's trainer?"
"*Hiss*... I thought she was just a country girl, but she's this terrifying?!"
"She's a participant too? Don't tell me I have to battle a Moltres again...?"
"Divine beings are always accompanied by profound fortune, bringing incredible luck. And I see this young lady has a full forehead and a vibrant complexion; she is faintly shrouded by lucky stars. She is clearly a person of great destiny herself. With this convergence of inner and outer fortune, it seems the champion of this tournament has already been decided."
"Damn it, has the champion's script already been written?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Blue had no idea how to handle a scene with thousands of people. She could only offer an awkward, apologetic smile, scratching her head, feeling completely out of place.
"Damn it, that girl Blue stole all the limelight!"
From a corner of the Battle Arena, a voice sounded.
Ash watched Blue and the Moltres behind her from afar. He never thought that that powerful Moltres would be caught by this girl.
"Was it thanks to Azure Master?"
He didn't believe for a second that Blue had the strength to defeat Moltres in a direct confrontation. He could only wave his hand resentfully.
"Damn it, if my Articuno were here, I wouldn't have let Blue steal the show!"
"Damn it, that girl Blue stole all the limelight!"
From another side, the same words were heard.
Standing in a corner, Gary's expression turned grim with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Damn it, if my Zapdos were here, I wouldn't have let this country bumpkin steal the show!"
Gary waved his hand dismissively. Remembering the scene at the Power Plant made him uneasy, and he couldn't help but clutch his chest.
"I'm off on a spontaneous journey. I might not be back. Don't worry about me."
Back then, that Zapdos had simply patted him on the head, left him with those words, and flown away.
(end of chapter)
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
A rough count revealed over two hundred participants in the tournament this time, which was no small number. At this moment, they were all standing in orderly rows in the center of the Battle Arena.
President Goodshow, the director of the Indigo League Conference, had taken his place at the main podium. Microphone in hand, he was delivering a passionate speech.
"The golden autumn brings crisp, cool air..."
"Time flies..."
These were all clichés that no one was really listening to. The opening ceremony quickly moved on to its second phase.
The lighting of the Sacred Flame of Moltres, symbolizing the ignition of passion and fervor for battle.
An honorary trainer held the torch and ascended step by step to the highest point of the Main Stadium. On a high platform, he angled the torch and lit the brazier above.
*BOOM!*
The flame instantly erupted, roaring three meters into the air with great intensity.
As the flame burned, it even took the shape of a Moltres in the sky, flapping its wings and crying out, appearing as if it possessed a will of its own.
"What a huge fire!"
"Is this the legendary fire of Moltres?"
"It must be real. I got beaten up by Moltres right before I came here."
"What a coincidence, I got beaten up too."
Many trainers recalled the scene on the Indigo Plateau where they had been defeated despite having a four-on-one advantage.
"Hey, Brock, look over there..." Misty said suddenly, having noticed something.
Right now, all two-hundred-plus participants were standing in the center of the Battle Arena, everyone's appearance on full display. In one corner, however, a certain trainer and the Pokémon beside him were especially conspicuous. The surrounding trainers didn't even dare to get too close, leaving a gap of several people's worth of space around them.
This was a man who was also bare-chested, revealing a body of healthy, bronze muscles, as if he frequently sunbathed on the beach. His figure was well-proportioned and tall, and he wore black, form-fitting wrestling attire on his lower half.
His face was unclear, hidden by a flamboyant mask that only revealed his mouth and chin, which were adorned with a sparse beard, giving him a rather wild look.
The Royal Mask!
And beside him stood a bipedal, tiger-headed Pokémon. Its physique was just as brawny as the Masked Man's, and it was even half a head taller.
Its gray chest muscles were prominent, while its limbs and head were covered in intersecting red and black stripes. A belt of tangible, burning flame was wrapped around its waist. Its expression was fierce, and the fur on its cheeks flared out to the sides as if it were on fire, emanating an intimidating heat and imposing might.
Incineroar!
This was a Pokémon from another region, as rare in the Kanto Region as a giant panda.
The Masked Man had announced his participation in this Indigo League long ago, but this was the first time he had appeared in the public eye. He stood there quietly with the Incineroar by his side.
"Damn, this is my first time seeing him in person. Those pecs... I'm sold."
"That tiger is so cool too!"
"Speaking of which, where is this Masked Man from?"
"And what about that black tiger? I've never heard of a Pokémon like that."
"Hasn't this Masked Man been stirring up a lot of trouble lately?"
It wasn't just surprise; many spectators were also puzzled because this Masked Man had indeed been very high-profile in recent years.
He had made a splash at the P1 Grand Prix, coming just one step shy of the champion title. He had also recently faced Elite Four Bruno head-on without being at a disadvantage. In the past few years, he had even been challenging the Pokémon Leagues of other regions, appearing frequently in the public eye.
And now, he was suddenly participating in the Indigo League Conference?
His continuous actions seemed to be driven by some sort of purpose.
For a moment, all the attention was on the Masked Man.
*Screeeech!!*
Suddenly, a loud cry from the sky drew everyone's attention. The crowd looked up one by one.
In their vision was a giant, flaming bird, circling high above the Main Stadium. A scorching heat wave washed over them, and for a moment, the divine aura was incredibly thick.
"Moltres?!"
"It's really Moltres?!"
In an instant, the entire Battle Arena erupted into a frenzy once more.
If Moltres's fire could cause such a stir, let alone the creature itself appearing in person!
*Swoosh!!*
Just as everyone thought Moltres was only there to build hype for the League, it seemed to spot someone in the crowd. It suddenly adjusted its posture mid-air and dove, its body plummeting at an incredible speed. It tucked its wings into a streamlined shape as it descended, kicking up clouds of smoke and dust and forcing the crowd to retreat.
*Whoosh...*
When the smoke and dust settled, Moltres had already landed on the ground. It folded its flaming wings and stood quietly behind a person.
"..."
In that moment, everyone's eyes focused on her, leaving the originally unremarkable Blue somewhat dumbfounded.
Countless gazes and cameras—this was her weakness. Her round, puffy-cheeked face instantly turned beet-red. Panicked and at a loss, she didn't even know where to put her hands.
*Tap.*
Moltres simply bent its head and pecked Blue on the head, indicating that it had seen her from the sky without a partner Pokémon by her side and had kindly come down to be her accompanying Pokémon.
It was a tradition at the League Conference's opening ceremony for every participant to have a Pokémon with them.
Blue: "?"
She grabbed the wooden sword tucked at her waist and twirled it in her hand. Half of the blade melted into the shape of pink sludge before finally transforming into the body of a Ditto.
I brought one.
Moltres: "?"
In an instant, she had stolen all of the Masked Man's thunder.
"Damn, could she be Moltres's trainer?"
"*Hiss*... I thought she was just a country girl, but she's this terrifying?!"
"She's a participant too? Don't tell me I have to battle a Moltres again...?"
"Divine beings are always accompanied by profound fortune, bringing incredible luck. And I see this young lady has a full forehead and a vibrant complexion; she is faintly shrouded by lucky stars. She is clearly a person of great destiny herself. With this convergence of inner and outer fortune, it seems the champion of this tournament has already been decided."
"Damn it, has the champion's script already been written?"
The crowd buzzed with discussion. Blue had no idea how to handle a scene with thousands of people. She could only offer an awkward, apologetic smile, scratching her head, feeling completely out of place.
"Damn it, that girl Blue stole all the limelight!"
From a corner of the Battle Arena, a voice sounded.
Ash watched Blue and the Moltres behind her from afar. He never thought that that powerful Moltres would be caught by this girl.
"Was it thanks to Azure Master?"
He didn't believe for a second that Blue had the strength to defeat Moltres in a direct confrontation. He could only wave his hand resentfully.
"Damn it, if my Articuno were here, I wouldn't have let Blue steal the show!"
"Damn it, that girl Blue stole all the limelight!"
From another side, the same words were heard.
Standing in a corner, Gary's expression turned grim with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Damn it, if my Zapdos were here, I wouldn't have let this country bumpkin steal the show!"
Gary waved his hand dismissively. Remembering the scene at the Power Plant made him uneasy, and he couldn't help but clutch his chest.
"I'm off on a spontaneous journey. I might not be back. Don't worry about me."
Back then, that Zapdos had simply patted him on the head, left him with those words, and flown away.
(end of chapter)
