Chapter 376:
Gardevoir watched as Tobias left, then turned to look at the visibly dejected Kaede, feeling somewhat puzzled. It didn't understand why Kaede was so down. Was he regretting Tobias's departure?
Or was it because the opponent had some Pokémon that could actually battle it?
But if that were the case, why did the opponent forfeit?
So what exactly was the regret about?
Gardevoir didn't understand, but it didn't ask further, slowly floating towards Kaede.
The match was over; it naturally didn't need to remain on the battlefield anymore.
After watching Tobias leave the battlefield, the announcer took a deep breath, flew to the center of the battlefield, and arrived beside Kaede.
He grabbed Kaede's hand and raised it high. "It's over, it's over! Our champion has been decided! He is Contestant Hayashi Kaede!"
His voice, amplified, instantly spread across the audience stands.
This caused the entire audience to fall silent for a moment, followed by an eruption of fervent cheers.
"Champion, champion! Kaede!!"
"Kaede! Kaede!"
Wave after wave of cheers thundered through the stands.
At this point, few people cared about Tobias's forfeit anymore.
Because from the first battle, everyone present could already see that the outcome of this match was beyond doubt.
In their eyes, no matter the Latios and Darkrai that had seemed so powerful before, or the contestants whose Pokémon seemed to be in a league of their own compared to others in the Conference, were all one-shotted by Kaede's Gardevoir...
The shock this delivered was even stronger than if they had seen Tobias use a full team of Legendary Pokémon!
"Brother Kaede, Brother Kaede...."
"Damn? Is this the true strength of Brother Kaede's Gardevoir?"
"Wait, why does a Gardevoir know Darkrai's Dark Void and Dream Eater? Did you see Darkrai's expression when Gardevoir used Dark Void?"
"So strong, so strong! One-shot KO on Darkrai, and a other combo to take out Latios!"
"I was worried earlier if Brother Kaede could win, but now it seems... I was overthinking it. This was a complete stomp..."
"Both gorgeous and powerful, wahh, this Gardevoir, I'm totally in love! Oh heavens, why won't you grant me a Gardevoir like this..."
"Hey, if he can crush Darkrai and Latios, what about Champion Kazephyr's Moltres? An exhibition match, let's have an exhibition match!"
"Exhibition match..."
The cheers were like a mountain torrent and roaring sea...
Not only were the people in the stands cheering, but also those watching on TV at this very moment.
In Aogiri Town, in Megumi's small western-style house.
The moment the announcer flew onto the field, stood next to Kaede, raised his hand, and declared him the champion, the young girl jumped up from her bed, landed on the carpet laid out for Blastoise, and hugged it. "Did you see that? Brother Kaede is the champion! So amazing!"
"Blastoise, blastoise..."
Blastoise was also excited.
Although it knew Serperior was strong, Gardevoir was strong, Alolan Ninetales was strong...
It never imagined they were *this* strong!
Those crisp green leaves almost filled its field of vision.
That was a level of move power it had never seen before!
Remember, on that cicada-filled summer day, it had battled the then-Snivy on the bluestone path.
Back then, although there was a gap between them, it was nowhere near this vast!
Thinking this, it wasn't that Blastoise felt inferior, but rather it was setting Serperior as its goal. One day, it too would reach Serperior's level and stand on the same stage with its trainer, letting everyone witness its battles!
In another part of Aogiri Town, within a clearly newly built glass structure, a girl with sky-blue long, flowing hair watched the scene on the TV... was stunned and lost in thought.
No wonder, back when she challenged him, he said she needed at least six badges to challenge him.
So the person she was challenging was this year's Pokémon League Conference Champion!
Similarly in Aogiri City, in Magnolia Village.
"This kid..."
At the Miltank Ranch, Genmu, watching the TV, looked quite shocked at the image of Kaede on screen. "He's much more flamboyant than his father..."
And in a small villa in the suburbs of Nagisuna City, a trainer with a Larvitar by her side.
"Wahh, I knew Brother Kaede was just bullying kids when he participated in the Junior Cup back then....."
...
"Exhibition match, exhibition match, we strongly demand an exhibition match!"
Right after the match ended, before Kaede had even left the stage, a strange chant started echoing through the audience stands.
"We haven't seen enough! Darn it, give us an exhibition match!"
"Exhibition match, exhibition match!"
"Old man Li, I advise you not to be ungrateful!"
Being able to utterly crush Darkrai and Latios without any suspense—even if most of the audience had average discernment—they knew this level of strength was enough to trade blows with a Champion or an Elite Four member.
Plus, Gardevoir's strength clearly hadn't been fully revealed!
That's why these demands grew louder and louder.
"This..."
Satoshi wiped the sweat from his brow as he released kaede's raise arm.
He was just a commentator; he had no authority to decide on matters like exhibition matches.
Something like this could only be initiated by the Champion above.
Fortunately, his embarrassment didn't last long.
In the sky, a fiery red figure flew out—it was Moltres.
"Quiet!"
Kazephyr, who had appeared, raised his hand in a silencing gesture. After the audience gradually quieted down, he spoke slowly, "According to the rules, this isn't the year for exhibition matches. So, despite everyone's anticipation, we must ask for Contestant Kaede's opinion!"
With that, Kazephyr turned his gaze towards Kaede.
The announcer immediately understood and focused the large screen on Kaede.
Instantly, countless expectant eyes fell upon him and Gardevoir.
"Uh... can we not fight?"
Under so many gazes, Kaede's expression stiffened.
To be honest, after not getting to see Tobias's other Pokémon, he was already feeling like going home.
"Not fight?"
Kazephyr was taken aback, then looked at Kaede strangely.
He had thought Kaede would agree; he didn't expect a refusal.
Mainly, the Ice-type Elite Four member above had said she'd accept this year's exhibition match, which is why he came out to see if Kaede would participate.
But he didn't expect Kaede to refuse.
Well, if so there was nothing he could do.
"Refuse? Why refuse!"
"Don't do this, Brother Kaede! This is a chance to face an Elite Four member or the Champion... Let us see."
Despite the audience's pleas, Kaede still shake his head. "Not fighting..."
Then he said to the announcer, "Alright, alright, hurry up and start the subsequent procedures...."
The announcer quickly raised his microphone. "The champion of this Pokémon League Conference is Hayashi Kaede from Aogiri Town, Aogiri City! Contestant Hayashi Kaede is young and promising, having never lost in any trainer competition cup he has participated in so far. Here, let's ask him if he has any thoughts..."
"Yes, yes, my thought is that my breeding house will expand production next year, so everyone, look forward to it... Hey, hey, I haven't finished yet..."