Chapter 331 - Battle Frontier, A Familiar Opponent
"So we're heading to the Battle Frontier?" Sabrina used her psychic powers to float a teapot and pour herself a cup of tea.
Asahi blinked. "Huh? You signed up too?"
Sabrina sipped her tea and raised an eyebrow. "You really are unqualified as a department head if you know so little about your subordinates."
With a wave of her hand, her phone floated over to Asahi.
The official World Championships app opened automatically, displaying her rank: a sleek black Ultra Ball icon with the label "Advanced Tier – Rank 91."
The corners of Sabrina's lips curled ever so slightly. That was her result from the previous season. She hadn't mentioned it until now—just in time to show off a bit.
She glanced at Asahi, expecting at least a surprised reaction. Instead, he just curled his lips.
"Rank 91? Huh, I thought you were Top 9 or something… You're embarrassing our Kanto branch. Even Gary ranks higher than that, right, Gary?"
Gary happened to be passing by and, though he didn't fully catch the conversation, it sounded like praise. He immediately waved his hand modestly, his face lighting up with a confident smile.
"It's nothing, really."
Sabrina: "..."
She was starting to understand how Lance must've felt.
At that moment, she really wanted to say—Please don't match me up against you in Ranked...
...
Battle Frontier, Hoenn Region
As the World Championships drew near, crowds of tourists and trainers flooded the newly constructed Battle Frontier island.
Even though only the opening ceremony and the final Masters Tournament would be held here—and lower-tier matches could be done through online matchmaking—people still swarmed the place just to be part of the hype.
At the airport—
A large airship descended from the sky.
The hatch opened, and Asahi stepped out, dressed in beachwear. The sun bathed him in golden warmth.
Behind him, Eevee trotted along happily before springing up to his shoulder, closing its eyes in delight as it basked in the sunlight.
"Vee~!"
Gardevoir stepped to his side, gently fixing the part of his shirt that had been ruffled by Eevee's leap.
This trip to the Battle Frontier was being treated as a full-on team-building activity for the Kanto Division. Aside from Platinum, who was still training hard in Sinnoh, everyone—including Professor Blaine—had come along for the ride.
"So this is the Battle Frontier? So many people!" Ethan was immediately energized by the buzzing atmosphere as soon as he got off the ship.
If Asahi weren't standing there, he and his Toge-taro would've probably already charged off to explore.
Silver remained silent as always, but his eager expression clearly showed he couldn't wait to join the Championships.
"Do you think people will like our performances here?" Diamond and Pearl were already discussing their plans for street shows.
"Hoenn, huh? I've got a few friends in the area..." Professor Blaine adjusted his sunglasses with a smirk.
Mewtwo leaned silently against the hatch, watching Mew and Celebi frolic like kids. His expression said one thing: utter resignation.
All seemed normal—until...
"We're finally here!" Gary jumped off the ship and threw both hands in the air. "Hoenn! Your boy Gary is BACK!"
He shouted so loudly, people a hundred meters away turned to look.
The last time he'd been to Hoenn, he'd been featured on TV for helping stop Groudon. It had been a glorious moment, and returning here sparked all kinds of nostalgic memories.
Asahi gave him a side-eye. "...Can you be any louder? People are already staring."
Gary followed Asahi's gaze and spotted a group of tourists just stepping off a nearby flight, whispering and pointing.
His smile froze, but after all the "training" from Asahi, his face had grown thick enough to withstand anything.
"Haha! They're just jealous of my good looks!"he said with a Hair flip.
Behind him, Sabrina and Green had just gotten off the airship too. They exchanged a look and sighed inwardly.
Gary is really starting to act more and more like Asahi...
Courtney smiled without comment, but Zinnia wasn't one to hold back. "Gary, have you finally been corrupted by Asahi?"
Gary: "?"
Asahi: "??"
Zinnia suddenly realized she might've said the quiet part out loud, sticking her tongue out and quickly changing the subject. "Wasn't Scott supposed to meet us? Where is he?"
As soon as she finished speaking—
A fleet of cars pulled into the airport.
From one of the lead cars stepped Scott, also in beachwear, his face full of smiles.
"Sorry, sorry! The roads were packed with tourists. Welcome to the Battle Frontier!"
...
Thanks to Scott's hospitality, the group settled into a luxurious beachfront villa.
Zinnia, worried Asahi would come after her for her earlier joke, dragged Sabrina, Green, and Courtney out shopping.
Ethan, Diamond, and Pearl made a beeline for the arcade.
Gary and Silver went off to gather intel about the tournament.
In the villa, only Professor Blaine, Asahi, and Scott remained.
"I've come all this way to the Battle Frontier," Asahi said, "so you'd better tell me who I'm facing in the exhibition match!"
He'd asked Scott over the phone before, but the guy had been coy—you'll find out when you arrive, he'd said.
Well, now he was here.
Scott wasn't surprised. He knew Asahi would bring this up.
Wearing a big grin, he said, "You know this opponent well, Asahi."
"Huh? Someone I know?"
Asahi immediately thought of Steven. Wait… Did he really rope Steven in for this?
But Steven had just settled accounts with him yesterday for the Pokéblocks... He didn't say a word!
"Should be about time now," Scott said just as—
Knock knock.
Asahi: "Come in!"
The door opened—and a familiar face appeared.
Asahi blinked. "Cynthia?"
She blinked back. "Asahi?"
The two locked eyes—then both turned to glare at Scott.
Scot clapped his hands. "Knew you two would know each other!"