Cannons fired, and fireworks exploded high in the sky.
At 3 PM, the entire Silver Stadium was filled with spectators who had traveled from all over Johto. At the same time, television stations switched their broadcasts to live coverage of the annual Pokémon League battle extravaganza.
Whether they were friends and family of the competitors or just ordinary fans, everyone's attention was focused on this grand event. Even in shopping malls, giant screens on the streets continuously played the live feed.
Even office workers slacked off during work hours, and students secretly watched on their phones. Some bosses and teachers turned a blind eye, as they too were keenly interested in the conference.
Amidst this widespread attention, the announcer's voice echoed throughout the stadium, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
In front of a TV, Sabrina, having just finished a battle, sat leisurely on a sofa with her legs crossed, watching the screen.
"...Everyone, please look. The opening ceremony and the entrance of the competitors will soon take place in this stadium. The audience here is already eager with anticipation. This year's Silver Conference has gathered incredibly strong Pokémon trainers. The contest of power and skill will officially begin tomorrow. Who will emerge as the champion? Let's wait and see!"
Sabrina watched the screen, her thoughts drifting back to the first part of her journey in Johto with Natsui. Unfortunately, if the Pokémon League hadn't been so insistent, I would still be by his side right now.
The thought brought a pang of displeasure.
If Natsui hadn't persuaded her, and her father hadn't begged her, with her personality, she would have long resigned as Gym Leader and continued traveling the world with Natsui.
Just then, Sabrina's father entered the room. "Sabrina, another challenger has arrived. You..."
He stopped mid-sentence when he saw his daughter stand up with a cold look on her face. His heart skipped a beat, wondering who had upset her, when just moments ago she seemed fine.
Seeing her walk towards the battlefield with a cold look, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the challenger.
I hope... Sabrina doesn't go too overboard this time. She needs to remember to hold back...
Besides Sabrina, many others were watching the opening ceremony: the Sakuragi family at the Sakuragi Institute in Vermilion City, including his daughter Koharu and assistants Renji and Chrysa; Professor Ivy in the Orange Islands; Melody on Shamouti Island; Maya in the Seafoam Islands temple; the Kimono Sisters in Ecruteak City; and even some people far away in the Kalos region.
Some of these people were just friends with Natsui, but for others, the relationship was much more significant.
As they watched, the scene on the TV changed. A torchbearer held the flame high and ran towards Silver Town from the Ho-Oh-In Temple, watched by crowds lining the streets.
In the Silver Stadium preparation room, Natsui stood in line, following the staff's instructions as they filed towards the stadium entrance.
The moment they emerged, all the lights focused on them, and the crowd erupted in huge cheers and shouts.
Like everyone else, Natsui smiled and raised his right hand, acknowledging the cheers from all around.
His smile was captured by the camera and shown on the big screen, eliciting even louder cheers.
Thanks to the Pokémon League's promotion, his popularity was arguably the highest among this year's competitors. Almost all commentators and media outlets listed him as the top favorite to win the championship.
Natsui saw himself on the big screen, but his strong mentality kept him completely unfazed by the stage fright. If anything, his smile widened.
He scanned the crowd, trying to spot Erika, Misty, and the others, but the Silver Stadium could hold 80,000 spectators. Finding them in such a vast sea of people was practically impossible.
However, as he searched, Natsui saw something unexpected.
In a small section of the front row, about twenty people were holding banners and flags, wearing matching outfits. Some even had brightly colored hair, waving their flags frantically and cheering.
Using his excellent eyesight, Natsui looked closer and saw the banner clearly read: Natsui is Number One Under Heaven!
Huh!?
Natsui was stunned. He looked again at the people holding the flags. They wore black leather jackets and had strange hairstyles. Judging by their attire, they looked like a biker gang!
Especially the few people at the front... they looked incredibly familiar...
Wait, these people...
Aren't they Misa, Masa, and their biker gang!?
They came all the way to Johto and even attended the opening ceremony?
He hadn't received any notice beforehand. These guys had really given him a surprise!
The cameras naturally caught sight of them too. The director cleverly gave them a big close-up, instantly displaying their slogan and flags to the entire Johto audience.
A light chuckle rippled through the stands, not out of mockery, but because the scene was just too comical and out of place.
Seeing themselves on the big screen, Misa, Masa, and the others waved their flags even more enthusiastically.
These guys...
Natsui gave a wry smile internally.
With that banner raised, the 'aggro' was definitely maxed out. Even competitors who hadn't paid him much mind before would surely take notice now after seeing that.
Although it might bring some trouble, Natsui didn't know how else to repay these lovable idiots who supported him so wholeheartedly.
Only by winning every match, by delivering outstanding performances, could he make them continue to feel proud of him.
The procession of competitors lasted over ten minutes. Once they were all in position, the stadium gradually quieted down again.
Next was the arrival of the Sacred Flame to light the large cauldron within the stadium.
As time passed, the sky slowly darkened.
Tens of thousands of people waited with bated breath. From the stadium tunnel, an athlete carrying the Sacred Flame torch ran onto the field.
However, as he emerged from the tunnel and revealed himself to the crowd, the spectators were surprised to find that it wasn't the young man who had started from the Ho-Oh-In Temple. Instead, it was a little boy wearing a baseball cap and casual clothes!
The boy held the torch high with a determined look, and beside him followed a Pikachu!
"Ash!?"
Everyone who knew him stared with wide eyes, completely shocked that Ash had become the torchbearer.
Only Natsui, seeing this, shook his head with a wry smile.
There was only one reason Ash could have disappeared earlier and suddenly become the torchbearer: the Team Rocket trio must have caused trouble somewhere unnoticed.
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