The other four competitors were, to varying degrees, visibly nervous.
It was clear their mental fortitude still needed sharpening. Or perhaps it wasn't just mentality—perhaps their true strength had yet to be honed…
After all, most of them were already in their twenties. They should have fought countless battles by now; if it was simply about keeping composure, they should have long since mastered that.
Which meant the problem lay elsewhere. They lacked confidence in their own power—and that was what made them anxious.
About ten seconds later, the massive screen at the center of the hall finally stopped scrolling. The tournament brackets and match schedule solidified at last.
The very first battle was Yozora's. His opponent turned out to be none other than the white-haired yet spirited Captain Edson.
Captain Edson, with his snowy hair and ever-present smile, always gave the impression of a kindly elder. But everyone knew that on this cruise ship, at least, his strength was extraordinary.
"Yozora's up against Captain Edson right from the start…" Ritchie frowned inwardly, concern for Yozora flashing in his heart.
Just last night, Yozora, Ritchie, and Sherry had held a quiet discussion.
They had debated the golden-haired gentleman, suspected to be a Silver Trainer, and likely the strongest among them. He was the ultimate peak standing in Yozora's way.
But to Ritchie, the title of "Silver Trainer" didn't mean much. He had no concept of that ranking.
And besides, that golden-haired gentleman had never revealed his true ability. To Ritchie, there was no pressure from him at all.
Instead, among the three mountains looming before Yozora—the golden-haired gentleman, the bald wanderer, and Captain Edson—it was Edson whom Ritchie regarded as the most dangerous.
That Poliwrath of his was a muscular, fearless warrior!
And Yozora didn't even have an Electric-type that could counter Poliwrath. In truth, Yozora was stepping into this fight at a major disadvantage.
"For Yozora, Captain Edson is indeed a mountain he must climb. If he can't scale this one, then there's no way he'll even reach the highest peak…" Sherry said with a smile as she walked up to stand beside Ritchie.
Together, the two watched the stage where Yozora and Captain Edson were about to face off.
The "highest peak" in her words was, of course, the golden-haired gentleman.
"The first quarterfinal match is about to begin! The format is three-on-three. Trainers, please send out your first Pokémon simultaneously at the referee's signal!" The announcer's voice whipped the crowd into excitement.
"Three—"
"Two—"
"One! Battle start!"
At the referee's call, both Yozora and Captain Edson hurled their Poké Balls at once.
Captain Edson's first choice was, as expected, his stalwart Poliwrath.
That Poliwrath had already crushed opponents in two-on-one sweeps earlier in the cruise tournament. Its strength was unquestionable.
Yozora responded by sending out Kangaskhan.
Pokémon: Poliwrath
Type: Water + Fighting
Ability: Swift Swim
Level: Senior-tier Peak
Potential: Senior-tier
Profile: A veteran warrior who has fought for many years, brimming with battle experience. Its potential, however, has long been exhausted.
Poliwrath's strength was at the very peak of the Senior tier, and on top of that, it carried the rare Swift Swim ability.
If Psyduck were to trigger Rain Dance, Poliwrath would benefit as much as Psyduck itself.
That was precisely why Yozora, anticipating Captain Edson's choice, did not send Psyduck to the field.
Yes, Psyduck's Psychic powers were formidable. And against a Fighting-type like Poliwrath, Psychic moves would deal double damage.
But… this wasn't so simple. Poliwrath was at the very top of the Senior tier!
And Psychic power was fickle. If Psyduck failed to affect Poliwrath, the backlash could easily harm Psyduck instead.
Yozora had no confidence that Psyduck's telekinesis could suppress Poliwrath. Thus, he chose not to gamble.
"Kangaskhan? What a rare sight! It's been quite some time since I've seen one!" Captain Edson's eyes lit up with genuine delight as Kangaskhan appeared on the field.
His reaction showed just how deeply he loved Pokémon.
As the captain of the S.S. Anne, Edson had spent his life surrounded by the wealthy and the powerful, as well as exposed to countless rare Pokémon.
Of course he had seen Kangaskhan before.
But the fact that even he hadn't encountered one in so long was proof of just how scarce they were.
Not just him—even several older nobles in the audience looked on in awe when they spotted Yozora's Kangaskhan.
"Still," Edson chuckled, shifting his tone, "Kangaskhan may be rare, but my Poliwrath is a close-quarters master. Against a skilled fighter like him, Kangaskhan won't find it easy to fight effectively."
He wasn't wrong.
Kangaskhan was a Normal-type Pokémon.
And Fighting moves were super effective against Normal-types, dealing double damage.
Yozora smirked inwardly. All the more reason you'll attack with Fighting techniques, right?
He knew very well Kangaskhan's typing put it at a disadvantage. But he intended to use that expectation to his advantage!
If Poliwrath chose to pelt him with ranged Water Guns or Hydro Pumps, Kangaskhan would indeed struggle.
But the moment Poliwrath dared to rush in for hand-to-hand combat, Kangaskhan's true strength would come alive.
What's more, Edson's past battles had shown clearly—Poliwrath specialized in Fighting moves. Its deadliest technique was Submission.
But this wasn't a video game.
In games, Submission instantly inflicted damage.
In reality, Poliwrath had to grapple the opponent and roll with them violently to deal harm.
With its burly frame, Poliwrath could indeed crush most Pokémon in its arms.
But Kangaskhan?
Kangaskhan was a towering giant.
Yozora's Kangaskhan, with its Huge Power ability, stood over 2.2 meters tall, massive and muscular.
How could Poliwrath possibly pin down such a beast?
By sending out Kangaskhan, Yozora had effectively sealed away one of Poliwrath's greatest weapons.
While Yozora was still running calculations in his head, Captain Edson suddenly gave the order—
As Yozora expected, Poliwrath launched straight into a close-range attack.
Its palms flared with white energy.
It was the Fighting-type signature technique—Brick Break!
With a guttural roar, Poliwrath lunged forward, chopping down at Kangaskhan with crushing force!
(To be continued…)