Although he and Ash Ketchum don't see eye to eye, they've been competitors since childhood, and Gary Oak, who prefers to win fair and square, doesn't want to take advantage of Ash Ketchum in this regard.
If they share the same teacher, no one will criticize him for being stronger than Ash Ketchum.
"Gary Oak, is your eye twitching?" Little did he know Ash Ketchum would reply like this.
Gary Oak rolled his eyes directly.
Hopeless kid.
But afterward, Ash Ketchum nodded in agreement, "Alright!"
Natsuhiko smiled and said no more.
Whether or not Ash Ketchum understood the meaning, he'd accept it anyway.
For him, teaching one is teaching; teaching two is also teaching.
Their identities behind them and future statuses are what's really important.
With the talents of Gary Oak, Ash Ketchum, and Gladio, they all have the potential to become Champions in the future.
Then Natsuhiko would be the teacher of three Champions, which is quite a prestigious thought.
After resolving things with the four youngsters, Natsuhiko refocused on his own Pokémon.
Mainly doing some basic massages to relax their spirits and muscles.
Big changes can't be accomplished in just one night.
Hilona is the same.
...
...
The next day.
Today should be the most lively day since the start of the "Island Competition".
Even more than at the opening ceremony.
Not only is Manaro Arena packed, but even the square outside is overflowing with people.
Even the host traded his outfit for something more flashy and extravagant today.
And today's two main players.
Natsuhiko and Hilona's portraits were already hanging on the big screen early on.
Indeed.
Add a red border and some red ribbons to the screen, and the feeling might switch to... ahem.
Since this is the final match.
So, Professor Oak, Nari Omiki, and others from the organizing committee took turns giving speeches.
As for why they give a speech before the match.
Would anyone listen to them chatter after the final ends?
They are quite aware of this.
In the contestant passage.
Leaning against the wall, Natsuhiko with a smile looked at the graceful beauty in front of him.
Hilona was getting a bit embarrassed from Natsuhiko's gaze.
Her face blushed slightly.
She seemed more like a ripe red apple.
The two headed for the final match stage, remarkably without any tension or rivalry, incredibly calm, calm enough that it's a bit eerie.
Hilona couldn't hold back any longer and muttered.
"Have you stared enough?"
Her eyes slightly stared.
Natsuhiko sheepishly shrugged, retracting his gaze.
Mumbling softly, "I thought I could watch until you got nervous and revealed your trump card."
Hilona: "..."
"You stared all this time just for that?"
"What else?" Natsuhiko grinned.
Hilona choked.
She rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.
Then suddenly seemed to recall something, her lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Want to see my trump card? You'll find out soon."
Natsuhiko's expression froze.
He thought Hilona had already used her trump card in the previous match against Lance.
Didn't expect a little tease to reveal there's more?
This is too hard.
It's tough dealing with trainers who come from powerful backgrounds because you can never guess their final trump card.
Scratching his head under his hat, he nonchalantly said:
"Whatever, losing to you isn't a loss."
That said, the staff at the entrance signaled they could leave.
With a slightly smiling Hilona watching Natsuhiko heading towards the exit, her eyes curved into a sweet smile.
...
...
"Spectators! The finals of the 'Island Competition' you all have been waiting for is finally about to start!!!"
With these words, the audience, who was nearly lulled to sleep by the committee members' chatter, suddenly perked up.
"Next, let's first welcome the widely acknowledged 'Tactical Master'—Contestant Natsuhiko!!"
"Natsuhiko! Natsuhiko! Natsuhiko!"
"Tactical Master! Tactical Master! Tactical Master!"
"..."
Amidst countless cheers, Natsuhiko waved as he walked out of the contestant passage.
With a quite handsome face and confident smile, many girls screamed shrilly for him.
At this moment, Natsuhiko's popularity reached a peak.
Natsuhiko stood firm on one side of the field.
"Then let's welcome the other finalist, the 'Ancient Scholar'—Contestant Hilona!!"
"Hilona! Hilona! Ah—!! Hilona!!"
"Sister Cabbage! Sister Cabbage! Sister Cabbage!"
"..."
In terms of calls, Hilona wasn't outmatched by Natsuhiko.
Especially some near-wolf-like howling, turning the entire arena into a wolf den.
With a flowing cascade of golden hair, a black trench coat teamed with wide black pants, she seemed like an ice beauty, yet her expression was calm and gentle, with a warm smile, very elegant and poised.
Hilona stood across from Natsuhiko.
They looked at each other.
Their gazes turned serious.
At this moment.
The tension finally brewed between them.
The referee for the final switched to the senior-most referee of the competition, clearly a revered figure.
He sternly declared:
"This match adopts the Sixth Master's Competition's full unrestricted rules. Please summon your Pokémon!"
Natsuhiko and Hilona took out the Pokeballs they had prepared, and the referee continued.