The first stage of the World Championship main competition has concluded, and for many, the results were not ideal.
"Ahhh! I can't believe none of us from Paldea made it in. This is truly terrible!"
Looking at the list of the top sixteen on the big screen, Nemona immediately began to wail, her head bowed in dejection.
That's right, Paldea originally had three people in the top thirty-two, but after this first stage, all three of them were completely wiped out.
"The match-ups were not satisfactory."
Geeta also felt quite helpless; she thought their luck was really bad.
She didn't even mention that she was matched with Mammon, and Nemona was also matched with Rainbow Giovanni.
That Rainbow Giovanni from a parallel world not only possessed top-tier Champion strength but also had a Mewtwo that could Mega Evolve.
In terms of strength, Rainbow Giovanni was quite formidable among all the contestants. Once Mewtwo appeared, Nemona found herself in a difficult position.
And the strongest of the three, Little Liko, was matched with Caitlin.
This Psychic-type specialist was not only powerful with a strong Pokémon team but also possessed Lugia... After a fierce battle, Little Liko was ultimately defeated.
"Luck is also a part of strength," Little Liko sighed.
In fact, if they had been matched with slightly weaker opponents, they might have been able to advance.
For example, people like Kieran or Karen, but that was meaningless. The point of random matching was exactly that.
Even if they got lucky and entered the top sixteen, they would still be eliminated in the subsequent battles.
"But it's foreseeable that the upcoming top sixteen matches will definitely be extremely intense."
Geeta nodded, looking at the list of contestants on the big screen, and couldn't help but exclaim.
These sixteen people, truly, none of them were weak.
On the other side.
"How annoying! To eliminate my Hilda! Doesn't she know Hilda is my helper?"
Rosa glared unhappily at May's avatar on the screen, biting her silver teeth.
"?"
Hilda, who was already in a bad mood, immediately glared back at Rosa.
"What helps?" Drayton was very curious.
"Nothing, this woman is talking nonsense again," Hilda said flatly.
"Don't worry, Hilda, we are the closest of sisters. I will definitely avenge you. Rest in peace."
Pink patted Hilda's shoulder, a look of indignation on her face.
"Rosa!"
Hilda was filled with shame and anger. This woman, just because she advanced, she thinks she's great?!
Damn it!
"The competition is really fierce. Paldea didn't have any of their three advance, but as expected, Kanto is still amazing."
Beside Serena, Diantha rested her chin on her palm, sighing.
She originally thought that at least one person from Paldea would advance, as Geeta and Little Liko were 'monster' level newcomers, not to mention Geeta.
But in comparison, Kanto was truly fierce.
Giovanni, Red, Ash, and Mammon all advanced. In a sense, Rainbow Giovanni could also be considered from Kanto, right?
"In this kind of random matching, luck is still very important."
Serena was noncommittal. She was also a bit surprised by Paldea's 'total annihilation'.
But if one's strength isn't enough, they will eventually be eliminated.
If she had been matched with Nemona or Little Liko, Serena would also have been confident in sending them off herself.
"That's right, but the upcoming Eight Masters contention will become even more intense, Serena, do you have confidence?"
Diantha gave Serena a mischievous smile and asked.
Serena fell silent, looking at her opponents on the big screen.
After another year of battle training, Serena was quite satisfied with her current strength, and she was confident that even against Rosa and Platinum, she would not lose!
However... "If I'm matched with Uncle Giovanni, I don't have the confidence to defeat him."
Serena gently pressed her fingers to her temples, saying helplessly. She truly didn't know how to defeat that Primal Groudon.
"Shouldn't you be calling him father-in-law?" Diantha teased.
"Miss Diantha!"
Serena's originally serious little face immediately broke, her fair face blushing.
"Everyone seems so strong! I wonder who I'll be matched with next, Pikachu, what do you think?"
"Pika~"
Ash was exceptionally excited at this moment, his fighting spirit soaring.
But Pikachu yawned. It was a bit tired, as it had continuously battled Steven's two Metagross in the afternoon, expending quite a bit of stamina.
"Anyway, as long as we don't get matched with Mammon, it'll be fine."
Misty said, shrugging, while holding Togepi.
"After all, Mammon is truly too overpowered."
"Huh? I actually think it would be great to battle Mammon in a venue like this!"
Ash blinked, but he had a different opinion.
"But you're definitely not Mammon's opponent, Ash," Misty was stunned.
"Probably not, right?" Ash hesitated for a moment. Although he was very confident in himself, if his opponent was Mammon...
Ash felt that he probably wasn't Mammon's opponent.
But for Ash, compared to the outcome of a battle, he didn't think that a spectacular and intense process was any worse than the result.
"Ash, if you can keep winning, you'll eventually meet Mammon. Compared to other things, you're now just one step away from the Eight Masters, you know," Brock said to Ash.
"The Eight Masters, this is the highest honor for a Trainer in recent years, Ash, you should strive for it."
"Oh yeah! The Eight Masters, it sounds super cool!"
Ash's eyes became fervent, as if burning with a blazing fire.
The Eight Masters!
Misty and Brock looked at the highly motivated Ash, exchanging smiles, but their eyes held a hint of inexplicable wistfulness.
That naive Ash from last year has now become one of the sixteen strongest Trainers in the world.
They just wondered how far he could ultimately go?
Brock and Misty couldn't help but look forward to it.
The first stage of the Tournament had ended, but the popularity of the World Championship was only intensifying.
People from all regions were frantically discussing online, debating the upcoming qualification situation.
After all, compared to the elimination from thirty-two to sixteen, the matches from sixteen to eight were the most important.
Because this would determine the final Eight Masters spots!
The Eight Masters, this was the highest honor for a Trainer in recent years, one of the eight strongest Trainers in the world.
The prestige of this title naturally goes without saying.
Even a regional Champion could not compare to the title of Eight Masters.
After all, a regional Champion was merely the peak of one region, while the Eight Masters was a global title, one of the world's peak Trainers.
But everyone understood the difficulty of contending for this title.
Mammon, however, was very calm. With the first stage of the Tournament over, Mammon had time to properly spend with his children at home again.
Three days later, the highly anticipated second stage of the Tournament began.
"Welcome everyone to Indigo Plateau Arena! Today will be the second stage of the World Championship main competition!"
"Also today, the spots for the Eight Masters will be decided!"
It was still the Sunglasses Host, who now stood on a high platform, speaking loudly in his enthusiastic voice.
"The Trainers who have made it this far are all one-in-a-million powerhouses, but to continue forward, they still need to defeat the formidable opponents they will face!"
"Only by overcoming one mountain after another can we see their stories, right? So now, let's see who can claim that peak title of Trainer!"
As the Sunglasses Host finished speaking, the big screen lit up.
The first group of matches was about to begin, and everyone held their breath, staring intently at the screen.
Two avatars quickly jumped around, finally slowly settling.
Selene vs. Rainbow Giovanni!
"Huh? This guy, huh?" Selene raised an eyebrow, looking at the Team Rainbow Rocket boss, a slow grin spreading across her lips.
"Selene?" Rainbow Giovanni recalled for a moment, then chuckled softly.
Watching this match-up, the audience in the arena also began to discuss animatedly.
"Alright! Let's welcome our two battling contestants!"
About ten minutes later, the Sunglasses Host shouted loudly.
"Selene!"
"Giovanni!"
As the Sunglasses Host's words fell, two figures slowly walked out from the contestant channels on both sides.
"Selene will win! Selene will win!"
"Our Alola Champion is invincible! Invincible!"
"Lord Giovanni! Lord Giovanni is the strongest!"
"Laughing so hard, isn't Selene Giovanni's daughter-in-law? Although this Giovanni is from a parallel world."
"Go, Selene! You must defeat him!"
The arena was a cacophony of noise, and the live stream's bullet comments were also very dense.
"Selene's luck with the draw is really something else."
Lillie was very helpless. In the first round, she drew N, and in the second round, she drew Rainbow Giovanni.
Undoubtedly, Selene's luck with the draw was truly excellent; there wasn't a single easy opponent.
"I wonder if Selene can defeat this Giovanni. Mega Mewtwo is not easy to deal with."
Caitlin's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. To be honest, if she were to face Rainbow Giovanni, she wouldn't have much confidence.
After all, the strength of that Mega Evolved Mewtwo was truly astonishing.
Mammon smiled, looking at the two on the field.
On the field.
"His daughter-in-law, the Champion of the Alola region. I wonder what her skill level is like."
Rainbow Giovanni stood with his hands in his pockets, his eyes filled with intense malice as he watched Selene, speaking indifferently.
"Even the real Uncle Giovanni, I can defeat him now, let alone you."
However, Selene retorted without ceremony.
That's right, even if it were the real Giovanni in front of her, Selene had absolute confidence in herself.
Not to mention this Giovanni from a parallel world, Selene didn't even put him in her eyes.
"Oh?" Rainbow Giovanni narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile gradually forming on his lips.
"It seems the young lady is quite arrogant."
Rainbow extended his right hand from his pocket, and a Poké Ball in his enlarged hand.
"As your uncle, I should teach you a good lesson."