The battle between Red and Akari began.
For those in the know, the outcome of this battle was largely predictable.
Of course, for the average audience, it was pretty much the same.
Everyone expected Akari to win because she was, after all, ranked No. 3 among Trainers before the main Tournament.
If Akari didn't have a certain level of skill, she would have been defeated long ago.
The result of this battle was also not unexpected: Akari defeated Red with an overwhelming advantage.
Yes, an overwhelming advantage.
With just one Terastallized Normal-type Hisuian Arcanine, Akari swept through five of Red's Pokémon; if not for Red's final ace, Mega Charizard X, having a burst of power, it might not have been able to defeat that Hisuian Arcanine.
When the referee announced the battle results, the entire arena was in shock.
"Holy crap! Arcanine!!"
"Oh my goodness! Is Akari really that strong? That was Red..."
"This... this Arcanine was practically dancing, it's terrifying."
"Akari!! A ten-year fan reporting for duty!"
"This must be the most overwhelming match in the Round of 16, right? Terrifying."
In the live stream, excited and fervent comments flooded in ceaselessly.
In the audience.
"Hiss~ This power..."
Misty gasped. Although she had considered that Red might lose to Akari.
But she never expected the gap to be so huge.
Red's strength was no less than Ash's; in fact, in their sparring matches, Red had always had the upper hand.
But Red was actually beaten like this by Akari... "..." Ash fell into contemplation.
"The Terastallized Normal-type Arcanine is too strong," Brock shook his head.
In his opinion, although Akari's Pokémon's strength was indeed astonishing, the reason Hisuian Arcanine could perform so spectacularly.
The importance of Terastallized Normal-type was also crucial.
Hisuian Arcanine's types are Fire + Rock. This type combination originally had a 4x weakness to Ground and Water, a total of two 4x weaknesses.
But after Terastallizing into a Normal-type, Hisuian Arcanine was only weak to Fighting. It's not an exaggeration to say that Hisuian Arcanine's combat power was elevated as a result.
How many powerful Pokémon are targeted just because they have a 4x weakness?
This also highlighted the importance of Terastallization.
And most importantly, Hisuian Arcanine knows Extreme Speed!
The power of a Terastallized Normal-type using Extreme Speed is something anyone who has experienced it will praise.
It was precisely because of this that this Hisuian Arcanine's performance was so stunning, but... this also doesn't detract from the Hisuian Arcanine's inherent formidable strength.
"Akari, she has already surpassed a top-tier Champion, hasn't she?"
On the other side, Cynthia looked at the bright-eyed, white-toothed girl on the field with a somewhat complex expression.
Red's current strength had definitely reached that of a top-tier Champion, yet he was beaten like this by Akari.
Cynthia's emotions at this moment were truly difficult to describe. She was also hailed as a genius Trainer when she debuted, but compared to Akari now, what kind of genius was she?
As of now, she had only just reached the level of a top-tier Champion, but Akari had already surpassed it.
"Hmm, it's really a shame for Red."
Mammon nodded. He wasn't very surprised by Akari's strength, but he felt a bit sorry for Red, wondering if his mentality would be affected.
A top-tier Champion can fight high-level Legendary Pokémon with their team. At Red's current level, he would definitely not be weaker than the stage in "The Origin" where he defeated and caught a wild Mewtwo.
Assuming it's like the game, in another three years, Red might also surpass top-tier Champion and become the battle legendary Red of Mt. Silver in the game.
However, facing Akari now, well, he's clearly not enough.
Or rather, even if Mt. Silver Red came, he would have to kneel before Akari.
However, with Red's temperament and talent, there's no need to worry about his mentality; it will certainly be fine.
Platinum blinked, looking at Akari in the arena, her lips unconsciously curving into a warm smile.
Hmm, this is her daughter! Her and Mammon's daughter!
"I wonder what Yulandal's Trainer talent will be like in the future."
Cynthia thought of her precious daughter, somewhat anticipating Yulandal's future talent.
She didn't ask her to compare with Akari; if she could have the talent of Platinum or Red, Cynthia would be satisfied.
It shouldn't be bad, right?
Cynthia mused. After all, she was her and Mammon's daughter, and it must be said, because Yulandal was just born, it was indeed impossible to tell the quality of her Trainer talent.
But in terms of physical fitness, Yulandal was truly excellent.
That's right, physical fitness!
Don't ask how you can tell an infant's physical fitness; Yulandal was crawling with such enthusiasm in her crib that she stunned the gold-medal confinement nanny.
She said that in her more than twenty years as a confinement nanny, she had never seen a baby less than two months old crawl so fast, and her forehead was incredibly hard!
Hmm, because when feeding Yulandal, Yulandal playfully bumped the nanny's head with her little head.
It left a Red mark on the nanny's head. This physique is truly ridiculously good.
Even if she doesn't become a Trainer in the future, Cynthia feels her daughter could at least become a world-class martial artist... "With the last of the top eight contestants determined, audience members! Our World Championship's second stage has finally come to an end!"
"So now, let us bear witness! The eight strongest Trainers in the world!"
Akari and Red exited the stage, and the Sunglasses Host's passionate and booming voice rang out.
As the Sunglasses Host's words fell, full-body posters of one Trainer after another appeared on the big screen.
Platinum, Selene, Giovanni, Mammon, Rosa, Caitlin, Serena, Akari!
Either cool or heroic posters, all eight of them, neatly arranged!
"Wo~!"
The entire venue instantly erupted in deafening cheers.
"But!"
The Sunglasses Host smiled and uttered two words.
"You can't relax yet. The Eight Masters from the ranking stage have one chance for a revival match!"
"So they will be re-matched with the currently qualified contestants, and as long as they can defeat their opponents, they can still enter the top eight."
Hearing the Sunglasses Host's words, the audience immediately understood.
"But there are five eliminated Eight Masters from the ranking stage!"
"No, isn't this too unfair to the already qualified contestants?"
"Good heavens, so they really do have a revival card."
"Actually, it's not too bad. After all, they are the world's strongest Eight Masters; it's normal for them to have more trials to bear that title."
"How should I put it? I don't have high hopes for Leon and the others..."
"Laughing out loud, what if they fight again? If they lose again, it'll be even more embarrassing."
The internet was furiously discussing this revival match mechanism. Although a few people were dissatisfied, more were very supportive.
After all, the ranking stage lasted a whole year, and it wasn't easy to break into the top eight and get ranked, so a little preferential treatment is normal.
And ultimately, it still depends on one's own strength; otherwise, even if they were matched again, they would still lose.
"Rainbow Giovanni, Leon, Lance, Volo, Red, I remember those five."
Steven recalled and confirmed the Trainers eligible for the revival match.
"That's right, they're going to be randomly matched with the eight who have already qualified, like Mammon. I don't think the probability of them 'reviving' is very high."
Wallace said, shaking his head.
The eight who have already qualified, including Mammon, are all strong; they truly fought their way through a multitude of top-tier Trainers.
Not to mention the four super monsters: Mammon, Selene, Giovanni, and Akari.
In Wallace's view, except for Rainbow Giovanni, it would be extremely difficult for Leon and the others to win a revival match.
Even if they weren't matched with the four 'monsters' (Mammon, Selene, Giovanni, Akari), Rosa and Caitlin, and the other two, are still absolute formidable opponents. 'Reviving' is not that easy.
Just then, the Sunglasses Host received a message from backstage.
"According to feedback, the other Mr. Giovanni has applied to withdraw. He will not be participating in the revival match."
The Sunglasses Host announced.
That's right, Rainbow Giovanni had no intention of continuing. Although he was the most hopeful of 'reviving' among those five spots.
But for Rainbow Giovanni, this World Championship had already ended the moment he lost to Selene.
No wonder, Rainbow Giovanni's pride was too strong.
"The revival matches will begin in three days. So now, let's see the matchups for the revival matches."
The Sunglasses Host continued.
On the big screen, on one side were the eight qualified (Mammon and others), and on the other side were the four (Leon and others).
Everyone's eyes were focused on it, including the four (Leon and others).
The avatars began to spin, then gradually came to a stop.
But after seeing the matched opponents, Hop slapped his forehead with a'smack'.
Akari vs. Leon!
Selene vs. Red!
Giovanni vs. Lance!
Rosa vs. Volo!
"Bro, you seem to be out of luck..."
Hop said dejectedly. It wasn't that he lacked confidence in Leon, but Akari was truly terrifying.
What kind of death match is this?
Leon: "..."
"Don't worry, Leon, look on the bright side," Raihan patted Leon's shoulder, comforting him.
"?" Leon.
"It's not just you; the other three are probably going to be out of luck too."
Raihan showed a big smile.
That's right, in Raihan's opinion, Leon was pretty much done for, but Lance and the other three weren't in much better shape.
Leon was stunned by the remark, then looked at the big screen, deep in thought.
Three days later, the revival matches began, and then... they were all wiped out.
Not one of them won their revival match.