Natsui wasn't too surprised that Jasmine knew who he was.
Although he had participated in another region's competition, Kanto and Johto were on the same continent and right next to each other. Apart from Gym Leaders like Morty from Ecruteak City who only paid attention to their own region's matches, the other Gym Leaders were generally very sharp.
They often watched matches to broaden their horizons. Although it was impossible for them to watch every single match, they generally wouldn't miss highlight battles like the semi-finals and finals.
But… no matter how you looked at it, Jasmine was the delicate type. It felt like quieter forms of entertainment would suit her better. It was hard to imagine her sitting in front of the TV, her mood rising and falling with the progress of the match.
All he could say was, as expected of a woman who likes steel pole… ah, no… a woman who likes Steel-type Pokémon. Beneath her delicate exterior, her heart was indeed fiery.
These thoughts flashed through Natsui's mind.
As the two shook hands and parted, Jasmine turned to look at Erika.
She sized her up for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face, and then said with a start, "You're Ms. Erika from the Celadon Gym, right?"
"Huh?" This time it was Erika's turn to be surprised. "You know me?"
Jasmine nodded. "When I was little, my parents took me to Kanto, and I attended your family's tea party. I even spoke with you then. I remember I accidentally fell, and you were the one who personally treated my wound. Of course, it was a long time ago, so you may have already forgotten."
Erika really had no memory of this. She said apologetically, "Sorry, I don't remember."
"It's fine," Jasmine waved her hand dismissively. "We were both very young then, after all. It's normal not to remember. And haven't we gotten to know each other again now?"
Natsui gave Jasmine a thumbs-up in his mind.
That was artfully said.
Originally, forgetting someone and then meeting them again was a very awkward situation. But with just a few words, Jasmine had both saved Erika's face and deepened their relationship. She was really skilled.
Just then, Jasmine's gaze shifted between Natsui and Erika, and she covered her mouth and said lightly, "Why are you two traveling together? Could it be that you're a couple?"
Look, another person has misunderstood their relationship.
This is who knows how many times already.
Natsui sighed helplessly. This was an unavoidable problem when a man and a woman traveled alone together.
And compared to Natsui, after hearing this, Erika thought even more.
Originally, she had always been able to face such comments calmly. But perhaps because so many people had said it along the way, Erika couldn't help but feel a bit strange. And with all the little things that had happened with Natsui during this time, although there was nothing dramatic, they had unknowingly affected her state of mind.
She secretly glanced at Natsui. For some reason, Erika's ears turned slightly red, and her heart also felt a bit flustered.
But fortunately, she quickly composed herself and gently shook her head at Jasmine. "You've misunderstood. We're just traveling companions."
"I see."
Seeing Erika's reaction, a strange smile appeared on Jasmine's face. Being mature for her age, how could she not see Erika's embarrassment?
She was very sure that even if the two weren't a couple, there was still some ambiguity between them.
And from Jasmine's inexplicable expression, Erika didn't know if she believed her or not. Fortunately, Jasmine didn't continue this topic, which also allowed her tense heart to relax.
After chatting for a while longer, seeing that it was about time, they finally got down to business.
Jasmine slowly walked to the trainer's box on the other side, facing Natsui, while Erika went to the spectator stands on the side and sat down.
The staff member who had led Natsui in acted as the referee for this battle.
And seeing that Natsui was ready, the referee, as was customary, also announced the rules of this battle.
"This match will now begin, featuring Ms. Jasmine from the red side against the challenger, Mr. Natsui, from the green side. The format for this match will be an elimination battle with both sides using two Pokémon each. The match will end when all the Pokémon of one person are unable to battle."
As the referee finished announcing the rules, just as Jasmine was about to take out a Poké Ball, Natsui suddenly called out to her.
"Ms. Jasmine, if possible, could you use your strongest Pokémon?"
Hearing Natsui's request, Jasmine was only taken aback for a second before she understood his meaning and nodded with a smile.
"I see. So weaker Pokémon can no longer give you a proper workout? Alright then, I will send out my strongest Pokémon."
With that, she turned and went to the side, placed the Poké Ball she was originally carrying on a platform, and then took two new ones from there.
By the time she returned to the trainer's box, Natsui had also selected his first Pokémon for the battle.
At the referee's signal, the two simultaneously threw their Poké Balls. As two blue lights faded, two Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.
First, looking at Jasmine's Pokémon, she had sent out one that was all blue-green, with four strong limbs, a silver metallic cross in the shape of an 'X' on its face. Its body was like a large iron disc, and its whole body shone with a metallic luster.
Natsui recognized this Pokémon at a glance.
It's a Metagross…
This Pokémon was indeed very strong, and the very strong kind.
If you were to go by the game settings, it, like the Dragonite from the first generation, was also a pseudo-legendary and not to be underestimated.
Since it was the first time he had encountered one, Natsui took out his Pokédex and pointed it at it.
Pokédex: Beep. Metagross, the Iron Leg Pokémon. A Steel/Psychic type. Metagross is formed by the combination of two Metang. Not only does it possess powerful psychic power, but it also prides itself on its brute strength. It is said that their four brains are connected together, forming a complex neural network, making them smarter than a supercomputer. They can analyze their opponents with their computational ability and calmly force them into a corner. They can even tuck in their four legs to float in the air and fly.
Putting away the Pokédex, Natsui sized up the Pokémon again.
In terms of typing alone, apart from a few types, most types couldn't get much of an advantage against Steel.
Among the known eighteen types, Steel resisted ten of them by half, and was also immune to Poison-type moves. And among the remaining seven types, only Fighting, Ground, and Fire-type moves could deal double damage to it.
This was already very terrifying.
After all, apart from Steel-type Pokémon, no other type could do this.