The entire venue erupted into an uproar.
Everyone's eyes were filled with disbelief.
It wasn't just the spectators who were stunned.
Himeko froze too.
In the VIP seats, President Sun, Moo Inoshishe-sensei, and even Izo—Wintergreen City's lord—were all dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Why did none of them know about this?
Why would Akio suddenly step forward at such a critical moment and announce a change to the rules?
This tournament had been held for decades.
Every round of every edition had always used a 3-on-3 format.
So why this year—
Why did it suddenly change right when Joji was in the finals?
From 3v3 to 6v6?
"Who made this decision? Why do I know nothing about it?"
Izo stood up, his gaze like a sharpened blade as it pinned Akio.
There was no doubt about it.
This was using power for personal gain.
Opening a back door for his son and handing him an advantage.
If there were no benefit involved, why go through the trouble of changing the format at this exact moment?
Most likely Joji had decided that in a 3v3 he wasn't a match for Himeko—
So he made his father use his authority to force a rule change.
"This is a small matter, not worth troubling you with it, my lord."
Akio smiled, his tone neither humble nor overbearing.
"The Tournament Committee consists of five people: you, President Sun, me, old man Moo Isoshi, and Mr. Naosuke."
"We follow the principle of majority rule. As for changing the format, the three of us have already reached an agreement and approved it."
"So naturally, there was no need to ask you."
"You—!"
Izo pointed at Akio, a whole tirade rising to his lips—only to be choked back down.
Back when that clause had been established, it was done because everyone was certain the three factions could never stand together.
And yet somehow, today, this happened.
A businessman really was a businessman.
All he ever cared about was profit right in front of him.
Izo was certain Akio had offered them a reward so rich they couldn't refuse.
Otherwise, they would never have made a decision this unbelievably stupid.
Izo shot him a vicious glare, then dropped back into his seat.
Akio watched him swallow the loss and couldn't hide the smugness that spread across his face.
Then he lifted the microphone again.
"I'm sure everyone is wondering why the official organizers of the Pokémon Tournament would suddenly make this decision."
"It's simple. Think about it—today's mainstream League tournaments, as well as international tournaments, all use 6v6 rules."
"Doing this serves two purposes. First, it aligns us with international standards and gives these two contestants some experience."
"Second, it gives everyone a more exciting final match. After all, when two powerhouses collide, the fiercer the better, isn't that right?"
Akio spoke smoothly onstage.
A full stream of slick excuses and nonsense.
And it actually fooled quite a few spectators.
"You're full of it! You changed the rules because your son is scared of losing!"
"Exactly! You people are disgusting!"
"The Amano family does business—forget six Pokémon, you could field sixty! But can Miss Himeko even bring out six?"
"Yeah! This is obviously bullying a young girl!"
"And you're up there acting righteous while spouting garbage—ugh!"
More perceptive spectators saw through Akio's lies instantly.
They stood up and hurled abuse at him without holding back.
Akio's smile stiffened on his face.
Being exposed on the spot made him feel both awkward and furious.
The jeers and mockery only grew louder.
More and more people stood up to speak for Himeko and call out the injustice.
At this rate, the Pokémon Tournament looked like it was about to turn into an outright brawl—
And it seemed like everyone was aiming straight at Akio.
"The rules are set by the organizers. Since they've been set, no matter what you say, they won't be changed."
Akio looked at Himeko, his expression turning cold in an instant.
He pressed her with a hard tone.
"I have only one question, Miss Himeko. Will you participate in the finals?"
"If you think it's unfair, you can choose to withdraw. Of course, in that case, the champion will naturally be Joji."
On the main dais, President Sun and Moo Inoshishe-sensei both looked terrible.
But right now, there was nothing they could do.
Moo Inoshishe-sensei was furious at her own father—
How could he side with Akio and pull something this vile at a time like this?
President Sun, meanwhile, felt a deep regret for ever allowing such a rule to exist.
That was what had created today's humiliating mess.
Now, the only thing the two of them could do was sit there and watch what happened next.
If Himeko needed help afterward—
They would do everything they could.
The venue fell quiet.
Everyone stared at Himeko, waiting for her decision.
To be honest—
Faced with a choice like this, nobody knew what the right answer was.
If she nodded and agreed to continue—
It would basically mean fighting six Pokémon with only three.
If she shook her head and walked away—
She would be handing the championship title to Joji for free.
Either choice was awful.
Joji, standing not far from Himeko, watched her silence.
He felt so satisfied he could have laughed out loud.
It was like years of pent-up anger had finally been released all at once.
The grin on his face grew more and more brazen.
Weren't you so arrogant?
Weren't you so strong?
So why are you suddenly mute now?
Not saying anything?
"Agree. Fight him."
Just as Himeko was weighing which decision to make, Shiko's voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
"Why?"
Himeko blurted out instinctively.
She only had three Pokémon.
Where was she supposed to find three more to make a full 6v6?
If she agreed—
Wouldn't tomorrow's match just become a 3v6?
Could she really win like that?
"Make him schedule the match three days from now. I'll help you win it."
"I'm about to evolve."
(End of Chapter)
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