However, since the system hadn't been giving Sam any strange rewards lately, he wasn't in a hurry to explore its Pokémon training function.
Soon, it was finally time for the Masters Tournament.
Sam got up early and prepared for the competition.
As it happened, Erika was already awake as well. She seemed even more concerned about the Masters Tournament than Sam himself.
Smiling, Sam finished getting ready, and the two headed to the tournament venue together.
The Masters Tournament was one of the highest-level competitions for Trainers. Only a small number of elite Trainers were qualified to participate, so the event attracted enormous attention.
Early that morning, the stadium was already packed.
Many spectators had traveled from outside Celadon City just to watch the matches.
Among them were numerous Trainers. After all, observing battles between top-tier Trainers could greatly improve one's own battling skills and training methods.
As soon as Sam entered the arena, he spotted Misty, Brock, and Ash.
The moment Misty saw him, she hurried over excitedly.
"Big Brother Sam, do your best!"
Sam nodded, touched that they had come specifically to support him.
After all the preparations were completed, it was time for the drawing ceremony.
There were eight contestants in total, and the tournament used a single-elimination format.
Luck therefore played an important role.
A powerful Trainer could easily be eliminated early if they happened to face an opponent who perfectly countered their team.
In this type of tournament, rankings could sometimes be heavily influenced by the draw.
Sam stepped forward to draw his match assignment.
On the way, he happened to encounter Karen.
Karen still wore the same arrogant expression.
He glanced at Sam and smirked.
"I'm looking forward to defeating you."
Sam smiled calmly.
"We'll see about that."
Truthfully, Sam didn't want to face Karen in the first round.
Karen was extremely strong, and Sam still hadn't figured out the source of Karen's dark power.
Fortunately, luck seemed to be on Sam's side.
His first-round opponent was Sakura.
Sam sighed inwardly.
Another one of the Kimono Sisters.
He couldn't help wondering whether Miki would be upset if he defeated Sakura.
Although he couldn't see Miki in the audience, he was certain she was somewhere in the stadium watching.
The match began shortly afterward.
The first battle of the tournament was Sam versus Sakura.
Sakura was a beautiful young woman.
Unlike Miki's mature charm or Naoko's cute appearance, Sakura possessed a gentle and elegant beauty.
Sam couldn't help thinking:
Looks like it's time to eliminate another sister.
The two Trainers stepped onto the battlefield.
Sakura didn't seem interested in small talk.
She immediately summoned her Pokémon.
Sakura's Team
Flareon
Type: Fire
Category: Flame Pokémon
Ability: Flash Fire
Hidden Ability: Guts
Strength: Champion Intermediate Level
Espeon
Type: Psychic
Category: Sun Pokémon
Ability: Synchronize
Hidden Ability: Magic Bounce
Strength: Champion Intermediate Level
Jolteon
Type: Electric
Category: Lightning Pokémon
Ability: Volt Absorb
Hidden Ability: Quick Feet
Strength: Champion Intermediate Level
Sam chose his usual lineup.
Against opponents of this caliber, he trusted only his strongest Pokémon.
Sam's Team
Charizard
Type: Fire/Flying
Category: Flame Pokémon
Ability: Blaze
Hidden Ability: Solar Power
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Shiny Gengar
Type: Ghost/Poison
Ability: Cursed Body
Hidden Ability: None
Strength: Champion Beginner Level
Tyranitar
Type: Rock/Dark
Ability: Sand Stream
Template: Shukaku
Synchronization: 99%
Strength: Champion Peak Level
Although Sakura's Pokémon were all Champion Intermediate Level, Sam wasn't worried.
None of her Pokémon had a significant type advantage against his team.
In that case, using his highest-level Pokémon was the safest option.
Without wasting any time, Sam launched the first attack.
Gengar's body immediately vanished into the shadows.
Its role in this battle was simple:
Hide.
Wait.
Strike from the darkness.
Meanwhile, Charizard would serve as the primary attacker, while Tyranitar would provide battlefield control and defense.
It was the battle formation Sam trusted most.
Suddenly, countless streams of sand surged upward from the battlefield.
Empowered by Shukaku's abilities, Tyranitar's sandstorm rapidly spread across the arena.
Visibility immediately dropped.
The sandstorm also provided perfect cover for Gengar's sneak attacks.
Then Charizard opened its mouth.
A scorching stream of blazing fire erupted forward.
The high-temperature Flamethrower cut through the swirling sandstorm and shot directly toward Sakura's Pokémon.
---------------Author---------------
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