The Disturbance in Porto Marinada?

To tell the truth.

—The Saiyu Conference preliminaries really weren't much to watch.

It was fine for outsiders just looking for some excitement, but in truth, the skill levels of most tournament participants varied wildly.

After all, some contestants didn't challenge the eight major Gyms officially recommended by the Hoenn League. Instead, they sought out weaker, easier minor Gyms to earn their qualifications.

Their battles were practically a clash between rookies. Compared to them, even Ash could be considered an exceptionally skilled commander.

But the preliminary rounds had been designed precisely to filter out those contestants.

People often said that becoming Conference Champion was nothing special, but for many people, simply collecting all eight Badges and entering the tournament—even if they were eliminated in the first round—was already a tremendous honor for their family.

With that qualification, even if they stopped being Trainers and started working in the future, they could still find a decent job, whether as beginner coaches for children or in Trainer-related positions that required Pokémon assistance.

It was realistic, but it was also something the anime had never shown.

The Saiyu Conference's spotlight would only ever fall on a small number of people.

Much like in the anime's storyline.

Ash's opponent in the first preliminary round was still that Fighting dojo apprentice, who sent out a Hitmonlee.

But unlike in the anime, Pikachu had now endured plenty of hardships and was often beaten up by Delibird. Its strength had long surpassed that of its counterpart from the same period.

Pikachu easily took down Hitmonlee.

Ash's two originally destined rivals at the Saiyu Conference, Masamune and Tetsuya, defeated Electabuzz and Persian with Metang and Meowth with Boots respectively.

Meanwhile, Zhen Si and Shizuka, whom Luo Mu had been watching closely, also performed steadily. Since their opponents weren't