"Shady Dealings"

"I concede." Shingo slowly raised his hand, loudly declaring his surrender before stepping down from the platform.

Shingo's surrender stirred an uproar in the stands. Nobody understood why he had suddenly conceded. Weren't both Scizor still capable of fighting?

Because of the distance, the spectators in the stands could not clearly see Scizor's physical condition. Those watching the live broadcast on television, however, could see it clearly, since the cameraman had given both Scizor close-ups. Though the shots had flashed by in an instant, they were enough for experienced viewers.

This surrender made many people suspect shady dealings. Yu Hai had likely bribed Shingo. Scizor had been on the verge of collapse, while Shingo's Elite-class Scizor could not possibly lose. They refused to believe an Elite Four-level Pokémon could lose.

Such discordant voices of doubt quietly spread through the stands, as well as the cafés, Bars, and other crowded places around Citrus Stadium. Yu Hai remained completely unaware.

Back at the battlefield, upon hearing Shingo concede, the referee began announcing the winner of this Knockout Stage match.

"Since contestant Shingo has conceded, the winner of this full-team Knockout Stage battle is contestant Yu Hai..."

"Cheers! Contestant Yu Hai did it! Contestant Yu Hai did it! A non-Elite Four trainer defeated an Elite Four trainer..."

"For unknown reasons, contestant Shingo chose to concede. But contestant Yu Hai did it! With only three non-Elite Four Pokémon, he defeated an Elite-class Scizor, setting a record unprecedented in League tournaments. He truly deserves the title of tactical master..."

"Congratulations to contestant Yu Hai for advancing to the next round. Tonight, the matchups will be announced. This will also be the last round where the system matches contestants. From the round of sixteen onward, the winners will face one another. We hope contestant Yu Hai