Attack Is the Best Defense!

"Welcome, everyone, to the main event of the Pokémon World Coronation Series!!"

The long-awaited Masters Tournament had officially begun. Sixteen Master Ball Class competitors would face off in a round of battles to determine the Top Eight.

And the Top Eight had been bestowed by the Pokémon League with the title of the Eight Masters!

So while winning the championship might be a distant hope, the title of Eight Masters was still something worth fighting for.

Amid the impassioned commentary, the cheers of the audience echoed through Wyndon Arena.

"Without further ado, let us welcome the competitors for the first battle of the Masters Tournament! They are—"

"From the Hoenn Region, Champion of the Hoenn League, bearer of countless titles such as Man of Truth, Mental Master, and Tactical Master—our great Teacher Jing He!"

Boom—

The stadium instantly erupted in thunderous cheers.

Though the earlier Double-Elimination Battle and Master Exchange Battle had also drawn plenty of attention, now that the main event had truly begun, the audience's enthusiasm had clearly reached even greater heights.

Especially since this was the very first battle of the Masters Tournament.

"And—" The host, whose face was flushed red with excitement, took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Gibeon!"

Huh?

Standing at the Player Tunnel, Spinel had listened as the host introduced Teacher Jing He with so many titles and such elaborate praise. He had been wondering how he himself would be introduced, only to get...

That was it?!

Fine, no title or honorific—but they had not even announced where he was from?

And the audience's cheers were obviously much quieter.

Spinel was a proud man. Hearing that, he could not help feeling a trace of indignation.

Fine, fine. Targeting me, are you?

But Spinel quickly suppressed the anger in his heart.

He considered himself