On the other side of the field, Aoi Takeshita emerged from the contestant tunnel at the same time.
Her steps were light, her ponytail swaying gently behind her, with that faint smile still resting on her lips.
The two took their positions in their respective command areas.
The referee swept his gaze across them, then raised the flag in his hand high after confirming both were ready.
"First match of the third round—Xinhai Bai Mu versus Aoi Takeshita!"
"Contestants, please send out your respective Pokémon!"
Xinhai removed a Poké Ball from his waist and pressed the release button.
A flash of red light passed, and Grovyle appeared in the center of the field.
He crouched slightly, his golden eyes calmly fixed in the direction of his opponent. The leaf blades along his arms gleamed emerald beneath the lights.
"Breloom, I'm counting on you." Aoi's voice was crisp and firm.
"Gurii!!"
A flash of red light passed, and a powerfully built Breloom appeared on the other side of the field.
Its body was primarily emerald green and beige. The mushroom atop its head formed a broad conical hat, with a red, pore-covered sphere on either side. Four green orbs encircled the tip of its tail.
Its black eyes were sharp and focused, like a cheetah poised to strike.
Once the referee confirmed that both sides were ready, he pressed the button for the energy barrier.
A pale blue energy dome rose once more, enveloping the battle zone.
"Begin!"
The instant the referee gave the command, Aoi's voice rang out almost simultaneously, carrying a fierce certainty of victory.
"Breloom, Bullet Seed!"
"Gurii!"
Breloom clenched both fists and opened its mouth, firing a string of emerald seeds like a torrential downpour. They traced dense trajectories through the air and hurtled straight toward Grovyle.