With every eye on him, everyone wondered which Pokémon Dian would send out.
Misdreavus, Beedrill, Tyranitar, or perhaps...
Lilian still remembered that she had another role besides referee.
The host!
"The first Pokémon Mr. Yingyue has sent out is..."
Lilian's gaze followed the airborne Poké Ball until a figure emerged. "It's Jumpluff?!!"
Unable to believe her eyes, she repeated herself. "Mr. Yingyue's first Pokémon is actually Jumpluff!!"
"It's not Misdreavus?!"
Paul was just as shocked, and even Reggie beside him could not make sense of it.
"Now that's an unexpected Pokémon."
Arms folded, Brock studied the blue figure on the battlefield.
"A Grass-type Pokémon..."
Saori looked equally incredulous.
The Trainers in the venue wore all sorts of expressions. Some were astonished, some remained unruffled, and others simply could not understand.
"What an interesting choice."
Wallace looked intrigued. He glanced at Lorelei beside him, only to find that she had already closed her eyes. He could not begin to guess what she was thinking.
Yet a closer look revealed not the slightest change in her expression.
Robert, too, showed neither disdain nor surprise. His expression was as unreadable as a deep pool.
In fact, he grew a little more cautious, his hand moving back and forth between two Poké Balls.
As a Top Coordinator, he did not judge an opponent solely by the strength of their Pokémon or their own bearing as a Trainer. He took a more comprehensive view.
After all, a Pokémon's strength, a Trainer's strength, and the strength they displayed together were different things.
Fundamentally different!
And so,
he had only one criterion for judging them.
The bond between Trainer and Pokémon!
Indeed,
an experienced Coordinator could discern how harmonious a Pokémon and their Trainer were—how well they connected. Calling it a bond was no exaggeration!
That Jumpluff...