"Ladies and gentlemen, let's turn our attention to Arena Nine."
"Our next competitor is Chen Shi from the Hoenn Region, the League's youngest Intermediate Breeder."
"And his opponent is no pushover either. Kenji from Kanto made the semifinals of the last Silver Conference!"
"What kind of sparks will fly between these two?"
"Let's find out."
The gates on either side of the Battle Arena opened, and Chen Shi and Kenji slowly emerged, taking their places at opposite ends.
Kenji glared resentfully at the black-haired boy across from him. He recognized him.
He was one of the six people who had humiliated him at registration that day.
Kenji would never forget that day. Those six had ignored him outright, their utter indifference making him look like a clown.
In the end, they had even sent him fleeing in disgrace, losing face in front of everyone.
At that thought, Kenji sneered aloud, "The youngest Intermediate Breeder? What a load of bullshit. You're just a bunch of dogs serving us Trainers, and you actually dared to enter the Pokémon World Championships?"
"I'll show you where you belong!"
Chen Shi froze at those words.
Then, rather than getting angry, he gave Kenji a strange look.
He had initially thought the guy was just arrogant and a little full of himself, and hadn't taken it too seriously.
The world respected strength, and the guy did have the skills to back up his arrogance. There wasn't much to say about that.
But those words genuinely left Chen Shi at a loss.
This was the Pokémon World Championships. The entire tournament was being broadcast live worldwide, audio included.
You really will say anything!
In the lounge, the corner of Steven's eye twitched. "He's done for. Nobody can save him."
Pheobe tilted her head and asked in