Amid cheers from the entire crowd, Xia You left the arena through the contestants' passage.
Chloe, Misty, and the others had long been waiting by the exit. As soon as he appeared, they all gathered around him, applauding and offering their congratulations.
Farther away, the Biker Gang was keeping several reporters and fans outside, refusing to let them approach and disturb him.
"That was an amazing battle!" Brock praised him. "Congratulations on your victory, and on advancing to the next round! Now you and Ash are both in the top 16!"
A brilliant smile spread across Xia You's face as well.
Of course, no one was happier than he was about making it to the fifth round.
But speaking of Ash...
Xia You turned and scanned the area. Professor Oak and Delia were standing nearby, but no matter where he looked, he could not spot Ash.
"Where's Ash?"
Misty covered her mouth and chuckled. "When that guy saw Gary leave with a sigh, he followed him with a complicated look on his face. I think he's probably comforting him now."
As expected of his first rival and good friend. Ash really couldn't stop worrying about Gary...
But at her mention of Gary, Xia You turned to Professor Oak and said apologetically, "Sorry, Professor. I defeated Gary. I hope he won't be too upset."
Unexpectedly, Professor Oak smiled and waved a hand when he heard this.
"It's all right. It's a competition, so someone has to lose. Besides, I think losing this battle was actually just the medicine Gary needed!"
"Medicine?" Chloe gave him a puzzled look. His own grandson had been defeated, so why did he not seem worried at all?
"Yes," Professor Oak said earnestly. "Gary has always been rather arrogant. He was so used to everything going his