...
Aegislash VS Dragonite!
Dragonite is a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon and has the advantage of speed and air.
Aegislash's advantage is his certain resistance to Dragon-type and Flying-type moves.
And Natsu's Aegislash has been specially coated twice. While there's no visual difference, his metal density is not comparable to a normal Steel-type Pokémon.
Steven immediately noticed this when Aegislash came out. He was shocked by the state of Natsu's Aegislash. In his opinion, this Aegislash's defensive power and weight were probably quite excessive.
However.
In their minds, it was a battle worth looking forward to, but in the end, it fell through, their morning exercise schedule was interrupted.
And the person who interrupted them was...
Professor Oak.
"While I'm sorry to interrupt your battle, there's nothing I can do. The academic conference is about to start, Natsu, you really need to pay attention to the time."
Professor Oak wasn't arrogant, but rather a little regretful, holding his head. He also worked as a Trainer when he was young, and of course, he knew interrupting someone just as they were about to battle was a bad choice.
However, for Natsu's future development as a researcher, it was better not to miss this meeting. This academic conference was attended by many famous professors and researchers from various regions of the Pokémon world, so Natsu being qualified to participate as one of them was certainly a good resume for him.
They had all been so focused on the battle that time had flown by much faster than they realized. Hearing this, although a few of them expressed understanding, they were still a bit uncomfortable, especially Steven, Lorelei, and others who hadn't battled Natsu yet.
Natsu seriously nodded, expressing his gratitude. He knew the importance of this meeting.
Seeing the expressions of a few people, Professor Oak showed a hint of hesitation. After a slight pause, he said:
"You can continue after the meeting. However, I suggest you all pause for a while too. Perhaps there will be a time when you'll all be fighting."
"Will be fighting?"
A few people looked at each other.
Natsu narrowed his eyes. "Professor Oak, do you mean a tournament?"
Isn't that just a "tournament"?
"Ah ha ha ha—is that so? Did I say that?" With an awkward laugh, Professor Oak waved his hand as if he hadn't said anything and continued. "Natsu, remember to come quickly. Everyone else can choose where to sit."
"Professor Oak always speaks strangely," Lorelei mumbled.
"Natsu, what do you mean by a tournament?" But Lance caught the meaning behind Natsu's words.
"I'm not too sure," Natsu shook his head, "but I think that's what Professor Oak was trying to say." Natsu wasn't entirely certain.
Because Professor Oak saying that was equivalent to not saying anything. But judging from his reaction to Natsu, there might indeed be a tournament, and it was the kind they would all have to participate in.
Be wary.
Even the "Lily of the Valley Youth Tournament" wasn't mandatory; it was through voluntary registration. What's more, they were all from different regions. Except for grand tournament events like the "Lily of the Valley Youth Tournament," which covered multiple regions and were only held once every few years, what else could bring them all together?
But don't say that. Natsu thought about it, it wasn't impossible.
In fact, if it was what he suspected, he even guessed where the tournament would be held.
The most critical thing was:
The opening of the Alola Region!
If the Alola Region was opening, the Alliance could hold a tournament to increase its appeal and promote the Alola Region, or the Aether Foundation could unite with the Alliance to get the entire world to accept the Alola Region as soon as possible. But theoretically, they shouldn't be invited either.
Wouldn't it be more interesting if the Elite Four played some exhibition games?
Unless there were some interest disputes that hadn't been fully determined.
After all, more and more people were becoming aware of the Alola Region, and it wasn't just because of the Alliance's disclosure.
It was more because the Aether Foundation had intentionally sent Pokémon unique to the Alola Region to various regions of the Pokémon world to increase public discussion about Alola.
Natsu even had some credit for that.
In this way, public opinion was stirred up, forcing the Alliance to make some compromises under public pressure.
If the Alliance didn't want to compromise but also didn't want to confront the Aether Foundation—an organization that had already established a strong foundation in the Alola Region for decades—after all, a strong dragon won't suppress a local tyrant.
The Aether Foundation had to be an integral part of bringing the Alola Region onto the map as quickly as possible.
At that time, the best way would be to talk through battle.
And it would be most suitable for battles that had influence but didn't cause irreparable rifts.
Of course, all of this was just Natsu's speculation based on the information he had. It was still debatable.
However, what Professor Oak said seemed to point in this direction.
Specifically, his cousin Samson Oak was the Headmaster of the Pokémon School in the Alola Region, and his status wasn't low.
"The same goes for after the conference. It's really important for you to be able to attend an academic conference like this," Cynthia said.
"Yeah, battles can wait. Senior Natsu, you should know how authoritative this academic conference is," Lorelei also chimed in.
"Then let's go and have a look," Steven said.
Finally, Natsu and Lance's battle ended without ever starting.
They came to the hall where this academic conference was held together.
Many people were already seated inside, and some were still coming in from outside.
Natsu was invited, so he was in the central seats, with a group of researchers.
And Cynthia and the others, as auditors, sat in the seats on the side of the Conference Hall. Cynthia and Lorelei were already very skilled at this, and it was the first time for Steven and Lance.
Natsu came to his seat under the guidance of staff.
Not many people attended this academic conference, even with major and minor Professors, the total was no more than 100 people.
There were so many researchers in the entire Pokémon world, but no more than a hundred. This showed just how high the true value of this academic conference was.
As people continued to arrive, people sat on both sides of Natsu's seat.
"Are you Mr. Natsu?"
The voice came from his right, the speaker wore a white lab coat, with blue-purple hair extending from her back to her ankles, wearing square glasses, and a small purple flower tucked into her hair. She looked about early twenties.
"Uh, are you?" Natsu was stunned. Although she felt a little familiar, he didn't recognize her.
"Hello, my name is Fennel. I'm researching the direction of 'Pokémon Dreams'," she said, smiling and extending her hand towards Natsu.
Fennel?
Natsu was slightly impressed when he heard the name.
A Professor in the Unova Region.
Professor Aurea Juniper and Fennel were good friends. But it seemed she still just a researcher for now.
After lightly shaking hands with the other party, he released it, and then politely said with a smile:
"I'm Natsu, my research direction is, uh, Pokémon evolution."
...
(End of this chapter)