Natsuhiko adjusted his hat.
The main thing was that it coincidentally clashed with the reveal of his identity.
Plus, the chain reaction caused by the Milotic he announced a few days ago and the evolution method of Steelix.
"You arrange it as you see fit. If it doesn't work, you can stick it on the wall." Natsuhiko said helplessly.
After all, they've already transferred the payment.
"Okay."
Until Yamato left, Natsuhiko couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Watching Hilona, who was sitting on the sofa with a gleeful smile, Natsuhiko said, "Hilona, I want to ask you for a favor."
"A favor?"
...
...
A week later.
The much-anticipated "Devon Small Cup Competition" finally began!
The lawn in front of the Suiyi Town Dojo was bustling with people.
Various food, snacks, and souvenir carts were crowded with a large number of customers.
A large screen was hung on the top of the dojo gate designed by Natsuhiko, resembling a "Bird House".
At the moment, it was showcasing the scenes of the competitions inside the dojo.
Since Natsuhiko's dojo wasn't big, the space was limited.
Compared to the liveliness outside, it seemed relatively quiet inside the dojo.
However, looking at the various cameras set up all around, it could still be seen how much attention this cup competition was getting.
In the center of the field, there was an enthusiastic host holding a microphone.
He was a professional host sent by the Devon Company, with rich experience.
Even faced with such a popular cup competition, he was still able to handle it with ease.
"Next, let's welcome the Dojo Leader, Mr. Natsuhiko!"
Amid a chorus of cheers, Natsuhiko walked out from the passage representing the dojo leader's side.
"And... Miss Hilona!"
Amid more gasps of surprise, Hilona walked out from the passage representing the challengers.
This was the opening ceremony of this cup competition.
A performance match featuring the dojo leader Natsuhiko.
But no one expected that the person participating in the performance match with Natsuhiko would be Hilona.
And this was the favor Natsuhiko asked of Hilona.
It's safe to say.
The companies investing in advertising for this event definitely hit the jackpot.
A performance match between Natsuhiko and Hilona, two young trainers with quite a reputation in the Sinnoh Region, would surely boost the attention.
Since it's a performance match, there's no need to take it too seriously.
Moreover, as the Dragon Dojo Leader, Natsuhiko was destined to use only Dragon-type Pokémon for this performance match.
So the opponent for the performance match had to be someone familiar.
Otherwise, if the opponent didn't play along and went for a three-hit KO, the reputation Natsuhiko built for the dojo would be ruined.
Plus.
In the "Lily Youth Competition", the final championship match between Natsuhiko and Hilona actually didn't happen. The win was decided by Natsuhiko voluntarily forfeiting.
This would be the first time the two would face off, even if it was just a performance match, it was enough to create hype.
Natsuhiko sent out Duraludon, now almost considered one of the dojo's trademarks.
And Hilona sent out Togetic, which joined her team relatively late.
Both were Gym Leader Level Pokémon.
Hilona lacked a top-quality Stone of Light, which was hard to find, even for someone of Hilona's status, and it wasn't easy to find a top-quality Evolution Stone.
So it remained in the Togetic state.
Moreover, Hilona's Togetic hadn't awakened its Fairy Type, so its suppression effect on Dragon-type Pokémon wasn't strong. It hadn't evolved into Togekiss and hadn't learned the Technique with the highest match to the "Celestial Grace" trait, "Air Slash".
At this time, Hilona's Togetic, just like Natsuhiko's Togetic in the past, mainly took on a supportive role.
Of course.
Even with these reasons, this Togetic was still not to be underestimated.
Speaking of Natsuhiko and Duraludon.
This Duraludon couldn't really be considered his Pokémon, as they didn't have much Momentum, it simply acted on command.
It had, however, developed some Momentum with Linghua.
Natsuhiko had already promised Linghua that when she no longer wishes to be a dojo leader, she could take this Duraludon with her.
Since it was a performance match.
Both Natsuhiko and Hilona mutually focused on showcasing their Pokémon, performing Techniques that looked very splendid, drawing gasps from the audience time and again.
In reality, the collisions between them were not many.
Eventually, they also didn't determine a winner, ending the performance match in a draw.
However, they did set a good tone for the subsequent matches.
Because the venue wasn't large, it could only allow one match at a time, but given the sheer number of registrants, to make the most of time, the matches resumed quickly after Natsuhiko and Hilona stepped down.
Natsuhiko estimated that the competition would last at least half a month.
In the contestant waiting room.
"Natsuhiko, Hilona, you two fought way too fakely." As soon as the two entered, Da Ye expressed his opinion.
Hilona smiled gently without saying a word.
Natsuhiko, however, rolled his eyes at him.
"If you think it's fake, you can drop out, no one forced you to participate."
Da Ye grabbed Natsuhiko's shoulder, pressing his explosive hair against Natsuhiko's head.
"Look at you saying this, it's your dojo's first event, how could we not support it."
Seeing his "righteous" attitude, Natsuhiko was left speechless.
"But Natsuhiko, if the winner challenges you, can they request you not to be restricted to dojo Pokémon?" Da Ye added.