Are you kidding! Koraidon, Pawmo, Dragonite, Cyclizar, Ogerpon, Glaceon—any one of them could take down Nemona's Pokemon in a single move.
Thinking of this, Naoki tactfully said, "The strength gap between my Pokemon and yours is too big; it's not suitable for us to battle right now. Let's wait until you grow up a bit more!"
*
Meanwhile, on the other side of the banquet.
Alder, Boss Clay, and Nemona's father Nikar were talking about parenting tips.
Seeing the moment was about right, Alder handed over a project proposal.
Nikar seemed surprised upon seeing it, "What's this?"
Alder: "A friend asked me to pass this on to you, please take a look."
A friend? Nikar was somewhat surprised but didn't decline; he opened the proposal promptly in front of Alder and Boss Clay.
At first glance, he saw an electronic device resembling Rotom drawn in pencil on it.
Nikar read out the name slowly: "Rotom Smartphone?"
"Rotom Smartphone?" Boss Clay, standing by, also showed a surprised expression, "What's that?"
He's only heard of the Rotom refrigerator, Rotom washing machine—those kinds of household items.
"I'm not too sure, it's written here," Nikar focused and continued reading.
A smartphone with full smart touchscreen capabilities, featuring an app with built-in Pokedex functions, enabling trainers to communicate with distant friends over the network, connecting trainers globally, achieving video calls, food delivery, navigation, online shopping, and other functions...
It can also house Rotom in such a smartphone to act as a smart AI, using voice commands to assist trainers traveling abroad with navigation, positioning, map viewing, and Pokedex inquiries...
Nikar became more and more serious as he read.
As the boss of Rotom Technology Company, coupled with their company already developing similar communication devices such as video phones, Nikar understood the content of the project proposal at a glance.
If this technology could indeed be achieved, it would be incredibly promising!
When the information age comes... such a Rotom Smartphone would hold an immeasurable future and position!
Nikar's heart suddenly became excited, and he eagerly asked, "Who wrote this proposal?!"
"Huh?" Seeing Nikar like this, Alder was somewhat astonished, not expecting Naoki's thing to catch the big boss's attention instantly.
Nikar felt like the future of the world was in his hands, so excited he could barely breathe, "I want to meet him! Please, Alder!"
"Ha?" Alder scratched his head and said honestly, "You've already met him!"
Met him? Nikar was slightly stunned, but shortly after, that young figure who'd been following Alder appeared in his mind.
Meanwhile, Naoki was quietly observing Lance with Nemona.
They hid by the garden in the yard, observing Lance from afar.
Lance was standing with his arms crossed in front of a bush neatly trimmed, his face resolute and his expression solemn, seemingly pondering something.
Draped behind him was a cape with a very novel style, half of his body shrouded in shadow, looking both handsome and cool.
Lance hadn't attended such a banquet much before, Nemona hadn't seen him, so she curiously asked:
"Mr. Naoki, do you know that person?"
Naoki nodded, "He's Lance, Dragon Elite of the Kanto Region, and also seems to have held the title of Champion in Kanto; he's very skilled with Dragon Type Pokemon."
"Wow!" Nemona exclaimed, looking between Naoki and Lance, then asked, "Mr. Naoki, do you want to talk to him?"
Naoki pondered thoughtfully, then shook his head, "Not really, but I heard his ace Pokemon is a Dragonite too. I want to battle him to see how my Dragonite's strength measures up to the Champion."
"Battle?" Nemona was immediately drawn in, eagerly asking, "Mr. Naoki, will you be giving it your all?"
"Probably!" Naoki added, "But I'm not sure how to approach him to talk... If I challenge him and get rejected, that'd be too embarrassing."
Because in Lance's eyes, he's just an unknown trainer.
Upon hearing this, Nemona transformed into her lively self, enthusiastically saying, "I'll help you then!"
Before Naoki could respond, Nemona charged out, loudly shouting:
"Hey! Big brother over there, come have a Pokemon battle with us!"
Naoki: "!!!"
Yame–
But it was too late; Nemona's voice was loud enough to draw the attention of surrounding celebrities and trainers.
Naoki buried his face in agony, feeling like he was about to suffocate.
Little Nemona is way too outgoing...
But at this point, there was no turning back.
He took a deep breath and slowly followed Nemona's steps into the spotlight of the cool Lance's slightly surprised gaze.