It's okay, just a bit hard to get used to.
He came to Sakuragi's side.
Sakuragi patted his shoulder to show encouragement, his eyes asking him.
Who's announcing it?
Natsuhiko exhaled slowly, showing a smile on his face.
Once he got on stage, he calmed down instead.
He strode to the microphone and leaned down slightly.
After a brief silence.
"...Sorry for taking up some public resources and everyone's time. It's actually not a big deal, but I couldn't refuse Mr. Sakuragi."
He gave a brief explanation and then said, "I'm Natsuhiko, and I am... 'Dodo'."
Dodo?
What kind of name is that?
Wait a minute.
Dodo?!
The whole room fell silent.
But the next second, there was an uproar.
It wasn't that they were surprised by the published papers.
Although impressive, which of the many doctors present wasn't more accomplished than him?
What truly shocked them was Natsuhiko's age!
He's only in his teens, right?
What were they doing in their teens?
Still attending school.
Not to mention doing research; it was already great to fully grasp their studies.
At this moment, the internet was also ablaze.
Tactical Master Natsuhiko is 'Dodo'?!
Many of those watching the live stream had recently watched the "Lily Youth Competition" live stream, but they just couldn't connect these two identities.
On one hand, a very outstanding young Trainer, and on the other, an apparently even more outstanding young Researcher.
This...
Some people didn't know who Natsuhiko and 'Dodo' were.
But in the internet era, with a little search, they could roughly find out some information.
"Lily Youth Competition" runner-up, Tactical Master, Suiyi Town Dojo Leader Natsuhiko.
'Dodo' who published many highly influential papers like the Affinity and Eevee Evolution Hypotheses, brief analyses and detailed explanations of four new evolution forms of Eevee, and the Feebas and Milotic Evolution Hypotheses, full analysis of Milotic's evolution process.
These two identities actually overlap?
"Damn! Please allow this word as the only one to accurately express my feelings right now."
"Tactical Master Natsuhiko = rising star 'Dodo' in the research field? Sorry, I need to digest this information."
"How old is Mr. Natsuhiko this year?"
"Place your bets! Everyone guess at what age Mr. Natsuhiko could become a Doctor?"
"It's over. I'm completely a fan now, what should I do?"
"I've been a fan for a long time."
"It's just a few papers and a runner-up title, right?"
"Excuse me, have you graduated from elementary school?"
"Same question."
"Same."
"..."
Sitting in his chair, Lance blankly watched Natsuhiko on stage, then looked towards Flint and Hilona, who seemed to have known all along, and Kona, whose eyes sparkled as if she had also guessed.
"Did you all... already know?"
Hilona and Flint exchanged a glance, smiling without saying a word.
A trace of 'pity' flashed in their eyes.
The first time they saw it, they didn't react to the title.
Until later, during a conversation, Natsuhiko mentioned that most of Lance's Pokémon were Flying Type. That's when they suddenly realized.
So the name 'Dodo' came from here?
"Just guessed it, as expected from Senior Natsuhiko," Kona said admiringly.
Kona had always admired Natsuhiko, whether in battles, tactics, or wilderness survival.
Unexpectedly, Natsuhiko also had such high achievements in Pokemon Studies, making Kona's admiration for him impossible to conceal any longer.
So... am I the last one to know?
Xiaochun: Cousin, don't forget about me.
Lance wasn't unaware of the recent buzz online about 'Dodo'; he even read some of the papers, especially those related to 'Affinity', which were quite constructive.
But he just couldn't connect Natsuhiko and this 'Dodo'.
Wait a minute.
Why 'Dodo'?
Lance's gaze fell on Natsuhiko again.
If someone else came up with the name, Lance wouldn't give it much thought.
But it was exactly Natsuhiko...
Lance finally somewhat understood.
Why everyone else knew this secret, but he didn't.
Xiaochun: Cousin, really don't forget about me.
Lance: Xiaochun, bring over my forty-meter broadsword!
Xiaochun: Got it!
Standing on stage, Natsuhiko suddenly felt a chill down his spine.