The instant their eyes met, Himeko sensed that feeling again.
Those eyes.
She was certain she had seen them somewhere before.
And yet, though they felt familiar, no matter how hard she thought about it, she could not remember exactly where she had seen them.
"Both contestants are in position! The match will begin immediately!"
The referee's voice pulled Himeko's thoughts back.
On the battle arena, the massive screen rose high overhead.
Himeko and Okano Shuzo's portraits appeared above it, one on the left and one on the right.
Beside each portrait were three shining Poké Ball icons.
Today's match would be fought in a three-on-three format.
"Go! Articuno!"
Shuzo did not waste any time.
He directly threw out Articuno's Poké Ball.
"Ree!"
The ice-blue great bird spread its wings and soared.
That beautiful, noble posture once again made the audience below erupt into cheers.
"Long live Articuno!"
"Go, go! Sweep all three again! Win the match!"
"Come on! Come on!"
The waves of cheers and shouts pushed the atmosphere in the venue to its peak.
Immediately afterward, everyone's attention quickly fell on Himeko.
The audience all began discussing which Pokémon she would send out first today.
"Going by her usual pattern, it should be Mega Lopunny!"
"Not necessarily. Maybe it'll be Gardevoir!"
"No matter what she sends out, she can't win!"
"We still don't even know what her third Pokémon is!"
"Could it also be capable of Mega Evolution?"
"If that's really the case, today's match won't be boring!"
Amid the audience's discussion, Himeko slowly took the Poké Ball from her waist.
She raised it high.
A confident smile appeared on her pretty face.
The next second, she said something that left every spectator in the venue dumbfounded.
"I've decided you'll lead the charge! Go, Mew!"
The Poké Ball traced an arc through the air.
Red light condensed into the form of a small Pokémon.
The adorable Pokémon, dragging a long pink tail behind it, crossed its arms and floated in midair.
Its distinctive appearance instantly made the entire audience fall silent.
When Himeko had first said those words, everyone had thought it was impossible.
How could Himeko possibly own a Second-tier Legendary Pokémon?
Nine times out of ten, it had to be a bluff.
But when they saw the pink Pokémon on the battle arena, everyone felt as if their entire worldview was collapsing.
"My god..."
"This... I'm not dreaming, right? Is that really Mew?"
"Damn! Amazing! She actually caught a Second-tier Legendary!"
"Himeko really knows how to hide her trump cards!"
"Today's match is definitely going to be incredible!"
"To see Legendary Pokémon clash with my own eyes... my life has been worth it!"
Mew's appearance was completely beyond everyone's expectations.
For a Third-tier Legendary to appear in a League match like this was already enough to overturn common sense.
But now, a Second-tier Legendary like Mew had actually appeared!
It was so shocking that people could hardly speak.
The entire venue fell silent for a moment.
The next second, exaggerated cheers and shouts rang out, shaking the sky.
Seeing Mew take the field, the organizers were also very tactful.
They immediately activated the battle arena's protective shield, enclosing the entire arena within it.
Although the battle arena was extremely large, the energy fluctuations and impact produced by a clash between Legendary Pokémon were far too intense.
Even if the audience stands were far away, there was still a risk of being caught in the aftermath.
"...Mew, huh? Very good!"
Shuzo looked up at Mew.
An obscure glint flashed through his eyes.
"Then let me test your strength!"
"Articuno! Don't hold back! Attack at full power!"
"Ree!"
The blue great bird let out a cry.
Dense Ice-type energy surged around its body.
The next second, a thick pillar of icy light shot straight toward Mew.
Mew's expression remained calm.
It stretched out one hand and lightly curled its finger.
A dense Psychic-type energy barrier immediately stretched out in front of it.
Boom!
The ice pillar slammed into the barrier, releasing a deafening sound.
The two clashing energies tore against each other.
In that space, they formed a chaotic, rampaging energy storm.
(End of Chapter)
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