The match between Natsuhiko and Hilona has ended.
But the entire "Island Competition" is not completely over yet.
Because after competing for the champion and runner-up, there's still the battle for the top three and the ranking of the top eight.
Previous competitions didn't have such a format.
But since there are matches to play, these players naturally wouldn't miss out.
Lance, Flint, and Kona began preparing well for their battle for the top three, as well as the ranking battle.
Others didn't know why, but Natsuhiko knew a bit.
Because his teacher, Agatha, and Professor Oak both wanted Natsuhiko to strive for the top three, and if possible, go for the championship.
As for the specific reason, Natsuhiko isn't clear for the time being, but he thinks that once the awards are given and prizes are distributed, it will become clear.
Hilona was taken by Flint and the others to be a sparring partner.
Because with Lance, Flint, and Kona, plus Hilona, they form perfect pairs for mock battles.
They, of course, invited Natsuhiko, but he declined.
He did have a justifiable reason.
The chairman of the Ethereum Foundation, Lusamine, wanted to chat with him.
Sitting in the special car dispatched by the Ethereum Foundation, with Lillie sitting obediently by his side, and Gladio seemingly pondering over something.
Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak didn't come along.
But judging by Gladio's demeanor, he seems to have gotten quite familiar with Ash and Gary.
Of course, this kind of familiarity isn't quite in a positive way.
As their teacher, Natsuhiko not only didn't stop them but also "encouraged" this internal competition.
Even if Ash and Gary still didn't have any Pokémon.
But it seems it won't be long.
Gladio and Gary seemed to "see eye to eye," one excels in practice, while the other excels in theory, both with strong personalities.
However, Ash.
He considers both of them as rivals, but they both don't seem to care much about him.
Primarily because every time they argue, Ash acts like a fool and stirs things up.
They probably wouldn't expect that in the near future, Ash will be their biggest competitor.
Thinking of this, Natsuhiko couldn't help but smile while holding his phone.
No matter how they bicker, the label "Natsuhiko's Student" is not something that can be removed.
"Teacher Natsuhiko, what are you smiling about?"
Lillie looked up at Natsuhiko with a slightly peculiar smile and couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing." Natsuhiko composed his expression, "Just people online complimenting me."
"Really, really?"
Lillie immediately became excited.
Leaning on Natsuhiko's hand, she stared at his phone screen.
Displayed was the official forum of the league.
It was bustling with activity now, nearly every post would get lost in the blink of an eye, and every post had quite a few replies and likes.
Most people were praising Natsuhiko, and a portion praised Hilona, Flint, and Lance.
In short.
The praise was mainly for those with higher rankings.
Furthermore.
Some enthusiastic fans even ranked these players based on their personal opinions.
For example, the fans of Natsuhiko would list it as Natsuhiko first, Hilona second, Lance third, Flint fourth, and Kona fifth.
Flint's fans might rank it as Natsuhiko first, Hilona second, Flint third, Lance fourth, and Kona fifth.
Lance's fans would swap Flint and Lance's positions.
Hilona's fans might place Hilona ahead of Natsuhiko.
There were all sorts of rankings, completely based on personal preference and subjective perspective, under the guise of results from this competition and the previous "Lily Youth Competition."
However, Natsuhiko being ranked first was less controversial.
Even those who ranked Hilona first would only say that if the finals were a rotation match, Hilona would definitely be first, and Natsuhiko second, but due to the unlimited format adopted, Hilona narrowly lost.
The "Island Competition," because it covers multiple regions and has a high quality of participants, received more attention than the "Lily Youth Competition."
A significant portion of this was attracted by the Fairy Type audience.
This is definitely the most watched competition in the last ten years, even more than the Master's Tournament.
After all, not everyone can understand the Master's Tournament.
And Natsuhiko, who won the championship, not only completely rid himself of the criticism of forfeiting the "Lily Youth Competition" finals in the past, but also his fame skyrocketed.
Looking at most of the discussions about himself, Natsuhiko smirked.
Is this it?
Once the news of him passing the Doctor application is released, won't it blow up?
"Teacher, they all say you're the undisputed number one," Lillie said sweetly.
Natsuhiko is their teacher, the higher his achievements, the happier she feels.
"The teacher's strength is not something those clowns can question. If the winner of the match isn't the first, then who is?"
Gladio arrogantly said.
Even though Gladio couldn't understand the full-team battle between Natsuhiko and Hilona in the finals.
He only knew that in the battle between Natsuhiko and Hilona, Hilona suffered a complete defeat, while Natsuhiko didn't lose a single Pokémon. This is an absolute difference in raw strength.
Natsuhiko patted this arrogant little guy's head.
Of course, he wouldn't tell him that if Hilona's Garchomp's "Sandstorm" had succeeded, the situation might have been very different.
After all.
What teacher doesn't like the admiration of their students?