It was clear from the competition order that the Sinnoh League had significant influence over the bracket distribution system. After Cynthia battled, the Kanto representative (at this time, Kanto and Johto were grouped together as one region) was Koga, followed by Steven, then the representatives from Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos in sequence.
For trainers like Aoki, however, this arrangement was advantageous. By competing early, they could return to rest and prepare their Pokémon for subsequent matches without delay.
As expected, the opening battles revealed the frustration on the faces of those matched against Cynthia. Unless they were exceptionally strong, most first-round opponents stood little chance against her. Still, the opposing trainer demonstrated professionalism by sending out his two strongest Pokémon.
Yet against Cynthia's Milotic, resistance was futile. Even with a type disadvantage, Milotic effortlessly defeated the opponent's Magneton. The crowd erupted in cheers—Cynthia's Milotic was iconic, her most recognizable Pokémon despite not being her absolute strongest. Its beauty and grace made it the perfect choice to open the Sinnoh League in style.
Cynthia's flawless victory set the tone for the tournament. The following matches were similarly one-sided, as the skill gap between regional representatives and early-round competitors was vast. Few challengers even reached Elite-tier strength, while the seeded trainers were all seasoned veterans.
Koga deployed his Venomoth, securing a swift and decisive win. Steven, however, surprised Aoki with his choice—Armaldo.
Rich people really are different, Aoki mused.
During their time in the Hoenn desert, Steven's Anorith had been roughly equal in strength to Aoki's Marshtomp. Now, it had evolved into Armaldo, a formidable Elite-level Pokémon. While Aoki's Marshtomp had also evolved into Swampert, the difference was notable—Marshtomp evolved at Level 36, whereas Anorith required Level 40 to become Armaldo.
Steven's popularity rivaled Cynthia's. As the heir to Devon Corporation, his wealth, looks, and dignified demeanor made him a favorite among fans. If Cynthia was the audience's goddess, Steven was their idol. Armaldo's debut only heightened the excitement—its rarity, imposing presence, and aggressive battling style captivated spectators.
The viewing area for Aoki and the other regional representatives differed from standard spectator seating. They had a private luxury box with a panoramic stadium view, supplemented by multiple large screens displaying live feeds of each match.
Since the first round featured the highest number of participants, multiple arenas operated simultaneously. However, the opening matches—featuring regional champions—were showcased individually. Only after these initial battles would the tournament shift to multi-arena formats.
Lounging on the plush sofa, Aoki sighed in contentment. Privilege really does make things easier.
One drawback, however, was the distance. His scanning system couldn't analyze opponent Pokémon data from this far away. He had to rely on battle footage, move usage, and performance metrics to estimate their stats.
Steven's match concluded swiftly—his opponent wasn't Elite-level, and Armaldo overpowered them effortlessly.
Next was Sinnoh's second representative, Fantina, a future Gym leader member specializing in Ghost-types. A refined woman with glasses, she was one of the few trainers Aoki considered a genuine threat.
Then came Kalos's representative, Diantha, the region's future Champion. Her strength matched Cynthia and Steven's, and her unfamiliar Kalos-native Pokémon gave her an edge against unprepared opponents.
The first-round performances by regional representatives set a high standard, thrilling both live audiences and viewers worldwide. Soon, it was Aoki's turn as Hoenn's second representative.
Exiting the private box, he crossed paths with Steven returning from his match. They exchanged nods and a light fist bump—no words were needed. If first-round opponents required pep talks, they had no business remaining in the tournament.
Aoki's opponent was AJ, a Trainer from Violet City in Johto. The stadium's massive screen displayed their profiles, including regional affiliations and credentials.
Emerging from the tunnel, Aoki wore the standard uniform of a Hoenn League Investigator. In this competition, personal attire wasn't an option—he represented the Hoenn League, and officials insisted on formal dress.
At least Steven and the others get to wear their own clothes, Aoki grumbled internally. Do they think my usual outfit isn't flashy enough?
Pinned to his chest gleamed a high-ranking Investigator badge.
As he stepped onto the field, the crowd roared—especially the Hoenn spectators. This was one of their region's rising stars, the so-called "Twin Star of Hoenn."
For Aoki, this was his first major tournament. Nervousness wasn't an issue, but the sensation of thousands watching was exhilarating.
No wonder people keep competing even after losing, he thought. This spotlight… it's addictive.
His opponent, however, felt no such thrill.
AJ's expression was one of resignation. Out of over 4,000 participants, he'd drawn one of the seeded powerhouses in the first round.
At the referee's signal, both Trainers took their positions. As the seeded competitor, Aoki sent out his Pokémon first.
He tossed a Luxury Ball onto the field.
"Swampert!"
If he was representing Hoenn, this was the only choice.