Pokemon: Rising From The Dark Chapter 511 - 762 - The Top 64 Tournament Ends

The room was silent as Steven and Phoebe sat obediently on the sofa. Aoki walked behind Matsuda, following him to observe the match arrangents displayed on the large screen outside.

The top 128 competition would allow each trainer to use up to three Pokémon, a shift from the earlier rounds where dozens of matches occurred simultaneously. Now, only two matches would take place at a ti, with sufficient distance between the arenas to prevent interference. This setup allowed spectators near one arena to clearly view the battles without distraction from the other.

The increased visibility provided greater exposure for the trainers. For those who had overco nurous challenges to reach this stage, it was a coveted opportunity—the sensation of performing before an audience, the first step toward fa that many sought. Just one more victory would secure a spot in the top 64.

From the top 64 onward, the Pokémon League would begin awarding prizes, along with official ranking certificates. These certificates held significant value, serving as keys to better career opportunities. Regardless of the industry, achieving a high rank in this prestigious interregional tournant would greatly benefit their professional futures.

Thus, upon entering the top 128, every trainer had to give their all.

As headshots flashed across the screen, Aoki quickly located his match details. His opponent was not a seeded competitor. Within minutes, all matchups were finalized.

Matsuda frowned. While top-seeded participants like Aoki and Steven avoided seeded opponents from other regions, one of the ten Hoenn representatives had been paired against a seed from another region. Such encounters would only grow more frequent as the tournant progressed.

At this stage, the true Sinnoh competition had officially begun.

Under the current format, the top 128 required only 64 matches to determine the top 64. With two arenas hosting simultaneous battles, a total of 32 matchups would occur daily, concluding within two days. After a day's rest, the top 64 round would comnce.

With the schedule set, Matsuda and Aoki settled onto the sofa. When their turns arrived, the private room's television would display their matches.

As for the Hoenn trainer facing another region's seed, Aoki paid little attention—it wasn't his concern.

Upon sitting, Steven, Phoebe, and Wallace joined him. The four had inadvertently ford a small clique within the private room. Others found it difficult to integrate, as these four stood among the strongest competitors present.

The trio fixed Aoki with mildly accusatory stares.

The suburban manor in Jubilife City had been booked by Aoki, yet he'd only stayed briefly before leaving the others there. While his departure wasn't problematic in itself, the issue lay in Steven and company's inability to cook.

Room service proved cumberso, and hiring staff was impractical since much of their Pokémon training required privacy.

Feeling their gazes, Aoki offered an apologetic smile and promised not to wander off again. With matches growing more frequent, he'd have little ti for external training anyway.

Their grievances sowhat assuaged, the group turned their attention to the comncing battles.

The computer's "random" match assignnts ant so battles held interest while others didn't captivate Aoki's group.

Steven was first to compete. Facing a relatively weak opponent, his Skarmory swept through effortlessly.

Next ca Wallace. Though his adversary was diocre, Wallace appeared to be training his Pokémon, switching between his Starmie and Luvdisc mid-battle to give both combat experience.

Then ca Aoki's turn.

His opponent hailed from the Kalos region. Having grown up there, collected eight badges, and overco nurous challenges to reach the top 128, the trainer possessed considerable skill.

Yet luck wasn't on his side—he'd drawn Aoki in the advancent match to the top 64.

While Aoki's reputation wasn't as widespread as Steven's or Cynthia's, five rounds of battles had established his standing as a competitor on par with Steven in terms of perceived strength.

The Kalosian trainer recognized his slim chances but maintained fierce determination. His motivation differed from those seeking fa or prizes—he simply loved battling, deriving imnse satisfaction from combat itself.

Noticing this, Aoki reconsidered sending out his Swampert.

Facing such a passionate opponent, his equally combative Drapion seed more appropriate—a gesture of respect.

Though the match proved one-sided, ending in Drapion's overwhelming victory, the Kalos trainer's fighting spirit only intensified upon seeing the formidable Pokémon. He later thanked Aoki for the honorable battle.

The audience recognized Drapion's power, as did the defeated trainer.

Thanks to training on the mysterious island, Drapion's capabilities had surged. Now at level 53, it stood as a bona fide pseudo-champion Pokémon.

After a week's further training, its leveling pace had slowed, but its power growth continued unabated.

Aoki had shifted focus toward refining his Pokémon's techniques and energy control while ensuring more team mbers gained battle experience.

Both Swampert and Politoed had been sowhat forcibly elevated in strength. Aoki prioritized stabilizing their foundations and eliminating any side effects from their rapid growth, hence their frequent battles recently.

In summary, before this training period, Aoki had harbored so doubts about reaching the quarterfinals—unless he avoided the exceptionally strong competitors. Now, he felt confident about advancing that far.

Even with his system currently dormant, this confidence remained unshaken.

Following Aoki's match ca Phoebe's, scheduled for evening. By the ti her battle concluded, the day's events were nearly complete.

The quartet returned to their Jubilife City manor, where Aoki prepared an elaborate al to compensate for their recent "hardships."

After enjoying the feast and spending over an hour chatting at the table, they retired to their respective rooms.