Chapter 289: Sixteen Into Eight
Though Ash's remarkable battle was the primary topic, the competition went on without pause.
By the end of the day, Group A had determined the eight Trainers advancing to the top sixteen, with Ash attracting the most attention.
His competitors in Group A were growing increasingly anxious; they all knew that facing Ash now meant an almost certain end to their tournament run at the top sixteen.
But alongside their fear of Ash's overwhelming strength, many Trainers were eager for the chance to challenge him.
They attempted every possible strategy to counter Pidgeot's powerful "Aerial Ace," hoping to crack the secret technique that left everyone stunned.
Yet, besides brute force, no one had yet found a reliable way to counter it.
The mysterious skill left Trainers frustrated, feeling as though an insurmountable wall had been placed in their path.
As night fell, the online chatter about Ash finally began to settle, and competitors rested in preparation for the next day.
The following morning, although discussion about Ash had slightly decreased, he remained the most popular topic on the internet, sharing the spotlight with another rising star: Gary!
Since the tournament's start, Gary had drawn comparisons to Ash, and many believed his skills might rival Ash's.
Gary's match was set for the afternoon and quickly became the day's most anticipated event.
Fans from around the world tuned in, curious to see if Gary would unveil anything as groundbreaking as Ash's techniques.
However, the pressure got to his opponent, causing multiple mistakes that led Gary to secure victory with a single Pokémon!
Although his opponent's errors played a role, Gary's performance still impressed audiences, achieving a rare one-versus-six feat in the main tournament.
The only slight disappointment for fans was that Gary didn't showcase any special techniques.
Nonetheless, his strength was evident, and he earned widespread respect.
The online "rival" theory between Ash and Gary flared up once again, with many fans convinced they were destined to be lifelong rivals.
Yet Gary himself knew the truth. Ash's current strength far outclassed his own.
If they were to face off, Gary realized he would most likely be on the losing side.
Gary's match was the first of the afternoon, leaving three more matches to complete the round of thirty-two to sixteen.
By the end, the top sixteen Trainers had been confirmed, each possessing impressive skill, though the competition's frontrunners were clear.
Among the final sixteen, four Trainers emerged as favorites: Ash, Gary, a skilled Trainer named Azo from the Hoenn Region, and Ritchie!
Ritchie, who had shown exceptional talent throughout the tournament, was no longer seen as the Trainer who only reached the quarterfinals in past matches; this time, he demonstrated strength far beyond that level.
However, while Azo and Ritchie had joined Ash and Gary in the top tier, many still viewed them as slightly inferior to the two.
With the matchups set, tomorrow's sixteen-to-eight round looked fierce.
The schedule paired the A1 winner against the B1 winner, A2 against B2, and so on.
Unfortunately for B3's winner, his next opponent would be Ash. Seeing his next battle was against Ash, he felt a sense of despair.
He had hoped for a chance at the top eight, perhaps even the semifinals, but now it seemed his journey would end.
Ritchie, however, felt relieved. Since he wouldn't be facing Ash tomorrow, his path to the quarterfinals looked promising, provided he avoided any costly errors.
The next morning, Ash started his day as usual with morning exercises, a hearty breakfast, and then set off to Indigo Stadium with Misty and Brock.
Due to his soaring popularity, Ash was recognized by many fans along the way.
However, after two days, the initial excitement had faded, and the crowd was more restrained.
The League had even issued a statement requesting fans to respect the players' privacy and avoid disrupting them, warning of potential penalties for serious disturbances.
Consequently, while fans trailed Ash to Indigo Stadium, they didn't overwhelm him with requests for autographs or photos.
Instead, they offered cheers and encouragement.
Ash felt grateful for their support, smiling and nodding to everyone as he made his way into the Stadium.
By the time he reached the player's lounge, though, he was already feeling the weight of the attention.
In the lounge, players were split into two groups: Group A on the red side, and Group B on the green side.
This meant Ash wouldn't see Gary until later rounds.
As he entered, many players in Group A couldn't hide their apprehension, eyeing Ash as though they were facing an unbeatable force.
"Hey there, Ash! I'm Jason. I've been following your battles for a while!"
Just as most Trainers hesitated to approach Ash, a Trainer named Jason walked up to him, extending a friendly hand.
Ash smiled, grasping Jason's hand warmly. "Good to meet you, Jason."
Jason had indeed been watching Ash from the first round, intrigued by Ash's Pikachu since he owned one himself.
Unlike some others, he didn't pester Ash about "Aerial Ace."
Instead, they discussed training techniques and shared development insights.
Gradually, the casual conversation attracted other Trainers, who gathered around to exchange thoughts and get to know Ash.
But soon, the first match of the day was called, and a Trainer reluctantly left the lounge for the arena.
There would be eight matches today, following the same schedule as previous rounds.
The remaining Trainers watched the game unfold on the lounge's TV screen, all engrossed in the competition.
The battles in the top sixteen were intense, with all sides fielding Silver-level Pokémon.
Many Trainers employed more advanced strategies, making each match closely contested.
As he watched, Jason shared his observations and occasionally asked Ash for his take on specific tactics.
Ash offered his thoughts openly, analyzing the battle situations with an experienced eye.
Both Jason and Ash noticed that many top Trainers favored speed-focused tactics, a strategy Ritchie also championed.
They agreed that speed gave Pokémon a significant advantage, enabling them to dodge attacks and seize control of the match's flow.
The Trainers around them listened thoughtfully, absorbing every insight and sometimes adding their own perspectives to the conversation.
By the end, they all felt they had gained valuable knowledge, ready to face their own battles with a renewed sense of purpose.
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