Pokemon: Skybound

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Joining Chloe and the others, Kai headed to the ice field to watch Ash's match together.

As the tournament progressed, the number of matches dwindled, while attendance in the stadiums soared.

Starting from the third round, the grass, rock, water, and ice arenas were nearly packed to capacity.

After finally finding a few vacant seats, Kai and his friends settled in just as Ash's battle began.

To everyone's surprise, Ash lost the first match almost immediately! His Squirtle, seemingly out of form or perhaps struggling with the cold air of the ice field was overpowered by Tyson's Pokémon.

Fortunately, Ash quickly adapted, using his Kingler to defeat two of Tyson's Pokémon. He then sent out Pikachu to counter Tyson's Arcanine, securing victory.

Overall, Ash showed more stability compared to his earlier battles, demonstrating slightly improved strength and strategy.

When Ash exited the arena and noticed Kai, both of them exchanged smiles, silently celebrating their shared success in advancing to the next round.

To treat herself, Kai decided to skip the Athlete Village's restaurant and instead enjoyed a luxurious meal at an upscale eatery.

Upon returning to the dormitory area, Kai spotted a crowd gathered near his building.

Before he could comprehend the situation, reporters swarmed him like a school of Carvanha drawn to blood.

"Contestant Kai! I'm a reporter from Saffron City TV. May I ask you a few questions?"

"Kai, I'm from Celadon TV! How does it feel to defeat the tournament favourite?"

"Contestant Kai! This is Vermilion TV…"

"Kai! Kai! Over here!"

The chaotic crowd pushed Ash and the others aside, leaving them bewildered.

"What's going on? Why are all these reporters after Kai?" Brock asked, visibly confused.

Unbeknownst to them, the viewership ratings for Kai's match at the rock arena had soared, eclipsing the attention of every other competitor.

The reporters, eager for exclusive scoops, wasted no time tracking him down.

"Sorry, everyone," Kai said, shielding his eyes from the blinding camera flashes. "I'm not accepting interviews at the moment."

The reporter from Saffron City TV was taken aback. "Why refuse, Kai?"

Kai responded calmly, "Until I achieve a higher ranking, I'd rather not comment on myself or my opponents. I appreciate your understanding."

Aware of the dangers of overexposure, Kai sought to maintain a low profile. He wasn't one to seek fame; otherwise, he wouldn't have hidden his face while repelling the giant Tentacruel earlier.

The reporters, however, weren't easily deterred. Just as they prepared to press further, a group of bikers arrived, parting the crowd with their imposing presence.

"Step aside! Our boss doesn't want interviews! Don't disturb his rest!"

The reporters grumbled but ultimately retreated under the bikers' stern glares.

Once inside the dormitory, Kai invited Misha and Martha to join him. It wasn't until their explanation that Kai understood the extent of his newfound fame.

"I didn't expect this much attention," Kai admitted. "It's… overwhelming."

To him, the match had been ordinary, despite his opponent's popularity and skill. Had he anticipated this level of exposure, he might have intentionally lost a round or two to avoid drawing attention.

Now, his success was likely to make other competitors see him as a primary threat, prompting them to study his strategies and Pokémon.

Outside, the bikers stood guard, ensuring no one approached. Their pride in Kai's rising reputation reaffirmed their loyalty to him as their leader.

Inside, the conversation was interrupted when a young biker burst in.

"Boss, another reporter wants to see you!"

Before Kai could respond, Martha slammed the table. "Didn't I say no reporters? Chase them off!"

"But… she said she already has an appointment with the boss!"

"An appointment?" Martha turned to Kai in confusion.

Frowning, Kai thought for a moment before realizing who it might be. "It's probably Alexa."

Indeed, Alexa was the only reporter Kai had spoken with before. Her visit indicated just how significant his recent match had been.

"Let her in," Kai instructed.

Moments later, Alexa entered, accompanied by her Helioptile, while her Gogoat waited outside due to its size.

"My, my," Alexa said with a teasing smile. "You're not easy to reach these days, Kai. A whole biker gang guarding your door?"

Kai smiled politely. "They're just friends helping me handle a few overly enthusiastic guests."

"Guests, huh?" Alexa smirked. "You mean my colleagues, right? Am I included among these 'annoying' visitors?"

"Not at all," Kai replied smoothly. "Having a talented and beautiful reporter like you here is an honour, not an annoyance."

Alexa's smile widened at the compliment, but Chloe and Misty exchanged unimpressed glances, muttering under their breath.

"Hmph. Flattery really is second nature to some men."

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