Chapter 345: The Eighteen Deliverymen
Coordinates 254.322 — Island.
It was located in the middle of a cluster of islands surrounded by ocean,
and the distance between the islands wasn't very far either.
According to the preliminary match notification,
between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day,
special treasures would be delivered by flying-type Pokémon,
carried down slowly via parachutes.
The rule stated:
During descent, no one was allowed to snatch it.
Only after the parachute touched the ground or sea, could it be fought over.
As it was the first day of the preliminary matches,
even though it was already around lunchtime,
Hikaru could sense with his aura —
there were already dozens of people gathering nearby…
And this was before the treasure had even arrived!
Currently, Hikaru's team of four hid on a small island near the designated spot.
"Click, click..."
Hikaru tsked softly,
then waved over his Rotom and checked the remaining number of contestants.
785.
In just half a day, nearly a hundred people had been eliminated.
This preliminary round of the Youth League was proving to be intensely competitive!
"How's the situation, Hikaru?"
Sakura couldn't help asking after hearing Hikaru's tone.
The two senior sisters beside her also looked toward him.
Although they were confident in their strength,
in a chaotic snatch like this, no one could guarantee they'd only face a single opponent.
But for participants strong enough to reach this point,
some pride was inevitable.
If others could seize the treasure,
why couldn't they?
Hikaru naturally answered truthfully,
"There's already about thirty people around, and the number's still increasing."
"It seems everyone's very interested in this treasure!"
He quickly briefed them about the surrounding situation:
Nearby, hidden under the shade of a tree,
there was a Gengar lurking in the shadows.
Not far ahead, on another island,
a team with a 56-level Charizard.
To the left, a 55-level Skarmory.
To the right, a 56-level Alakazam.
And underwater,
there were a 58-level Gyarados and a 59-level Lapras patrolling.
All needed extra caution.
Even more, Hikaru sensed some familiar faces—
the Mu siblings, Mu Wanqing and Mu Hui,
hiding stealthily on the left island with their psychic powers.
Clearly, everyone was eyeing this Skyfall Treasure!
Maybe they could even use the chaos to grab a few easy "eliminations."
The tension built and stabilized
as the number of gathered contestants reached about fifty…
Some came and went,
probably sensing the gathering killing intent and deciding to leave.
Under the watchful eyes of dozens—
a long dragon roar echoed across the sky.
A Dragonite carrying a wooden crate on its shoulder shot across the air at lightning speed.
"Whoo~"
The crate, attached to a parachute, began to descend slowly.
Hiding in the shadows, Hikaru couldn't help but chuckle.
This Dragonite—
was none other than an old acquaintance: Eighteen.
Looks like its career as a professional delivery Pokémon is official now.
"So many people..."
Sakura muttered in frustration.
There were just too many eyes locked onto the treasure.
"If only Little Eighteen would help us, then the treasure would definitely be ours!"
"Pfft..."
Hikaru almost burst out laughing at that comment.
Expecting an official League courier to rig the delivery?
Only Sakura could come up with something like that!
With Rotom broadcasting the treasure drops,
no one wanted to miss out.
Hayashi Mei spoke softly,
"Should we back off?"
She sounded hesitant.
After all, her Dragonite had only just broken through to mid-Master rank,
while the surrounding enemies included many mid-Master Pokémon,
even some approaching late-Master rank.
Even with Dragonmaster's enhancement,
it would be risky.
But Hikaru shook his head.
"Let's watch for a bit longer.
If chaos breaks out later, I'll let Latias make a move."
He was fully confident—
there was no way they would lose the treasure.
Latias' speed, combined with its Godly Invisibility skill,
meant they had the ultimate ace.
"You see that crate?
The moment it touches the sea, grab it."
"Mm-hmm~"
Latias nodded obediently, its figure shimmering until it completely disappeared.
Even Hayashi Mei was stunned.
As a Dragonmaster herself,
how could she fail to sense an active Dragon-type Pokémon?
Yet now, she couldn't feel even a hint of Latias' aura.
"This...?"
She gasped,
"Are you sure it's safe letting it go alone?"
Hikaru casually gave an OK sign.
"Trust Latias."
Sakura clapped her hands suddenly,
"Ah, I almost forgot!
Latias still has that crazy stealth skill!"
Indeed,
back when they were in the capital,
Latias had roamed the skies freely without being detected even once.
...
Meanwhile,
ever since Hikaru found and utterly crushed Yamamoto Niho yesterday,
the audience from Yamamoto's broadcast had flooded into Hikaru's stream.
Given how hyped Yamamoto had been before,
the moment he was humiliated,
the spotlight naturally shifted.
Now, with Hikaru's every move being livestreamed,
his popularity soared like wildfire.
And when Hikaru helped that Pikachu trainer (Ash) during a desperate moment—
the stream exploded!
Bullet comments flooded across the screen like a tsunami:
[So satisfying! That Yamamoto clown acted so tough, but Hikaru knocked him out before Day 2 even ended!]
[Wait, is Hikaru really not even 18 yet??]
[Confirmed. He's only 17 and already shining at a national-level tournament! Hero!!]
[Lololol, stop clowning on Yamamoto already...]
[Anyone else notice that Hikaru's entire team is full of beautiful girls?!]
[The one wearing the white coat is so cold and elegant—I'm in love!]
[Wait... Did I just see a Dragonite use psychic moves???]
[I'm a Lili fan now... sexy, strong, perfect. Crying for real over here...]
[Forget it, all of them are top-tier waifu material!]
[Holy sh*t, did you guys see Latias just now???]
When Latias quietly ascended into the sky,
its eyes shimmering with light—
for a brief two seconds,
the entire comment section fell silent.
Then—
a tidal wave of astonished comments erupted!
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