Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 106: Can't We Sleep Together? The Qualifiers Begin!

Kyoto, a city where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold.

Despite the bustling crowds and the competition frenzy, Hikaru found himself residing in a luxurious mansion spanning several hundred square meters.

Although he only occupied one room, the sheer opulence left him in awe.

"Ah, the decadence of wealth… it's truly corrupting," Hikaru mused, staring at the pristine white ceiling above his bed.

He finally understood why many trainers, after earning their first pot of gold through Pokémon battles, would choose a more peaceful lifestyle. The allure of comfort was hard to resist.

But not for Hikaru.

He had a bigger goal: to lead Charizard to the World Pokémon Championships and claim victory.

Just as Hikaru was lost in thought, there was a knock on his door.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," Hikaru called out.

The door opened, and in walked Sakura, fresh from a bath. Her white cotton pajamas clung loosely to her delicate frame, and her damp hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders. A faint floral scent wafted into the room.

Without hesitation, she climbed onto Hikaru's bed.

"What are you doing here so late?" Hikaru asked, sitting up to face her.

Sakura beamed at him, her cheeks flushed with warmth. "I wanted to hear more about your journey. It sounds so exciting!"

As she spoke, she slid her small, snow-white feet under the covers and playfully nudged Hikaru's legs. He grabbed her foot and tickled it lightly until she finally relented, giggling softly.

Unlike Hikaru, who had ventured into the unknown with his Pokémon, Sakura's growth as a trainer had been meticulously planned by the Hayashi family.

Even her "adventures" in the nearby Kyoto wilderness were carefully curated. The Pokémon she encountered had been instructed not to harm her, and she was always accompanied by her trusty Gengar.

In truth, Sakura had never faced any real danger. Even the Pokémon she captured were often prearranged by her family.

This stark difference in experience made her all the more fascinated by Hikaru's tales.

"So, which part do you want to hear?" Hikaru asked, amused.

"Tell me about Latias! Is it true you caught her?" Sakura's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Well, it's quite the story. Latias, as you know, is a guardian of the Water City…"

As Hikaru recounted his encounter with Latias, he summoned her from her Poké Ball.

"Wow, she's beautiful!" Sakura exclaimed, reaching out to touch Latias' sleek, streamlined body.

"Can she really transform into a human?" Sakura asked, her voice filled with wonder.

...

Their conversation lasted well into the night, with Hikaru sharing tales of his adventures and how each of his Pokémon had joined him on his journey.

At ten o'clock, Hikaru insisted that Sakura return to her own room.

"Can't we sleep together? We used to when we were kids!" Sakura teased, her tone playful.

"That was different," Hikaru replied firmly, ushering her out of his room.

---

The next morning.

It was the start of June, and the opening ceremony for the National High School League qualifiers was in full swing.

Dragonite, Metagross, Garchomp, and Gyarados soared through the skies, their imposing presence a deterrent to any would-be troublemakers.

Thousands of Rotom-equipped drones were dispatched from the Kyoto Pokémon League Center, spreading out across the city to serve as mobile referees.

Each participant was required to wear a red-and-white sticker on their clothing, signifying their status as a qualifier. Battles could be initiated through the league's official app, with results streamed live on platforms like Douyin.

Points were awarded based on performance, calculated by Metagross stationed at the league's central hub.

The entire city became an open battlefield, with parks, plazas, and even side streets serving as arenas. However, participants were expected to minimize damage to public property. Failing to do so would result in point deductions, regardless of the outcome.

This rule also discouraged the use of moves like "Earthquake," which could cause widespread destruction.

---

"Are you ready, Larvitar, Lucario?" Hikaru asked, his voice filled with determination.

Both Pokémon nodded. Larvitar, now level 27, stood tall with newfound confidence. Lucario, at level 32, exuded a calm yet powerful aura.

"Larvitar!" (I'm ready, boss!)

Lucario simply gave a resolute nod.

Hikaru couldn't help but smile. Larvitar was steadily accumulating the energy needed to evolve into Pupitar and eventually the mighty Tyranitar. Meanwhile, Lucario had recently unlocked its Mega Evolution, taking its power to unprecedented heights.

"Let's go," Hikaru said, leading his Pokémon into the bustling streets of Kyoto.

---

Nearby, a battle was already underway in a small park.

An Ampharos and a Froslass faced off, their trainers commanding them with precision.

Hikaru joined the crowd of onlookers, observing as the two Pokémon clashed.

Ampharos' Thunderbolt collided with Froslass' Ice Beam in a dazzling display of energy.

"Dazzling Gleam!" the Ampharos' trainer shouted.

A burst of radiant light enveloped Froslass, momentarily blinding it.

"Follow up with Fire Punch!"

Flames erupted around Ampharos' fist as it charged forward, striking Froslass with a fiery blow. The attack left Froslass paralyzed, its body crackling with residual electricity from Ampharos' Static ability.

"Anyone else want to challenge me?" the trainer called out smugly.

"I'll give it a try," Hikaru said, raising his hand.

The trainer's cocky demeanor vanished instantly. His face turned pale as he recognized Hikaru.

"W-why is a league champion here?!"

---

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