Chapter 674 - 671

Just before the martial arts tournament was set to begin, an Aura training camp suddenly got underway.

Unexpectedly, quite a few people had signed up.

That was because the training would not be limited to Aura Sphere.

Presence, vibrations, life energy, the sixth sense, the soul... all of these fell within the domain of Aura.

Very few Aura Guardians remained in the world today. If someone could train wave-based attacks until they regained their unerring accuracy, it would not merely provide an enormous boost to their Pokémon.

For martial artists and ninjas, it would also represent a tremendous leap forward in their own abilities.

Of course, there was one rather amusing detail...

"There really are an awful lot of Lucario and Medicham here."

Maylene glanced from side to side, thinking that everyone had apparently arrived at the same conclusion.

"Wait... is Lucario standard equipment for martial artists or something?"

Elite Four member Koga was here as well. As a ninja, he found Maylene's complaint rather amusing as he surveyed the assembled people and Pokémon.

"Even Jasmine, a renowned Steel-type specialist, has a Lucario. Lucario naturally appeals to experts in both Steel and Fighting because those two types are extraordinary in their own right."

"However, even darkness possesses its own waves. That is why I have come to participate in this training as well. Poison and Dark-type moves are often inseparable. Yet as ninjas, my daughter and I carry too much darkness in our hearts to earn the acknowledgment of Pokémon such as Lucario or Medicham."

"Incidentally, nearly every Fighting-type specialist participating in this tournament owns either a Lucario or a Medicham. That is the conclusion I reached after conducting an investigation."

Koga glanced toward Chuck.

Chuck slapped his belly and burst into laughter. "That's right! Even I have a Medicham!"

"Only by tempering ourselves can we achieve true unity with the Pokémon who fight beside us. Push your focus to the absolute limit, and you can pulverize rock and bone... Then, the technique you unleash will be..."

"A blade that cuts down even an unseen foe!"

Even though this was not the Pokémon Adventures universe, Chuck's Pokémon were still quite noteworthy. Among all Fighting-type specialists, he was one of the few Trainers whose Pokémon possessed Mind Reader!

Every Fighting-type expert had a different specialty. Marshal of the Unova Elite Four, for example, trained Pokémon that used an entire arsenal of punches involving ice, fire, lightning, and explosive force. Most astonishingly, at least three Pokémon on his team knew Retaliate, while two others knew Payback.

Chuck's Poliwrath knew both Hypnosis and Mind Reader. At least two members of his team also knew Double Team and Substitute. He relied on an unusually large number of status moves, making him a rare martial artist whose team used an extensive selection of non-damaging techniques.

That did not quite match Chuck's rugged appearance.

Then there was Bruno of the Indigo Elite Four, another martial artist famed for his "ultimate secret techniques" who had enjoyed an impressive showing during the original series. Four of his Pokémon knew Bullet Punch and Close Combat, while at least two knew Foresight!

Bruno was a master of Foresight. This also corresponded with what he had said during his appearance in the original series: by linking his heart with a Pokémon's, he could discern the true source of its suffering. In Pokémon Masters EX, Bruno had also said...

Hikaru repeated those words now.

"'Constant training may grant you extraordinary strength, but it may also wear away at your heart.'"

"'Learning the moves used by Pokémon yourself can help deepen your understanding of them.'"

Hikaru continued, "When it comes to martial arts, Aura is an extremely advanced discipline. If a Lucario is willing to follow someone, that alone suggests the person possesses at least some talent for using Aura."

"If you learn to control Aura and project it outward, you'll be able to perform Mega Evolution more skillfully. A Key Stone receives human emotions, converts them into high-energy particles, and transmits them to a Pokémon bonded to that person and carrying the corresponding Mega Stone."

Green raised her voice enthusiastically. "That means Mega Evolution is also a form of sharing life! It breaks through a Pokémon's current limits and unleashes unprecedented power!"

"Exactly," Hikaru said. "And one of the most important techniques involving Aura is sharing life."

"You must keep your life energy stable and maintain your mental balance. You cannot consume that energy too violently."

"Under ordinary circumstances, the life energy in a natural environment will not rise high enough for Pokémon to Mega Evolve on their own. However, certain advanced technologies or extreme environments can make it possible. Some machines can do it, for example."

"But you must be careful. Ancient stories passed down in Johto describe humans and Pokémon sharing their lives to forge an unbreakable bond. Yet if someone loses too much life energy, transferring all their Aura into another living creature, they will perish."

"Sir Aaron disappeared precisely because he expended too much Aura, entrusting all his energy to another Pokémon and the Tree of Beginning."

"It seems that the power of the Tree of Beginning can merge Aura with the soul, allowing it to cross through time..."

"Lucario is the Aura Pokémon, but Medicham can also perceive Aura and see when a living creature's vitality is rising or fading. That is the origin of its Hidden Ability, Telepathy."

Jasmine looked intrigued. "A Hidden Ability? Do you mean...?"

"That's right!" Green replied. "They are rare new Abilities possessed by certain Pokémon! There are still many Pokémon whose Hidden Abilities have not been confirmed by researchers, which is why we must continue investigating them."

"Even Pokémon of the same species may develop different Abilities because of their environments and natural gifts! The same principle applies after Mega Evolution!"

"Some Abilities don't display any outward signs, and we can't communicate directly with Pokémon. No... even if we could communicate with them, some Pokémon might not understand their own powers."

Janine fell silent for a moment.

"Fixing the mind upon a single purpose, concentrating, evading attacks, and erasing one's presence... It sounds very similar to ninjutsu."

Hikaru nodded. "But the focus is different from a ninja's concentration. It isn't merely about focusing or erasing your presence. The most important part is sensing another person's energy and emotions."

"And since this involves sharing life, Trainers must take good care of their own bodies. Maylene's practice of eating only one Berry a day to temper her body and mind may qualify as ascetic training for a martial artist, but if she wants to become even stronger..."

Maylene looked embarrassed as she continued training.

She always claimed to be poor, but Gym Leaders naturally received subsidies and proper salaries. No matter how stingy the Sinnoh League might be, it would never refuse to pay its Gym Leaders.

The real problem was probably Maylene's father, who loved wasting money at the Game Corner.

Of course, Maylene herself was also a tremendous eater, although even she could not compare with Jasmine.

"That is why the first move I will teach you is not a wave technique," Hikaru continued. "Instead, it is a skill that allows both Pokémon and Trainer to keep their bodies and minds in peak condition."

"That move is Recycle."

In Generation IV, and again in Generation VII, back when practically anything seemed capable of learning every move imaginable, Medicham could learn Recycle. This move restored a held item that had already been consumed in battle, allowing it to be used again!

Even Koga's expression stiffened slightly.

"Heaven preserve us... Is that not one of Snorlax's moves?"

"That's right," Hikaru replied. "More Trainers in Hoenn know how to use it, along with veteran Trainers who have raised Snorlax for many years. In the oldest era, very few Pokémon could learn this move naturally. In fact, there was only one: Mr. Mime."

"The move probably originated in Kanto or Hoenn."

Candice seemed fascinated. "Medicham can actually learn that move?"

"With Recycle, you really could have an endless supply of Berries to eat... Wait, does Psychic power reconstruct or generate them? Is it something like accelerating their growth?"

Most people strongly associated Recycle with Snorlax.

Maylene stared dumbfounded at the regenerated Berry. Her astonishment gradually became disbelief, and then she swallowed hard.

"Free... limitless food! Break one Berry into two pieces, use Recycle, and you get two whole Berries! I'll never have to worry about money again!"

"A hundred meals a day!"

Green, however, looked thoughtful.

"Rather than Psychic power... it seems more like an application of life energy. Berries contain a tremendous amount of energy themselves. Isn't that right, Manager?"

"Berries are manifestations of natural energy," Hikaru explained. "Take the Grass-type move Energy Ball, for example. It gathers life energy from nature and releases it all at once."

"Everything possesses Aura, and Berries are no exception. Maintain your stamina, eat a full meal, and then try using Aura to locate a specific Berry while avoiding obstacles in the forest and finding the path ahead."

"Berries possess types, and aside from the waves of spirit energy known as Aura, several other varieties of waves can also be used."

"Water has its vibrations. Darkness has its aura."

"Healing has its light. Dragons have their impact."

"And the earth has the power of terrain."

Aside from Origin Pulse, wave-based moves were not restricted to an extremely narrow selection of Pokémon and could be learned by many different species. Terrain Pulse was a somewhat unusual example. Venusaur and Blastoise could learn it, but Charizard could not.

"Aura Sphere has a relatively limited pool of users because very few people or Pokémon can freely control spiritual waves and the aura of life. Water Pulse and Dark Pulse, however, can be learned by an enormous range of Pokémon."

"Master Aura, lock onto your target, and freely control the shape and vibrations of that energy. That will restore the ancient, unerring effect of these moves."

"If you can reach that stage, you will not be far from achieving Mega Evolution."

Korrina blinked thoughtfully.

"That sounds a lot like some of the things my grandfather says!"

"But this explanation is much more detailed! Grandpa only ever talks about bonds and friendship..."

Then he charged forward while shouting about bonds and friendship!

Even as the inheritor of Mega Evolution, Korrina still did not understand many aspects of it at this point in time. The one certainty she possessed was that strengthening one's bond made Mega Evolution possible.

"Next, my daughter and I will conceal ourselves," Koga announced. "Use your command of Aura to overcome the many obstacles of this training ground, then locate us."

"Serving as your opponents will also give my daughter and me an excellent opportunity to study Dark Pulse. We shall transform a terrifying aura filled with malice into a wave that cannot miss... This is a technique not even Karen has mastered."

"If every form of wave can be transformed into an unerring technique, connecting person to person and heart to heart, detecting the changes and emotions within all things, while allowing Aura to be shared and transferred... then perhaps everyone gathered here could become..."

Could this be what they called Ninshū?

The thought appeared unbidden in Koga's mind.

Janine was even more direct.

"Father, perhaps this is the true meaning of the secret our clan has passed down for four hundred years! If we understand what our Pokémon excel at and where their weaknesses lie, we'll never miss an opportunity or unknowingly stumble into danger again!"

Their voices disappeared along with their bodies.

Korrina, meanwhile, had realized something that deeply moved her.

If she could understand the waves of spiritual energy, she could become a true master of Mega Evolution. She would no longer be limited to the title of Successor or to Lucario. Perhaps she could master the power of every Mega Evolution!

Just like Green, who possessed so many stones and could share her life with multiple Pokémon!

Those stones were incredibly precious. They were rarely discovered even in Kalos, while Key Stones were more valuable still.

But why was Hoenn said to be the birthplace of Mega Evolution...?

Coming to Johto for this tournament had taught Korrina so many things at once. It felt as though a broader world had opened before her.

Maybe after the secrets of Mega Evolution were fully uncovered, it would become something anyone could use!

When that day came, she would surely become a true Evolution Warrior!

"Now, I will teach you the chant," Hikaru said.

"Maintain your connection with your Pokémon. Preserve the proper order."

Hikaru's voice pulled Korrina out of her daze. As the surrounding people began to murmur the words, she closed her eyes and used her heart to perceive the world around her.

Then she placed the glove containing her Mega Stone against her chest!

The Aura is with me!

"The power of Aura is in my heart!"

In that instant, Korrina seemed to glimpse something, and her body suddenly went rigid.

Her vision crossed more than a thousand years. Glory shone, stars revolved, and fragments of human history surfaced within an illusory blue light.

The land expanded and contracted before her eyes. She saw faraway places as the years changed and the sun and moon sped through the sky!

The waves around her gathered, pointing in one direction.

"There!"

She had found Koga's hiding place!

"That's right," Hikaru said. "By capturing an opponent's Aura and reading their thoughts and movements... you can see an enemy who would otherwise remain invisible!"

At the same moment, every Pokémon present with the ability to perceive Aura reacted.

Korrina's Lucario, Maylene's Lucario, Jasmine's Lucario, Candice's Medicham, Silver's Feraligatr, and Green's Blastoise!

"However, you're all still a little naive! Your perception of Aura remains crude!"

A Lucario suddenly appeared before the gathered Pokémon.

It radiated an overwhelmingly powerful presence, yet none of their earlier Aura scans had detected it!

One, two, three!

"Aura Sweep," Hikaru commanded.

"With the Aura and skill I've accumulated so far... three is still my limit. Here I go!"

Hikaru's Lucario unleashed three Aura Spheres simultaneously, blasting the Pokémon undergoing training!

"What... just happened?"

Korrina felt the Aura around them fall into violent disorder. An overwhelmingly powerful presence had entered and shattered the existing ripples, like a massive boulder plunging into a lake covered in faint rings.

Then the entire lake seemed to explode!

A similar cry of alarm sounded beside her. Maylene, whose nose was covered with a bandage, said exactly what Korrina was thinking.

"That Lucario...!"

"It fired three incredibly powerful Aura Spheres at the same time?!"

It truly had launched all three in one instant. Three separate waves of Aura had appeared simultaneously and without warning.

This had not been a series of rapid attacks with tiny intervals between them!

"Feraligatr!"

"Blastoise!"

"Use Water Pulse!"

Silver and Green gave their commands at the same time.

Blastoise could learn a wide variety of pulse moves, while Feraligatr could learn both Water Pulse and Dragon Pulse. Ripples of water gathered around each Pokémon's claws!

They made the water react with the air, causing the ripples to vibrate!

This was the simplest and most fundamental application of wave energy. Its power was relatively low, but different waves produced different secondary effects.

Water Pulse was a move many Pokémon could learn naturally, and its additional effect was confusion!

Thump!

It was as though another massive stone had plunged into the depths of the lake. Powerful energy began to surge, alerting both Water-type Pokémon to the approaching danger.

Blastoise had already mastered Aura Sphere, giving it a deeper understanding of Aura. It immediately thrust the Water Pulse in its palms forward like a martial artist launching an energy blast!

There was no time left to gather more power!

"But you're still one step too late," Hikaru said.

"Our current training ground consists of forest and grassland. That allows for a more advanced application of wave energy by borrowing the power of the terrain."

"This is Terrain Pulse!"

Terrain Pulse attacked by drawing on the power of the battlefield. Its type and power changed depending on the terrain present when it was used!

When fighting in a forest or on Grassy Terrain, Terrain Pulse became a Grass-type wave!

Green's eyes widened. "I've never seen anything like this! Blasty, defend yourself!"

"Blas!"

Blastoise hurriedly assumed a defensive stance.

The emerald energy wave was already crashing toward them like an unstoppable avalanche, engulfing both Water-type Pokémon!

Smoke filled the battlefield.

And so, the training began.

Korrina wiped the sweat and dust from her forehead as she stared at the astonishingly powerful Lucario.

The pulse of the terrain.

On Electric Terrain, it summoned lightning. Where Psychic Terrain surged, it became a force of will even stronger than Psychic. In a world covered by Misty Terrain, Fairy-like waves rose from every direction.

Then there was the emerald pulse manifested within the forest.

Beyond those, the Lucario wielded Aura Sphere, Water Pulse, Dark Pulse, and Dragon Pulse with effortless mastery. It could detect every Pokémon's route of attack at once, then evade and counter with astonishing speed and agility!

Korrina watched for a while.

Then she suddenly smiled.

"I've trained with Grandpa for so many years. Riolu and I have lived together ever since I was a child."

"But only now do I finally understand."

"So this is the world of Aura!"

The Aura of happiness rose into the heavens, traveling toward a distant Pokémon and granting it tremendous power.

Meanwhile, at the site of the tournament, inside Queen Ilene's lodgings...

Sir Aaron's staff was also releasing energy.

However, Queen Ilene did not understand why the staff was trembling. Ever since she arrived near this place, some omnipresent energy seemed to have stirred the staff into activity.

What secrets did the relic left behind by the legendary hero conceal?

Every year during Rota's Battle Festival, a visiting tourist or Trainer would put on the hero's clothing, imitate the hero's pose, and raise the staff high overhead.

Yet nothing unusual had ever happened.

This was the first such anomaly Queen Ilene had witnessed since taking the throne. Even the head maid who had accompanied her was deeply confused.

"Perhaps this is Sir Aaron's guidance... Maybe the staff is also waiting for a true Guardian of Aura to be chosen?"

"So it's about to begin... Koga said they were holding some kind of Aura training camp earlier, and the instructor was the Champion who made such a name for himself in both Galar and Unova. Honestly, a Champion-level Trainer who also serves as an Elite Four member... At this rate, Paldea might as well hand him its Champion title too."

"Oh my, that almost sounds like you're trying to sow discord between superiors and subordinates. You shouldn't say such things at an official event... Still, that Champion is constantly traveling everywhere. Maybe he has some special identity. We probably shouldn't speculate."

"The true essence of Dark Pulse... a terrifying aura filled with malice that makes the opponent afraid... an aura that cannot miss. So something like that actually exists."

"If only I hadn't gone to train at the Battle Frontier by myself. What a shame."

Four days later, the all-events competition was drawing to a close.

Rather than shrinking, the crowd continued to grow because the appetizer had only just ended.

The main course was about to begin!

Karen of the Johto Elite Four had arrived. She surveyed the people nearby, each of whom radiated tremendous power and carried incredibly formidable Pokémon.

Although this was a martial arts tournament, only Ghost-type Pokémon were prohibited. Every other type could participate.

Many people probably believed Ice, Rock, Dark, and even Steel-type Pokémon would serve as nothing more than stepping stones for Fighting types.

Which meant that if Karen could score victories despite the unfavorable matchups...

A mischievous smile tugged at the Dark-type specialist's lips.

The atmosphere inside the arena surged with Karen's arrival.

This martial arts tournament was jointly hosted by more than one regional League, with additional funding supplied by a small kingdom. The event itself had been promoted by the Ferrum region in its search for the world's greatest fighters.

In simpler terms, they wanted the thrill of battle.

Pokkén Tournament was built around fighting, after all, and martial arts flourished throughout Ferrum.

In the competitors' seating area, two hulking men waited for the tournament to begin while talking to one another.

"Bruno," Glenn said, "do you know about Mega Evolution...?"

"Of course, Mr. Glenn. I've heard that it is a special phenomenon found in the Kalos region. Supposedly, some people have begun researching it, and a handful of rare experts have already mastered Mega Evolution?"

"That's right... Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution also exist in Ferrum. However, rather than using Mega Stones, we attempt to trigger the phenomenon through objects known as Synergy Stones."

"Without Mega Stones... That is the first I've heard of such a thing. Then again, everything you're telling me is new to me..."

Glenn laughed. "That makes sense. You won't see this phenomenon in Kanto or Johto. Those regions feel unexpectedly peaceful, without the constant pressure of being swept along by some overwhelming power."

"Of course, Pokémon that cannot Mega Evolve can still benefit from the power of Synergy Stones. We call the phenomenon Synergy Burst, or an Overdrive state. It's like the brief period in a traditional fighting game when a character can unleash their ultimate move. Fighting games are quite popular in our region."

"Pokémon that cannot Mega Evolve can still obtain that energy...?" Bruno murmured. "In that case..."

"They say the enormous Great Synergy Stone monument enshrined in Ferrum Stadium is itself a Synergy Stone," Glenn continued. "However, we don't know the details. We only know that Synergy Power can awaken the potential of life."

"I've heard claims that Mega Evolution originates from cosmic energy. Yet the legends of Ferrum's major tribes say something different. According to them, Synergy Stones, which closely resemble Mega Stones, are guided by Aura but originate from the power of the earth. They are the will of the planet itself."

"Hm? Two different conclusions?" Bruno considered it. "I suppose the earth and the stars don't necessarily contradict each other. Our world is a planet too."

"And speaking of Aura, there is a land north of Kanto containing the Tree of Beginning. That tree is connected to Aura, isn't it? There has been an enormous Aura reaction at this tournament venue as well. That's what I heard from Koga and the others."

"That ancient tree is apparently a rocky life-form. It can resonate with Aura and may undergo violent reactions capable of causing the land itself to collapse. Now that you mention it, the entire story sounds like something out of a nightmare..."

"So Ferrum has a similar legend," Glenn said.

Bruno turned toward him. "Mr. Glenn, did you say a similar legend?"

"In our homeland, Elder Walter once told us that a colossal stone went out of control long ago. It drained the energy from the earth and became unstoppable, bringing the entire Ferrum region to the brink of collapse."

"You aren't suggesting that the Tree of Beginning in Rota's northern lands is the same kind of stone, are you?"

"Who knows?" Glenn replied. "I'm merely interested in Mega Evolution, life aura, and Aura itself. Confirming these matters was one reason I helped promote this tournament, as one of the leading Champions of the Ferrum League..."

"One of its Champions?"

"Huh? Did I never explain it? Ferrum's League consists of five divisions rather than one. Together, they form the Ferrum League, so there are five leaders. Officially, three are called League Masters, while two hold Champion-level titles. Their identities vary greatly. One is even a recluse who never appears in public... Don't worry about it."

Bruno studied the powerful man beside him thoughtfully.

Then Lance's voice resounded throughout the stadium. As the reigning League Champion, he was naturally present to deliver the formal announcement.

At the same moment, Queen Ilene of Rota raised Sir Aaron's staff.

The winner of this martial arts tournament would be crowned the Guardian of Aura.

Rota selected a new Guardian of Aura every year because it was only an honorary title. Since the kingdom also held its own Battle Festival, there would probably be two Guardians this year.

Honor might be something intangible, but it could certainly ignite people's passions.

"The kingdom even prepared ceremonial costumes for the participants... Our League also provided considerable material support. We wanted to build as much excitement around this tournament as possible."

"This queen truly works herself to the bone for her country," Bruno said. "By using what could be called the World Martial Arts Tournament to promote Rota, the title of the first Guardian of Aura crowned here is certain to spread far and wide."

"The kingdom's economy will soar," Glenn replied. "In modern society, living a self-sufficient life as people did in the past simply isn't possible. Whatever else one might say, life in the present era is far more convenient."

"But I wonder... Could the convictions of all these different fighters and martial artists travel through Aura into the distant past and reach Sir Aaron?"

"If Aura can truly witness the miracles of time, as a certain Champion claims, that would be a beautiful thing."

"Well, let's wait for the pairings!"

"I really did become stronger through the Aura training!"

Korrina drew a deep breath.

Over the last several days, she had continuously tempered her body and mind. To her astonishment, she had genuinely begun to sense Aura.

That must have been the power her grandfather was always talking about.

But Grandpa really did speak in nothing but riddles.

Or perhaps...

"Maybe Grandpa doesn't understand Aura as well as the Sage Champion does?"

"Well, that would make sense! The Originator of Aura, a Lucario that crossed three thousand years, and the Prince in Blue... Those stories were simply too astonishing. Everything that happened in Almia sounded like an ancient fairy tale."

"If I hadn't personally witnessed Aura Sweep and Terrain Pulse, I never would have known Aura could be used that way. One Pokémon could stand against an entire army. No wonder Mega Lucario is called an invincible supreme warrior."

"As partners who trained together for four days... the hearts of all of us who attended the camp truly grew closer... Mr. Hikaru is like a teacher to us. No, he's like the sun itself."

"Hikaru..."

"By observing other people's movements... Yes, that means Mr. Hikaru currently understands Aura better than anyone else. Even Mr. Riley, who came all the way from Sinnoh, admitted that his current understanding of Aura cannot compare."

"Yet Mr. Riley can use an Aura seal, and he still claims that his understanding of Aura is superficial and that he remains only an apprentice."

People from other regions really were humble.

Green was the same. She had already learned to use Aura and could even Mega Evolve several different Pokémon.

The four-day training camp had truly broadened Korrina's horizons.

Then, as one of their apprentices... could she become the Guardian in this tournament?

The real wall standing before all the competitors was Green.

How could Korrina defeat her?

No, she had to surpass Green when it came to Mega Evolution.

Green had disappeared for a while last night. No matter how Korrina considered it, that was suspicious.

What other trump card could she be hiding...?

"You're Korrina, the Gym Leader of Shalour City in Kalos, aren't you?"

An unfamiliar voice came from behind her.

Korrina was waiting for the results of the draw. When she turned, she saw a barefoot girl with gray hair and a cape. The stranger wore a competition uniform marked with the number 193 and regarded Korrina with an appraising gaze.

Korrina blinked. "Huh? Who are you?"

Bea gave a rare smile.

"Hello. I am the current Champion of the Galar region... and the Sage Champion's training partner."

"I am also the inheritor of Galar's century-old karate tradition. I first met him at Challenge Rock in Unova, where I learned about Aura."

"Perfectly balance body and mind, synchronize your strength with your Pokémon, awaken your sixth sense, and achieve a mind as clear and still as water... Those are the prerequisites for mastering Aura."

"Yet even though I was his training partner, even though we trained together and endured grueling hardships afterward... I could not grasp the secret of Aura."

"But you improved by leaps and bounds in only four days... I truly envy you."

"Still, I remain his strongest training partner. After all, I was here first."

Korrina had no idea why Bea was suddenly treating this as a competition.

Even so, she instinctively clenched her fist.

"That's fine. I won't lose!"

Bea laughed. "Even so, I won't be able to fight you during the tournament."

"Huh?"

"I'm only participating in the exhibition match. Personally, I wanted to fight with everything I had in the actual tournament. However, the Galar League decided that if this year's Champion lost here, it would damage Galar's prestige."

"They said the supposedly strongest Champion couldn't fight casually, and that if Champions were going to compete, every Champion should participate. That was their reasoning..."

Bea looked deeply disappointed.

She had originally made extensive preparations for this tournament.

However, the moves and battle methods Hikaru had taught her proved too powerful. Combined with Leon losing control of Gigantamax and suffering a decline in form, Bea had defeated him and become Champion.

"Bea, why are you wearing Leon's cape too?"

The sound of Hikaru's voice made Bea's entire body stiffen.

She turned around, looking terribly embarrassed.

"This... This was presented to me at the Battle Tower. I mean Rose Tower."

"Leon has taken over as Chairman and converted the building into the Battle Tower. He kept muttering that Galar wasn't ready for it yet, but that he would work hard to build it into a tower resembling the Eternal Battle Reverie..."

"I think he's taking it far too seriously. Or rather, he hasn't merely recovered his form. He has also..."

"Become far stronger than he used to be?" Hikaru asked with a smile.

Bea nodded repeatedly, looking utterly bewildered.

"We battled in the Battle Tower. Honestly, I still can't understand what happened. Hardly any time has passed since the incident in the Crown Tundra, yet Mr. Leon's strength suddenly improved by leaps and bounds!"

"He challenged me to a battle in the Battle Tower, and this time... I lost."

Hikaru sighed helplessly.

"He finally set down the burden on his shoulders. Once he lost the title of 'Unbeatable Champion,' every shackle restraining him disappeared."

"That allowed him to fight freely with everything he had, while his tactical style became far more versatile. It's perfectly normal that you lost."

Everyone knew the difference.

League Champion Leon, with a team in the low sixties and a fair, straightforward strategy, was easy enough to handle.

Battle Tower Leon, with a team in the eighties and ruthlessly optimized training, was an absolute monster!

Come to think of it, those seeking to reach even greater heights were often no longer reigning Champions.

That was probably the real meaning of a hidden master.

In our League, the weakest Trainer is the current Champion!

The same situation existed in many regions.

Bea tugged at her cape.

"Afterward, he said he had prepared something for me. This is it... It's honestly a little embarrassing..."

She had almost called it humiliating, but decided that would be inappropriate. The sponsors might start crying.

The cape had never seemed strange when Leon wore it. Only after putting it on herself did Bea realize how many advertisements were plastered across the thing!

"It's fine," Hikaru said. "If no one looks too closely, the large red cape is rather stylish."

Bea's expression grew awkward.

"How could anyone here fail to look closely? This place is full of people with Keen Eyes."

The more she considered it, the more inconveniences came with becoming Champion. She had to travel everywhere for sponsorships, among countless other obligations.

Leon truly had endured a great deal.

Even ordinary matches now required careful consideration.

Oleana had told her, "This is hardly an ordinary tournament. The strongest martial artists from every region are competing for the title of Martial Arts Master. If Galar's Fighting-type Champion loses, it will damage the confidence of the Galarian people. But there's no problem if you participate as a guest in the exhibition match!"

"This is a chaotic clash between Champion-level competitors. Gym Leaders and Elite Four members hardly qualify as true powerhouses here... but if you somehow suffer an upset..."

"I still want to participate freely in tournaments like this," Bea said. "If I can fight powerful opponents, I shouldn't look down on them because of their status."

"But if I carry the title of 'Unbeatable,' I must continue winning forever. I now fully understand how exhausted Mr. Leon must have been, and why Master Mustard became disillusioned with the League's rules."

"Even so, this is also what the people of Galar demand, so I cannot ignore it."

"Maybe I should give the Champion's position to someone else during the next Champion Cup... No, it's already a new year. I hope someone appears who can take me down in this year's tournament."

Then again, Bea wondered if the seeded competitors were truly capable of defeating her.

She had undoubtedly become incredibly strong. That was not empty boasting.

Even Raihan might be unable to take the Champion's seat from her.

Then there were Marnie and Gloria, whom Hikaru had placed such high hopes upon.

They were even younger than Bea. Did he truly believe they could defeat her and pass the Crown Tundra's trials?

Hikaru noticed the enormous screen flickering and reminded her, "The draw is over. Your exhibition match is about to begin. Once the tournament is finished, I'll treat you to dessert."

Bea abruptly returned to her senses and struck one palm with her fist.

"Very well... Please watch me from below! Even if it's only an exhibition match, I'll give it everything I have!"

Her cheeks immediately flushed, and she lowered her voice.

"But please don't talk about sweets in a place like this!"

Her fans had learned her secret love of sweets. That made it far more difficult to enjoy desserts while maintaining her image!

Her opponent in the exhibition match was naturally the reigning Champion of both Kanto and Johto: Lance!

Dragon and Fighting had no direct type advantage over one another.

Although many of Lance's "Dragon Pokémon" carried the Flying type, earning him the mocking nickname of Flying-type Master, several of Bea's Pokémon knew devastating counter-combinations involving Thunder Punch and Stone Edge.

The exhibition match used a two-on-two format and would end as soon as one Pokémon lost the ability to battle.

As a result, arguments about which side was stronger depended entirely upon the intensity of their respective supporters.

You say the Flying-type Master is invincible in Johto?

Then the people of Galar will say he cannot even pass through Galar's gates because Dragonite does not have a visa!

Korrina stared solemnly at the tournament pairings.

"Three members of the Johto Elite Four are here, along with a chaotic clash of Champion-level Trainers. Legendary martial artists keep appearing one after another. In a tournament like this, Gym Leaders are nothing more than..."

Speed bumps!

This really was a tournament where participation itself mattered!

But Korrina knew she still possessed an absolute trump card.

She was an Evolution Warrior.

Mega Evolution was an incredibly powerful battle system, after all, backed by a legacy of Aura spanning one thousand...

No, three thousand years!

"I'll make it shine on this stage! I swear it in the name of the Successor!"

However, Korrina's first opponent was Koichi.

Koichi was Kanto's Karate Master and supposedly possessed formidable strength. However, he had once suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Psychic-type Gym Leader and had been treated coldly throughout Kanto ever since.

Rumor had it that he intended to open a dojo in Kalos.

Was this some kind of destined battle?

Then she checked Hikaru's opponent.

It was an internal clash between Trainers from Unova.

The legendary Karate King, Zaymon!

"Of all people, I drew Zaymon..." Hikaru murmured.

Zaymon was an NPC found deep beneath White Treehollow, in an area that could only be reached by descending an extraordinary distance.

Within Unova, he was considered a master on the same level as Marshal. He had defeated countless martial artists, and his level-74 Haxorus truly stood above the crowd.

Then again, Pokémon above level seventy were practically everywhere inside White Treehollow...

That level had once seemed impossibly high. Now, however, it was no longer beyond reach.

At that same moment, Zaymon's pupils contracted.

"I have to battle our region's Champion... My luck is truly 'excellent.'"

The legend of the legendary Karate King would end here.

Sayonara... then explode into pieces!

Bea was also studying the enormous screen.

When she saw Zaymon's name, she remembered their encounter in Unova. He had been the man who blocked her path at Challenge Rock.

"Teacher, you will certainly win. Even the legendary Karate King cannot defeat you. If possible, I would have liked to fight this rematch myself, but..."

She turned around, spreading her cape.

Across from her stood Lance, wearing a cape of his own.

Bea released a long breath.

Then she gathered her complete concentration and prepared to face the exhibition match before her!

The first official match after the exhibition would be...

"Ash from the Kanto region versus Janine, also from Kanto!"

It was almost possible to hear triumphant background music rising through the arena.

A boy dressed in the clothing of an ancient hero eagerly waited for his chance to step onto the stage!

He gazed across the roaring stadium as the exhibition match between the two Champions reached its conclusion.

Dust and lightning surged into the sky, crossing a thousand years to preserve this history and these emotions forever.

Had it begun?

"Mew... and the Guardian of Aura!"

(End of Chapter)

[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]

[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]

[Thanks for Reading!]