Galar Region, Gongmen City.

Inside the Pokémon League office, phones rang incessantly as staff hurried about.

"Mr. Dan Emperor, here's a proposal from Gym Leader Alister about promoting agricultural production in Turffield that needs your signature."

"Mr. Dan Emperor, the challenge refusal in Spikemuth has lasted three months, with many trainers filing complaints."

"Mr. Dan Emperor, there's a Champion speech scheduled for the charity hospital at 2 PM..."

Dan Emperor clasped his hands together, listening attentively to reports while maintaining a gentle smile.

His golden eyes sparkled with a great emotion called 'hope', with weariness and melancholy deeply buried beneath his passionate gaze.

"Don't worry, everyone."

Dan Emperor spoke brightly, his voice carrying a reassuring power as he smiled.

"I'll handle it."

The staff were visibly moved, and the entire office fell silent for a second.

"Understood!!" everyone responded loudly.

Immediately, they redoubled their efforts, throwing themselves back into busy work.

Perhaps Galar was barren and weak, but we had the strongest Champion.

Dan Emperor.

As the sun set, Dan Emperor finished his Champion speech at the charity hospital, smiling as he patted children's heads amid flashing camera lights.

Waving to the cheering crowd, he flipped open his logo-covered cape, raising a finger skyward as his figure gradually disappeared into the backstage passage.

Amid the applause outside, Rose in his silver suit leaned against the wall, fiddling with his curly hair while waiting for Dan Emperor.

Catching up to walk beside Dan Emperor, he scoffed:

"Tomorrow there'll be another flood of reports about Champion publicity stunts."

Dan Emperor smiled: "Negative publicity is still publicity."

Rose stopped walking, watching Dan Emperor's lonely back before helplessly spreading his hands:

"You're going the wrong way! The exit's over there!"

Dan Emperor blinked, turning back while scratching his head: "Hahaha, sorry, I was lost in thought."

The two boarded a Galarian Flying Taxi.

The Corviknight flapped its wings, soaring through the twilight.

Rose flipped through financial reports while Dan Emperor leaned against the window, gazing at Galar's resource-rich lands outside.

"How about taking tonight off?" Rose suddenly said.

"Of course, no problem," Dan Emperor answered casually. "Leave the rest to me."

Rose facepalmed, raising his voice: "Not me resting - I mean you should rest tonight!"

Seeing Dan Emperor's slight frown, Rose said seriously: "Tonight's work is all trivial. Forget about it. Take your Charizard and get some proper rest."

"Have battles with Kabu, visit your girlfriend, chat and play games with Master Ma on the Isle of Armor."

Rose listed options while slinging an arm around Dan Emperor's shoulder.

"Galar's Champion should learn from Hoenn sometimes - try trusting your companions."

"Companions..." Dan Emperor murmured.

Rose raised an eyebrow, his slicked-back curls gleaming slightly. "You don't trust me."

"Of course I do!"

"Then take a proper day off."

Rose smiled, his eyes sharp yet gentle: "From now until sunrise tomorrow, you're not Galar's Champion, understand?"

"I'm not..."

Dan Emperor gazed absently out the window as the Corviknight soared higher, where a Charizard emerged through swirling clouds.

The caped man riding the Charizard wandered aimlessly, softly repeating:

"Galar's Champion..."

**

Night fell over the Isle of Armor.

"Good heavens! I dropped several ranks after playing ranked battles all night!"

At the aromatic wooden dining table, Master Ma clutched his bowl while grumbling about today's losses.

"Did you encounter Teacher Lu again?" Klara asked around her chopsticks, purple eyeshadow glinting.

Master Ma's eyebrows shot up as he shoveled rice into his mouth. From outside came Mustard's magician-hatted shout:

"Master! Champion Dan Emperor is here to see you!"

"Oh! Dan Emperor boy!"

Master Ma slammed down his bowl like seeing a savior, rushing to the door.

"Master really plays favorites with this disciple," Klara complained to Mistress Honey.

"Perhaps," Honey guessed, "he just wants Dan Emperor to help play games."

Klara blinked, then pouted: "Well he's still no match for Teacher Lu tactically..."

Red lanterns hung at the dojo entrance as distant Wailord cries floated through the air.

"Dan Emperor boy, what brings you to the dojo today?"

"G-got lost..." Dan Emperor scratched his head sheepishly. "Before I knew it, I'd arrived at the Isle of Armor, haha!"

Master Ma gave him a knowing look before turning away, hands behind his back. "Come with me. I happen to need your help."

Following his master, Dan Emperor thought deeply before saying:

"Master, I've been pondering something today."

"Let's hear it."

"If I weren't Galar's Champion... might someone more suitable take my place?" Dan Emperor smiled slightly, lowering his gaze. "Like Wallace succeeding Steven, or Alice succeeding Alder..."

"I'm not a proper Champion - nitpicky, often too emotional."

"Rose's vision might bring Galar greater benefits, but I... still want to see people and Pokémon living happily together."

"But even without being Champion, that's still possible..."

Dan Emperor shook his head, smiling wryly:

"Sorry, just pretend I have too much free time!"

A hand rested on Dan Emperor's shoulder. Meeting Master Ma's profound, meaningful gaze, the older man said:

"No one could be more suited than you, Dan Emperor boy."

Master Ma punched Dan Emperor's chest lightly before ambling toward the living room game console.

"Because you're the strongest Champion."

Dan Emperor stood frozen in place.

Slowly, a grin spread across his face as Dan Emperor beamed brightly.

"Don't think about work today, Dan Emperor boy! Help me play games!" Master Ma hollered.

"Let me warm up with my own account first, Master."

Dan Emperor laughed loudly, flipping his cape as he headed for the living room.

"Time to show you a Champion moment!"

**

The entire dojo family gathered around the sofa.

Klara clutching her cheeks, Mustard in his tall hat, Honey looking concerned, and an excited Master Ma.

"Hurry hurry, I can reach world rank one this season!"

"Master—" Klara drawled, "you're having the Champion help with this?"

"It's fine," Dan Emperor laughed. "I'm off today - not Galar's Champion until tomorrow."

Mustard adjusted his monocle: "That explains playing games on a weekday."

Honey said worriedly: "Keep an eye on your master, don't let him stay up too late, Danny."

"Don't worry, Mistress."

Dan Emperor got into the spirit too, leading his Gigantamax Charizard as he clicked the matchmaking button.

Unexpectedly, a match was found in under ten minutes - the opponent's profile showed a handsome black-haired young man.

"Teacher Lu?" Dan Emperor looked surprised.

"Good heavens! Teacher Lu boy!!" Master Ma wailed.

Klara's eyes sparkled as she clutched her cheeks, her expression turning almost 'seductive'.

Mustard analyzed: "No doubt Teacher Lu is running Rainy Day Bye Bye Song today."

"Rainy Day Bye Bye Song..."

Dan Emperor grinned, golden eyes alight, his bearded face showing childlike excitement.

Even with sponsorships... no reason to hold back against Teacher Lu.

"Let's give it a try!"

Resolutely dragging his most trusted, type-disadvantaged Charizard into the team.

"Come on, Teacher Lu."

Amid Master Ma's shouts beside him, Dan Emperor pointed skyward with boyish charm, roaring:

"Witness our Champion moment!"

...